52 Panhead Chain to Belt primary conversion.

[BastardBoy]

Thinking about converting my 1952 Panhead to a belt primary. The V-Twin catalog (pg 516) lists
#20-0052 "1937-52 FL, Tapered shaft"
and
#20-0053 1956-65 FL, Splined shaft".
I believe the crankshaft for 1937-52 & 1956-65 is splined and the mainshaft (trans) is tapered for all those years. So what shaft are the descriptions referring to?

Does anyone have any experience with belt conversion kits? Any suggestions on which one to go with? I am looking to replace the clutch assembly and the chain.

Thanks
BastardBoy

[james]

Hello Mr. Boy
I also have a 52. The tapered shaft they are talking about is the shaft coming out of the engine. For 1952 it's a tapered shaft not splined. I installed a Primo belt setup. Well made product, only I don't like the way it fit. In order to put it on you have to move the transmission completely forward and still the belt was super tight, no adjustment. I didn't like the fact that the rear exhaust pipe was up against the trans and pushing on the kicker spring. It would have worked well if they made a longer belt. I took off the belt drive after about a mile or two. It's sitting here like new, want to buy it? I'll even throw in my modified breather pipe I made for it. Years ago I had a Karata belt drive and it was nice. Less vibration, no primary oil drip and no maintenance. Maybe they make a longer belt now, I would be interested.

jim

[Bosheff]

54 and back are tapered shaft. I don't know why V-Twin only shows upto 52 as tapered. If yer gonna spend the bucks on a front belt set-up, I believe there are probably much better quality units out there than Ted's gonna deal ya, and probably close to the same money. Just my opinion....bosheff

[51Hog]

I went with an 11mm BDL a little over 4000 miles ago, and never looked back. It is great.
Dale

[BastardBoy]

my 1952 Panhead crankshaft is definitely Splined, so it must have be changed out at some point. Good thing I asked and good thing you guys are out there to help me. I would have ordered the one for a 52, waited by the door for it to be delivered, only to find out it didn't fit!

Thanks for the feedback, you guys are great!
BB

[old52pan]

James, pm me, I am interested in that belt drive you have an if you need some parts I can swap also. Tim

[Pomike]

A friend just had a belt drive installed, with the too short belt. Simple fix. Call them up and tell them to make you a longer one. That is what he did.
Mike

[Panacea]

There is an extra long belt available with a Bullseye marked next to the number, I believe they are made by Gates and Primo. Even with the Bullseye I had to elongate the slotted adjustment holes in the tranny plate to adjust further forward on my 51 FL. Mike

[51Hog]

My 11 mm BDL fit without any modifications to my 51.
I did install a tranny alignment adjuster---Adjusts the tranny from both sides. Worked great.
Dale

[james]

James, pm me, I am interested in that belt drive you have an if you need some parts I can swap also. Tim

Tim,
I'll check into the larger belt first, if that doesn't pan out I'll get back to you.
Thanks, Jim

[TimmyV]

My 11 mm BDL fit without any modifications to my 51.
I did install a tranny alignment adjuster---Adjusts the tranny from both sides. Worked great.
Dale

I just installed BDL 11mm belt set up on my '61 Panhead. Didn't have any trouble getting it all lined up & tensioned properly, but still wonder where you got that dual tranny adjuster ? Sounds like it could be a handy thing to have.

[51Hog]

Jireh cycles part number 96-24

JPcycles--- Part number 6200275

IMG_1628.JPG

IMG_1608 [800x600].JPG

[TimmyV]

Thanks for the info & pix ! I'm gonna have to install one of them this winter.

[stroker93]

I have a BDL on my pan 55,,splined shaft,,,the only issue is had to hand file the pulley insert to fit splined shaft,,too tight to slide on....Also put a primo belt on friends 51 pan ,,tapered shaft,,,he already had a splined set up ,,,,made an adaptor and offset all in one....