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[muddypaws]

When I start my 2012 110 after leaving it overnight the compensator really make a loud ticking noise for about two miles then it sounds fine. What's wrong? I have plenty of oil and bike has 51,000 miles on her.

[rbabos]

When I start my 2012 110 after leaving it overnight the compensator really make a loud ticking noise for about two miles then it sounds fine. What's wrong? I have plenty of oil and bike has 51,000 miles on her.

Sure it's not the chain tensioner instead of the comp? Generally the comp isn't effected by heat much but a cold primary will have a looser chain then when hot.
Ron

[muddypaws]

What would be the fix?

[grc]

Are you sure the noise is actually coming from the primary?  Don't forget the shaky history of the lifters in the 2012 CVO110's.  The "C" lifters were known to leak down excessively overnight and then take a while to pump back up; perhaps yours managed to go 50k miles before doing what many others did from day one?  Just another possibility to think about.  If you're still running the original lifters you also need to think about all the roller failures that have been reported with those lifters.

If the primary chain adjuster is no longer adjusting automatically, as Ron mentioned that would be more likely to create the noise you described than the compensator.  The primary cover will need to come off to check for excess slack in the chain or any abnormal wear of the parts.

Jerry

[rbabos]

What would be the fix?

Chain tensioners can get lazy to reset sometimes causing too much chain slack. Do this ONLY on a WARM-HOT primary. Roughly 15-20 mph in first gear, acell and decel as quickly and hard as possible for about 3-4 times. This should allow the ratchet to shift up a click and bring the chain into adjustment. If not, a further inspection in the primary is in order. As mentioned, make sure the noise is from the left side of the bike and not the lifter side.
Ron

[muddypaws]

It's for sure on the left side.

[rbabos]

It's for sure on the left side.

Try the tensioner reset method then .
Ron

[RayG]

Like many others I have installed numerous compensators and that doesn't sound like it is a compensator related issue.  When I installed the new 2014 compensator and new cover I noticed that the primary chain was really tight, tighter than I have ever seen before.  I took the advice from a few and installed the Hayden chain tensioner.  Sounds good and shifts well.  Replacing or adjusting the original should is allot cheaper than another compensator.  I did the work right before I had to put it into storage so I'm very anxious for the weather to allow me to take it for a nice therapeutic ride.     

[grc]

While doing a series of hard accel and decel cycles of the drivetrain may cause a "stuck" adjuster to break free and catch the next tooth, I personally feel that is similar to the old method of "fixing" a TV set back in the day by smacking it with the heel of your hand.  It may have made the picture come in for awhile, but it didn't "fix" the root cause of the problem.  Try it if you like as a way to verify the adjuster is the problem, but if it works I wouldn't consider the problem solved and just ride on.  If it's the adjuster, have it replaced.  It's not that expensive.

JMHO - Jerry

[muddypaws]

I was told there is a better adjustor then the Harley brand..

[rbabos]

I was told there is a better adjustor then the Harley brand..

Doubt it. The vast numbers of these autotensioners out there since 07 with the relatively low failure rates would be hard to equal with any aftermarket units I've seen at the same numbers.
Ron

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

The over night deal sounds much more like lifters than anything else. But again it may be a comp that is in the wear area where cold it will make more noise then once hot and it can expand some.. Either way both are solid issues.. Pull the outer cover and inspect the comp.. go from there..

[lilcoot]

If it's the tensioner ratcheting too tight and sticking, try replacing it with the Hayden M6.  Many folks here use it, including myself, and its a much better design that the stock unit.  But it really sounds like it's lifter noise.  The compensator will make loud clunking noises when it's cranking at start up and when you shut off the engine.

It sounds like you've had 51,000 fairly dependable miles so far.  You're lucky.  I had to replace 2 compensators on my '12 in less than 17,000 miles.

[muddypaws]

The sound is 100% on the left side. I'm going to try the reset for the chain tomorrow and will post results..

[rbabos]

The sound is 100% on the left side. I'm going to try the reset for the chain tomorrow and will post results..

It's an easy first step. Move on from there if the noise still remains after that.
Ron