Hey Dudes, need your input

[smith1186]

How's it goin everybody.

So Im lookin into gettin myself an 04' Chopper but Im REALLY wrestling with myself about it

1. Because I know these bikes are high maintenance and I wanna be able to do most of it myself but I don't have any experience ever working on a motorcycle (I'm just reading the How-To section A LOT).

2. I keep trying to tell myself, 'If you buy this bike, you risk having a very serious and costly break down that could leave you off the road for months'.

3. If something does breakdown, could a Powertrain Warranty help replace it?

4. I'm more of an average working stiff (In the Security field) so if this thing is super expensive to care for, it's outta my price range.



If any of you can give me some insight or opinion's it would be a huge help.

 

[awg]

I to have a 04 Chopper. I have had to do a few things to keep it running. But I look at it is this is a special custom made bike. When and if you end up with a problem it will cost you some money. But it is all worth it....at least to me. You need to find out if the EHC has been replaced, that is a pretty expensive fix. When and if you do repair your bike do it yourself. You will learn alot and have the pride knowing you did it. It is something to be proud of. With all I have done to mine I wouldn't trade it for nothing!

 

[pauldeepsea]

Nothing you cant accomplish I started knowing nothing and have since torn the bike down and started to rebuild it. I went through the bike down to every nut and bolt not anything really all that hard to do.

Not saying you will have to get this far into the bike, Just look the bike over before putting any $$$ down look at the maintenance record and condition of the bike.

 

[bigdog10]

take someone who knows bikes with you to check it out. get a service manual and ask alot of questions

 

[smith1186]

So off the bat I should replace the EHC.

Outside of that, are the 04 Choppers known for any other type of serious mechanical problems?

Also, is there really nobody out there willing to put a warranty on these things, at least for the engine and transmission?

 

[ChopperFred]

I have an '04 Chopper since new. The biggest issue was the electrical system. Once I replaced it with a Wire Plus, it's been dependable. When I first got the bike, I had little experience with wrenching except for oil changes and routine stuff. Once I learned more about the bike's components, I felt better about doing the work myself. Although I'm no expert some like on this forum, I actually enjoy going into my workshop, putting on some music in the background, and working with the bike. The '04 Chopper is based on a Harley Softail (like 1999 or so). Between that and the expertise on this forum, I feel comfortable tackling much of the maintenance. I think my bike is more reliable today than it was when I took it off the showroom.

 

[CHOPTOP45]

x2

 

[Brew]

The Motors and Transmissions are pretty good in these scoots. It's when people start performing serious modifications, that the reliability issues begin. I agree with the others on the electrical issues. If it don't have a wire-plus you may want to think about getting one as a back-up. Then again, some of us have not had any problems with the stock system. It's the luck of the draw! :2thumbs:

 

[Moespeeds]

Electrical is the only real problem with the 04's. Generally they are trouble free, and it's the only year I'd own. Count on replacing that EHC. Otherwise, replacement parts a cheap and easy to come by.

 

[Mr. Wright]

Don't let the EHC scrare you, I have two 03 choppers in my care, and one of them still has the original EHC and the other was messed up by the privous owner by jump starting it. As for expensive repairs? Lets put it into perspective with a little story.: When I was in high school I found this nice girl, and just had to make her mine. I knew she would be high mantenance, and I spent all my extra cash to keep her going. Fast forward 30 years, still have the girl, still costing me money, but there is a reason why we do this. Same thing goes for the chopper, only their is a big advantage to owning a chopper. So don't sweat the small stuff, and check out this link. http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/dog-pound/41017-short-stories.html

 

[kevinf]

X3

 

[smith1186]

So what does it usually cost you guys to do your own maintenance, like tools, parts and oil? Like on a yearly basis?

 

[Jersey James]

Hello: Just about ANY street motorcycle you buy & ride, will require some sort of maintenance. My 03 Pit Bull, has been an exceptional bike, with the original EHC & I ride/love the hell out of it. Buy the bike, you will never regret owning a Big Dog. Best of Luck.

 

[smith1186]

Hello: Just about ANY street motorcycle you buy & ride, will require some sort of maintenance. My 03 Pit Bull, has been an exceptional bike, with the original EHC & I ride/love the hell out of it. Buy the bike, you will never regret owning a Big Dog. Best of Luck.

OH THAT'S A LESSON I KNOW ALL TOO WELL... I have about 30,000 miles of ride on my belt. 10,000 on an 08 XL 1200 custom and then I got onto a VRSCDX.... not so much a Night Rod as it was a Night MARE.

The worst problem I've ever had on it was that at 13,500 miles the transmission died on me, 3rd gear, clutch and one other thing just totally collapsed and it took almost a month to repair and then right after those repairs an oil tube busted open and then 4,000 miles later an O-ring that was improperly installed busted and leaked oil everywhere.

every time I took my bike in for repairs the techs would always say, "Oh Yeah, that's a common problem on Night Rods."

 

[TimNY]

Smith
If its a Big Dog you want and truely desire - buy one . Don't let the maintenance
scare you. All the parts you might need are out there and plenty of help/info
right here on the BDB site. You might also look into befriending someone at a local Chopper shop.
As far as the ride " what do you expect " you've been on a Sportster and a V rod -
both handel very well. As I love the look of the 250 rear tire - riding it is a different story. Takes some getting used to . If possible stop by a Victory dealer and ride the Jack Pot. The Chopper is very simular. Just streched alittle longer.
I was like you and wanted a Chopper - If its something you really want . Get one.
There are plenty of deals out there. Let us know how you make out.
X2 - Moe I feel the same way 03 /04 Chioppers - the only way to go.
left side drive.

 

[CHOPTOP45]

Go for it!!

 

[Sven]

So Im lookin into gettin myself an 04' Chopper but Im REALLY wrestling with myself about it. Year not ready. Wait it out and try this.

1. I wanna be able to do most of it myself but I don't have any experience; reading the How-To section A LOT). That kind of stuff does not help. You want basic theory, fundamental concepts and more practical reading.

2. I keep trying to tell myself, 'If you buy this bike, you risk having a very serious and costly break down that could leave you off the road for months'. That's because you have to wait in line for one. YOu do not have the basic concepts of the 3amigos to bail you out on the side of the road. It seems you are waiting for parts, because there are not too many dealers that may have the part on the shelf? So if parts are available, then the issue is more 'the middleman' or the shop working on it. Take a number, we'll call ya.

3. If something does breakdown, could a Powertrain Warranty help replace it? You'd have to read all those policies and see if the bike is even on the list? Where would you take it if some parts on the bike are N/A? [no longer available] and now the bike is fitted with another aftermarket part. If you don't care what the bike looks like so it keeps running, I'd even cover you I see those premiums keep come in... LOL

4. I'm more of an average working stiff (In the Security field) so if this thing is super expensive to care for, it's outta my price range. If for no other reason, you school yourself. Take the bike money, or sell the bike you have now, invest that into a class at some college or one of the training schools. You want hands on so you do not make a mistake on your bike, double or triple the cost, because you did not see the fundamental move you made destroying the part(s). Your bike money, your premium money, your time waiting for someone else to finish what is usually a simple job of being a parts changer, you still need the groundwork or a starting point, because pal, you don't have to have others do what you should be doing as part of the security and integrity of the bike you ride. This is not a car and should not be thought of as one, even though some are, 'this side of bulletproof.'

 

[francoblay1]

X6 , 7, 8.... I am still with original EHC (06 K9)... as many of us! :2thumbs:

 

[smith1186]

So I just heard back from a shop about what they charge to do service, every 5,000 is about $600 and 10,000 miles is $800.... Jesus.

What do most of you guys spend to service your own bikes between parts and fluids

 

[Moespeeds]

Any decent shop will be around $75/hr or more. Everything you need to fix the bike is here on this site, as long as you are willing to put in the time. Beyond changing the fluids and plugs, there is no way to predict or estimate cost per mile. Like any machine, small things could break, or big things could break, but eventually something will break. You just deal with it as it comes along. Making sure everything on the bike stays tight will help keep the repairs to a minimum. You aren't going to be blowing motors and transmissions every week, so don't sweat that stuff. It's more like your mirror might rattle off, or the kickstand might rattle off, or you break the occasional clutch cable, etc.