03 chopper frame recall(what was it for)

[Bmarchant]

Hi Guys,
Back in January I bought a 2003 chopper. Before actually buying it, I was looking around on this site and found out there was a recall on the frame. I contacted Big Dog and gave them the vin number of the bike. I was told all the recalls had been done including the one on the frame.

Now that the winter is over, I'm spending time cleaning up the bike, getting into those tight areas. Last night I notice on the second tube down for the gas tank, I have a paint crack at the seam where it joins the down tube. It doesn't appear to be a break, and the weld seems good. I have two questions, is this what the recall was for? If not, can the paint crack from the frame flexing, without the seam being damaged.

Thanks,

Bmarchant

 

[woodbutcher]

imho, if i were you, before starting on the project i'd take the frame and get it x-ray'd just for shits and giggles. being a used frame, don't throw good money away without taking the proper precautions.

 

[Bmarchant]

Well, actually, I now own the bike....... Im just wondering if a paint crack means a frame crack? If the frame was recalled and fixed as Big dog says, Maybe I'm looking at where they fixed it.

Anybody know where the frame issue was on the recall?

 

[waykool]

Bmarchant. I’m not sure the exact weld or welds in question. I too have a 03 Chopper and did some research on before buying it. I too found that the frame had been recalled along with other issues as well. I brought this up to the kid that I was buying it form and he told me that he had all the recalls done. When I went to purchase the bike from him he presented me with a certificate from BDM on the frame stating that frame was inspected and free of defects. It’s my understanding that some of the RT frames were just inspected and found to be ok, some were inspected and re welded and some were just swapped out with the DT fame. Some of the factory guys stop in here from time to time and could better answer your question. But I would rest assured if it your frame was sent in for the recall that it has been checked out thoroughly and is safe to ride. So get out there and enjoy your new toy.

 

[Bmarchant]

Thanks Waykool,
I'll post a photo of it later. The actual spot is where all the tubes come together at the neck. There is a triangle piece of metal in between all the tubes(see red arrow). Almost like the frame flexed, and the triangle piece of metal might have cause the paint to crack.

 

[Vegas]

It was in the back bone under the tank. My understanding was they used gussets to strengthen them. I had an 03 and never sent it in for the recall.

 

[waykool]

Now i see your problem, you have a red arrow stuck to your bike. :roll: No seriously. That is a strange place to have a stress crack. Does she ride straight? What does your local shop say about it?

 

[woodbutcher]

BMarchant, sorry about the confusion. the way i read it the first time, i understood you to have bought just the frame and were doing a project of your own. if you have, like waycool said, a certificate from BDM then i would think it is good to go. if you don't have it in hand, i'm sure you can get a copy of it from BDM.

 

[Bmarchant]

woodbutcher, no problem at all. I was looking at the crack in the paint, trying to get a photo of it, and I can't even get it to show up. I'm thinking it just might be from an air pocket between the weld seam and the frame, see attached. Its above the weld, not under the weld.

 

[N8KAM]

From the NHTSA website:


Make: BIGDOG Model: CHOPPER
Model Year: 2003
Manufacturer: BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC Mfr's Report Date: DEC 18, 2003
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 03V535000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1446
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES ASSEMBLED WITH AN EARLY VERSION ROLLING THUNDER FRAME, A STRESS CRACK COULD EMERGE IN THE FRAME.
Consequence:
THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-267-9121.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

This is a link to a pdf file on the repair.. http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.g...s/Public/Recalls/2003/V/RCRIT-03V535-1912.pdf The photos are useless... but maybe the text will help you..

Also only applies to bikes with a project # starting with an "N"

"Looking at the photo I don't you have a problem)..

 

[Bmarchant]

Hi Waycool,
Your red arrow comment made me crack up out LOUD! Everybody in the office was looking at me........Too Funny!

I haven't brought it to the shop yet. Its riding fine. No issues at all. I tried to push on it and see if it moved, but it doesn't move or flex. I'm thinking maybe I'll just keep an eye on it, and ride the shit out of the bike. Its what I get for cleaning the damn thing. Who the hell cleans there bike anyway. What the hell is wrong with me...... HaHaHa

 

[Bmarchant]

N8KAM,
That is perfect! Thank you. So the recall is no where near where I'm concerned with.

 

[N8KAM]

Recalls for just about anything can be found here... also service bulletins.... :2thumbs:

ODI - Office of Defects Investigation

 

[N8KAM]

N8KAM,
That is perfect! Thank you. So the recall is no where near where I'm concerned with.

No problem.. That's what we are here for.... Hope to meet up with you in June or August.. :2thumbs:

 

[Bmarchant]

N8KAM,
Looking forward to that. I'm located right in Farmington. You planning on being here for bike week?

 

[N8KAM]

Yea.. We have a place on the lake in West Alton,

Usually make it every year for bike week and again in August but the BDM 15th anniversary falls on the same weekend Laconia starts.. so i might only make it in August this year should know this weekend..

 

[Byrddogg]

yea on my 03 RT chopper the frame was broke under the tank. I notices it start to vibrate when we were riding found out about the recall, called the local shop they told me to check under the tank, and there it was. Got a NEW frame and everything was good.

 

[Husker-Wolf]

Old thread here, but I contacted Rolling Thunder to see if my '03 frame was one that needed to be fixed. Here is a better pic from them on the issue. Bigdog actually designed the frame and RT made it per their specs. They got it redesigned and fixed on the later runs for the '03 frames.