Open Primary Dangerous?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
RE: Open Primary Dangerous?
i had the open primary but on my 90 fxstc right after i bought the bike, about 3 years ago, the chain, clutch and sprocket were shot. i put a outer belt guard on it, good thing seeing as i tipped it over in the rocks about year ago, only scratched the cover, buffed it out, without the cover i would of fried everything. my cover is a solid i piece that only covers the outer side.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
RE: Open Primary Dangerous?
I've had an open primary for about 16 years or so on my panhead (3 post clutch hub). For the first dozen or so years, I kept the inner tin in place and didn't have a belt guard. Yes, I'm one of those folks with a bit of wear on the pant leg. I've rubbed the belt and clutch cover, but never have gotten caught. Of course, this might be different if I wore those Saturday Night Fever wide bell bottoms.
If you lay the bike down on your leg with the engine running, it would do some damage. Even with a cover, if the clutch basket hits the ground it will start pushing the bike.
On a long ride with the Evo I don't worry about hanging the legs down against the primary to stretch.An open primary requires you to bemindful of where you place your legs.
If you lay the bike down on your leg with the engine running, it would do some damage. Even with a cover, if the clutch basket hits the ground it will start pushing the bike.
On a long ride with the Evo I don't worry about hanging the legs down against the primary to stretch.An open primary requires you to bemindful of where you place your legs.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
RE: Open Primary Dangerous?
ORIGINAL: coolcat2002
Ok, I like the look of the big twin primary rather than one on..say..a Sportster.
But then the Open primary came out and that's cool too.
Anyone ever get their pants caught in it? Or ever heard of any stories where someone got injured? The belt breaking and shoot up your leg. I don't have a belt guard but I've seen what a chain snapping does to my crankcase.
Ok, I like the look of the big twin primary rather than one on..say..a Sportster.
But then the Open primary came out and that's cool too.
Anyone ever get their pants caught in it? Or ever heard of any stories where someone got injured? The belt breaking and shoot up your leg. I don't have a belt guard but I've seen what a chain snapping does to my crankcase.
We make a shroud in stainless that wraps around the front sprocket completely. We make it out of SS pipe because the sheat metal type all break. Again, anyone who rides much will have a chance of getting their pants or worse caught. Do not let anyone B.S. you. We ride alot so I guess it might be a matter of time, I do not know. I have never got my pants leg caught...yet.
If you are thinking of belt drive; My advice to you is buy a good belt drive and do not buy that cheap crap or you will just be buying it over again.
If anyone wants a fairly new BDL for a dresser complete with floor board brackets, give me a call. They have new quiet clutches in them.
Here is what I did to hinder the pants leg thing on my own bike. The shroud does not look like this that I mentioned earlier. Presently I am rebuilding & rechroming + updating the paint.
This is not the belt drive for sale on the blue chopper.
[IMG]local://upfiles/29413/E78AD56A5D4C46239703E0639900B25B.jpg[/IMG]
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
RE: Open Primary Dangerous?
I have a couple of storys about open primarys, none good. first was about30 years ago I was riding down the freeway in sacramento, and a old guy on a shovel chopper (long front end) came crusing up beside me, man, I think, he's kicked back looking so cool, he looks over at me and give's me the thumbs up, and moves his left foot just enough to get his pant leg into his engine sprocket, Have you ever slipped off your foot peg doing 70 mph? hurts right? try getting your foot slamed to the ground at 70 mph! I pulled over to help him out after about 20 mins. the police pulled up and I left, I don't think he willever forget that one. I'll bet it still hurts.
My uncle fell over at a stop light (hit a little patch of oil) got his ankle osterized by his finger spool, It took him over a year to recover. Naw for me I think I will keep the rotating stuff coverd up.
My uncle fell over at a stop light (hit a little patch of oil) got his ankle osterized by his finger spool, It took him over a year to recover. Naw for me I think I will keep the rotating stuff coverd up.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 10
From: Evansville, IN
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Lake of the Ozarks
RE: Open Primary Dangerous?
I rode with a guy that had a open primary and he would get his pant leg caught in it quite often. It depends on where your controls are located. he was short and had foward controls and his leg just seemed to be in the wrong spot. He learned to deal with it and nothing ever bad happened (other than him having to walk around with ripped jeans)
