What is involved in converting a Harley 4 spd. trans. from closed chain drive to open belt drive? Who's a good source for the parts? Bike is a 63 Pan w/ a 4 spd. Thanks.
I run a belt drive on my 65 pan, i wanted kick only with tin primary cases so you couldn't see if it was belt or chain, all my stuff came from Primo Belt Drives. Works really well.
belt drives limited makes alot of diffrent setups for your motor and trans they have a kit that will also let you use electric start with a 3" open belt
Electric start if for pussies! Seriously, thanks for the info. I'm wondering more about the actual process of removing and reinstalling the clutch, converting from sprockets to belt. etc. Will I need any special tools other than your normal Craftsman junk?
You'll need to fabricate or buy a socket for your clutch hub nut, it's gotta be deep. You'll need an impact for sure. I suggest you buy an adjustable tranny mount to make sure you have your belt aligned right. A maladjusted belt won't last too long. I don't think you can put a motor plate that connects the engine to the tranny on an old engine like that. I do suggest you get a get an output shaft support bearing and housing. I also suggest you get one of those plastic hub locker thingies, I can't remember what they're called but it stops the clutch hub basket from moving in and out (as much.) There's no reason to get some ridiculous 3" belt, I think they look stupid, cut down on the bikes cornering ability and are really dangerous. I used an 1 1/2" Primo on mine. I've had it for years, it's still going strong. Oh yeah one other word of advice, if you ever have to remove the belt for servicing etc, make sure you put it back on oriented to run in the direction it was originally in. If you don't, your belt will disintegrate in about twenty minutes, and they're about $80 each. Oh yeah, don't forget to block off the chain oiler output on the oil pump.
Nads is rads. Thanks! [ QUOTE ] You'll need to fabricate or buy a socket for your clutch hub nut, it's gotta be deep. You'll need an impact for sure. I suggest you buy an adjustable tranny mount to make sure you have your belt aligned right. A maladjusted belt won't last too long. I don't think you can put a motor plate that connects the engine to the tranny on an old engine like that. I do suggest you get a get an output shaft support bearing and housing. I also suggest you get one of those plastic hub locker thingies, I can't remember what they're called but it stops the clutch hub basket from moving in and out (as much.) There's no reason to get some ridiculous 3" belt, I think they look stupid, cut down on the bikes cornering ability and are really dangerous. I used an 1 1/2" Primo on mine. I've had it for years, it's still going strong. Oh yeah one other word of advice, if you ever have to remove the belt for servicing etc, make sure you put it back on oriented to run in the direction it was originally in. If you don't, your belt will disintegrate in about twenty minutes, and they're about $80 each. Oh yeah, don't forget to block off the chain oiler output on the oil pump. [/ QUOTE ]
And always use brand new lock washers on everything, especially the clutch nut, BTW it's a left handed thread. Righty loosey!!!! The Primo kit comes with detailed instructions, I think. I also use a belt tensioner with mine, I have a motor plate that lets me do that. Like 32Limey, my shebang is semi-hidden by an old tin primary. I'm not a big fan of open belts, I've done been bit one time too often for that.
[ QUOTE ] Like 32Limey, my shebang is semi-hidden by an old tin primary. I'm not a big fan of open belts, I've done been bit one time too often for that. [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, open belt = bad idea. And another drawback to the wider belts is that they will probably have to use one of the modern, cage-type covers and won't give you the Johnny Retro look. Big Daddy Eric
Here's a couple of pics i just dug out, & as already said its worth using quality parts just so you have to go back in there to fix stuff, with the Primo hub i used a decent bearing called a big fix kit, Barnet kevlar plates new steel drive discs & aluminum pressure plate with hd springs. & as Nads did i used a 1-1/2" belt inside the tin cases.
The Jalopy Journal
