Dont leave the key in the Ignition!!

[Bmarchant]

Just thought I'd share this with the new Dog owners in case they don't know this.

I had a new back tire installed on the Dog yesterday. When I dropped off the bike, I told the owner "DONT LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WILL FALL OUT". Its my only key, so don't Fucking loose it. I told him I didn't want to leave him my key in the first place because of this.

So after 4 hours of not hearing back from the shop (oh ya, its my brother in laws brothers shop by the way, who is one of the best Harley Mechs in NH. He worked for 10 years at a Harley Dealer where he is a Harley certified Mech. He was also a Big Dog service center before they changed the rules about having to be a dealer of Big Dog to be a service center) I finally call to find out whats up.

He took the bike for a test ride (which he has done many times for the previous owner) after changing the tire and : GUESS WHAT", he lost the FUCKING KEY somewhere on the road between the shop and the two mile trip he took.

He had his wife out looking for it, so I drove over and walked the loop, and I actually found it. Unbelievable!!!!

So remember, remove the key from the ignition, or at least have it secured to the bike so if it does fall out, it won't be lost.....

 

[Eric]

I think this will only happen on earlier models, my 07 the key wont come out unless its turned off, dont knowwhat year thay changed it .. thanks for the warning, glad you found it...

 

[Bmarchant]

Thanks Eric,
On the 2003s you turn it on, and the key pulls right out. Its actually nice, so that way you don't have keys pulling down on the ignition which some guys have had some intermittent issues from that. But what a pain for people who don't realize they fall out.

 

[elroho624]

Thanks for the warning. I actually bought 4 spare keys for my dog.

 

[Bmarchant]

Great idea about the extra keys.... I need to get a few spares myself. I'm glad I didn't have to rush them out in order to get my bike home....

 

[Thumper]

I think this will only happen on earlier models, my 07 the key wont come out unless its turned off, dont knowwhat year thay changed it .. thanks for the warning, glad you found it...

Dont bank on that

 

[BadBrad]

I think this will only happen on earlier models, my 07 the key wont come out unless its turned off, dont knowwhat year thay changed it .. thanks for the warning, glad you found it...

Eric, define "earlier" models. I have a 2005 and the wife has a 2003. I never tried to pull the key out after I started the bike, but I'll definitely give it a tug when I get home today. Thanks for the warning. I have a spare, but don't carry it around with me.

 

[Bmarchant]

Hey BadBrad,
My bike is the 2003 chopper. Key comes right out without even having to wiggle it. Turn it on, remove key. Let me know what you find out with yours.

 

[Thumper169]

I keep a spare hiden by by battery at all times, never know.

 

[BIG HOUSE]

Alot of us use the big dog d ring set up i think they call it a carribeaner or something just hook it to your rear spark plug wire

 

[twowheel99]

I think this will only happen on earlier models, my 07 the key wont come out unless its turned off, dont knowwhat year thay changed it .. thanks for the warning, glad you found it...

Eric, I'm not sure about this statement but what I would tell you is I had a 2005 & my best friend had a 2006 BDM Ridgebacks, and while in Daytona a couple of years ago his key fell out. Lucky for him he rode back up the same road and found it laying in the street on his key fob. After that we started hooking the key to the rear spark plug wire in case they fell out. If memory serves me right there was a tread based on this same subject that you might want to read to see if any 07's and newer bikes had any of the same issues.
Peace Out
2

 

[Bmarchant]

Hey Bighouse,
Thats what I'm gonna do for now on, anytime I have to have the bike worked on. This way it don't have to worry about them loosing it. Its funny, I keep in on my key ring, and would never think of leaving all those keys hanging on the bike. I like the fact that the key pulls out.

 

[Dakotabos]

I have mine clipped to my rear spark plug wire and remove before flight streamer

 

[FIREKILLER!!!]

I have a 2001 and the key will not pull out. Have tried because I would rather it pulled out.

 

[BIKERDAD61]

Alot of us use the big dog d ring set up i think they call it a carribeaner or something just hook it to your rear spark plug wire

Yep, this is what I started doing after I lost the first key and learned the hard way.....:bang:

 

[Bmarchant]

Funny how some keys don't come out when in the on position.

 

[07bigdog]

I would get a spare key cut and also use the d-ring to attach the key you are using to the spark plug as a precaution to avoid any more problems.

 

[Mickeetwo]

Glad you found your key. This is how I keep up with mine

 

[Tim]

Alot of us use the big dog d ring set up i think they call it a carribeaner or something just hook it to your rear spark plug wire

That's what I do. :up:

I picked one up at walmart for a buck.

 

[Thumper169]

Ok, maybe this is a silly question but I can see the early models falling out but why in the holy hell wouldnt they fix it, ????