2003 Chopper owners...

spiderjason · 11-11-2010, 07:39 PM

Ok, I have my eye on a 2003 Big Dog Chopper... You owners that ride these bikes how do you like them??? I know I read that a lot of Big Dogs around this year Had Electrical Problems... The bike does have over 13,000 miles and is the S&S 107... He said that he has never had to replace the EHC or has ever had any problems that he heard about from other Big Dog owners... I'm actually getting a pretty good deal on the bike but will have to go on a road trip to get it... I take it the S&S 107 is a good engine... I've only rode and heard the 117 S&S...

I guess I am leaning towards buying the bike but just still thinking... I'm getting a pretty good deal on the bike... If anybody has bought one around this year model recently what did you pay for your bike?

SF180A · 11-11-2010, 07:53 PM

I have an 03 Mastiff with 13,000 on it, and still have the original EHC. I had an electrical problem once and thought it was the EHC, but it turned out to be a broken left tail light wire. Only work other then oil filter changes I have done was to change out the exhaust, re-jet the carb, install a big sucker air filter, flip the plate, replace the back tire and ride the shit out of it.

I have no regrets and have received lots of smiles and thumbs up where ever I go.

Ride safe,

SF180A

coach · 11-11-2010, 08:03 PM

I bought my 03 Chopper new in 03. I have had no problems. The best I can say is in 03 the components on the bike like pegs, mirrors, pipes, etc, are regular after market harley stuff. Later models require Big Dog proprietary parts. The 107 has been flawless with more muscle that I can handle. If the bike you're considering has been well maintained you wont be disappointed. Good Luck. Feel free to look at my old postings or ask questions if you have concerns. Raywood also had an 03 which he put a bunch of miles down.

thexaulted · 11-12-2010, 01:06 AM

I have an 03 Chopper I bought it with a little over 3k, I think it was like 3,300 or close. I did have a quite a few electrical issues but I had the ehc replaced with the wire plus module and a dyna ignition. It's been pretty good though. I did replace the oil pump with a high output TP with a stainless steel check valve so that it wouldn't mark its territory anymore! Good year though, like Coach said its the last year where proprietary components weren't used so you can buy HD stuff out of the catalogs or dealers.
Hey, I have a good time, get a ton of looks, get a lot of conversations and thumbs up in traffic for a fraction of what a lot of others have paid!

spiderjason · 11-12-2010, 03:44 AM

Yea, I like the bike... I am realling leaning towards buying the Chopper... I just like to hear good things from you guys before I buy one... I'm not really in a huge hurry right now...

TimNY · 11-12-2010, 12:11 PM

Jason
I wouldn't even think of buying anything after 04. 03 is the last year
for the Chopper.After 05 they went right side drive and thats a whole other
ball game.
The bike your looking at how much $ and how many miles ?

Good luck Tim

Coolbreeze · 11-12-2010, 01:46 PM

The 107" motor is great! I have the 04 Boxer. Very little motor noise compared to the 117. All I have done to mine is cam & cut the baffle down in the 2-1 exh, and I'm pushing 110 hp.

OrangeSkullz · 11-12-2010, 04:00 PM

the older 107's will run with the newer "epa" 117's with no sweat. GREAT motor from S&S

spiderjason · 11-12-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimNY

Jason
I wouldn't even think of buying anything after 04. 03 is the last year
for the Chopper.After 05 they went right side drive and thats a whole other
ball game.
The bike your looking at how much $ and how many miles ?

Good luck Tim

The bikes has about 14,000 miles... He was asking a lot for the bike at first around $14,000... So I made an offer of $9,000... He didn't want to take it at first but after a few emails back and forth now he is willing... We all know how the economy is for selling right now...

Tattooedirish1 · 11-16-2010, 11:51 PM

I also have the 03, Original ehc runs absolutely perfect.

stlmikie · 11-17-2010, 04:47 AM

I have the 03 Mastiff. Last of the good years there. I fried an WBC but it was due to a short elsewhere on the bike. I'm right at 110hp and 125 lbft. That was a great year for Bigdog for sure. I've got around 14000 miles on it and I bought it with 6000 on it and it's just as strong as the day I bought it.

bigdogjohnny · 11-17-2010, 11:16 AM

I bought my 03 Chopper about 15 months ago with 5200 miles on it and bought it for $13000. I now have 12500 miles on it and absolutely love the Dog!! I love the comments I get and the looks I get. Best purchase I have ever made!!

TimNY · 11-17-2010, 12:20 PM

Jason
Mileage is average for 03 , not too many. I've seen 03 Choppers sell on E bay for $10,500- $12,000. $9,000 is a good price. Should be able to enjoy it and break even in the end.Maybe make a few bucks.
Let us know how it goes. Tim

Bmarchant · 11-20-2010, 11:38 AM

I have an 03 chopper too. Bought it 2 years ago for $12,000 with 10k on it. I've now go over 20K on it. Best bike I've ever owned. No issues at all. As far as the EHC, these are 03s, its not the same one that had the problems. I asked the same question too.

If you buy one, get used to having a lot of people coming up and talking to you about the bike. I can't ride to the gas station without someone walking over and asking questions. It makes it fun.

steve03mastiff · 11-20-2010, 01:23 PM

i have an 03 mastiff also...very fast bike. leans left cause of the offset primary at low speeds, so i go faster..lol . Love the 107. it will outrun the 05 ridgeback i just bought.
they are just different bikes all together. each has their purpose.
i'm a big dog fan for life, and love the s&s engines.

11-11-2010, 07:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
spiderjason Member Member #: 1683 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 167 My Bike(s): 2008 K-9, Yamaha R1 My Gallery Rep Power: 5	2003 Chopper owners... Ok, I have my eye on a 2003 Big Dog Chopper... You owners that ride these bikes how do you like them??? I know I read that a lot of Big Dogs around this year Had Electrical Problems... The bike does have over 13,000 miles and is the S&S 107... He said that he has never had to replace the EHC or has ever had any problems that he heard about from other Big Dog owners... I'm actually getting a pretty good deal on the bike but will have to go on a road trip to get it... I take it the S&S 107 is a good engine... I've only rode and heard the 117 S&S... I guess I am leaning towards buying the bike but just still thinking... I'm getting a pretty good deal on the bike... If anybody has bought one around this year model recently what did you pay for your bike? __________________ Life is so good I can taste it in my spit Last edited by spiderjason; 11-13-2010 at 04:59 AM.

11-12-2010, 03:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
spiderjason Member Member #: 1683 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 167 My Bike(s): 2008 K-9, Yamaha R1 My Gallery Rep Power: 5	Yea, I like the bike... I am realling leaning towards buying the Chopper... I just like to hear good things from you guys before I buy one... I'm not really in a huge hurry right now... __________________ Life is so good I can taste it in my spit Last edited by spiderjason; 11-12-2010 at 05:23 PM.

11-17-2010, 04:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
stlmikie I wish I had more money. Name: Mike Member #: 159 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: St. Peters Posts: 4,243 My Bike(s): 03 Mastif My Gallery Rep Power: 8	I have the 03 Mastiff. Last of the good years there. I fried an WBC but it was due to a short elsewhere on the bike. I'm right at 110hp and 125 lbft. That was a great year for Bigdog for sure. I've got around 14000 miles on it and I bought it with 6000 on it and it's just as strong as the day I bought it. __________________ If ignorance is bliss then knock the smile off my face!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-11-2010, 07:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
SF180A Member Name: Brent Member #: 1175 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chesapeaake, VA Posts: 412 My Bike(s): 2003 Bigdog Mastiff My Gallery Rep Power: 5	I have an 03 Mastiff with 13,000 on it, and still have the original EHC. I had an electrical problem once and thought it was the EHC, but it turned out to be a broken left tail light wire. Only work other then oil filter changes I have done was to change out the exhaust, re-jet the carb, install a big sucker air filter, flip the plate, replace the back tire and ride the shit out of it. I have no regrets and have received lots of smiles and thumbs up where ever I go. Ride safe, SF180A

11-11-2010, 08:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
coach Member Member #: 91 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 925 My Bike(s): 2011 Street Glide My Gallery Rep Power: 6	I bought my 03 Chopper new in 03. I have had no problems. The best I can say is in 03 the components on the bike like pegs, mirrors, pipes, etc, are regular after market harley stuff. Later models require Big Dog proprietary parts. The 107 has been flawless with more muscle that I can handle. If the bike you're considering has been well maintained you wont be disappointed. Good Luck. Feel free to look at my old postings or ask questions if you have concerns. Raywood also had an 03 which he put a bunch of miles down.

11-12-2010, 01:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
thexaulted Member Name: Rich Member #: 1608 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SC Posts: 175 My Bike(s): 2003 Big Dog Chopper with NO EHC & 1999 Harley Davidson Dyna Glide, 16" Ape Hangers and some rake! My Gallery Rep Power: 5	I have an 03 Chopper I bought it with a little over 3k, I think it was like 3,300 or close. I did have a quite a few electrical issues but I had the ehc replaced with the wire plus module and a dyna ignition. It's been pretty good though. I did replace the oil pump with a high output TP with a stainless steel check valve so that it wouldn't mark its territory anymore! Good year though, like Coach said its the last year where proprietary components weren't used so you can buy HD stuff out of the catalogs or dealers. Hey, I have a good time, get a ton of looks, get a lot of conversations and thumbs up in traffic for a fraction of what a lot of others have paid!

11-12-2010, 12:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
TimNY Member Name: Guess Member #: 4699 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 717 My Bike(s): Home built/Frame up 2011 Custom - based on BDM Chopper, 2003 H.D. Roadking FLHRI,2009 XR1200 My Gallery Rep Power: 3	Jason I wouldn't even think of buying anything after 04. 03 is the last year for the Chopper.After 05 they went right side drive and thats a whole other ball game. The bike your looking at how much $ and how many miles ? Good luck Tim

11-12-2010, 01:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Coolbreeze Member Member #: 351 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mogadore, Ohio Posts: 296 My Bike(s): 04 Big Dog Boxer/94 1200 Sportster My Gallery Rep Power: 6	The 107" motor is great! I have the 04 Boxer. Very little motor noise compared to the 117. All I have done to mine is cam & cut the baffle down in the 2-1 exh, and I'm pushing 110 hp.

11-12-2010, 04:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
OrangeSkullz Member Member #: 3909 Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 427 My Bike(s): '04 AIH Texas Chopper S&S 124ci My Gallery Rep Power: 0	the older 107's will run with the newer "epa" 117's with no sweat. GREAT motor from S&S

11-17-2010, 11:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
bigdogjohnny Member Name: John Member #: 3089 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Kirkwood, NY Posts: 195 My Bike(s): 2005 Big Dog Chopper My Gallery Rep Power: 4	I bought my 03 Chopper about 15 months ago with 5200 miles on it and bought it for $13000. I now have 12500 miles on it and absolutely love the Dog!! I love the comments I get and the looks I get. Best purchase I have ever made!!

11-17-2010, 12:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
TimNY Member Name: Guess Member #: 4699 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 717 My Bike(s): Home built/Frame up 2011 Custom - based on BDM Chopper, 2003 H.D. Roadking FLHRI,2009 XR1200 My Gallery Rep Power: 3	Jason Mileage is average for 03 , not too many. I've seen 03 Choppers sell on E bay for $10,500- $12,000. $9,000 is a good price. Should be able to enjoy it and break even in the end.Maybe make a few bucks. Let us know how it goes. Tim

11-20-2010, 11:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
Bmarchant Member Name: Bill Member #: 2113 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 516 My Bike(s): 2003 Big Dog Chopper My Gallery Rep Power: 5	I have an 03 chopper too. Bought it 2 years ago for $12,000 with 10k on it. I've now go over 20K on it. Best bike I've ever owned. No issues at all. As far as the EHC, these are 03s, its not the same one that had the problems. I asked the same question too. If you buy one, get used to having a lot of people coming up and talking to you about the bike. I can't ride to the gas station without someone walking over and asking questions. It makes it fun.

11-20-2010, 01:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
steve03mastiff Member Name: steve Member #: 5374 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Mineola, TX Posts: 191 My Bike(s): 05 big dog ridgeback...2011 heritage softail My Gallery Rep Power: 3	i have an 03 mastiff also...very fast bike. leans left cause of the offset primary at low speeds, so i go faster..lol . Love the 107. it will outrun the 05 ridgeback i just bought. they are just different bikes all together. each has their purpose. i'm a big dog fan for life, and love the s&s engines.