Harley originally intended the new sprocket/comp system the answer for providing smoother shifting and 6 speed tranny by spinning the tranny faster.
The real reason, imho, was to cut costs, the straight splined crankshaft eliminated 14 machining steps alone. Obtaining compensator parts from overseas with inferior quality metals and hardening proceedures that are at best, suspect, then providing virtually NO oil to the comp parts.
It was first tested on the 06 Dyna models, then incorporated into all in 07. Since 02, HD has constantly downgraded almost every part, going from proven systems to unproven, low quality, and read "cheaper" for HD, results in more profit per unit, shareholders are happy, owners are miserable. For the icing on the cake, HD prefers to hide the faults, disallow warranties and bury the info. They should be ashamed of themselves. twinotter
HD should quit calling these thing "American Made" and use "American Assembled".