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[Beemer]

Has the MoCo issued guidance on replacing the pre-2010 110" motor compensators with 2010 updated units when they come in with issues?  I'd like to have something in hand from the MoCo as the two dealers within 100 miles always either play dumb...or ARE dumb when it comes to MoCo bulletins and such.

I've had multiple issues with my starter kicking back & disengaging.  First,  they replaced gear, then the whole starter from paint peeling (couldn't match) and later on the compensator nut came loose and it sounded like all hell broke loose in my primary.  Tightened nut.

Now, my starter kickback issue is back and I'm getting a growling sound from the primary when the bike is idling and in neutral.

[grc]

Haven't personally seen or heard of any official bulletins, but several people on this site have had the new compensator installed under warranty when addressing the repetitive starting and primary noise issues.  If the dealership plays dumb (yes, I'm quite aware that it isn't "playing" for many/most of them), pick up the phone and call H-D Customer Service.  Might even want to have the information already saved in your phone so you can dial them up standing right in front of the service manager.  Save a lot of he said/he didn't say BS.


Jerry

[SBB]

Haven't personally seen or heard of any official bulletins, but several people on this site have had the new compensator installed under warranty when addressing the repetitive starting and primary noise issues.  If the dealership plays dumb (yes, I'm quite aware that it isn't "playing" for many/most of them), pick up the phone and call H-D Customer Service.  Might even want to have the information already saved in your phone so you can dial them up standing right in front of the service manager.  Save a lot of he said/he didn't say BS.


Jerry

And to add to what Jerry said above,
Go back thru the compensator post(s) and make a note of dealers that have installed the compensators under warranty in members bikes.
When your dealer is saying we can't do that under warranty ask them why those (listed) dealers did?
Once 1 dealer installed the compensator under warranty there was no going back.

SBB

[Beemer]

Well, I just called Customer Service and got a reference #.  I'll take the bike up to the local dealer at lunch and see what they say.  Probably set me up with an appt to drop off. 

The rep seemed to be more concerned about the growling sound while in neutral than the starter kickback...said it might be main bearing!

[krautdog]

Please share if you have or get a bulletin number about the SE compensator, I called customer service and was told the klunking at start is normal and they won't do a thing for it with my 09 SEUC. I said that the 10 has the new SE compesator and she said again that they won't do a thing for me with my compesator and that the clunking was "Normal". To say I was a little perturbed was an understatement. She spoke to me like I was a 5 year old. and just kept repeating over and over. So please share any info you get. I would love to call them back with a some info. Sounds like the new SE compensator has helped allot of owners on this site with starting issues. Thanks!

[HDDOCFL]

Please share if you have or get a bulletin number about the SE compensator, I called customer service and was told the klunking at start is normal and they won't do a thing for it with my 09 SEUC. I said that the 10 has the new SE compesator and she said again that they won't do a thing for me with my compesator and that the clunking was "Normal". To say I was a little perturbed was an understatement. She spoke to me like I was a 5 year old. and just kept repeating over and over. So please share any info you get. I would love to call them back with a some info. Sounds like the new SE compensator has helped allot of owners on this site with starting issues. Thanks!

I got the same run around, installed my own and now all is well. Doc.  4 hrs start to finish.

[grc]

Please share if you have or get a bulletin number about the SE compensator, I called customer service and was told the klunking at start is normal and they won't do a thing for it with my 09 SEUC. I said that the 10 has the new SE compesator and she said again that they won't do a thing for me with my compesator and that the clunking was "Normal". To say I was a little perturbed was an understatement. She spoke to me like I was a 5 year old. and just kept repeating over and over. So please share any info you get. I would love to call them back with a some info. Sounds like the new SE compensator has helped allot of owners on this site with starting issues. Thanks!

If you only mention a "clunk", you will get the standard answer that the young lady was reading to you from her computer screen, and it's the same answer they put out shortly after the launch of the 2007's.  The clunk is "normal".  Unfortunately, lots of chitty stuff is "normal" with a Harley, but that doesn't make it "acceptable".

They know perfectly well that the compensator design was junk from the git-go, and the fact that they finally made the SE design standard in 2010 tells me that they finally decided it was cheaper to upgrade the stock setup versus paying to fix all those starters.

Is your only issue right now the clunking sound?  Or do you have the actual starting issues, with kickback and failure to start and grinding noises and all the other stuff?  I think if you just call complaining about the clunk you will just get the standard answer, but if you have actual starter failures and other potentially expensive failures they will be more inclined to upgrade the compensator as part of the total repair to save themselves multiple repairs and dollars.  At least that seems to be what has been reported by many of the folks who have had such repairs made recently.  But if you just call wanting a free upgrade because you've read about others getting one, and you don't really have a starter or starting problem, it's highly unlikely they will offer to upgrade your compensator.  They, and most other manufacturer's, don't normally work that way.


Jerry

[krautdog]

Thanks. I only have the clunk, no starting issues yet. Good thing I have the 5 year extended warranty. Looks like I will just put the SE Compensator on my Christmas list. 

[DESERTBEAR54]

I just got off the phone with Tech Support about the Clacking noise I get in neutral when the bike is hot. I was informed that on my 2010 SEUC that I have the standard compensator and that in 2011 is when Harley installed the newer SE Compensator stock in the CVO's and others. He told me it was normal and that it was not doing any damage when its Clacking. I guess I am at a loss for words and I will have to get used to the Clacking

[muddypaws]

My 2009 has has two clutch baskets, two clutch bearings and one starter. Still has the problem. Bike has 26,800 miles and has had problems from mile 1000. HD is being real nice about wanting to get it fixed. The option (my Attorney tells me) is for HD to take back the bike using the lemon law. HD hopes to have an answer for me today. After today the Attorney will get involved if there is not a plan I agree with.

[HDDOCFL]

I just got off the phone with Tech Support about the Clacking noise I get in neutral when the bike is hot. I was informed that on my 2010 SEUC that I have the standard compensator and that in 2011 is when Harley installed the newer SE Compensator stock in the CVO's and others. He told me it was normal and that it was not doing any damage when its Clacking. I guess I am at a loss for words and I will have to get used to the Clacking

The info you have is wrong on the 2010 CVO touring bikes. The have the upgraded compensator as stock. Also the trikes recieved the same treatment.  Doc

[Bandit4142]

Made the call yesterday to Harley Customer Service....  I explained that 1 in 5 times I'm getting a very loud 'kick-back' then the bike won't start, also an extremely loud bang when it doesn't fire, then the bike cranks repeatedly before it will start.   Explained about the loose metallic sound in the primary, and was told all of this is 'normal' for a CVO 110 motor.  Told there are no known issues with the old Compensator.   Was given a reference number and sent on my way......   

[muddypaws]

Tell HD you know me and they are full of crap.

[SBB]

Tell HD you know me and they are full of crap.

Muddy

Can I try that also?

 

SBB

[muddypaws]

John M at HD is the one that knows all about my bike and the starting problems. Call him and tell him you talked to me.

[DavidB]

I got the same run around, installed my own and now all is well. Doc.  4 hrs start to finish.

Did it the same way Doc.. Problem solved

[Billy]

Just was at dealer . I told tech of starting issues for a year but it would not do it for him. Today I was by dealer with tech and asked to listen. The bike did not start and it had kickback. he said he would fix under extended warranty. I would have to pay difference for SE compensator.  Billy

[mr_magoo]

Why should you have to pay the difference, it's warranty   they should cover it all except $50

[Billy]

I was going to pay for the upgrade to the Se part. Not sure if they will pay , I am still working  on that with the SM he is very helpfull So I will find out next week  Woodstock HD has always been very helpful it is the MOCO that is the problem, If it wasn't for the service dept I would have been looking for a different bike years ago.      Billy

[Fired00d]

I was going to pay for the upgrade to the Se part. Not sure if they will pay , I am still working  on that with the SM he is very helpfull So I will find out next week  Woodstock HD has always been very helpful it is the MOCO that is the problem, If it wasn't for the service dept I would have been looking for a different bike years ago.      Billy

If I'm not mistaken you will pay the difference to upgrade a part on (regular or extended) warranty work unless upgraded part was put on at the time of purchasing the bike new.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Billy]

That is what I thought and that is fair to me.  Billy

[Fired00d]

That is what I thought and that is fair to me.  Billy

That it is ... I've been hoping my starter would chit the bed so I could pay the difference and get a chrome one... hasn't done it yet... and probably will not do it until warranty expires.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[mud man]

If you guys can upgrade to better parts and only pay the difference I am envious. was told at the stealer today that SE compensator upgrade for my worn 09 one would cost me $300 cdn plus installation (starter kicks back almost every time) oh and I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN! You would think they would at least cover the labour

[Billy]

My dealer in IL said that it would be under warranty and I would pay the difference  for the compensator. Not sure what the difference would be. I would call HD and complain. The bike should not kick back and not start.  Billy