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CVO Technical => Drive Train => Topic started by: highwayking on February 21, 2011, 09:57:23 AM

Title: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: highwayking on February 21, 2011, 09:57:23 AM
I'm getting ready to join the many who have had their stock compensator replaced with the SE version.  When I had my last service performed the tech told me that the transmission fluid smelled burnt and that is usually indicative of a clutch wearing out.  So, I'm having them look at that too while the primary is off.  Has anyone else had a clutch problem with their 2007 CVO Ultra?  I only have 25K miles on the bike and I think that is premature for clutch problems.  Also, do you think that there is any connection between the stock compensator being inadequate to handle the stress of the 110 engines and the clutch wearing out?  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: Billy on February 21, 2011, 10:06:53 AM
not a mechanic but my clutch went out at 400 miles ,  I then complained for the next 35000 miles that the clutch did not seem to engage fully and that I had starting issues. They finally replaced the Compensator with the Se and it is like a new bike . why does it take so long for HD to listen to us. We ride the bike everyday and know what it should be like Billy
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: JCZ on February 21, 2011, 10:14:49 AM
My 10 SESG came with the SE compensator.  However, at about 16,000 miles it had to be replaced.  So the SE compensator isn't the cure all, either. :nixweiss:
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: Envithyx on February 21, 2011, 10:17:42 AM
My 10 SESG came with the SE compensator.  However, at about 16,000 miles it had to be replaced.  So the SE compensator isn't the cure all, either. :nixweiss:

X2.  My Limited (103") came with one as well, and was bad at 174 miles.  Albeit, they believe it was installed incorrectly at the factory.  Showed wear that they would expect to see at very very high mileage.   ???
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: Dan_Lockwood on February 21, 2011, 11:56:41 AM
I'm getting ready to join the many who have had their stock compensator replaced with the SE version.  When I had my last service performed the tech told me that the transmission fluid smelled burnt and that is usually indicative of a clutch wearing out.  So, I'm having them look at that too while the primary is off.  Has anyone else had a clutch problem with their 2007 CVO Ultra?  I only have 25K miles on the bike and I think that is premature for clutch problems.  Also, do you think that there is any connection between the stock compensator being inadequate to handle the stress of the 110 engines and the clutch wearing out?  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

My question is this, the clutch is in the primary and totally sealed from the transmission.  How can a slightly slipping clutch cause stinking transmission fluid?

Also, I'm guessing that your clutch is not "that" bad or you would have been complaining about it and not just waiting for the tech to tell you that it might be slipping.

What am I missing guys?  Does the clutch run in transmission fluid or primary oil?   :nixweiss:  :nixweiss:  :nixweiss:
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: Boatman on February 21, 2011, 12:09:38 PM
Most of our members clutches run in primary oil.     :cherry:

I'd just have the se compensator put in, with new fluid in the primary and transmission and run it if it were mine at that mileage.
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: sadunbar on February 21, 2011, 12:22:16 PM
My question is this, the clutch is in the primary and totally sealed from the transmission.  How can a slightly slipping clutch cause stinking transmission fluid?

Also, I'm guessing that your clutch is not "that" bad or you would have been complaining about it and not just waiting for the tech to tell you that it might be slipping.

What am I missing guys?  Does the clutch run in transmission fluid or primary oil?   :nixweiss:  :nixweiss:  :nixweiss:

The clutch runs in the compartment containing primary oil...  The transmission runs in transmission fluid...

The "tech" may not understand....  :nervous:
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: highwayking on February 21, 2011, 12:35:53 PM
I appreciate the feedback.  At this point I'm not committed to having the clutch replaced.  But I do want the SE compensator installed and while the primary is opened it's easy enough to determine any clutch wear.  They will have to convince me that the clutch is bad through visual evidence before I agree to replace it.  I have not noticed any slippage so that's why I put this thread out there to get others' experiences. 
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: 2018_FLTRXSE on February 21, 2011, 01:07:18 PM
Now that you mention it.. I do notice more friction material in the primary than I did on say my 03 Fatboy... but nothing indicative of failure.

Put the SE compensator in it and enjoy the benefits... keep the bike serviced and you should be fine....
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: grc on February 21, 2011, 01:38:11 PM

If it ain't slippin' or grabbin', it ain't broke (yet).  Don't let a supposed technician sell you stuff you don't need based on a bogus trans fluid odor diagnosis.  Sounds like the kind of snow sales job people get at various auto trans shops, when they drop the pan and show the customer all that gunk in the pan.

The SE compensator is a good idea, but as noted by many others since it was introduced, it has had it's own issues and isn't necessarily the best thing since sliced bread.  If it isn't installed properly (impact wrenches are verboten, for instance), it can fail pretty rapidly.  Make sure you have a qualified individual install it.


Jerry
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: Talon on February 21, 2011, 01:56:35 PM
The clutch runs in the compartment containing primary oil...  The transmission runs in transmission fluid...

The "tech" may not understand....  :nervous:

Unless the seal between the two goes, then it may be running in both.  ???

Craig
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: muddypaws on February 21, 2011, 03:45:24 PM
The dealer installed the SE compensator and a new clutch and my bike has never ran so good. It took them 2 years and 30,000 miles and 7 repair attempts before they got it right. That being said I hope it last....
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: ultrafxr on February 21, 2011, 10:14:07 PM
76k on my '07 and no clutch problem.
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: roadrunner on February 22, 2011, 09:02:43 AM
The dealer installed the SE compensator and a new clutch and my bike has never ran so good. It took them 2 years and 30,000 miles and 7 repair attempts before they got it right. That being said I hope it last....

Your a good man to give the dealer 7 repair attempts, I give them 2 attempts and move on to another dealer.
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: mcdonaldroadcapt on March 23, 2011, 09:03:19 AM
I need to get this straight since my dealer told me that the compensator in my 2008 CVO Ultra already has the SE compensator part number 40274.08. Is this correct of not?  I understood that the 2008 CVO models did not have this stronger compensator.  Thanks for all info on this matter.
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: grc on March 23, 2011, 01:46:28 PM
I need to get this straight since my dealer told me that the compensator in my 2008 CVO Ultra already has the SE compensator part number 40274.08. Is this correct of not?  I understood that the 2008 CVO models did not have this stronger compensator.  Thanks for all info on this matter.

Unless your dealer installed the SE part on a previous visit, he is mistaken.  Tell him to haul out the 2008 CVO parts supplement for your bike and look up the part numbers, then compare with the numbers in the 2010 and later CVO's which really do have the SE Compensator from the factory.


Jerry

Here, just in case your dealer can't find the parts book, I pulled up a couple numbers for just the sliding gear sets of the compensators installed from the factory.

2008 CUSE  -  40296-06
2010 CUSE  -  83935-09

 
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: mcdonaldroadcapt on March 25, 2011, 08:09:52 AM
Thanks for  info.  Will do.
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: rheiner on April 23, 2011, 09:08:07 PM
what are the signs the SE compensator is failing? I read JCZ had his replaced at 16k. How did the bike act?
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: hd-dude on April 24, 2011, 12:38:42 AM
what are the signs the SE compensator is failing? I read JCZ had his replaced at 16k. How did the bike act?

Excessive noise from primary, you can sometimes hear a knocking when the starter enguages or shutting the engine down. 
Title: Re: SE Compensator and Clutch Problems
Post by: Rooster on April 24, 2011, 10:28:14 AM
Mine started a howl that came and went a couple of times before it came and stayed. Mine had a knock when I started it each time. No knock anymore.