Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

Open primary

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 23, 2023 | 08:16 PM
  #1  
cd680's Avatar
cd680
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 75
Likes: 16
From: Nj USA
Default Open primary

Hi I’m looking for a open primary for a 79 flh electric/ kick start if anyone has one available
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2023 | 10:29 PM
  #2  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,145
Likes: 51,486
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

BDL or Primo, keeping the button too it gets pricey for the whole kits. Kick only a lot cheaper.
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2023 | 10:33 PM
  #3  
cd680's Avatar
cd680
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 75
Likes: 16
From: Nj USA
Default

Either one ….I’m redoing a 79 and the inner and outer primary cases are bad so I figured I’d do an open primary
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2023 | 11:34 PM
  #4  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,145
Likes: 51,486
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Checked all mine are closed primary for the button start, BDL 8mm replaces everything in the primary ran that about a month before I swapped it clutched rattled to much for me. The rest are for 5 speeds.

Finding a decent open setup used is going to be iffy good luck in the hunt.
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2023 | 11:40 PM
  #5  
cd680's Avatar
cd680
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 75
Likes: 16
From: Nj USA
Default

You just couldn’t take the noise anymore? That was my concern with going with open… I’d probably be smarter getting both new cases and keeping it closed. Also it’ll save me a ton of money
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2023 | 12:48 AM
  #6  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,145
Likes: 51,486
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by cd680
You just couldn’t take the noise anymore? That was my concern with going with open… I’d probably be smarter getting both new cases and keeping it closed. Also it’ll save me a ton of money
Stock clutch done right is fine, it's what I run with my 11mm setup now. The total replacement with all their hardware was loud even in a closed primary with vented covers, it was bad. Good clutch but....

And yeah a complete open with button start is crowding 2 grand if you can find one.

I run this, with a rear belt I did a conversion on, modded heavily.


 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2023 | 12:55 AM
  #7  
cd680's Avatar
cd680
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 75
Likes: 16
From: Nj USA
Default

Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
Stock clutch done right is fine, it's what I run with my 11mm setup now. The total replacement with all their hardware was loud even in a closed primary with vented covers, it was bad. Good clutch but....

And yeah a complete open with button start is crowding 2 grand if you can find one.

I run this, with a rear belt I did a conversion on, modded heavily.

that’s a great setup you did… makes the most sense
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2023 | 04:54 AM
  #8  
Pale Horse Rider's Avatar
Pale Horse Rider
Tourer
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 269
From: Central Florida
Default

Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
Stock clutch done right is fine, it's what I run with my 11mm setup now. The total replacement with all their hardware was loud even in a closed primary with vented covers, it was bad. Good clutch but....

And yeah a complete open with button start is crowding 2 grand if you can find one.

I run this, with a rear belt I did a conversion on, modded heavily.

May I ask the source for the pressure plate and if it is compatible with a stock clutch?


 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 24, 2023 | 08:35 AM
  #9  
Racepres's Avatar
Racepres
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,632
Likes: 3,391
From: Cental, MI
Default

8mm, Fully Enclosed. Been on our '74 forever...E start unaffected, Not nearly as Noisy if ya close it up, And Only Folks On the Internet have Problems with Enclosed...
BTW, a RammJett retainer works miracles on Shovel Clutch...That Miserable late '84+ clutch???? No Thanks
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2023 | 08:36 AM
  #10  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,145
Likes: 51,486
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by Pale Horse Rider
May I ask the source for the pressure plate and if it is compatible with a stock clutch?
For a low budget bullet proof shovel clutch, stock plates or Alto Reds, a Ramjett retainer and an aluminium pressure plate. Setup and adjusted properly this takes all the headaches out of the shovel clutch and finding neutral games.

Mine is a Sifton diagram pressure plate and later spring plate instead of the 10 springs. They are still around if you search it but the hub that comes with kit is junk the studs are real soft. Use the stock one if the studs are in decent shape. Works pretty well but I'm running a 7 plate Kevlar clutch also.

This place has everything I mentioned for both ways at decent prices.
https://www.clutchplatessales.com/si...onversion-kit/
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:02 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE