Open Primary Options for pre1990 evo?
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Stage I
Joined: Feb 2025
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From: North Carolina
Open Primary Options for pre1990 evo?
I'm looking for an open primary option for my 1988 FXSTC. I want to run both kickstart and e-start, so it needs to be a setup that supports both. Ideally, I'd like a 1.5” width belt. I have scoured the internet to no avail. I found a BDL 3" kit that is kick-only and another BDL 3" kit that supports e-start, but it comes with a back plate and a side plate. I don't think any post-1990 open belt drive kits would work because they use a splined shaft, while my '88 still has a tapered shaft, and I want to stick with a 1.5” belt.
https://beltdrives.com/open-drives-2...s/evo-4t-72-47
https://beltdrives.com/open-drives-2.../evo-9t-series
I found a pre-1983 Shovelhead open belt drive kit that supports both e-start and kickstart, and it looks like it could work. But since my '88 Evo’s e-starter is housed in the closed primary, I'd need to relocate it if I go open. I know pre-1983 Shovels didn’t have this issue because their starters were mounted externally (unless I'm wrong, please let me know), so is there a way to house my starter like a Shovelhead to make this work? Has anyone done this before, or would I need a custom external starter mount?
https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/produ...MlusVk_EB-TvuZ
Also, how plausible would it be for me or a shop to fabricate a custom open primary drive setup to fit my needs?
https://beltdrives.com/open-drives-2...s/evo-4t-72-47
https://beltdrives.com/open-drives-2.../evo-9t-series
I found a pre-1983 Shovelhead open belt drive kit that supports both e-start and kickstart, and it looks like it could work. But since my '88 Evo’s e-starter is housed in the closed primary, I'd need to relocate it if I go open. I know pre-1983 Shovels didn’t have this issue because their starters were mounted externally (unless I'm wrong, please let me know), so is there a way to house my starter like a Shovelhead to make this work? Has anyone done this before, or would I need a custom external starter mount?
https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/produ...MlusVk_EB-TvuZ
Also, how plausible would it be for me or a shop to fabricate a custom open primary drive setup to fit my needs?
My bike is an '87 softail, and I plan to run an open primary, BDL 3", but kickonly.
There are two versions of this kit, for tapered and for splined shaft, so I chose the tapered one.
https://www.wwag.com/en/bdl-8-mm-3-i...es-for-softail
https://www.wwag.com/en/bdl-8-mm-3-i...tail-1990-2006
You should find a tapered kit, just call BDL or maybe rivera.
There are two versions of this kit, for tapered and for splined shaft, so I chose the tapered one.
https://www.wwag.com/en/bdl-8-mm-3-i...es-for-softail
https://www.wwag.com/en/bdl-8-mm-3-i...tail-1990-2006
You should find a tapered kit, just call BDL or maybe rivera.
Last edited by marcelm; Feb 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 190
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From: Scotland UK
I run the BDL EVB-2SL primary set up on my 1995. Its a narrow 8mm belt drive and is an enclosed set up so typically you run it within the stock inner / outer covers.
I have run mine many times without the outer cover on to keep heat from building up and it works just fine. I have kickstart and elec start on the bike so when the cover is off I just kick it over to avoid putting any stress on the starter jackshaft as it needs the outer casing to provide support when you engage the elec.
I dont think they do any open 2" drives for EVO's, when I was looking I believe 3" was the narrowest they offered. Pretty sure Ultima do a 2" set up but its not a proper open set up and looks partially covered too
I have run mine many times without the outer cover on to keep heat from building up and it works just fine. I have kickstart and elec start on the bike so when the cover is off I just kick it over to avoid putting any stress on the starter jackshaft as it needs the outer casing to provide support when you engage the elec.
I dont think they do any open 2" drives for EVO's, when I was looking I believe 3" was the narrowest they offered. Pretty sure Ultima do a 2" set up but its not a proper open set up and looks partially covered too
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