Getting another 03 Dog --- Required Upgrades?

Energy One
H

haze324

Active Member
Fellas, I sold my 03 Pitbull a few years back and after going thru some other bikes, I've always missed that thing and wished I never sold it. There's a gentleman a few hours from here selling an 03 Chopper in what seems to be almost new condition. It's bone stock with 5k miles (yes an 03).....and he's priced it very well. I'm strongly considering jumping on it and I'm sure it won't take too much encouragement from you guys for me to grab it.

My question is since I last sold my Dog, reading the forum the past few days I want to make sure Im up to speed on some required upgrades so I can prepare for the costs. I am purposely trying to get an 03 to avoid most of the proprietary stuff on the newer ones. So my take is:

- Wire Plus Harness is plug and play for 03 and older --- I see they have one with a starter cable, and another with a new key switch. Is there a problem with the key switches? I'd rewire the whole thing but for 400.00 bucks and plug and play, it seems fairly easy and cost effective.

- Are folks who changed this also changing the ignition module - CompuFire, Ultima?

- Since it's stock I'm sure I'll want new pipes, and while i'm at it send the carb to XXX.

- I remember my starter lagged a bit sometimes. Are compression releases the best answer? or Higher CCA battery will do?

I never had any real issues with my Pitbull. A tiny oil leak from the back of my primary once, and another time it overheated, but it never left me stranded and used to run that bike to hell with no issues.

Looking forward to getting back on the forum.
Thanks
 
JR03CHOPPER

JR03CHOPPER

Well-Known Member
I have an '03 Chopper. My EHC is fine. IMO, why mess with it if it ain't broke. My ingnition went bad, so I replaced with a Daytona Twin Tec. '03's are plumbed for the compression releases, but with a good battery, I have been okay without.

Just get it and enjoy the miles of smiles!!!
 
liferider

liferider

Looking forward to retirement
I love my 03 Chopper. Heads are tapped for the compression releases, I had a set installed 4 yrs ago and love them. My ignition is a Heart and (KNOCK ON WOOD) no problem. A ton of HD parts swap out with the 03. Also you have a 107S&S. This was the best engine put in the Big Dogs. The 117 had to be built due to the Feds implementing the emmissions control on bikes. In order to keep the power the 107 had the 117 had to be made.
 
liferider

liferider

Looking forward to retirement
C00lHandLuke said:
Not to hijack the thread but do all 2003 choppers / 107s come ready for compression releases?
Click to expand...
Take a mirror and angle it to look down the top of the heads and you will see the plug screw that is set up for the releases. Like I said I installed the electric releases. They are tied in to the started cylinoide. When you push the start button to crank the bike the releases pop open. You just don't have to worry about the manuel ones. plus at $700.00 for a Spikes heavy duty starter, it just makes good since to run the releases.
 
C00lHandLuke

C00lHandLuke

Active Member
liferider said:
Take a mirror and angle it to look down the top of the heads and you will see the plug screw that is set up for the releases. Like I said I installed the electric releases. They are tied in to the started cylinoide. When you push the start button to crank the bike the releases pop open. You just don't have to worry about the manuel ones. plus at $700.00 for a Spikes heavy duty starter, it just makes good since to run the releases.
Click to expand...
I need to do something, it takes almost all of my battery to crank mine the 1st time.
 
liferider

liferider

Looking forward to retirement
It is a lot cheaper to install compression released on these 03 bikes since the heads are factory tapped than eating a starter and then installing them. I was bull headed and went through not 1 but 2 Spikes Heavy Duty starters before I put in the releases. But live and learn, spread the knowledge so others will not beat there head against the wall. What did it for me was my 2009 trip to Sturgis. Starter fried the first day and had to tow the bike back to the house I rented, then trailered it to North Dakota Big dog in Spearfish. They replaced the starter with another HD Spikes and handed me a bill for $850.00. The afternoon I got the bike back the starter locked up and I was in Custer out by the Wild Life Loop, Had pulled over and turned the bike off to look at some Buffallo. I called South Dakota Big Dog and they sent a trailer for me, only took like 5 hrs to arrive and get me back to there shop. Mechanic took the primary cover off and noticed the wrong part was installed. So he fixed it this time no charge. When I got back to LA I installed the releases. The mechanic bill was high yes but the worst part is I missed out on 3 days of riding due to being pig headed and not putting the releases in 3 yrs earlier when my first Heavy Duty Spikes starter fired and was told I ought to install them. So instead of being out the $350.00 for the releases I was out lost riding time and money. Your only at Sturgis for what 7 days and it's tough to sit by and watch everyone else ride by 1/2 the time your there!
 
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H

haze324

Active Member
Thanksry

Thanks fellas....excited about the new ride. Drove about 9 hours yesterday to pick her up. Not sure if the Eddie the previous owner ever reads this site -- but the guy is 63, in great shape and kicking ass on BD. Unfortunately health issues forced him to sell his bike and he passed on a great deal to me. Thanks man.

This is isn't the best picture, but you get an idea. It's in BRAND spanking new shape. I'd say it's less than a year old, not 10 years old. Bone stock too, which has me a little worried about the original EHC and Ign going strong after 10 years!! Bike has 5300 miles on it and rides, looks and feels brand new. Has a 310 Yausa battery and cranks right up with zero hesitation. I have a new 330 CCA Braile I'm going to try out.

I'm a little strapped for cash now, but definetly would like to do some preventive maintenance first on the bike before anything else. Possible WP, or maybe some comp. releases before I start swapping out pipes and worrying about looks. Any advice other than "just go ride"? The other half of the fun is tinkering around with this thing.

If any of you guys are in S. FL.....count me in for a cold one! :cheers:



Time for an oil change and wash!!
 
JR03CHOPPER

JR03CHOPPER

Well-Known Member
Looks good. Congrats. Unfortunately, I am North of you near Orlando. Thinking of putting together a Florida Dog meet in the near future. I'll keep you posted.
 
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