Harley Davidson Forums - Open primary/compensator

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Open primary/compensator

I would like to know if open primaries are harder on your drive train seeing they don't have compensators?
Thanks

Well, you're not going to break anything due to running a belt drive primary as opposed to a chain driven that wasn't going to break with the converse. Harley's have always had it backwards anyways. For maximum power transfer without breaking the drive, it should be a wide belt driven primary and a chain driven final drive.

The drive belt provides a degree of cushioning which a chain cannot. So while it may not be as good as a compensator, for normal riding I reckon you're fine!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95yj (Post 12176228)

..... it should be a wide belt driven primary and a chain driven final drive.

That's the wrong way around! They correctly use an oil-bath primary and for a few years also used an oil-bath rear chain. However the rear belt gives virtually nil maintenance and a cushioned drive, is smoother and frankly more pleasant to ride than a chain. There's no going back!