Big Dog mc not admissible into Canada?
- Thread starter DRB11
- Start date
Matt Moore
Member
Big Dogs into Canada
This is a subject that I dealt with many times at the manufacturing company. Here are the broad strokes:
The rulebook says once a motorcycle has been issued a US or Canadian MSO (Manufacturer Statement of Origin) by the manufacturer, it can not be converted to the other. The MSO is the paperwork that later becomes the title on a new vehicle. However, there are (or were) loopholes in Canadian import law that allowed people and dealers to import US bikes (ex. Truckloads of Ironhorse bikes were being shipped up north of Alberta to an RV dealer before Ironhorse closed). There is only one guy can that help you find these loopholes. His name is Terry O'Brian with CCC Imports.
37 Hurst Drive
Barrie, ON L4N 9K6
(705) 719-2780
Be prepared to spend a little money. You will likely have to perform the same modifications to the bike as Big Dog did at the factory. These modifications include:
MPH to KMH Speedo (the new retrofit speedo will work)
Dual Rear Signals/brakelights/running lights (Requires brackets)
Dual Front Signals
Canada VIN Label
Depending on the model, it is likely that BDM Performance Products has most of the parts you need. The only item I see that may be a challenge is the 4-light module and harness needed for the rear lights. We may be able to make that for you. Let me know what you decide to do and I can dig into it further if you want.
The only other way I have seen people bring them across the border is to import them in pieces and register them as a "Home-built." I would discourage this approach because the border patrol agents are familiar with the Big Dogs and are wise to this approach.
This is a subject that I dealt with many times at the manufacturing company. Here are the broad strokes:
The rulebook says once a motorcycle has been issued a US or Canadian MSO (Manufacturer Statement of Origin) by the manufacturer, it can not be converted to the other. The MSO is the paperwork that later becomes the title on a new vehicle. However, there are (or were) loopholes in Canadian import law that allowed people and dealers to import US bikes (ex. Truckloads of Ironhorse bikes were being shipped up north of Alberta to an RV dealer before Ironhorse closed). There is only one guy can that help you find these loopholes. His name is Terry O'Brian with CCC Imports.
37 Hurst Drive
Barrie, ON L4N 9K6
(705) 719-2780
Be prepared to spend a little money. You will likely have to perform the same modifications to the bike as Big Dog did at the factory. These modifications include:
MPH to KMH Speedo (the new retrofit speedo will work)
Dual Rear Signals/brakelights/running lights (Requires brackets)
Dual Front Signals
Canada VIN Label
Depending on the model, it is likely that BDM Performance Products has most of the parts you need. The only item I see that may be a challenge is the 4-light module and harness needed for the rear lights. We may be able to make that for you. Let me know what you decide to do and I can dig into it further if you want.
The only other way I have seen people bring them across the border is to import them in pieces and register them as a "Home-built." I would discourage this approach because the border patrol agents are familiar with the Big Dogs and are wise to this approach.
C00lHandLuke
Active Member
I just saw a post from a Canadian in another thread. Looked like he had a K9.
Matt Moore
Member
Glad to help.
bearman
Active Member
What, you don't want to see a couple BigDog riders waltzing down the beach in a speedo?
On second thought, why stop with Florida, make it a worldwide thing.
francoblay1
The Spaniard
bigd1960
Active Member
That guy in Ontario is right. Got mine out of Alberta where they were originally imported from the AI and BDM dealership before they went belly up. Canada has screwed up laws to start with and they won't allow nothing across where the company is belly up. On the other hand I can import an older Indian but can't import a Gilroy Indian. Don't even think of asking me why.
07bigdog
07BIGDOG
You can't import or register a Bigdog in Canada other than the few that got shipped to dealerships in Canada. As Matt from KMW said, the bikes that got imported had different speedos in km and 4 lights at the rear and whatever else Bigdog had to do to meet Canadian rules. For Manitoba you have to ship the bike up in pieces and register it as a custom build homemade replica kit. To register the bike, it has to meet all the Manitoba highway traffic act rules and if it passes that they issue you a serial number. Then it has to pass a Manitoba safety. If you don't have the right connections you will never get it registered even if you manage to import it.
