Woodrow F. Call
New Member
Intro complete. Now on to business.
I recently came into possession of a 1999 Big Dog Prosport. All black. Clock said about 9,000 miles when I picked her up, although I have no idea if it's correct. She's been mostly sitting (in a friend's garage) for the past four years. Probably ridden no more than a handful of times during that period. I know almost nothing about her history other than what I've experienced over the last couple of months. To date I've put about 1,750 miles on her consisting of a few trips around the neighborhood and several 200-300 mile group rides out in the beautiful Texas counrtyside around Houston.
A quick walk around of the bike reveals the following:
1. nice Corbin aftermarket seat, but the front tip doesn't extend up into and flush with the split tanks like the stock seat once did. Looks OK to me though. No plans to replace.
2. There are few parts missing from the tank cover trim. All that remains is a single black plastic piece. There's no cover over the indicator lights. I think there's a chrome trim piece missing from around the speedo. The trip meter reset knob is missing. I'm assuming OEM replacements will be next to impossible to come by. I'd like to do something to clean up the look a bit, but not sure what. Cover in leather maybe?
3. Overall I think the bike presents itself pretty well. I've received a number of compliments from strangers. With its solid black paint and spoke wheels, it looks like a toned down version of the similar vintage Prosports I've been able to view online.
Now on to the ride. This is where things get a bit dicey.
4. The engine drinks oil like it's going out of style. I'm getting a drop a day on my garage floor. That's nothing though. Perfectly acceptable to me for a 10+ year old big twin. When I started riding her though, I realized she was drinking about a quart of oil every 250 miles. I've seen some blue smoke on start up, but nothing excessive (to me at least) while riding. Where is all this oil going? After an oil change at delivery, I've topped her off with about six quarts in 1,750 miles. This needs to be addressed ASAP.
5. Squealing from the tranny. Since day 1, the tranny has had a squeal. While accelerating or at constant speed, she sounds fine, but if I roll off the throttle quickly enough to cause engine braking, there is a substantial squeal from the transmission (at least I assume it's the transmission). As soon as I squeeze the clutch, the sound stops, but it's always there if I don't. It's not good. Other than during engine braking, she sounded fine for quite some time, although now there seems to be some additional squealing even during other standard operation. Obviously, this needs to be addressed.
That's the nickel tour. I'm looking forward to some good dialogue with you guys. I've been lurking for a few weeks. There certainty seems to be plenty of knowledgeable people on this site.
Woodrow
PS Here's a pic in case you didn't read the intro.
I recently came into possession of a 1999 Big Dog Prosport. All black. Clock said about 9,000 miles when I picked her up, although I have no idea if it's correct. She's been mostly sitting (in a friend's garage) for the past four years. Probably ridden no more than a handful of times during that period. I know almost nothing about her history other than what I've experienced over the last couple of months. To date I've put about 1,750 miles on her consisting of a few trips around the neighborhood and several 200-300 mile group rides out in the beautiful Texas counrtyside around Houston.
A quick walk around of the bike reveals the following:
1. nice Corbin aftermarket seat, but the front tip doesn't extend up into and flush with the split tanks like the stock seat once did. Looks OK to me though. No plans to replace.
2. There are few parts missing from the tank cover trim. All that remains is a single black plastic piece. There's no cover over the indicator lights. I think there's a chrome trim piece missing from around the speedo. The trip meter reset knob is missing. I'm assuming OEM replacements will be next to impossible to come by. I'd like to do something to clean up the look a bit, but not sure what. Cover in leather maybe?
3. Overall I think the bike presents itself pretty well. I've received a number of compliments from strangers. With its solid black paint and spoke wheels, it looks like a toned down version of the similar vintage Prosports I've been able to view online.
Now on to the ride. This is where things get a bit dicey.
4. The engine drinks oil like it's going out of style. I'm getting a drop a day on my garage floor. That's nothing though. Perfectly acceptable to me for a 10+ year old big twin. When I started riding her though, I realized she was drinking about a quart of oil every 250 miles. I've seen some blue smoke on start up, but nothing excessive (to me at least) while riding. Where is all this oil going? After an oil change at delivery, I've topped her off with about six quarts in 1,750 miles. This needs to be addressed ASAP.
5. Squealing from the tranny. Since day 1, the tranny has had a squeal. While accelerating or at constant speed, she sounds fine, but if I roll off the throttle quickly enough to cause engine braking, there is a substantial squeal from the transmission (at least I assume it's the transmission). As soon as I squeeze the clutch, the sound stops, but it's always there if I don't. It's not good. Other than during engine braking, she sounded fine for quite some time, although now there seems to be some additional squealing even during other standard operation. Obviously, this needs to be addressed.
That's the nickel tour. I'm looking forward to some good dialogue with you guys. I've been lurking for a few weeks. There certainty seems to be plenty of knowledgeable people on this site.
Woodrow
PS Here's a pic in case you didn't read the intro.
