BDM Positive Reliability

[KnotSo]

The speedo fogs up but not really an issue as I rarely let the ignition cycle properly and thus no reason to look at it.

 

[No H2O]

Many of us ride in heavy rain on a constant basis with no issues.

Got caught in an unexpected thunderstorm yesterday coming home from work, could get off the express lanes, no shoulder to speak of and no bridges to duck under.
I was soaked but the Ridgeback served me well and rode through the downpour.
I've only had the Ridgeback a few months and looking to put my other bikes up for sale since I'm really not riding them anymore.
The only thing I noticed about the Ridgeback when it's wet outside there's a rhythmic squeaking and it carries over to the next morning. Not just when riding but also when the engine's off and I'm manuevering it in the carport to face the other direction.
Anyone else experience this?

 

[pknowles]

Got caught in an unexpected thunderstorm yesterday coming home from work, could get off the express lanes, no shoulder to speak of and no bridges to duck under.
I was soaked but the Ridgeback served me well and rode through the downpour.
I've only had the Ridgeback a few months and looking to put my other bikes up for sale since I'm really not riding them anymore.
The only thing I noticed about the Ridgeback when it's wet outside there's a rhythmic squeaking and it carries over to the next morning. Not just when riding but also when the engine's off and I'm manuevering it in the carport to face the other direction.
Anyone else experience this?

Must be coming from the belt

 

[No H2O]

Must be coming from the belt

Anything to be concerned about?

 

[HMAN]

Sounds like dreaded belt squeek. To find out for sure, take a BAR of soap and rub the inside and outside Edges of the belt. Take it for a push and see if the squeek is gone. If so you can check out SuperMax and have the rear pully relined. Or it may be a simple alignment on the rear tire that will fix it....

 

[No H2O]

Sounds like dreaded belt squeek. To find out for sure, take a BAR of soap and rub the inside and outside Edges of the belt. Take it for a push and see if the squeek is gone. If so you can check out SuperMax and have the rear pully relined. Or it may be a simple alignment on the rear tire that will fix it....

The squeak is gone because everything's dryed out now.

The recommended test sounds like I rub the soap while the squeak is there in order to make it go away (and in that case it's either a rear pully relined or a rear tire alignment).
Just want to make sure it's not the opposite test (the squeak isn't there and I use the soap in order to summon the squeak)?

 

[HMAN]

The squeak is gone because everything's dryed out now.

The recommended test sounds like I rub the soap while the squeak is there in order to make it go away (and in that case it's either a rear pully relined or a rear tire alignment).
Just want to make sure it's not the opposite test (the squeak isn't there and I use the soap in order to summon the squeak)?

First way was correct.

 

[No H2O]

First way was correct.

Ok so then it sounds like I don't have an issue since there is no squeaking when everything's dried out

 

[Bmarchant]

I'm at almost 40K now. Its was my everyday ride until

I've had my 2003 Chopper for two full seasons now. I've personally put 11,000 of the 21,000 miles on it. Love this bike. Its my everyday ride. Unless it snows or rains heavy. Then I take the Jeep.

I've changed the fluids three times, one battery (I wasn't paying attention, and the terminals were loose, and melted them. Im a dumb ass!) one back tire last year, and changing out the front brake pads on Saturday. THATS IT!

Thought I'd do an update since its now been 8 years since owning it. Two years ago, after I had about 30,000 miles on it, my EHC started acting funny and stopped turning off my left turn signal on its own. Then I noticed I had no break lights, so I thought it was time to re-wire it. Last year I actually put the Thunder Heart EHC in, instead of the wire plus which I had bought a few years ago, and re-wired it for that. Cost me $600 total for the Thunderheart and re wiring by the excellent Mechanic I had do the work on the bike for me. I also put a new starter in at the same time because it was starting to get stuck. My bike now has 40K on it. Every day it fires up, and I've only be stranded once, when my starter decided to stay engaged at the gas station. Here is a list of the only things I've done to it in the 30,000 miles I"ve owned it, other then the weekly checking and tightening of stuff that we do.

2 rear tires-
2 front tires-
1 starter
1 Thunderheart EHC

Changed oil every season, and put gas in and ride it. What a great bike for paying $10,000 in 2003 and the bike had 10K in mileage.

 

[njbiker20088]

My ride is an '06 Mastiff.

Currently have just over 5000 miles on it.
Only mods are the BR pipes and the subsequent jetting change.
Other mods this winter will be a differant air filter setup.

This machine is so freakin reliable I just want to ride it all the time.
And yes, at times it is rode hard, in all weather conditions, yet these bikes are desinged to be ridden. Water and road grime is no problem for my dog.


Thomas, our local Steel Dreams expert wrench found the handlebars had bad bushings and promptly fixed this non problem.
Yes, my speedo jumps around a bit and fogs up everywhere we go, but, I really only look at the odometer to remind me to fill up, so for me, this is also a non issue.
The reliability of these bikes let us ride to events do the things we want to do with our Bros.

Who else has had an absolutly positive experience with their Big Dog?

not a dog but my horse i will go anyplace