I miss having a chopper. Been looking at getting one.

[ChopperJeff]

i used to have a 2005 Big Dog Chopper that I bought brand new in late 2004. In the 7 years I had it, I put just over 87,000 miles on it! Sold it to get a used chopper made by Proper Chopper, that had only 800 miles on it. I figured with that low of y, it would be trouble free. I couldn’t have been more wrong! The makers of that bike apparently had no idea how to build a bike. It looked awsome, but was pure crap mechanically, and the paint quality was awful.

Anyways, I now have a nice smooth running Victory Jackpot, which really is a great bike. But, I really miss that feeling of riding a chopper. Have some have said, when riding a chopper, you feel more like you’re riding in the bike as opposed to on it.

Been seeing some attractively priced 2006 or so Choopers and K9’s for sale. Was wondering, do these bikes have the Rolling Thunders frames? My chopper had one, and I went thru numerous swingarm bolts breaking. Also, did they ever get the starters to not fry after a few thousand miles? That was the other issue I had with mine.

Don’t get me wrong, as overall I feel big dog made some great bikes, and for a chopper, they were very well engineered, which is why I’m looking into getting one again.

 

[bigkelk9]

So few had the rolling thunder frames, majority had either the big dog frames which were crap or the daytech frames. Prices have dropped significantly and you can get a sweet k9 all day for about 10k, good luck in your search

 

[Steven Proctor]

So few had the rolling thunder frames, majority had either the big dog frames which were crap or the daytech frames. Prices have dropped significantly and you can get a sweet k9 all day for about 10k, good luck in your search

How can you tell what maker of frame you have?

 

[MossBerg590]

Yeah definitely keep an eye out, been seeing all kinds of nice bikes with low miles under 12k

 

[bigkelk9]

How can you tell what maker of frame you have?

The vin or the obvious huge give aways such as the fork bearing cups, the holder for the coil/ignition switch and the swing arm.
So they daytek frames have the bearing cups welded in, the holder for the coil cover is solid on the daytek frames as to where it’s just a drilled hole and rather cheap looking on the bam frames with bolt and nut set up, the swing arm on the daytek frames are straight on the lower triangle of the arm as to where the big dog ones actually look cooler and are curved upward toward the top of the tire. But the big dog frames had a lot of recalls on welds breaking, the tree bearings getting wollered out In The cups and them not sitting flush. I’m sure there will be guys who will chime In Who have had to deal with the issues first hand shortly. But basically daytek is the better frame. But the big dog frame does fit the Metzler rear tire with no issues, the swing arm is slightly different. As to on the daytek frame it will not fit without sitting cocked or shaving the sidewall.

 

[MossBerg590]

There is also a stamp on the frame where the upper motor mount is. Looks like a maple leaf or some shit if I remember correctly

 

[Fat_Bastard]

There is also a stamp on the frame where the upper motor mount is. Looks like a maple leaf or some shit if I remember correctly

Yes, Maple Leaf on top motor mount signifies Rolling Thunder. Not all Rolling Thunders are bad just a few serial numbers (do not know which) but never had a problem with my Rolling Thunder, one of the later models after the problem run...

Side note:
Have a few friends with Big Bear Choppers; their frames broke in half on the front single down tube. Scarey but they got 'em fixed on their own "dime". Just sayin' be concerned but not scared to negotiate a good deal on a "defective crack" (bike)… After it is fixed better than new-- a great bike!

 

[kickstart]

Jeff, look for the S&S rocker boxes (07 and up maybe some late 06) and I believe there are more parts available for the K9 than the chopper.