Review of the Baker SBD for Big Dogs

cvegmond

cvegmond

Member
I would recommend this conversion of the Baker DSCC chain primary for the Baker SBD. I purchased the kit for ~$2,800 directly from Baker. The package showed up a week later and I installed it the next weekend.

The Baker SBD fit like a glove. The inner primary plate just pushed on without having to loosen up the transmission. Getting the outer bearing plate on was a bit more work.

I made this conversion primarly to deal with the starter motor/wet primary oil leaking issues with these partucular bikes. This forum is full of Big Dog owners with this oil leak issue.

I am enjoying a number of benefits of the open belt.

(1) Neutral is easier to find. The dry clutch lets go better.
(2) This belt and clutch is quiter than the wet chain
(3) Shifting is even smoother. Another benefit of the dry clutch design.
(4) No more oil leak. The main reason for going to a dry primary.
(5) No more changing primary oil and gaskets. This is a messy job.
(6) The belt should last the life of the bike. I have a BDL on another bike with 50k miles.
(7) The face of the belt is protected by my 2.5" extended forward controls
(8) The open belt makes the bike look like a custom.
(9) A spinning belt on an idling bike is cooler than an enclosed belt

I did check with Karata and Baker before I made my purchase. I sent a few e-mails to Karata and never got a response. The Baker was very responsive to my inquiries.

I've you have any questions about this conversion, I'm happy to help.

Cor.
 
cvegmond

cvegmond

Member
Yes, yes...I'll take some photos to night. This Baker SBD does look great.

The open belt kit weights than the stock primary but hangs out further. The bike still has the same balance and now looks more balanced as the belt hangs out like the pipes do on the opposite side.

If you must have photos this instant you can view a Bog Dog with the kit at the Baker website.

BAKER Drivetrain | Primaries

The photo doesn't give you a good look of the kit on the bike. I'll post a few better photos of the handlebars and the Baker SBD.

Later Cor.
 
Iman

Iman

Well-Known Member
What clutch setup did you go with?? and what was the total cost. I'm thinking of going with a baker myself
 
RADAMS445

RADAMS445

RADICAL
Yep, no doubt about it, the open primary adds muscle to the looks of the bike,weither it's Karata or Baker! Nice job!:cheers:
 
Staffy

Staffy

Active Member
Nice - Do enjoy it.

Couple of quick ones.....

  • Quite - Does the belt "whine" when you ride? Most open primaries do.
  • The "Back Plate" is it still a two piece or one?
  • Getting the OBS on was a bit more work - what was it, alignment issues? I remember a post (I think it was from GASMAN) where he had to remove the tranny - mount part of the primary on to the tranny - then reinstall it.
  • How many clutch plates were included?
  • Any difference in the clutch "PULL" softer?
Thanks and do enjoy it - sounds like fun.

PS - About Jim from Karata not responding, this had to be a one off and something quite unexpected; vacation or sick leave. From my experience he is extremly responsive and a ture stand up guy. :2thumbs:
 
W

wyatt580

Well-Known Member
i would agree with staffy . i've talked to jim about the purchase of one and also pm him and had response right away. glad you like the open belt.. for me i'm gonna go with karata when some money opens up..peace
 
DRBarnhart

DRBarnhart

Insert title here...
Thanks for your "review" Cor! :cheers:

I'm leaning towards Baker myself due to the larger teeth, stainless steel sprockets, and INCLUDED bearing support... :2thumbs:

Dennis
 
Tim

Tim

Administrator
Staff member
Founder
Lifetime Supporting Member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Supporting Member
I really like the look and "beefyness" of the primary.

How's the "whine" on it???

And how much farther out does the entire primary extend over the stocker?
 
Last edited:
Trainguy

Trainguy

Chromeoholic
BubbleHead said:
I really like the look and "beefyness" of the primary.

How's the "whine" on it???

And how much farther out does the entire primary extend over the stocker?
Click to expand...
Tim, can't speak to the Baker unit but the Karata 4" w/obs hangs out there 7 1/2 inches from mounting plate to caps. Whine you say? Loader than my wife:roll:
 
oldmutt

oldmutt

Active Member
Baker says the new pulley and belt pattern quiets the drive down. I thought the whine was one of the reasons to get the open belt.
 
cvegmond

cvegmond

Member
Baker SBD 200 mile Review

Staffy said:
Nice - Do enjoy it.

Couple of quick ones.....

  • Quite - Does the belt "whine" when you ride? Most open primaries do.
  • The "Back Plate" is it still a two piece or one?
  • Getting the OBS on was a bit more work - what was it, alignment issues? I remember a post (I think it was from GASMAN) where he had to remove the tranny - mount part of the primary on to the tranny - then reinstall it.
  • How many clutch plates were included?
  • Any difference in the clutch "PULL" softer?
Thanks and do enjoy it - sounds like fun.

PS - About Jim from Karata not responding, this had to be a one off and something quite unexpected; vacation or sick leave. From my experience he is extremly responsive and a ture stand up guy. :2thumbs:
Click to expand...
(1) No, the belt does not whine.
(2) The back plate comes as one piece but it's actually two pieces loc-tite"ed" together.
(3) I did not have to loosen the tranny to slip on the Baker back plate. The OSB is just a tight fit. A couple of sound whacks with a rubber mallet does the job.
(4) The SBD looks like the stock clutch, which uses a single diaphram spring and plate.
(5) The clutch pull is a little bit easier.

The Baker SBD is a nice choice for an open belt primary. The belt is 2.4 inches on the Baker, which I think looks good. The kit is easy to install and works.

The 3,4,5 or 7 inch open belt drives look "out of place" on BDMs.

Later Cor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tim
Tim

Tim

Administrator
Staff member
Founder
Lifetime Supporting Member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Supporting Member
cvegmond said:
(1) No, the belt does not whine.
(2) The back plate comes as one piece but it's actually two pieces loc-tite"ed" together.
(3) I did not have to loosen the tranny to slip on the Baker back plate. The OSB is just a tight fit. A couple of sound whacks with a rubber mallet does the job.
(4) The SBD looks like the stock clutch, which uses a single diaphram spring and plate.
(5) The clutch pull is a little bit easier.

The Baker SBD is a nice choice for an open belt primary. The belt is 2.4 inches on the Baker, which I think looks good. The kit is easy to install and works.

The 3,4,5 or 7 inch open belt drives look "out of place" on BDMs.

Later Cor.
Click to expand...
Thanks for answering everyone's questions. :cheers:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top