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[Dan_Lockwood]

Good morning guys.

In the process of installing my old new 30 tooth trans sprocket, of course the primary had to come apart.  I have an '09 SERG with about 13.5k miles on it.  It's not been ridden as much since I got my Shovelhead back on the road.

So here are some pictures of my compensator that will be going back into the bike.  I've heard and read lots of horror stories about all the comps guys have gone through.  I think Willy B had had four now.  My '09 has the first of the 110" version I believe.

Anyway without further ado, here are my pictures.







In my mind these look like they have just a few hundred miles on them.  So why does mine look this good and others can't keep them in?  I'm a heavy guy with most of the those miles at 290# and my wife over half that amount, so we're not light weights.

I think I'm going to jinx myself with these pictures now...      

Anyway, I just thought I would share these to show some positive about HD and their bikes.

[RayG]

Hi Dan

I may be in the minority here but that does not look that bad, if you are not hearing any kick back noise I agree about putting it back in since you said you are not putting high miles on it.  I have just put my 6th one on this spring,  they actually gave me this one as the last one before this one was warrantied for one year.  My original one went 41,400 miles after that they went pretty quick.  I actually started to take it easy after the second one was installed because I had just broke a belt and figured I don't want to get in the Primary every winter.  But every winter another one goes back in, but a compensator goes on much easier than the drive belt.  I will have to decide on using the Compensaver from GMR or the new Baker unit just released.  Time will tell.  08 SERK with 80,000

I may be wrong but as soon as I installed a high performance clutch I had to use the thinner generic primary fluid.  The clutch likes the thin stuff and the compensator likes the thick stuff.  Since it wouldn't shift worth a darn I had to go with the wants for the clutch.  Are you still using the stock clutch?  What type of primary fluid are you using?

Nice clear photos

Ray G 

[Dan_Lockwood]

Ray,

Yes, I think it's in pretty good shape and I'm not hesitant about putting it back in and running with it.

My bike is stock except for the Fullsac 2.5" baffles and the TTS Mastertune upgrade and Fullsac's canned map they did when they were getting all of the '09s going.  It has been a GREAT runner these 5 years.  The clutch is all stock.

As said prior, I'm putting in a 30 tooth Andrews front sprocket and hope that gives the ole bike a bit more get moving power without having to slip the clutch so much on take off.

I'm going to use HD primary lube as it's worked fine for me so far.  When I took out the drain plug there was very little debris on the plug.  I am doing the Redline Shockproof in the trans this week along with Luqui Moly 10w60 full synthetic and a new HD filter.

I did the swing arm modification with the welded on gussets and grinding out the axle slots.  I'll be reusing my original belt as it looks just like new at this point.

I've had no rattles in the primary.  I've never had any issues with finding neutral at a stop, so the clutch must be releasing well enough.

The only mod I plan to do is a new set of lifters and pushrods.  I think this will help prevent some possible future issues.  It could also help with the sewing machine ticking from 2500 to 3500 rpms.  Also I've read where with the adjustable pushrods that you can preload the lifters a bit heavy and that also helps with the rattles.  I saw somewhere that .140" extra would permissible and that worked well to cut the noise.

I took the pictures last night with my iPhone 6+.  I like the phone quite a bit.

So for now, it all goes back in stock and I hope to have the TTS rescaled to the new sprocket this weekend.

Thanks for the reply and hope your bike keeps moving for you...

[catahoula58]

There was a place to change from 32 tooth pulley to 30T and don't forget to double check for, and input the right rear tire size. Oh and yes the calibration is now set @ 2251 + 50 = 2301. That of course is with the 180/55 B18 rear tire. Hope this helps. For 09 I recall the speedo correction factor being 2303....
You're gonna love this upgrade!

[rheiner]

I believe that '09 CVOs still had the older style compensator that was problematic. Those pictures don't look like the SE compensator. It wasn't until 2010 that the SE compensator came with the CVOs as OEM.

[Dan_Lockwood]

I believe that '09 CVOs still had the older style compensator that was problematic. Those pictures don't look like the SE compensator. It wasn't until 2010 that the SE compensator came with the CVOs as OEM.

You're right, this is NOT a SE compensator, but the original '09 that came in my CVO SERG.

All I'm showing is that even though I've ridden two up 95% of the 13k plus miles and punched it many times, I find that this compensator still looks to be in "like new" condition.

With all the '08 and '09 failures and then HD going to the SE in '10, how is mine still this nice?  Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy about the condition, but just curious why this one didn't wear out and I'm sure tens of thousands did wear out very quickly.

It's all going back in as it is with new seals / gaskets etc.

[remington007]

CVO's have compression releases for starting, alot less thrashing on start up. From the looks of yours i would run it. I tried 2 SE versions on my 09 and went back to the original both times, 103 w compression releases. It is hit or miss on life on these, i have seen 60K on 07's that they still are functional. Some die alot sooner. The Baker is next for me. 

[FlaHeatWave]

Looks good, I'd run it

Since you have it apart, you might want to speak with GMR, as Steve might have an upgrade washer / spring. 'Not sure if it fits this year Comp, but it would be worth a couple min of time to speak with Steve...

[sadunbar]

I believe that '09 CVOs still had the older style compensator that was problematic. Those pictures don't look like the SE compensator. It wasn't until 2010 that the SE compensator came with the CVOs as OEM.

You are right.  This is the original "pre SE Compensator".  This compensator did not have the same problem as the SE compensator of wearing out prematurely.  However, this compensator did not provide adequate crankshaft/drivetrain protection (per the MOCO), hence the "upgrade" to the SE compensator.  The SE compensator provides up to 7x more protection than this original compensator (per the MOCO), but along with the added protection, the SE compensator unfortunately wears out exceedingly quickly. 

Again, the original compensator did not wear out prematurely (as your photos prove) it just had inadequate driveline protection from shock pulses. (remember all the early crank failures in 07 and 08?) And the current SE compensator provides adequate driveline protection, but it wears out as fast as a set of tires...   

Neither choice is a good choice.  After 8 years, you'd like to think the MOCO could provide an option that both provided driveline protection and long life.

[JKM]

If you doing lifters make sure to change out cam bearing as well. These were problematic and a cheap fix when you're in there

[Dan_Lockwood]

Thanks all for your input and suggestions.

Have a great weekend.