SKOGDOG
One of the old ones.
In August at the Tahlequah (Big Jim's) Rally, we got rained out and wound up over at Pope's garage for a several hour bull session with him and Lumberjack and Paleskin. Roger has been yapping for a year or so about an idea of his to put a 330 rear tire on a K9, so he brought that topic up. After hashing it out with the 'Tahlequah Group', Roger decided to call Matt Moore to see if it might be a worthwhile project. Turns out Matt was indeed interested.
So after several phone calls and a lot of discussion, Matt and his engineer Brandon mocked one up to see what would be involved and what it would look like. Brandon looks like an all-pro linebacker but is the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet--and is a very skilled engineer/fabricator. He did a great job assembling K9/Ridgeback driveline components and fabricated a wider rear swingarm.
We drove to Wichita on Thursday to see it. Roger, Matt, and Brandon did some tweaking and adjusting to correct for the one inch smaller wheel and lower aspect ratio of the 330 tire, and finally got the geometry of the rear fender where they wanted it.
Everyone was happy with the solutions, so Blacktopper pulled the trigger and in 8 weeks should be the owner of a brand new 330 K9. The other good news is that Matt now owns the Big Dog name, so the title will be BDM. He gets the serial number 2 (corporate always reserves #1). Of course Roger will have the only K9 of it's kind in the country. I understand that Matt will make this 330 option available for those wanting a new K9.
Here is a statement for those who think there are no changes in a 'new' K9: The similarities between the old and new K9's pretty much end at appearance. They sure do look similar, and anyone with a sense of style would agree that's a good thing. The big changes in the new K9 include the S&S non-EPA 124" high output engine, of course the new rear swingarm with a 330mm tire, a Jim's 6 speed transmission, and the EHC replaced with an RIP.
Of course the 600 pound gorilla in the room is the cost. I do not have specific information about this, but recall that Matt Moore has repeatedly insisted that he will do everything possible to keep costs in the same ballpark as the original K9, which was in the low
$30's as I recall.
Best advice for anyone wanting more authoritative information: Contact Matt Moore in Wichita----(316) 260-8039 and ---there is always Kansas Motor Works USA website.
Stay tuned, Dog fans!!
So after several phone calls and a lot of discussion, Matt and his engineer Brandon mocked one up to see what would be involved and what it would look like. Brandon looks like an all-pro linebacker but is the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet--and is a very skilled engineer/fabricator. He did a great job assembling K9/Ridgeback driveline components and fabricated a wider rear swingarm.
We drove to Wichita on Thursday to see it. Roger, Matt, and Brandon did some tweaking and adjusting to correct for the one inch smaller wheel and lower aspect ratio of the 330 tire, and finally got the geometry of the rear fender where they wanted it.
Everyone was happy with the solutions, so Blacktopper pulled the trigger and in 8 weeks should be the owner of a brand new 330 K9. The other good news is that Matt now owns the Big Dog name, so the title will be BDM. He gets the serial number 2 (corporate always reserves #1). Of course Roger will have the only K9 of it's kind in the country. I understand that Matt will make this 330 option available for those wanting a new K9.
Here is a statement for those who think there are no changes in a 'new' K9: The similarities between the old and new K9's pretty much end at appearance. They sure do look similar, and anyone with a sense of style would agree that's a good thing. The big changes in the new K9 include the S&S non-EPA 124" high output engine, of course the new rear swingarm with a 330mm tire, a Jim's 6 speed transmission, and the EHC replaced with an RIP.
Of course the 600 pound gorilla in the room is the cost. I do not have specific information about this, but recall that Matt Moore has repeatedly insisted that he will do everything possible to keep costs in the same ballpark as the original K9, which was in the low
$30's as I recall.
Best advice for anyone wanting more authoritative information: Contact Matt Moore in Wichita----(316) 260-8039 and ---there is always Kansas Motor Works USA website.
Stay tuned, Dog fans!!
. Few baggers that were slammed in the parking lot. One had a fender with a tail that literally sitting on the ground when parked..again not really of interest to me