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BDL Compensator

  • Sponge Boy
    Sponge Boy
    3 years ago
    I was having the world of trouble with starting after engine is warmed up; so much kick back and terrible load clunking. Ver embarrassing. I've had this problem for years and it's been getting worst. My Harley dealer was absolutely useless and didn't help at all when I sought help years ago. Then in recent years they just recommended fitting the SE comp. It would have been a very expensive deal; with a terrible exchange rate in Australia. I would have had to buy a new stator rotor as well.
    I experimented by adding shims between the bellville springs to put more pressure on the stock compensator. It didn't work. The stock set up is a piece of shit.
    I have this evening installed the BDL comp in my 2008 Superglide. I had a good look at the design and it's very clever and simple. I've figured out that when you accelerate the comp winds up because the crank is tightening the hub.
    When you start the bike, the comp unwinds because the sprocket turns the hub the other way.
    When you back of the accelerator and use engine braking, it also unwinds.
    Tomorrow I will test it out. I'm quietly confident.
    As for the weight of the BDL comp, I read in OZ Bike magazine that the BDL comp is lighter than the stock comp and that it has a lesser reciprocating mass; this is absolutely untrue; the BDL comp weighs 2.87kg (6.3 pounds) while the stock arrangement weighs 2.62kg (5.7 pounds).
    Stay tuned for first impressions.
     
  • Sponge Boy
    Sponge Boy
    3 years ago
    Well, took the bike for a good spin yesterday.
    My starting problems seem to have been cured; no kick-back, no clunking/banging/etc.
    I'm so happy that I won't have to be embarrassed any more when I re-start my warmed up engine.
    The comp seems to be buffering the pulses very well and the engine/drivetrain suns smoothly.
    HOWEVER, I have got a terrible vibration now when I'm in top gear and riding at 100kph (60mph); so bad that the front wheel actually bounces.
    It doesn't make sense to me, even if the comp is locked up; there should be no balance problem; there is nothing in the comp that could be out of balance.
    I'm thinking maybe one of my injectors is not working optimally at highway speed.
    Has anyone else had this problem ?
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    3 years ago
    Is this the Bdl comp ?

    I have one here on the shelf
    I would suggest cruising at 100kmh in 6th may have the engine revs too low, and you are feeling the engine pulses (lugging) .
    Have you tried 100 in 5th ?  That's where you should be , maybe 6th when over 110 .
    Just a thought, as I don't own a 6 speed.
  • Sponge Boy
    Sponge Boy
    3 years ago
    No speeddzter, I know what lugging is and I'm not doing that.
  • AJ56
    AJ56
    3 years ago
    I put a SE Comp in my 07 heritage after hearing the clunk on starting, also swapped the tensioner out for a Hayden M6.  Made a world of difference. The comp was the biggest change, no clunk on start.  The tensioner maintained the tension on the chain at all times so the chain doesn't slap against the top inside of the primary case housing.

    AJ
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    3 years ago
    I had a Hayden M6 in my 01 FXD TC 95" & used to drag race it in SE Harleys , when they had them. did 100k km & the M6 was still working ok. I had the stock TC 95" crank pin slip, had to get new crank but the M6 no trouble ( must have been lucky )
  • Gnoo
    Gnoo
    3 years ago
    Yeah I thought they ( M6 )were a good thing,, till the pad stuck down in it's slider.
    Yep, real good when first fitted. ( fitted correctly as per instructions)
    Would strongly NOT recommend.
  • AJ56
    AJ56
    3 years ago
    yep well mine is working fine atm.  Maybe I was lucky, I don't know but all is happy atm.  might be riding style not sure.  120k on my bike so hey it starts runs and I ride it.

    AJ
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