Brought home a new (new to me) Big Dog

Energy One
JWScarab

JWScarab

Active Member
Hi guys. I was on the old forum from 2006/2007 then sold my chopper. Well I just brought home a new one yesterday. I will get better pics uploaded soon. Its a 2003 Chopper. All black, no graphics. Same as my old one.

Looking forward to getting back into things and well have a lot of questions!

First on the to do is a rewire. Would you guys have a tip on a rewire kit? It still has the BDM ECM and lost the brake lights/turn signals on the 165 mile trip home! Along with the jumpy speedo. This all brings back memories of my last one. So I just want to do the rewire and get it over with. Just need to find out where to start, and who in the Cincinnati OH area would be a good place for a NICE clean install.

Thanks!
 

Attachments

JWScarab

JWScarab

Active Member
Thanks!! I'll get more pics up probably tomorrow night. I have busy family plans tonight. I basically LOVE Big Dogs and always have. Broke my leg real bad in 07. Out of riding for a while. Then bought an old car. Well that was fun, but still missed the BD. It was cool to find another 03 black Chopper which is what I wanted. The sissy bar was a plus too.

Got a head full of questions. The frame and gas tank seem a little different than my last one, but I remember 2 frame styles were available, so I guess this is the other style. Seems to be real clean. Curb rash on the bottom but so did my old one.

Got to work out the electrical gremlins. I will read up on the "best" fix for that. I want to do it right and enjoy. Im a little older now and a little less broke so hopefully this time shes a keeper!!

Thanks!!
 
JWScarab

JWScarab

Active Member
I checked the title against the VIN on the neck and it matched. It also had 2 stickers on the bottom of the gas tank and one had the same VIN. So Im thinking all is ok there. It just must be the DT vs RT frame thing.

Other interesting thing is when he gave me the "original" rear fender braces (because the sissy bar was added), the orig rear braces are black. Never saw that before. My old bike was polished alum braces.
 
JWScarab

JWScarab

Active Member
This is where I get confused and I remember some of this from the last bike I owned. I noticed the RIP kit is 2004-2011, and my bike is a 2003. Would this work?? I guess I need to get the number off the ECM (EHC - whatever it is...lol) and call them.
 
JWScarab

JWScarab

Active Member
Will do! First order of line is to get my title (Wednesday). Then once that is done I will start dropping coin.....lol. I always get a little paranoid on a used purchase until all the paperwork is final and its mine!
 
V

Viking

Biker
Welcome back. Interesting screen name, boating by any chance? The wiring is not a big issue anymore as there are vendors with plug and play, Curtis being one of the best vendor one can imagine is a good place to start.
 
grizfish

grizfish

Active Member
Welcome back.

You could do a little troubleshooting to maybe get in the wind a bit sooner. Had a similar problem with my scoot. Turned out to be the front brake switch. It's easy enough to take the switch housing apart on the handlebar and check for an assembly/shorting problem. Just be careful and ground yourself out before working on the electrical. Static electricity kills ECMs.
Good Luck
 
JWScarab

JWScarab

Active Member
Thanks guys! Yea, the screen name comes from a love of powerboats. I knew (about 15 years ago) I would some day but a Scarab. So I used the screen name with my initials in front. Will 15 years later, still no Scarab. Couldnt afford it or the gas. But I had already had the screen name all over and it was a PIA to change, so it stuck!

I'm hoping to get my title work this week. Then I will call Curtis and get the RIP. When I rode the bike home she was popping etc. Then when I stopped to turn it off it was dead - no headlight either. So I found loose battery connectors, got em tight and finished the trip home.

I'm sure the popping and on/off of current wasnt good on the EHC. I'd rather put in the RIP, new battery (AGM) and get the terminals all clean and tight then ride. It will be on the road VERY soon. For now I am just estatic to have one again and have it in the garage!

I'll get more pics up tonight.

Thanks again!
 
Last edited:
V

Viking

Biker
Sounds good. I do own a Scarab, had it for the last 10 years and love it. Driving it cost as much pr. Minute as the K-9 cost pr 2 hours...... So good choice from your side of getting a BDM instead. :2thumbs:
 
UKcatsfan

UKcatsfan

Member
JWScarab said:
Hi guys. I was on the old forum from 2006/2007 then sold my chopper. Well I just brought home a new one yesterday. I will get better pics uploaded soon. Its a 2003 Chopper. All black, no graphics. Same as my old one.

Looking forward to getting back into things and well have a lot of questions!

First on the to do is a rewire. Would you guys have a tip on a rewire kit? It still has the BDM ECM and lost the brake lights/turn signals on the 165 mile trip home! Along with the jumpy speedo. This all brings back memories of my last one. So I just want to do the rewire and get it over with. Just need to find out where to start, and who in the Cincinnati OH area would be a good place for a NICE clean install.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I live in NKY and a friend of mine Ryan has a shop in Covington, KY called Inner City Customs. He's a really good mechanic on the American Ironhorse and Big Dog bikes, so you should look him up if you run into issues.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top