Open primarys
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: Dark side of the Moon
Lot's of people run them with no issues. I wouldn't/won't.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 12
From: Washngton State
That is where people become conflicted! The Ultima is cheap and looks good enough and the BDL and Primo are an arm and a leg. BDL is still in business because there price is decent in a market where there is not alot of competition.
Same reason people still buy from demon cycles.
Same reason people still buy from demon cycles.
I've been curious how those ultima old schools held up. They look sick but it's ultima. My bdl has been fine but the customer service is non existent. If I did it again I'd spend he extra cash and get a primo. Top notch and they always answer the phone. If you want to run nitrous id go 3" with outbored bearing support.
I hear a lot of good things about Karata's gear too, any thoughts on them?
Was going to stick to around a 30-40 pill on the gas, is the beading support really needed or overkill? I'm guessing ok seeing just under 100hp/tq now roughly
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,104
Likes: 7,632
From: Poolville
Primo Brute III Extreme
I currently have an enclosed Brute III extreme 1 3/4" on my 98 Fatboy and it handles my 95 lbs of torque no problem. Actually I love the way my ride accelerates with all that less wieght on the crank. Extremely noticable. The only thing I dont lke is the belt shudder under load @ 2000 rpm till the belt and pulleys warm up and expand a lttle which changes the tension on the belt. Rivera-Primo reccomends 1/2 to 3/4" flex cold. Then it's bullet proof..... 
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: Dark side of the Moon
I ended up getting some help from cool folks over at clubchopper.com and a little self ingenuity.
I never had a catastrophic failure.
The one before that, BDL's clutch baskets were poorly designed and had multiple issues with the dog bones. Think they have remedied that as the BDL on my SPS was a different design.
I'll pay extra for a higher quality product that comes with great customer Service.
Like I said. If you can deal with not being able to get someone on the phone if need be and answer your questions, BDL will work fine and probably give you plenty of issue free miles.
I have never had an Ultima, so I have no opinion on them.
Any one that runs some serious power almost always runs a Primo.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 13
From: Northern UTARD
When I bought the belt drive it came with vague instructions, I tried to call, email them for 3 days to get an answer, never got one so...I went for it, and guessed wrong. Lost my comp nut at 90miles an hour. Not blaming them (although a simple answer of a phone call or email would have solved it.). I tried to call them about replacement parts and to ask them what there recommendations were. Weeks later and many many emails, nothing. I called primo to pick there brain, they gave me good answers for a product that wasn't theirs and help me out quite a bit. While I think bdl is a fine product I would rather spend a few extra bucks for a little help when I need it. Ultima is the same way, but for the price you can expect customer service to suck.
You'll probably be fine without an outbored support. I'm into triple digits on mine and have only had the clutch slip once.
You'll probably be fine without an outbored support. I'm into triple digits on mine and have only had the clutch slip once.