It happened...! Need some brief advice.

[gaddog]

Okay... newer member here and had always hoped to just stay a lerker but it happened and now I need some advice/help. I have already done a search of the site using some possible combinations phrases and didn't come up with anything that looked promising.

Here goes. I have a 2005 Pitbull that I trailered to Arkansas for a large ride. Yes I trailered it. It was 500 miles each way and it was spit polished and I didn't want to ride it in the rain and spend another day and a half polishing. Anyway, was on the way back and opened the trailer at home and found the bike laying on it's right side. I had checked it at my last gas stop and it was still snug in it's restraints but somehow the wheel chock unlocked and the bike dumped over and rode like that for about a hundred miles.

Here's the questions,
1. Engine. Any concerns about restarting it with the bike having been sitting on it's side? It rode on it's right side so fuel from the carb appears to have ran onto the trailer bed instead of into the cylinders so I'm not too concerned about wash down of the cylinders. My primary concern is oil getting up into the top of the cylinders and hydro-locking the top of the head and doing some sort of compression damage to the valves or worse. Any other concerns I should be thinking about?

2. Turn signals. Found the right side turn/brake signals pretty badly damaged and I have to replace the housings. How do the housings unbolt from the front fork and rear fender support. I think the rear is just an allen head screw from the inside of the upright but looks like I have to remove the fender before doing this. The front has got my stymied and I can't find anything in the BDM tech manual.

3. Paint. Unfortunately the paint on the top of the rear fender got scuffed. It looks to be about 6inches from the rear of the single seat. Does anyone have a measurement of how far back a 2up seat would come back to possibly cover the scuff or suggestions on paint repair (new factory fender?). If someone has a 2up that would fit that they are interested in getting rid of, please contact me.

All that said, wow.. the bike held up pretty good. It layed on the vance/hines curved pipes and I couldn't find a scuff on the chrome. I was already going to replace the footpegs because they were already getting gritty looking. The only other thing it appears to have layed on is the end of the handlebar on the throttle grip and I couldn't find any damage there.

Although I'm sick about it, I think the damage is pretty minor. I'm fairly mechanically inclined so I don't think this will be a big deal for repairs (other that to my ego) but I don't want to *&^&up my scooter.

Thanks in advance for any help guys.

 

[BadBrad]

Damn! Hate to hear about your dog. If you're worried about oil being in the top of the cylinders, pull the plugs and turn it over a few times. You should be able to see inside the cylinder enough to know if you have anything in there.

As for the turn signals, I'll have to tell you, haven't had to take mine off.....yet. But I'm pretty sure that the lens has to be removed, the LED lights pulled out, then you should be able to unbolt the front. The rear bolts on underneath the fender....I think, but you'll probably have the pull the lense cover and LED lights as well to replace it all. Some of these other guys can tell you for sure. Let us know what you find out.

Good luck!

 

[Eric]

I guess our turn signals are the same LEDs remove the lens & led board, you will have to remove the wires from the plug to alow the wires to pass through the housing, mark the location, be carefull not to damage the pins, then remove the bolt that holds housing on

 

[BBChopper]

Wow that sucks.

 

[BikersDream]

Motor is fine, Remove the turn signals and tape up the wires before you short out the EHC.

Still sucks to hear this.

Fix it as fast as you can, You'll forget it happen!!!!!!!!!

 

[jkd740]

Sorry to read this... it brought a tear to my eyes!

 

[gearsmithy]

Here's the questions,
1. Engine. Any concerns about restarting it with the bike having been sitting on it's side? It rode on it's right side so fuel from the carb appears to have ran onto the trailer bed instead of into the cylinders so I'm not too concerned about wash down of the cylinders. My primary concern is oil getting up into the top of the cylinders and hydro-locking the top of the head and doing some sort of compression damage to the valves or worse. Any other concerns I should be thinking about?

Bah, I've knocked over plenty of bikes (all of which were mine btw), my ridgeback included, without problems. Watch out for gas mixing with dirt in the oil filter and dripping out onto the engine. The first time this happened to me I thought it was blowby or an oil leak, turns out it was just dirty gas. Clean it off or better yet, replace it alltogether, start her up and ride the wheels off it.

 

[gaddog]

Okay guys... here's' the latest. All of the turn signals work so it appears I only have to replace 1 housing and thanks to the info on here I have figured out how to remove it. Too damn simple if yah ask me. I figured it was some sort of voodoo tech hidden thing to remove it, turns out all yah have to do is pop out the LED light and there it is. Motor is fine. Turned it over today no problem and rode it around a bit this afternoon.

Paint is another story. Called Gateway Big Dog down in Maryland Heights, MO and talked with the guy there. He is saying the fender will need to be removed and sent to Big Dog where they will take a new fender and copy the scheme and paint to match at a cost around $1700 including shipping and all. Sounds a bit high but... it's custom stuff and if it's like anything else.. custom is expensive to get it done right. Does this sound about right?

I'm thinking the 2up seat is probably going to be how I handle this. Anyone know of what 2up seats will swap with a 2005 Pitbull? I would think the 05-06-07 Pits and Ridgebacks should be the same seat. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[SUPERMANct54]

Sorry to hear about your scoot I Just saw a couple of two ups on eBay I also saw some turn signals. the BDM website has a list of part numbers under the accessories link its pretty easy to cross reference them. Good luck

 

[narow37]

check with airbrush ed, he's a member here if you didn't know. he used to be in paint for big dog

 

[PurpleDog]

Sorry to hear bout the scoot; if it can't be wet sanded and buffed out - take some good pics and get with Airbrush-Ed on here. I'd bet he could help you out - dude has mad skills, hell he may have painted it...:2thumbs:

 

[stlmikie]

Do you live in the area? If so I will help you with the fender. It will take no time to get it off and taken up to the shop. You may even be able to go around the shop and mail it up there yourself and save a few hundy.

Okay guys... here's' the latest. All of the turn signals work so it appears I only have to replace 1 housing and thanks to the info on here I have figured out how to remove it. Too damn simple if yah ask me. I figured it was some sort of voodoo tech hidden thing to remove it, turns out all yah have to do is pop out the LED light and there it is. Motor is fine. Turned it over today no problem and rode it around a bit this afternoon.

Paint is another story. Called Gateway Big Dog down in Maryland Heights, MO and talked with the guy there. He is saying the fender will need to be removed and sent to Big Dog where they will take a new fender and copy the scheme and paint to match at a cost around $1700 including shipping and all. Sounds a bit high but... it's custom stuff and if it's like anything else.. custom is expensive to get it done right. Does this sound about right?

I'm thinking the 2up seat is probably going to be how I handle this. Anyone know of what 2up seats will swap with a 2005 Pitbull? I would think the 05-06-07 Pits and Ridgebacks should be the same seat. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Ratman]

Contact Airbrush Ed. He just posted in another thread he has an immediate vacant spot (rare I understand), and wants some work.

 

[gaddog]

Okay guys... here's the latest. Turn signal housing replaced (13.00 bucks) and 3 lenses replaced (3.00 ea). Now for the paint, took the bike to one of the bigger body shops in town and told him about the problem. Walked out to the bike, spent two minutes with it and said he thought they could buff out the scuffs. Took the bike to the back, 10 mins of wet sand and buffing and 30 mins of talking later and the paint is as good or better than new.. and ... here's the awesome part, no charge. I'm buying his crew pizza tomorrow for lunch as a thanks (yah never know when he might come in handy again). I have maybe 130 bucks into the whole ordeal. A cheap lesson in trailering the bike. Strap it, double strap it and video cam it for transport.

 

[MaleficVTwin]

Glad to hear it worked out for ya, and kudos to that body shop!!! That sort of thing is rare.

 

[Thumper169]

Okay guys... here's' the latest. All of the turn signals work so it appears I only have to replace 1 housing and thanks to the info on here I have figured out how to remove it. Too damn simple if yah ask me. I figured it was some sort of voodoo tech hidden thing to remove it, turns out all yah have to do is pop out the LED light and there it is. Motor is fine. Turned it over today no problem and rode it around a bit this afternoon.

Paint is another story. Called Gateway Big Dog down in Maryland Heights, MO and talked with the guy there. He is saying the fender will need to be removed and sent to Big Dog where they will take a new fender and copy the scheme and paint to match at a cost around $1700 including shipping and all. Sounds a bit high but... it's custom stuff and if it's like anything else.. custom is expensive to get it done right. Does this sound about right?

I'm thinking the 2up seat is probably going to be how I handle this. Anyone know of what 2up seats will swap with a 2005 Pitbull? I would think the 05-06-07 Pits and Ridgebacks should be the same seat. Anyone have any experience with this?

Send it to ED, for the record I was told the same thing, $1700 to replace and I had mine repaired for $400 locally but if I were doing a complete redo it would go to ED

 

[stlmikie]

What shop did you end up taking it to? Give them a plug for helping you at least.

 

[chaingunner]

What shop did you end up taking it to? Give them a plug for helping you at least.

Yeah! Don't have that happen too often, I think I'd buy them pizza and a case or 2 of beer, that could have cost you a couple hundy easy! :2thumbs:

Glad all is good now!

 

[gearsmithy]

Okay guys... here's the latest. Turn signal housing replaced (13.00 bucks) and 3 lenses replaced (3.00 ea). Now for the paint, took the bike to one of the bigger body shops in town and told him about the problem. Walked out to the bike, spent two minutes with it and said he thought they could buff out the scuffs. Took the bike to the back, 10 mins of wet sand and buffing and 30 mins of talking later and the paint is as good or better than new.. and ... here's the awesome part, no charge. I'm buying his crew pizza tomorrow for lunch as a thanks (yah never know when he might come in handy again). I have maybe 130 bucks into the whole ordeal. A cheap lesson in trailering the bike. Strap it, double strap it and video cam it for transport.

See there you go! :up: Dumping bikes really sucks but it isn't the end of the world. Couldve been much worse right?

 

[gaddog]

Yeah you're right... should give them a plug. The shop is in Springfield, Illinois and it's Bill Matthews Autobody on North St. The owner of the shop is Bob Matthews. One of the shop guys owns a 2003 Pitbull and after seeing mine, Bob is thinking about getting a Big Dog. Bob is a first class guy. I have taken several cars to him over the last 20 years after minor shunts and I've NEVER been disappointed.