Bike broke first ride

BIGDOGZK9

BIGDOGZK9

Member
I live in upstate NY and I finally got to take the bike out for the first time. Wife jumped on the back and away we went.

About 30 miles into the ride and on our way home (still cold here about 50) and bang the clutch cable snapped.

Couldn't stop had to keep going or the bike would stall. Ran red lights until I had no choice to stop. Fellow biker gave my wife a lift and followed me home. Started the bike, pushed it down the road popped it into gear and rode the rest of the way home.

Has anyone had similiar issue with the cables breaking?

Dealer did good and picked up the bike today and said it will ready by wed. morning.
 
Cobrafast1

Cobrafast1

Active Member
That just must have been a bad cable. I've not heard of a cable breaking in years. Rare for one to break on a new bike.

Sorry to hear that. You should be okay after it's replaced.
 
Staffy

Staffy

Active Member
Ouch!!! that's plain bad LUCK!!!
Glad you and your wife made it safe - That's most important.
Re the cables - I have not experienced that personally (nor would I like to).
 
BIGDOGZK9

BIGDOGZK9

Member
I have had alot of issues with this bike. They already have replaced the top half of the motor for something to do with the TP valves. They replaced them with all S&S now. Seems to be running good now until the cable issue. This is the second issue with the clutch. Last time the main nut in the primary came loose.

Tailight lenses were popping off on a hard take off.

It has been a rough start to this bike but hopefully it will get better. Not convince to trade it in yet on a 2008. My wife and I were married on it in Myrtle Beach bike week 2007 so it holds a little bit of sentimental value.

Hopefully my bad luck with this bike will end soon and I will have a good season of riding.
 
Tim

Tim

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I remember Raywood had a cable bust on him a few years back, but as much as he rides, it was probably due to wear. :lol:
 
ajo771

ajo771

Active Member
So your the reason Rochester Thunder couldn't get my bike today. They said they were out picking one up. There suppose to be picking mine up tomorrow.

Pick up my bike today got on about 75 miles, stopped for a gatorade and sounded like the starter gear snapped in half. Dealer asked me if I could make it home, so I limped it in but now I have a oil leak from the tranny.
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical/4059-chopper-goes-bang-clank-drip.html

I too have had a rough start w/ my Chopper. Had the exact problem with the nut on my clutch. Rode it 35 miles w/o clutch - no stopping.

Dealer has been good to me, so for now I hope we can get the problems worked out. Just for the record I call the dealer with every problem and keep a journal of all calls, work, and problems.
 
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txchopperguy

txchopperguy

Well-Known Member
Seems like I remember something about a bad bunch of cables...yours must have been one of them. Sucks, but it isn't a huge deal. Soon all your bugs will be worked out and it will get alot better. Plus it sounds like you have a good dealer standing behind you...which makes all the difference in the world.
Hope ya get the bike back soon.
T
 
emcclary

emcclary

Active Member
Bud I have an 07 K9 as well and knock wood there have only been minor issues with. If your dealer is good they will work it out and you will be fine.
 
barhopper

barhopper

Another round please
BIGDOGZK9 said:
Not convince to trade it in yet on a 2008. My wife and I were married on it in Myrtle Beach bike week 2007 so it holds a little bit of sentimental value.
Click to expand...
You have the perfect reason to have 2 bikes. She will never let you sell that bike. It would be like selling your wedding rings. :roll: :roll:
 
erldawg

erldawg

Guru
BIGDOGZK9 said:
Last time the main nut in the primary came loose.
Tailight lenses were popping off on a hard take off.
Click to expand...
ajo771 said:
I too have had a rough start w/ my Chopper. Had the exact problem with the nut on my clutch. Rode it 35 miles w/o clutch - no stopping.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear about the problems.
Is there a recall for this nut coming loose in the primary?
I thought I saw the nut coming loose problem somewhere else on the forums...
 
ChuckRB05

ChuckRB05

Active Member
re

wow sul, yours broke to. It's metal fatigue. I would think that the cast aluminum connection needs alitttle "wiggle room" meaning it needs to be a tad bit loose. I can move my clutch level up and down vertically somewhere between 1/16" or so. If it's really tight, the aluminum connection will fatigue faster.
 
BIGDOGZK9

BIGDOGZK9

Member
SORRY ABOUT THE DELAY IN UPDATING THE STATUS BEEN WORKIN ALOT TO MAKE FOR AN EASY SUMMER.

THE CABLE ACTUALLY PULLED OUT FROM THE CRIMP. IT DID NOT BREAK LIKE I THOUGHT. IT WAS A FAULTY CRIMP.

AJO - I ALSO KEEP RECORDS OF ALL THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE. TO MANY PROBLEMS BUT I HOPE THEY WILL BE WORKED OUT SOON. NOW I HAVE SOME STARTING PROBLEMS. ON A HOT START SOMETIMES I GET A HARD GRINDING SOUND AND BIKE DOESNT START. HIT IT AGAIN AND IT STARTS FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT COULD BE COMING FROM THE COMPRESSION RELIEF VALVES. I HAD A CAR DO IT ONCE. IN THE CAR IT WAS A FLAT SPOT IN THE STARTER. I REPLACED IT AND IT WENT AWAY. DO NOT KNOW WHAT THIS IS BUT IF IT BREAKS IT WILL BE AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN.
 
Nomad2day

Nomad2day

Longhair Redneck Geek
I had a clutch cable break on my 07 Bulldog as well as the clutch basket nut coming off. I had to pay for the clutch cable for some reason due to it being a wear item according to the dealer that worked on it. Basket hit the primary cover and chewed it up and said they would not replace it due to it being cosmetic damage inside.
Neil in Tenn
 
ajo771

ajo771

Active Member
Rochester Thunder is a good dealership. I finally picked my Chopper up on Saturday 5/10. Been riding without problems since. Feels good. I hope this is the end of the problems. Either way, work with the dealer they'll get you thru it.

I've been doing 70-85 hours a week lately myself. Next time you come down East Henrietta Road by MCC and are caught in traffic in the work zone you can thank me. That is my mess. It will be alot nicer when we are done.

Good luck with the bike. If you ever need any help let me know, I'll do what I can. Hopefully we'll get a chance to ride this year.
 
Alicat

Alicat

Hanging out
My clutch cable broke right at the handle at around 7000 miles and my return throttle cable broke at about 6000 miles. Both where a bitch but dealer (Tampa Big Dog - thanks Tonya!) replaced at N/C and at that time I heard that they where having an issue of clutch cables breaking....
Al
 
Moespeeds

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
Check your throwout bearing. My buddy's cable frayed on his Bourget, and as it starts to fail it gets longer. This can somehow damage the throwout, and his failed shortly after. Those little needle bearings came loose and got into the tranny, and blew up the whole thing. There was actually a 1/4" hole in the bottom of the case from a piece of a gear that blew out.

Check this thread:

Jims 6 Speed, catastrophic failure... - Page 3 - Club Chopper Forums
 
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