Got a Couple of Probs...

[Bubba_BigDog]

I know it's been awhile... the military kept me very busy with back to back to back deployments... then they decided they didn't need me anymore and I'm finally getting settled into a new place and things are begining to slow down a bit.

It started as I was getting ready to leave WA: I took the bike over to Skagit Powersports to have a dyno run to see what the dog was putting out. When I went to load it into the trailer though, I noticed the needle was sitting at 90 (with the bike turned off). Turned the key on and it made it's sweep so the needle was stright down and then it sat back at 90. As I rode it into the trailer, it would register the speed still, but as if 90 was 0. I didn't have the time then to ride to see if it would sweep back around then though... I went inside to talk to the service and they said there was no way it being on the dyno would have cause it and there was something else wrong with the bike. Which of course they were more than happy to look at... for a fee of course. So I put it on the trailer and that was that.

Get it down to AZ and it starts right up... but the needle was still off. But now, when I wick the throttle, the needle would move down (increase in speed). I drove it for a bit and that's when the needle just started flopping around like a limp buscuit. The odo and trip still registered... but no speed.

So then a week goes by and I go to ride in to work. Turn the key on (still same messed up sweep pattern), hit run and start... nothing. Not even a click. Now, about the same time BDM started to go down, I had my EHC go out. Luckily I picked one up off someone doing the Wires Plus upgrade and got it running. So I turn the key off and the lights all stay on (head and signals)... "F me", right? I go to work and my girl told me it was about 4 hours later and the lights finally went off.

So, being new to AZ... I don't know any of the places around here to check out. I looked on BDMs site and they listed two dealers... but one it linked to doesn't even work on BigDogs and the other place told me I should talk to a guy down the street. Did some looking and found a site that listed a lot of places... so I did some calling and made some stops.

One thing they all had in common was they've had BDs in their shop for wiring... most recommended the Wires Plus, one suggested the BDM wire kit (a little less excess wires around he said) but one said that even the WiresPlus kit was just a bandaid and said he would do a complete re-wire and everything. He was also at $3500 to do so...

Now, I know I've seen a LOT of people here do the WiresPlus and I haven't heard anyone say it's a bandaid and wouldn't be 100% after that. I also think I recall hearing that the BDM retro kit pretty much is the WiresPlus kit. True?

But here's my problem... I also would like to put a set of drag bars on the bike.

Do I do the WiresPlus kit and get the BDM drag bar and their new speedo? I had previously thought about getting the Dakota Digital gauge but the shop that suggested the BDM retro said he wasn't impressed with the Dakot aDigital gauge as it had a plastic face and is harder to read in the sun (and there's a LOT of that here in AZ)... so I don't know what's best there either.

WiresPlus or BDM retro with BDM bars and BDM speedo?

Or do a complete end to end rewire with Harley componets and any drag bar and speedo I want?

So any input in all this would be great... as well as a good place to go here in the greater Phoenix area.

Sorry this is long... longer than I thought it was gonna be. But hopefully you'll decide to read through it.

 

[BigDogBro1]

I like the Medalion speedo better than the DD. Ditch the rewire and go with the PDM harness conversion over the Wire+. I wouldn't trust a shop to do that rewire as well. The expense for NEW handlebar controls is also adds to the overall bill.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

$3,500?? I just spit out my coffee and I wasn't even drinking any!

That is WAYYYYY overpriced. You better be at least getting a handy while the work is being done.

There is a guy in NJ I think he is in the $1,500 range for the complete re-wire. NAMZ custom I believe that is more reasonable. Hell for $3,500 you could ship your bike across country and still come out less than $3,500

 

[pknowles]

I have the wire plus install and upgraded to the Medallion speedometer on an 07 Bulldog. the only problem that I have is the low fuel light doesn't work after changing the speedo. Probably something I did in the speedo wires as the old speedo lights all worked.

 

[Mad Dog]

I might be a little suspect of anything he says after him telling you $3500 to rewire. As far as the Dakota Speedometer goes I have been told by many on this forum that it shows real well in bright sunlight. It also has an auto dimmer so it won't blind you at night. The big difference is in the price. I have them at $239.95 on the group buy page at this link and can have it to you in about a week. It comes in red or blue display. Just something to think about.

 

[Rex Winters]

I just got done with a PDM swap for the stock EHC with almost no errors. I am a big fan of the PDM...
I would say the average dude can do it in 6 hours. I took a little longer, but I took time to clean under the pipes, truckbed liner on the battery box, etc.

 

[moedog]

I would suggest you do some easy trouble shooting before you jump on a rewire or pdm. I recently had a similar issue with my bike. Speedo was acting abnormal not registering correctly and also would drop below 0. This lasted for a days ride and when i went to restart to move bike got the click click and lights flash. Charged battery and started right up. Done the checks to eval my charging system and found the regulator was bad. Replaced it and have not had any issues. So i attributed the speedo issue to the low voltage. To do the checks start with a fully charged battery.

 

[stinger1]

my speedo played up badly and 3 new ones later i changed my battery and no probs since.

 

[Bubba_BigDog]

So it sounds like the PDM harness is the way to go over the WiresPlus... it is a bit more, but I don't mind paying extra when it's the right route to go.

And no... paying $3,500 is not that route. lol I was skeptical of the guy when he said the WiresPlus was just a bandaid too.

I have the wire plus install and upgraded to the Medallion speedometer on an 07 Bulldog. the only problem that I have is the low fuel light doesn't work after changing the speedo. Probably something I did in the speedo wires as the old speedo lights all worked.

That's ok... I'm not worried about the low fuel indicator not working... I don't have one as it is now. lol

I might be a little suspect of anything he says after him telling you $3500 to rewire. As far as the Dakota Speedometer goes I have been told by many on this forum that it shows real well in bright sunlight. It also has an auto dimmer so it won't blind you at night. The big difference is in the price. I have them at $239.95 on the group buy page at this link and can have it to you in about a week. It comes in red or blue display. Just something to think about.

I was in line awhile back to buy a blue DD gauge.. but I think I got there too late and I was on a waitlist for your next order. Otherwise I'd have one already... but is the lens cover plastic on them? And you've had people say it's still clear to read even in very bright conditions?

I would say the average dude can do it in 6 hours. I took a little longer, but I took time to clean under the pipes, truckbed liner on the battery box, etc.

The good thing is that I've worked with intricate wiring for 13 years and jsut got done with an end to end wire kit on my '66 Chevy... so it wouldn't be about capability but rather the time to do it.

I would suggest you do some easy trouble shooting before you jump on a rewire or pdm. I recently had a similar issue with my bike. Speedo was acting abnormal not registering correctly and also would drop below 0. This lasted for a days ride and when i went to restart to move bike got the click click and lights flash. Charged battery and started right up. Done the checks to eval my charging system and found the regulator was bad. Replaced it and have not had any issues. So i attributed the speedo issue to the low voltage. To do the checks start with a fully charged battery.

I had thought about a connection... but as I said, it sat in the wrong position after a dyno run. It worked fine before that and it wasn't till after that it started acting up. I also thought about the charge issue... but since the bike started up after sitting for a month and no issues and then it didn't click at all after only a week, that's why I'm thinking an EHC again. But it has been on a tender since then, but I haven't been able to get back out to see what it's doing now.

my speedo played up badly and 3 new ones later i changed my battery and no probs since.

I still have the stock battery in mine as well... will probably throw a new one at it during all of this as well.

It looks like a set of BDM drag bars, harness and speedo (either DD or BDM... undecided still) will soon be on order.

Thank guys

 

[Mad Dog]

Both Red and blue were available as of a few days ago. The cover of the speedometer is not plastic. It is some sort of synthetic and it holds up very well. If you have any questions about the quality or value of this speedometer start a new thread asking "How Do You Like Your Dakota" or something like that. The Dakota sells itself. I have had no complaints or problems and the technical support is unmatched.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

I still have the stock battery in mine as well... will probably throw a new one at it during all of this as well.


Thank guys

Just to check it off the list I would do that first before you go cutting wires. Could just be an old battery your talking 4 years, thats a good life out of a motorcycle battery.

 

[Bubba_BigDog]

It is a lot of time... but unfortunately, not a lot of use. But yes, it is cheaper and easier to toss a new battery into it now.

(although I've already got the girl to sign off on the "needed" upgrades )

 

[Bubba_BigDog]

So, have had the bike hooked up to the tender for the past few days... just went out there and it fired right up.

Gonna see if I can't find a place that carries Braille batteries that I can walk into, if not I'll get one on the way from AutoAnything.

I should also have a set of BDM drag bars here in the next couple weeks as well so that's handled now too.

But the speedo is still jacked up... not sure if it's the speedo itself though or if it's a connection somewhere. Anyone know where all the connections and inputs for it are? Would hate to get a new speedo and still have a problem there since I won't be doing the rewire right now.

 

[07bigdog]

My speedo was acting up as well. Just started working intermintly. Jumping all over the place. Load tested battery, checked all connections. (dilectric grease) Ended up installing a new Medallion speedo and haven't had a problem since.

 

[Bubba_BigDog]

I'm hoping that it's just my speedo that took a shit and replacing it would elliviate the problem. Just would hate to do that and it not fix the problem.