Primary drive poll

Ongoing topics on interesting subjects, what did you do on/with your bike (or other things)?
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What primary drive do you use?

I run a chain primary without compensator
86
18%
I run a chain primary with compensator
104
22%
I run an open belt drive
82
18%
I run an enclosed belt drive
193
42%
 
Total votes: 465

panhead
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Primary drive poll

#1

Post by panhead »

Which primary drive do you use?
George Greer
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Re: Primary drive

#2

Post by George Greer »

After going over every single post that I can find here about chains/sprockets.......drives/belt drives...

I am going to use a compensator sprocket setup with a Diamond chain.

George
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Re: Primary drive

#3

Post by 1962FLH »

George that is what I have on my 62 Pan.
old77
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Re: Primary drive

#4

Post by old77 »

I run an enclosed belt on the '77 fx, very happy about it, and I'm thinking about having it open.

The '55 fl has a compensating sprocket chain, and I think I will keep that, I like the idea of having oil that lubricates the secondary chain and drops on the ground. I love small spots of oil under the old bikes.
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Re: Primary drive

#5

Post by PanJud »

old77 wrote:I run an enclosed belt on the '77 fx, very happy about it, and I'm thinking about having it open.

The '55 fl has a compensating sprocket chain, and I think I will keep that, I like the idea of having oil that lubricates the secondary chain and drops on the ground. I love small spots of oil under the old bikes.
My wife would disagree :x
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Re: Primary drive

#6

Post by old77 »

PanJud wrote: My wife would disagree :x
Why? :shock:
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Re: Primary drive poll

#7

Post by Frankenstein »

George, you seem to be swimming upstream with your choice of primary drive :lol:
My own personal experience? been running 1 1/2" enclosed belts for over 35yrs. There is no downside to a belt, except the aforementioned territorial marking syndrome associated to old harleys.
A belt is slightly smoother than a new, properly adjusted, primary chain on its best day. I have always run mine in stock tins, no vents, and exposed to the slight amount of oil that still seems to find its way into the primary. They run for years, then break. That's the only disadvantage, no advance warning that they are about to fail.
One Man's opinion, your results may vary,
DD
George Greer
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Re: Primary drive poll

#8

Post by George Greer »

Herr Dr..

Thanks for the advice.

One of the reasons that I am going to run this set up, is cuz I am on a budget, And the parts that I have on hand that I am going to use, a complete compensator setup with two differnet sprockets to chose from is less than the cost of a replacement belt. And most of the parts (90%) are NOS.

For now.....chain drive.

More to come as this evolving el-cheapo project runs on! :D

George
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Re: Primary drive

#9

Post by PanJud »

old77 wrote:
PanJud wrote: My wife would disagree :x
Why? :shock:
Sorry, missed it---the 'oil on the floor' part....
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Re: Primary drive poll

#10

Post by Panacea »

I ran a belt on my 51. It worked fine but it did break on me, forcing me to do a roadside swap. Luckily I had a spare. Now I'm running the stock primary on my 64. I like the rear chain lube system built in to the primary cover that drips right on the chain...Mike
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Re: Primary drive poll

#11

Post by 1951 adam »

Was running a belt , always afraid it would give out in the middle of nowhere!!! Broke one once on a shovel....chains dont break , or at least ive never seen it.
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Re: Primary drive poll

#12

Post by Schwee »

ONE of the best things about a primary belt is Never having to move the tranny.
Even when a belt breaks (I carry spare), I can install a new on without moving the trans, since they don't stretch.
Since I run open, all I need to R&R is a 9/16" wrench, screwdriver, and hammer. (Oh, and I pack an old shock absorber washer to compress the pressure plate.)
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Re: Primary drive poll

#13

Post by katto »

Today I just went back to the Pans roots! Just installed a chain and 86ed the Belt! (86 is restaurant talk for serve onother dish) Looking forward to marking Her territory. 8) The thought of beeng able to change gearing #1 in my book! :wink: Katto
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Re: Primary drive poll

#14

Post by PanPal »

Just took my primary cover off last night. Time for a new chain. Are all chains created equal? What chain would you guys recommend?
joe
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Re: Primary drive poll

#15

Post by joe »

Here's my two cents. The chain works really well. It's rock solid dependable and well proven. Harley still uses them, the only downside I see is the oil spot (the one that leaks out of the breather on the inner tin, not the oil that leaks past the transmission main shaft seal :D )

Joe
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