2005 Big Dog Chopper Speedo Problem

BDMike

BDMike

Member
Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Just returned from a beautiful Southern California day run on my chopper. I don’t get much time home lately as I have been spending most of my time in DC. The day was spectacular and Momma was busy preparing our festive dinner, so I went for a ride.
Bike ran great EXCEPT for the damn Speedo (as always). I have learned to live with the fact that when I get on her (mid range, hard pulls) my Speedo buries itself and I normally would just turn the key off while riding and restart to get the damn Speedo to work again. Well I am tired of this…… I have had my bike for almost 5 years and the only problem is the damn Speedo. I have cleaned the sensors and checked the connections and keep her on a tender, but frankly, the bike is too precious to me to have deal with this crap. Sometimes, you just want to open her up a little...it is a Big Dog!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok enough of my whining, I think I am ready to replace the damn Speedo. Ray or others, can you please advise on my options. I want a reliable Speedo to reflect my accurate mileage.

Thanks in advance for the anticipated constructive advice. I wish each and every one of our members a joyous Thanksgiving.
Mike
 
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B

Big Ron

Well-Known Member
Not sure if this will work for the 05 models, but on my 07 a speedometer reflash was necessary to correct an erratic speedo. Need to do it at a dealer if I'm correct.

It's been discussed on here numerous times.
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
BDMike said:
Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Just returned from a beautiful Southern California day run on my chopper. I don’t get much time home lately as I have been spending most of my time in DC. The day was spectacular and Momma was busy preparing our festive dinner, so I went for a ride.
Bike ran great EXCEPT for the damn Speedo (as always). I have learned to live with the fact that when I get on her (mid range, hard pulls) my Speedo buries itself and I normally would just turn the key off while riding and restart to get the damn Speedo to work again. Well I am tired of this…… I have had my bike for almost 5 years and the only problem is the damn Speedo. I have cleaned the sensors and checked the connections and keep her on a tender, but frankly, the bike is too precious to me to have deal with this crap. Sometimes, you just want to open her up a little...it is a Big Dog!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok enough of my whining, I think I am ready to replace the damn Speedo. Ray or others, can you please advise on my options. I want a reliable Speedo to reflect my accurate mileage.

Thanks in advance for the anticipated constructive advice. I wish each and every one of our members a joyous Thanksgiving.
Mike
Click to expand...
I feel your pain Mike. In my early years with my 05 I went through 10 speedos. A question for you though.
Do you still have the white faced speedo?
The old ones suffered from poor contact soldered joints inside the unit as some have experienced on here.

But I will tell you though that most speedo problems stem from poor power up cycles. Meaning the battery is not only powering up the starter (biggest load) but also providing power to the other systems and the speedo suffers from this. Might be an early warning sign that your battery is getting ready to go!
That is why now with all newer bikes the speedo does a second power up cycle after the motor is started when there is plenty of power available. But for this mod on your older model you would have to have the newer EHC unit that has the USB connector on it.

Best bet now would probably be just to get the Dakota unit from Mad Dog. Everyone seems to be satisfied with it and you can even program your current mileage into it.

Let us know what you decide.

Happy Thanksgiving

:cheers:
 
HotRod

HotRod

Well-Known Member
I feel youre pain I got sick of mine and orderd a Dakota Digital should be shipped next week. Happy Thanksgiving.:cheers:
 
BDMike

BDMike

Member
Ray,
I do have the white face speedo and also still have the original battery that I keep on a tender. Seems to start great and has never left me stranded. I am interested in replacing both. Who is Mad Dog? I am ready to purchase.

Mike
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
BDMike said:
Ray,
I do have the white face speedo and also still have the original battery that I keep on a tender. Seems to start great and has never left me stranded. I am interested in replacing both. Who is Mad Dog? I am ready to purchase.

Mike
Click to expand...
He's one of our vendors here and sells the Speedo's and various other items. Look under the Group Buy section for the speedo.

Get a new battery also. HD Softail ought to work fine. I bet it's on it's way out! :D
 
BDMike

BDMike

Member
thanks Ray,
I am on it. I will let you know the outcome. Enjoy the rest of your thanksgiving and I appreciate the quick reply..... Master Chief!
Mike
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
BDMike said:
thanks Ray,
I am on it. I will let you know the outcome. Enjoy the rest of your thanksgiving and I appreciate the quick reply..... Master Chief!
Mike
Click to expand...
Ha ha, you too Bro.

Get a new battery!!!!! That's an order. :whoop:
 
BDMike

BDMike

Member
Ray,
I received confirmation via Pay Pal for the purchase of the new Speedo (red) frm Value tech (Mad Dog) a couple of minutes ago. I also purchased a couple of the new Photochromic Shatterproof Polycarbonate Lenses from Mad Dog.

You indicated I can replace the battery at a Harley dealer (soft tail). I just replaced the battery for my bagger at the dealer this week ($141). I always thought the BD battery was a higher cranking amp battery.
 
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Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
BDMike said:
Ray,
I received confirmation via Pay Pal for the purchase of the new Speedo (red) frm Value tech (Mad Dog) a couple of minutes ago. I also purchased some new Photochromic Shatterproof Polycarbonate Lenses from Mad Dog.

You indicated I can replace the battery at a Harley dealer (soft tail). I just replaced the battery for my bagger at the dealer this week ($141). I always thought the BD battery was a higher cranking amp battery.
Click to expand...
My battery went out on my way home from Sturgis this year in Missoula, MT. I replaced it at the HD dealer with a softail battery that cost me $99 and was rated at 275 cca if I remember right. My BDM battery is rated at 270 so about an even swap. I haven't had one last more than a couple years yet but they do get a lot of use so take a good beating.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/14448-broke-down-mt.html
 
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