Chopper models????

[Tattooedirish1]

Question for you big dog encyclopedias.
I have an 03 chopper Rolling thunder frame. My ? is, when looking for parts or accessories what are the differences between all the listed choppers? Aside from the Daytec and Rolling Thunder frames?

I see in the catalogs
Chopper
Chopper BDM
Chopper DT (daytec)
Chopper RT ( Rolling Thunder)

I assume maybe it has to do with using more big dog Proprietary parts. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Jay

[Tattooedirish1]

WOW 21 views and no replies? Must be a tougher question than I anticipated. Any info is helpful even it you think its common knowledge.

[VAL DUKE]

Are you sure your not talking about a Thunder Mountain frame rather than a Rolling Thunder frame. I dont know much about this subject but I'm sure there is a difference between the both. As far as I know Thunder Mountain frame are made to accept all Harley Davidson parts while the contrary is true for others. I do like the Thunder Mountain Keystone, I think it looks great. Too bad the company went belly-up.

[Tattooedirish1]

Originally Posted by VAL DUKE

Are you sure your not talking about a Thunder Mountain frame rather than a Rolling Thunder frame. I dont know much about this subject but I'm sure there is a difference between the both. As far as I know Thunder Mountain frame are made to accept all Harley Davidson parts while the contrary is true for others. I do like the Thunder Mountain Keystone, I think it looks great. Too bad the company went belly-up.

Ive never heard of the Thunder Mountain Frame for Big Dog Choppers. I do know the frames listed were Rolling Thunder and Daytec. And I do know that the 2003 chopper used a lot of standard parts. I just looking for a more detailed breakdown in the differences. I just want to have all the knowledge about the scoot before I do any real changes to it. Just want to know my options ya know!

[woodbutcher]

believe there were (two) different frames used that year as noted (below). and not all items are interchangeable. and you are right about it being rolling thunder.

STAND CORRECTED, SEE BELOW FOR RAY'S POST. thanks, ray

[Raywood]

Originally Posted by Tattooedirish1

Question for you big dog encyclopedias.
I have an 03 chopper Rolling thunder frame. My ? is, when looking for parts or accessories what are the differences between all the listed choppers? Aside from the Daytec and Rolling Thunder frames?

I see in the catalogs
Chopper
Chopper BDM
Chopper DT (daytec)
Chopper RT ( Rolling Thunder)

I assume maybe it has to do with using more big dog Proprietary parts. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Jay

If you are only talking about the 03 model then BD only used the RT and DT frames. The BDM frame came later when they shifted to the RSD bikes in 05 and were building lots of bikes then.
My 03 and 05 both had the RT frames. The major difference you can see is the front lower motor mount as the DT frame (as well as the BDM later) used an aluminum motormount to mount the motor and foot pegs to the frame. The RT frame uses a standard welded in bar you normally see.
You can see what the differences are just by looking at the BDM website in the part section and seeing that the RT and DT have different part #'s for the seat and other parts.
I liked the RT frame myself cause it has a better looking upper motormount and the traditional lower motormount.
RT frames are Canadian made.

[Tattooedirish1]

Originally Posted by Raywood

If you are only talking about the 03 model then BD only used the RT and DT frames. The BDM frame came later when they shifted to the RSD bikes in 05 and were building lots of bikes then.
My 03 and 05 both had the RT frames. The major difference you can see is the front lower motor mount as the DT frame (as well as the BDM later) used an aluminum motormount to mount the motor and foot pegs to the frame. The RT frame uses a standard welded in bar you normally see.
You can see what the differences are just by looking at the BDM website in the part section and seeing that the RT and DT have different part #'s for the seat and other parts.
I liked the RT frame myself cause it has a better looking upper motormount and the traditional lower motormount.
RT frames are Canadian made.

Ray,
Thanks for the input, I too have the RT on my 03 chopper. So for future reference then, Parts listed for the RT frame will fit.
And I believe Most standard parts found online will also fit is that correct.

Thanks

[allenmp]

my 03 was recalled for the frame and i thought they said they went with a different one when they replaced it you might wanna check that out too since they recalled the 03 chopper

[Raywood]

Originally Posted by Tattooedirish1

Ray,
Thanks for the input, I too have the RT on my 03 chopper. So for future reference then, Parts listed for the RT frame will fit.
And I believe Most standard parts found online will also fit is that correct.

Thanks

Not sure what you mean by "most standard parts" cause no HD parts are going to fit it with the wide tire/fender and offset of the motor and tranny.

But whatever is listed on the BDM website for parts are good. Check out shovelheadkicker on eBay as he sells lots of stuff for the older models.

[Tattooedirish1]

Originally Posted by allenmp

my 03 was recalled for the frame and i thought they said they went with a different one when they replaced it you might wanna check that out too since they recalled the 03 chopper

I did a vin check with BDM Soon after I bought the bike, I was one of the lucky ones. My vin came back clean for all recalls.
Thanks for the heads up though

[Tattooedirish1]

Originally Posted by Raywood

Not sure what you mean by "most standard parts" cause no HD parts are going to fit it with the wide tire/fender and offset of the motor and tranny.

But whatever is listed on the BDM website for parts are good. Check out shovelheadkicker on eBay as he sells lots of stuff for the older models.

Thanks Ray,
Right now I'm not necessarily thinking about drive train items as my bike runs excellent. Mostly just changing out the stock pegs, grips, mirrors and such because I know that the newer models need adapters and I wanted to make sure what I buy could be used. I have seen Shovelhead on ebay.