Yep, mine was a terrible dry bearing sound, almost as if there was a loose bolt flopping around inside the tranny, but it was when the engine was pulling when the clutch was first engaging (and it was slipping, too).

If there's no ancillary damage, I'll be very happy! And, to the other poster, no I'm not looking for stealer to pay for an upgrade to SE components, but they should let me pay the price difference for the parts, and then do the install work under warranty (either way, they have to spend X hours to complete the install of parts).

Thanks all!

 

Don't think most of us are expecting a free upgrade; I know I'm not, though if this is in fact a nation-wide problem, maybe they should. At the very least, I should have the choice of paying the difference to the SE and Harley is saying 'no'. As I told my dealer, Harley is really good at taking in the dollars, and they are even better at not handing out the dollars. (Warranty)

Harley is also saying there are no issues with the stock compensator in the '07-'0-10 models. Anyone who has spent some time here in the Touring forum likely knows better.

 

Man, I am just wondering if I need to go on and replace mine before it ever has the chance to fail. Does that sound stupid?

 

Does the 2010 Ultra Limited come with the standard or SE compensator?

 

I don't believe they did. But a worthwhile upgrade.

Mark

 

What are the symptoms of a compensator going bad?

 

Good question, I would like to know also.

 

Will need an expert to weigh in, but it looks like it doesn't; went through the 2010-Model Tech Highlights and couldn't find a reference one way or the other and then looked in the P&A catolog and it doesn't state as standard equipment in the SE Compensator description. (2010 P&A states standard equipment on Trikes, 2011 P&A catolog states standard on all 2011 Touring and Trike models.)

 

Generally it would be impossible to miss. Sounds like a box of loose nuts and bolts in the bottom of the engine. In my case, I had the compensator come loose on my 2003 Fatboy while on a long distance trip. Took it to a dealer nearby from when the sound started. Inspected the inside of the case around the compensator (marked up abit), retightened the compensator nut to the OEM torque specs and I was on my way. No harm no fuss (although it scared the bejeezus out of me while I was riding).

Never had an issue with it again.

 

Because I think for the most part it has been proven that the OEM compensator is under designed for the job it needs to do. Hence all the knocking at start up and marbles in a jar sound running down the road. A night and day difference since I've had a SE compensator installed.