Dark Horse Man O War Compensator 1st Impressions - Is it too Loud?

[@samuelmontgomery3882]

Installed cycle Rama comp ramp and Hayden tensioner at 5K on 2017 m8 ultra. Started seeing black particles like coffee grounds in primary fluid when doing regular drain service. By 20k it had turned into black chunks of looked like crumbled Oreo cookies. Tech said ok that’s enough we got go inside and see what this is. Pulled primary cover and found the Hayden tension block had disintegrated. Chain was now loose. Everything completely full of plastic dust, shavings, and chunks of ground plastic. Everything had to come out and be cleaned. Installed new clutch just to make the job easier. Went back with stock HD tensioner. Huge mess. I don’t blame Hayden. I think someone sold them a bad batch of material. I don’t think they could have known. Tech said he had heard of this somewhere but this is first time they had seen this. The cycle Rama comp ramp is outstanding. Still looks like it just came out of the box. No more plastic anything in the primary case for me.

[@johnlittle6711]

I went with the cycle rama comp ramp, the stock ramp is what explodes on the m8.

[@rayofdeath6604]

with 17k miles on my stock one, I feel like ive been pushing my luck. Been debating on this upgrade. Thanks for the review, keep us updated

[@amg5795]

Most of people are having bad luck with Stage 2 and over HP TQ+++

[@LittleOLosBurnouts]

I'm a Darkhorse fan. This unit is tough for sure but it will make some noise and does give you a bit more vibration to your feet if you have custom floor boards without any damping. If you use the wrong fluid it will make a bunch of noise. It likes heavier oil / fluid. Harley Davidson 80-140 works well on my buddy's 2013 Dyna. Also, used BM trick shift on another guys M8. He has a Darkhorse Crankshaft in his. So there is 0 runout on the crank. Not sure about the clutch end. The B&M works fine but still some noise. Everyone I talked to on the M8 build said to stick with the stock tensioner. Little O

[@robertwest196]

So you use 80-140 gear oil in primary?

[@LittleOLosBurnouts]

@@robertwest196 I do not personally use it in my 01FB. But I know two guys that do. One has the DH comp and it really quieted it down. The other is a standard M8 Road Glide and I'm not sure why he started using it.

[@robertwest196]

@@LittleOLosBurnouts I would think gear oil would not work with clutch, in transmission yes.

[@LittleOLosBurnouts]

@@robertwest196 I agree. It seems odd. But two different Harley dealers recommended this fluid to these guys. If I had some kind of trick clutch or high HP application, maybe you don't use it. But my buddy with the Road Glide has 100HP 125 TQ and he has been using it for 50k miles without issue. He has a stock comp in his but still uses it. Neither of these guys are using it in the transmission. Primary only. My buddy with the 124" M8 RK (140HP 135 TQ) uses BM trick shift in the primary and it makes some noise but nothing crazy. He uses BM trick shift because it has a complete Evolution brand Clutch assembly in it and that is what Andre at Evolution recommended.

[@esesrides1255]

Use a recluse clutch with the shims. Great clutch ,eliminates clutch plate noise when they move in the basket with the MOW comp. Eventually with the MOW your standard plated will notch the basket . MOW hay en spring tensioner and recluse clutch is the perfect combination . Baker comp also an awesome product

[@BikesBeardsAndBrews]

good rundown man! And yes when it comes to bikes, fix it BEFORE it breaks lol

[@AkaBull]

After two years my bike is still stock and first gear select is getting louder and louder 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@paulson9616]

Great review. Question, i own a 20 m8 low rider s and wondering what else do i need to add besides the DH compensator since i am opening primary? I dont want drastic mods but willing to swap with DH comp. 34 tooth DH compensator is what i am targeting with this change. Appreciate ur feedback

[@ThatGuy-xw5bn]

I had the Hayden tensioner, took it out. It was making noise too lol… the stocker works fine. I also have a 49t evolution clutch. What was your run out? Mine sounds louder than yours, but not sure if it’s because of the clutch or runout.. I’ve gotten so used to it I don’t even notice it anymore lol. I’m still gonna go with the baker next time it’s apart.

[@jamessouthworth1699]

I got tired of these compensators and their issues and I just went with a solid sprocket.

[@MRGS48]

Dunno absolutely anything bout these things but if my bike is stick do I have an issue I should be worried? Asking for a friend here😜

[@ncautolink]

My Man O War made this sound like someone tapping inside the primary w small hammer. I’ve taken everything apart and removed it and reinstalled it back and sound the same. The noise is normal. I had a 32 teeth w 103 Stage 2 Twin Cam. I’m going to install Baker 30T Sprocket Compensator on my new 114 Stage 2 M8.

[@henkaverink2562]

My 32 tooth MoW is loud at idle due to chain slap as the chain comes off the clutch sprocket - partially tamed with heavier (20/50) oil in the primary. Pure silk at speed.

[@henkaverink2562]

BTW 5 trips on the same primary gasket with a little help from Permatech without leaks. Also used the original rotor with the can removed. After 10K km its been a joy.

[@HarleyFatBoyJr]

Great share Fam. Just learned a lot.

[@dennispatterson3085]

My FLFBS Fatty,, 8 ,000 miles, hit third, made a bang, acted like went in neutral, squealed under aload, ideal it home, 1 mile,, got lucky, compansater, exploded, lol, crazy, Fatty a hot rod, got blow exhaust, power vision tuner, 14 in meat hooks, squeased on a 250, dunlop on rear, monster suker intake 475 cam, tire burner,, solo bike,,

[@InfamousCreep]

Some FB members have been through a few comps with only 15k miles. It's a good idea replacing it

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

have the compensators been going on stock motors or just built out motors?

[@InfamousCreep]

Stock motors, I’ve seen posts from 800 miles and up with bad comp ramps.

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

@@InfamousCreep damn im almost at 40k miles on the stock,

[@InfamousCreep]

@NorCal-refrigeration 40k!! Nice 😎👍.

[@InfamousCreep]

@NorCal-refrigeration probably could’ve swapped it when you changed the belt to chain. Well if ain’t broken, why fix it eh 🤔

[@HarleyFatBoyJr]

Bro bike is looking fire 🔥

[@fatbongripz4207]

still rockin the Simpson eh!

[@InfamousCreep]

Yep, I like it. I just ordered the mod bandit too, looking forward to comparing it to the Speed and Ghost bandit

[@scottkuhl6596]

How's your set up been so far? I'm adding the same man o war and hayden to my 2017 cvo street glide..

[@InfamousCreep]

It’s been great, no issues at all. But I’ve seen a few comments about crank run out, I measured mine at .004” on the cam side. I don’t know on the primary side, and I don’t know about any issues long term. I’ve seen a 2022 with 800 miles at .008” runout, I’m guessing that wouldn’t be good with this comp. I haven’t seen Darkhouse mentioned anything about it 🤷

[@PaulsMotoZen]

Is there a mileage or hours for the comp to be replaced? Maybe just how hard the motorcycle is ridden.

[@InfamousCreep]

40k miles under regular use, and 10k miles stunt riding with a 131” performance engine. The comp is serviceable, no need to replace just install new cushions inside the comp.

[@PaulsMotoZen]

@@InfamousCreep It is good you know your motorcycle better than I do. I am just here to enjoy the ride.

[@Bluis5445]

Always and i mean always change your gasket. Don’t make me pull out my belt and make you call me daddy.

[@InfamousCreep]

You changed your username 😂😂, I have the extra gasket. I’ll keep an eye on it 👍

[@Bluis5445]

@@InfamousCreepi had tooo. I got shadow banned.

[@HarleyFatBoyJr]

Interesting Fam

[@HarleyFatBoyJr]

Cheehuuu let’s go

[@jaredkish8716]

What Facebook forum?

[@InfamousCreep]

M8 and fxlrs. Join the group and search comp

[@IRONTOSS]

?…too much rambling and nothing about performance or differences of new compensator.

[@mkb3580]

Get rid of the noise…park your Harley in your living room…then buy a BMW…problem solved.