Panhead Primary Question

 I have a dry primary with a 1.5" belt. My clutch needs replacing.

While I'm in there...

I'm considering going to an open primary with a wider belt. So
here's the question:

Is the 1.5" belt reliable and changing to an open, wider belt is
just a waste of money? or... Am I living on borrowed time with the
narrow belt?
___
Cogito Ergo Spam - I think therefore I ham

 SteveT wrote:

Ran an open belt on my '48 for a long time.  It was overkill.  Gonna run
a closed (well, a holey primaried) 1 1/2" belt with a 113" evo on my
current project.  I doubt there's any way a pan would break a belt that
size unless either it's a monster pan or you pick up a stone in it.

Why not just run the narrow belt open?  Heat's the biggest enemy of
primary belts, and lots of folks run belts that size on evo's with just
some spacers under the derby for ventilation.

--
Spunky the Tuna


"No nation can meet this changing world unless its people, individually
and collectively, grow in ability to understand. Ability to handle the
new knowledge, as applied to increasingly intricate human relationships."
                     - FDR June 30, 1938

 SteveT wrote:

I kinda think the wide primaries are a bit of an
affectation that might look "cool" to some but are
pretty much just more extraneous junk that doesn't
  solve any problems. My 1 1/2" belt in a closed
primary (standoffs on the derby and inspection
covers) works just fine with no sign of impending
doom. Stock '69 Shovel, YMMV according to what
you're running.

 SteveT wrote:

If you get it lined up good they are pretty dang good. I write off the
wider belts as poser stuff. Unless you are going to beat on it. How many
have you broken? You must have 6 or 800 bux burning a hole in your
pocket.....

I am told they do like some air though, to stay cool.

 "SteveT" wrote...

If I remember correctly, CMC (California Motorcycle Company) used
a 1.5" belt in a closed (but vented) primary on an 88" S&S engine.
It was only vented through the inspection cover.
Also used it on their optional 96" S&S engine.
No warranty on the 96 " engine.
That was before they bought the Indian name.
--
Arie- Jax, FL - BS#70 - SENS
'83 FXWG - '05 FLHT-I
"Nec Spe, Nec Metu"