OK, guys...I'll admit ignorance, but I want to learn, so help me out here...does this compensator issue affect all 110's or just certain years and/or certain models?
Thanks in advance for the lesson!
The primary, including the compensator, was changed back in 2006 on the Dyna, 2007 for everything else, when Harley introduced the Cruise Drive six speed transmission. The original 2006/2007 compensator design was totally inadequate, with insufficient travel and highly variable spring tension. After it became obvious the compensator couldn't cope with even the standard bikes, much less the CVO's, Harley's response was to come out with the Screamin' Eagle Compensator. They didn't use it to replace the original design, but instead just put it in the catalog so the
suckers customers could buy it themselves and install it to solve some of the problems caused by the original version. Typical H-D response, find a way to make more profit rather than step up and fix a defect on their dime.
Anyway, it wasn't until the 2010 CVO models that Harley started using the SE design in production. Since that time, they have made at least four revisions to the SE design to try to get it to last. The latest version added drip lubrication to the hub area to try to address abnormal and premature wear. At this point, I think the jury is still out as to whether this latest version will actually fix all the issues. There are people on this site btw who have replaced three or four compensators so far. Most people never replaced a single compensator on the old five speed Big Twins, no matter how long they owned them.
Jerry