He'p Me Please! If you had a K-9 with NO wiring what would you do?

[shovelcowboy]

I have a K-9 (project bike) and it has no electrical or wiring. I would greatly appreciate ideas on how to complete it. My options (it has a 117 with crank, knock, and heat sensor capability):

Do I:

1. Wire it like a K-9 (stock EHC, thunderheart ignition).

2. Wire it with S&S IST (Intelligent Spark Technology).

3. Wire it like a Harley (at present I have no hand controls so could go HD or BDM). Here I could go with a crank sensor or cam sensor. If I went with a crank sensor I could go with a thunderheart stand alone ignition.

4. Revert to a cam sensor (change the cam covers) and use almost any ignition (Crane, Dyna, etc).

Other ideas welcome.

I know Lee and HDLarry have switched to the IST and BDMRidgeback has used the stand alone Thunderheart ignition and I think Gas has gone back to no EHC and Cam ignition.

I REALLY would like to hear opinions (and pros and cons).

I am leaning toward HD hand controls, HD wiring, Thunderheart stand alone ignition (crank sensor) because it is cheaper and maybe more reliable. Staying straight BDM would be important for getting service at a BDM dealer and if resale as a bonafide K-9 was possible (but this is titled as a special construction even though it is right now identical to a K-9.

Thanks everyone in advance.

 

[sh8kr]

Here's my .02
Since I was in a similar position with my Mastiff I went with what I felt easier to maintain and realizing I had a repaired Title from the Virginia DMV. I went the biggest motor that I could squeeze into the frame which I cut and stretched the bacbone 7 inches and dropped the neck down 1". The Thunderheart controller(not EHC) stayed while everything else rewired. I am using Daytona Twin Tec Evo nose cone ignition. The only difference we have is I was able to keep the Big Dog Vin # and this only helps for Insurance purposes.
Steve C

 

[bdmridgeback]

2 Options in my book:

1) The cheapest route and easiest would be to buy 1" bars and put HD controls on it. Order the Wire-Plus WP-182 harness/module and wire it with that. Buy a Thunderheart ASM5012 ignition and their crank sensor and you'll be all set. No need to spend all the money and have the tear down time for the cam cover to do a stand alone ignition.

2) If you want to keep the BDM bars and buy the BDM controls (you'll have to with those bars) then order the Wire-Plus WP-374 module and get a Thunderheart ignition mentioned above.

 

[lee]

I definitely would not put a BDM EHC in there from where you are at right now. We are going to see more and more people getting rid of their EHC's without a doubt, especially now that Wire Plus have the plug in system, which of course they didn't have when I did mine :bang: Also, you will probably find it a plus point done in this way if you were to ever sell it. As for BDM servicing - who cares. How much servicing do they do in relation to the electrics anyway.

 

[lee]

oh yeah - looks like you've done your research before putting this out there - top man.

 

[shovelcowboy]

Thanks to all of you for your helpful comments thus far. Could you all explain to me why Wire Plus is better than standard evo era harley wiring? On my Red Chopper that I built I went with a harley identical wiring harness (on ebay for about $75) and then had to get a Badlands self cancelling turn sig module (Jireh for about $75). Seems to work great.

So what does Wire Plus offer over this simple setup which uses circuit breakers and a relay?

Thanks, Shovelcowboy

 

[Raywood]

So what does Wire Plus offer over this simple setup which uses circuit breakers and a relay?

Thanks, Shovelcowboy

Nothing!! Use the HD system as you are starting from scratch. The Wire Plus is popular now cause it works with the exsisting electronics on a Big Dog of which you don't have so you can go your route for less expense.

Oh and I for one (there are many others) have put 10s of thousands of miles on the current electronics without problems!

 

[shovelcowboy]

Nothing!! Use the HD system as you are starting from scratch. The Wire Plus is popular now cause it works with the exsisting electronics on a Big Dog of which you don't have so you can go your route for less expense.

Oh and I for one (there are many others) have put 10s of thousands of miles on the current electronics without problems!

Thanks Ray. And your last comment about current electronics (plus positive comments I have heard from others) makes me still want to at least consider staying ALL Big Dog (especially if I were ever to sell this bike). I kind of think that the early EHC problems have unfairly tainted recent Big Dogs. The miles you have put on yours must be some kind of testimonial!

Still if I can simplify so I can work on it myself (and do it cheaper) maybe I should heed your first statement.

Shovelcowboy

 

[lee]

when my bike was rewired my mechanic said the WP182 that I have was very similar to a HD harness. The new module that Jake has caters for the BDM wiring system so you can keep the BDM hand controls etc. If you don't already have the BDM stuff then as far as I can tell you don't need the wire-plus system. My view is that if you can wire your bike in a simple way that is reliable, does the job and you can work on yourself it is a no brainer - the more simple it is the less there is to go wrong.

 

[hoat]

do the harley stuff

 

[bdmridgeback]

Even when I was thinking of installing new bars and switching over to HD controls, I was going to use a Wire-Plus module. It is tiny, all the relays and breakers are internal, Solid State and easy to install. All the turn signal controls and self canceling feature,etc.

I always look at it like you get what you pay for. I wouldn't buy the cheapest stuff I could find on Ebay and even do it myself. I think all that Jap shit is junk and most all the stuff on Ebay is, that's why they sell it so cheap.

Reasearch what you buy and make sure your getting a good product so it holds up, otherwise your back to square 1!!!

 

[Gas Man]

Do option 4 with harley wiring and some type of HD controls or aftermarket custom version.

 

[shovelcowboy]

Even when I was thinking of installing new bars and switching over to HD controls, I was going to use a Wire-Plus module. It is tiny, all the relays and breakers are internal, Solid State and easy to install. All the turn signal controls and self canceling feature,etc.

I always look at it like you get what you pay for. I wouldn't buy the cheapest stuff I could find on Ebay and even do it myself. I think all that Jap shit is junk and most all the stuff on Ebay is, that's why they sell it so cheap.

Reasearch what you buy and make sure your getting a good product so it holds up, otherwise your back to square 1!!!

Thanks for warning me to NOT do what I have done before. Go Cheap! I have been burned before. It is an old saying: "Penny wise and Pound foolish".

I agree that a lot of Ebay stuff is junk, but you have to sort through it to get the good deals. And as far as foreign products, I know that much of our stuff is produced overseas but I don't believe it is ALL junk. I like to buy American but sometimes the price difference doesn't make sense. And the Harley wiring and the Badlands module I used are American I think.

And I have seen identical products on JP Cycles and Custom Chrome for twice or more the price that Jireh has them. So who do I buy from????? To me a NO Brainer!

So If I don't do the work myself and buy american parts at the highest price, I might as well figure on paying $70,000 for a custom. I still want to check out the total price of the Wire Plus because it sounds good. Thanks

Hey, EVERYONE, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT!

Thanks, Shovelcowboy

 

[bdmridgeback]

You should be able to pick up a WP-182 module with the complete harness for about $400 and you would need nothing else other than your HD style controls and sportster style key switch. (Make sure you do install a charging system!)

 

[shovelcowboy]

You should be able to pick up a WP-182 module with the complete harness for about $400 and you would need nothing else other than your HD style controls and sportster style key switch. (Make sure you do install a charging system!)

Thanks for your thoughts on the price. I really didn't know how much that system would cost. And if it has all that plus self canceling turn sigs then it is not much more than what I did on my red bike. And besides it sounds like I could avoid such a mess of wires that I had.

Oh and I sure won't forget a "charging system"! I guess I wouldn't go ANYWHERE without one!

Thanks, Shovelcowboy

 

[shovelcowboy]

2 Options in my book:

1) The cheapest route and easiest would be to buy 1" bars and put HD controls on it. Order the Wire-Plus WP-182 harness/module and wire it with that. Buy a Thunderheart ASM5012 ignition and their crank sensor and you'll be all set. No need to spend all the money and have the tear down time for the cam cover to do a stand alone ignition.

2) If you want to keep the BDM bars and buy the BDM controls (you'll have to with those bars) then order the Wire-Plus WP-374 module and get a Thunderheart ignition mentioned above.

I am leaning toward going with your no. 2 suggestion above. But I can't find the Wire-Plus WP-374 module on the Wire Plus site.

Is the 374 a complete harness/module so that I could dispense with the BDM main wiring harness and EHC? And where do I find a crank sensor (I don't see one on the Thunderheart site)? And I can't find one in the parts catalogs or on Ebay. Perhaps Gasman or someone else on this site has a take-off?

Thanks, Shovelcowboy

 

[Ohmster]

I definitely would not put a BDM EHC in there from where you are at right now. We are going to see more and more people getting rid of their EHC's without a doubt, especially now that Wire Plus have the plug in system, which of course they didn't have when I did mine :bang: Also, you will probably find it a plus point done in this way if you were to ever sell it. As for BDM servicing - who cares. How much servicing do they do in relation to the electrics anyway.

How much servicing do they do in relation to the electrics anyway????

Trying to decide just how I feel about that comment.

As for the EHC, well all I can say is poor information, poor education and alot of the times "self inflicted wounds" by patching aftermarket circuits into a logic circuit gave it a bad wrap. To prove that point all I need to do is use Ray's chopper as a base line.

 

[Nomad2day]

Shoot Jason,
How many people can use it as a diagonstic tool outside of you. One Chopper, one Tech....
Perhaps you need to clone Rays EHC while they are fixing the frame where it gave way.. Then they can download his software into every Big Dog EHC and all our problems will be solved...
Just having fun with ya....

 

[bdmridgeback]

I am leaning toward going with your no. 2 suggestion above. But I can't find the Wire-Plus WP-374 module on the Wire Plus site.

Is the 374 a complete harness/module so that I could dispense with the BDM main wiring harness and EHC? And where do I find a crank sensor (I don't see one on the Thunderheart site)? And I can't find one in the parts catalogs or on Ebay. Perhaps Gasman or someone else on this site has a take-off?

Thanks, Shovelcowboy

The WP-374 still requires the factory wiring harness in the bike. It doesn't come with a complete bike harness, just 12-14 pigtail to hook to your EHC pigtail coming out of the backbone.

As for the Crank sensor, you can get one from S&S or from Big Dog as well. Nelson at Wicked Bastard will be able to get you one at a discount.

 

[marinecorpsmike]

This forum is a great place to get the straight shit on almost any subject! I, for one, really appreciate it.