Wet primary VS Open Primary drive

liferider

Looking forward to retirement
OK, here is my question why an open primary??? The closed primary drive is a chain drive in oil for cooling, and lube also the charging system is cooled by the oil as well as the clutch. The open primary is air cooled both belt and charging system as well as the clutch. Plus the dry clutch produces a lot of dust where you have to disasemble the clutch plates to clean them and clean off the clutch dust on everything.
SO,it sounds like a maintance pig what's the advantage other than it looks cool???? :confused:
 

bruce

Active Member
I changed because it looks and sounds cool, other reasons, my clutch alway slipped and bigdog could not stop - several new clutches and finally the newer easy pull but nothing worked, dry clutch no slipping & very adjustable to each person, no primary oil to change, alway had a starter problem ( loud and hard bang when starting hot engine plus the oil leaking inside starter) and these problem gone, I have about 8000 of my 35000 miles on open primary, and have had no issues with clutch dust or anything with charging system ( remember the oil in primary is as hot and engine ) rubber belt needs no lube, dry clutch needs no lube and as for cooling, yes you have oil but engine is also air cooled.
 
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JesseAFFA

Banned
OK, here is my question why an open primary??? The closed primary drive is a chain drive in oil for cooling, and lube also the charging system is cooled by the oil as well as the clutch. The open primary is air cooled both belt and charging system as well as the clutch. Plus the dry clutch produces a lot of dust where you have to disasemble the clutch plates to clean them and clean off the clutch dust on everything.
SO,it sounds like a maintance pig what's the advantage other than it looks cool???? :confused:
The stock DSSC runs ok-but the Baker Belt Primary runs better,cooler ,is stonger and can handle more torque & horsepower.Oil cools the clutch plates more-so than lubricating a drivechain alone.
I'm running a Baker Belt Drive on both my BDMs & I Love em-and I bought em both from Vince81 here on the forum (he told me about this place)
More fact:
Your stator doesn't need oil to cool it.
NO clutch dust on my Pitbulls and it's not a "maintenance" pig or problem in any way cosmetically or otherwise.
WHO told you that an open primary produces alot of dust?
(you didn't spell maintenance correctly fella)
Bakers pulleys are Steel(Stainless I believe -gonna read my manual now) and noise is practically non existent.
Yeah it does look alot better than the DSSC in my opinion but performance & quality & reliability were factors that made me buy the Baker Belt Primary.
Vince gave ME an awesome deal on both of em!
 

chacha

Chaff Your EHC!!
Calendar Participant
SO,it sounds like a maintance pig what's the advantage other than it looks cool????
Chicks dig it......:cheers:

Don't know where the dust issue came up.....I have no problems with it and it's way simpler to maintain.
 

JesseAFFA

Banned
An open system will have a much shorter life span than closed
Not true at all based upon my past experience with harleys I owned and had open belt drives on them....
case in point is a 2003 deuce I still own and has an open BDL primary on it-it's got 46,428 miles on it(the stock primary was replaced at 1230 miles) regardless of the garbage warranty from h-d when I bought it new,and I've taken that bike to extreme abuse levels and it's a great unit.Rode it to sturgis and daytona from NYC and CT in a few years time 3 seasons back to back & beat it to death with no issues or wear.
Many other people I ride with have had issues w/clutches,primary chains & stuff way earlier-and I haven't had a niggle with my open primary on the deuce and DONT expect to have any with the BAKER which is a superior unit in every way compared to the competition thats available for these bikes.
I dont know what you put on your scooter in terms of mileage a season/year/month or week- but an open primary doesn't have any less longevity problems over an enclosed system as long as it's installed & maintained properly & within specs for the unit specified.
 

liferider

Looking forward to retirement
Jessee, that's all good except the 03 &04 BDM Choppers take a 1.5" offset and Scott at Baker said, DO NOT USE A OFFSET BUSHING, and Baker does not make a 1.5'' offset drive. "Look at Primo Brute IV Extreme drive system".
 

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
Is it me or are there like 4 open primary threads going? 04 Daytec Chopper has an odd offset, 1 7/16" I believe, but call Daytec to confirm. You'll have to get the spacer machined to fit. Stay clear of two piece motor plates they are a hassle.
 

JesseAFFA

Banned
Jessee, that's all good except the 03 &04 BDM Choppers take a 1.5" offset and Scott at Baker said, DO NOT USE A OFFSET BUSHING, and Baker does not make a 1.5'' offset drive. "Look at Primo Brute IV Extreme drive system".
You are RIGHT...I'm not arguing or debating the correct info that Scott gave you.And yes your 03/04 BDMs have 1.5"offset -so you'll have to settle for another brand other than a BAKER to use if you wanna run an open primary/belt drive.But stay away from a 2 piece motor plate like the primo...they are a real hassle to install(that guy before me posted the same thing about Primo units).I'd stick with the stock primary if I couldn't run or use a BAKER-thats just my 0.02 and many others it seems
 

liferider

Looking forward to retirement
there are 4 and I started 2 for exact questions I need answered! I still have not gotten them answered. Thank you Jesse, This is the first type responce I am looking for!!!!!!!! Pro's and Con's of running what brand vs wet or open primary. $1,700.00 up to $3,400.00. The one I will not use is the Barrett with that 3rd pulley wheel. F#@* THAT THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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JesseAFFA

Banned
there are 4 and I started 2 for exact questions I need answered! I still have not gotten them answered. Thank you Jesse, This is the first type responce I am looking for!!!!!!!! Pro's and Con's of running what brand vs wet or open primary. $1,700.00 up to $3,400.00. The one I will not use is the Barrett with that 3rd pulley wheel. F#@* THAT THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A wet clutch uses the oil to "cool" the clutch plates and lubricate the drivetrain between motor & clutch sprocket.You need to change oil and adjust the chain-not high maintenmance-but still has to be done every 2500 miles or sooner depending on the type of riding you do.
Since a BAKER isn't gonna work for you I'd recommend a BDL since MANY are in use and they are pretty well spoken of.A dry primary w/a belt doesn't need adjustment and the clutch(at least on My BAKER)is 100% stronger-hooks up & pulls harder and the clutch lever resistance is minimal at best(even close to non-existent) it's a nice setup a dry clutch.It looks alot nicer unless it's a BAKER Function Formed Primary(closed wet primary)-that thing is like a jeweled piece of billet!
I cant tell you what to spend-that's a personal issue that is different with all of us-but I will gladly tell you what I paid at VS Customs for my 2 units if you PM me.BDL is affordable and made in the USA and comes in a variety of styles and strengths to suit most peoples choice & budget.
Have you looked at Tauer machine...? and RMD Billet...?They also make Great stuff from the people I know who bought em and use em.
You should also PM Vince81 as he'd know alot more and would be happy to speak with you-he's very helpful and straight up with everyone.
I hope my reply wasnt too long and it helps you out a bit.
 

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
there are 4 and I started 2 for exact questions I need answered! I still have not gotten them answered. Thank you Jesse, This is the first type responce I am looking for!!!!!!!! Pro's and Con's of running what brand vs wet or open primary. $1,700.00 up to $3,400.00. The one I will not use is the Barrett with that 3rd pulley wheel. F#@* THAT THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's all fine and good, but I'm saying this again because nobody else has addressed it. For a 2004 Daytec Chopper, your offset is not 1.5", it's 1 7/16". IF you have a Daytec Chopper, you will have to get 1/16" milled off the spacer, or the motor plate if it's integrated. I'm assuming it's the same for an RT frame since the primarys are interchangeable. This detail might dictate who's primary you end up with, since certain brands might be a bitch to machine, or have a chrome motor plate, etc. And to clarify something I read somewhere but my brain is fried from all these open primary threads, a two piece MOTOR plate consists of a forward and rear half, Primo uses this system, and I don't like it. Some other companies use a spacer up at the front between the motor and the motor plate, which is nice because it allows you to change offsets so you could put the primary on any EVO style bike that's not DSSC, or change to RSD down the road, and for custom offsets the spacer is easy to machine. DNA uses this system.
 
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Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
OK, here is my question why an open primary??? The closed primary drive is a chain drive in oil for cooling, and lube also the charging system is cooled by the oil as well as the clutch. The open primary is air cooled both belt and charging system as well as the clutch. Plus the dry clutch produces a lot of dust where you have to disasemble the clutch plates to clean them and clean off the clutch dust on everything.
SO,it sounds like a maintance pig what's the advantage other than it looks cool???? :confused:
And to answer this, the open primary is LESS mantenance. No you don't have to clean out the dust, it finds it's own way out just fine. It's much easier to work on than a wet primary, and there is nothing to leak. From a technical standpoint, there is no downside. Clutch feel is a little different but not worth mentioning. Plate life is dependant on your riding style. They look and sound cool, that's pretty much the only reason to get one. It's just another thing to set your bike apart from all the rest.
 
I changed because it looks and sounds cool, other reasons, my clutch alway slipped and bigdog could not stop - several new clutches and finally the newer easy pull but nothing worked, dry clutch no slipping & very adjustable to each person, no primary oil to change, alway had a starter problem ( loud and hard bang when starting hot engine plus the oil leaking inside starter) and these problem gone, I have about 8000 of my 35000 miles on open primary, and have had no issues with clutch dust or anything with charging system ( remember the oil in primary is as hot and engine ) rubber belt needs no lube, dry clutch needs no lube and as for cooling, yes you have oil but engine is also air cooled.
I'm currently looking to change as well where did you get yours from? What year and model dog do you have?
 

HMAN

I just like my Freedom
Supporting Member
I'm currently looking to change as well where did you get yours from? What year and model dog do you have?
BDL is currently working on a version for your model bike. It has been in the works for a while. They should be getting close to production but could be a ways out? Other than that, you will be extremely lucky if you find a used one be it a BDL, Baker or Ultima. That is your only option. Period.
 
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