New question for the panhead guy's

[Redleg]

Since Phil Ross has passed away and Supermax products won't be available for a couple of months or more which beltdrive kit should I use? I have a 1957 FL, Rivera Primo, BDL or Karata? Suggestions would be appreciated..

[Deye76]

I ran a Karata on a Pan for 9 years, no problems. That being said, Supermax would be well worth the wait.

[JamLazyAss]

Damn the belt Red.
You need bigger glasses so I can get a better look at them hooters! 
Anyone else ever see those puppies beside you and me? lol

[RussW]

I've used the Primo beltdrives for the past twenty years or so with no problems. The first kit I used was the 11mm conversion using the stock clutch hub. (The 11mm kit had just been introduced because they were able to get a closer-to-stock ratio with it than with the 8mm pulleys). I added a Pro-clutch a few years later, liked that as well. Once the pulleys started to show a lot of wear (est. about 60K miles, never ran a speedometer in those days), I put on one of Rivera's Brute Classic kits, combining a Kevlar 11mm belt and a later style Pro-Clutch.
I was never real picky about setup, although you are suppose to be careful with pulley alignment. As a matter of regular maintenance, I replace the belt every 15K-20K miles or so. Probably doesn't need it yet, but for under a hundred bucks, it's good for peace of mind. Vent holes drilled in the inner and outer tin primaries to help run cooler, heat kills belts.
  I talked to Phil about a year ago regarding his Supermax setup. The one Major drawback to all the other kits is the noise. No matter what, it will chang-chang chang like crazy. Tried everything at first to quiet it down, no luck. Got used to it for a while, especially when I ran straight-thru fishtails. A mellower set of Cigar style mufflers allows me to hear it more, and after twenty years of it, I'm sick of the noise. Gettin' old, I guess. Problem with the Supermax for me was justifying to cost since my setup is relatively new, and the later style Pro-Clutch couldn't be used with his kit.So I'd also need a new clutch. Lot's of $$$ to replace something that works fine just to stop the clatter...
  If I were starting from scratch, like you, I would wait and spend my money on the Supermax. Primo has been an excellent unit, no problems, maybe noise won't both you. But after ten or twenty years of listening to it, it can get real old. Sorry for the long post but, hey, you asked....

[stroker800]

   I have been a BDL guy for years ,,they work well  But there quality control is goin to sh*t and their customer service/tech is worst..That bein said,,they are simple designed,,tough,,just put a 3" open onto my pan bobber and put the1 1/2 on my shovel..
Dave

[Redleg]

Damn the belt Red.
You need bigger glasses so I can get a better look at them hooters! 
Anyone else ever see those puppies beside you and me? lol

Damn Jam you got some pretty good eyesight.....

[Redleg]

Supermax seems to be the preferred beltdrive too bad I can't get one, really would like to get the bike on the road. Thing is I don't think the racket from the clutch plates would bother me that much cause I don't wear my hearing aids when I ride.

[wreck74]

It's called the TAMER. Works real good and worth every penny.



[attachment removed after 60 days by system]