Looking To Buy

[tunafish]

Hi new here and have my eye on a 2008 Mastiff. From what I read common issue is ECH (what is that) the whole electrical system? Any way to tell if this has been previously changed out?

Seems like suspiciously low miles for the year 9000 miles. Speedo rollovers common/easy?

I am going to look at bike on Friday so thought I would stop by and see what some thing to look for and say hi. And who would the best to ask but a forum dedicated to this manufacturer. Thanks in advance!

 

[HMAN]

Welcome from Kansas. The EHC can go bad but its not the end of the world if it does crap out. Take a picture or two under the seat. Someone here will tell ya what version is installed.

 

[chubs]

Dealer or private seller ? Walk around it and check for scrapes and dings in the paint, fire it up and listen closely for odd or funny sounds. While it's running, check all the lights and signals, (turn, head light high and low beam, break etc.) Does it look like it has been kept clean and polished, or dull and dirty? Tires have decent tread? What kind of price are they asking ? P.S. Welcome to the party !

 

[tunafish]

Private, asking 12k. There are two quarter size chip in the paint at the end of the rear fender, weird place for chips I thought.. That's the only thing I seen from a walk around but owner wasn't home so didn't get to crazy. The tires (do look good) and brakes are said to be new. Has single and duel seats. Looks clean and polished but they also said it was just detailed.

For sounds aren't they loud? Wouldn't be hard to hear anything weird or is there certain places I should be listening at? Thanks for the response! I will be doing the basic check like any other bike just was wondering if there was Big Dog or Mastiff specific issues to be looking out for.

I will get pictures, I know these came in card and efi that should be easy to see the difference or is there a plate covering the carbs? I am not sure what this one is, thoughts on that..

 

[Unsprung]

9000 miles is common, these bikes were purchased by a lot of folks for garage art. Like Chubs said a good walk around and basic inspection will tell you a lot. You may be able to check the members map on the forum and find a close dog owner who is willing to go with. Many have had this done - me included.
Make sure it swings over smoothly and starts up like most other carb bikes. Shouldn’t need to use the carb enrichment if the bike is tuned and has a good battery. 2/3 blips of the throttle on a cold engine with a good battery should be fine.

Just about any issue you run into can be fixed with this fine group on the forum.

 

[SCC007]

Welcome from Mississippi. Already got some good advice. Yes they are loud. If it fires up and electric system is good then you've got a runner. Don't worry about the miles...loop us in and ask all the questions, lots of great folks on here to help sort it out.

 

[tunafish]

What about efi vs carb.. Read kinda mix things about the efi but that I would think has been sorted out by now?

 

[Mickmorris]

Welcome from Florida. Check the DOT date code on the tires. Welcome to the dog pound.

 

[pknowles]

Take a flash light and look between the fins on the jugs and especially where the heads bolts on the jugs. Listen for loud ticking noises from the top end and if they increase with rpm. Look under the bike and see if it is dirty/greasy and all scratched up or does it look good. Just a few things and while you have the flash light out, look around the exhaust pipes where they bolt to the motor. Welcome to the forum.

 

[mleach72]

Everyone has given you great advice. 9000 miles isn't unusual. A lot of guys bought these bikes during the chopper craze in the 2000's, and they have been sitting in a garage collecting dust ever since. The EHC is a fairly common problem, but remember, most guys only show up to this forum when they have a problem. To a new member, this can give you the impression that these bikes have a lot of problems. There are many bikes out there that are problem-free. I have 20k on my pitbull with very few issues, other than normal wear and tear, bolts coming loose, etc.

The fuel system is easily identifiable by looking behind the air cleaner. The super g carb is iconic and easily identified. The efi looks a bit more hi-tech. Look through pics on the forum to get yourself familiar. Both systems have their pros and cons. I prefer a carb because it is easier to tune when making modifications. Good luck! I'm sure you will love the bike. They are truly like nothing else on the road.

 

[pknowles]

06 K9 with carburetor.fuel petcock in first picture.

 

[pknowles]

fuel injected. On the left side there is no fuel petcock with the EFI. Hope this helps and don't be scared of either. A bunch of smart guys on here that dont mind helping you.

 

[Chong]

Welcome from Michigan.

Your at the right place to collect data on the BDM your looking at .

FYI I have a 04 Bulldog bought about two years ago .. Had 7k, I've since added 6k to that number . Still has original ECU ..knock on wood ..lol .

9k is a decent price if it's in good shape . Not a knock out price but very reasonable..

My history.. Bought Bulldog..(simular to a Mastiff) Was unsure if I liked the long fork chopper type models and was intimidated some with the common belief long fork bikes are a handful ..

Okay went to my 1st owner gathering about 6 months down the rode .. Had awesome time .. been to 4 more ..Best people in the world .. Family comes to mind ! Egos are left at the gate !

But left the first two gatherings jonesing for a long fork chopper bike ..

Yeah about 6 -7 months of looking found my match and it's my favorite bike now .

The handling issue.. I can simply say BDM models just don't have this issue remotely.. bounus .

Okay the search ... what I learned...
For my tastes I have to like the color and graphics . That's something that's pricey to change . So it was high on my priority list .
But look these bikes over .. figure out what you want .. ie adding sissy bar and a two place seat could be 1.5k plus ..
Look at exhaust .. better part of 1k .
And you really want compression releases, something that became standard around 03 or 04 . There's something to be said for 04 and back models as far as the transmission being serviceable . And 04 is the first year EHC .. Prior to 04 no EHC . and a little more common bike industry parts 03 and back . Proximity another cost potential.

05 and up bikes are nice.. visual lines of the bikes are better as they progressed 05 and past .. Generally a wider rear tire also .

FYI the long fork bike is a 03 Chopper . which is a soft tail model .. Something else that should be on your decision list..
Mastiff is a soft tail ... not ridged.

Good luck ..

 

[Big dog papa]

WELCOME FROM P.C. FLORIDA

 

[tunafish]

Thanks for your alls help! Unfortunately we were to far apart on price to make a deal. If there wasn't the chips on the rear then it would of been mine but for me the asking price was mint condition.

Anyways so detail, tires where made last year 2221 was rear and 1221 was front codes. There was small amount of oil from the top of the rear cylinder, only leak that I seen. It is efi. The only other problem I seen was the middle colored plate under the seat moved around a little at idle like a screw or mounting point was missing, not sure if that was normal.

I really liked the bike but just could make a deal. Here's a link if anyone is interested https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/592955049119604/ Thank you all again.

 

[Mickmorris]

Thanks for your alls help! Unfortunately we were to far apart on price to make a deal. If there wasn't the chips on the rear then it would of been mine but for me the asking price was mint condition.

Anyways so detail, tires where made last year 2221 was rear and 1221 was front codes. There was small amount of oil from the top of the rear cylinder, only leak that I seen. It is efi. The only other problem I seen was the middle colored plate under the seat moved around a little at idle like a screw or mounting point was missing, not sure if that was normal.

I really liked the bike but just could make a deal. Here's a link if anyone is interested https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/592955049119604/ Thank you all again.

Don’t give up on the search. There are deals out there trust me. I found this in Miami for $4g

 

[Chong]

$6500. 2003 Chopper.
Owned just under a year .
Needed a little love and tires .


Bought in November.. good shopping season in these parts .. Watched it at 8700 for 2 or so months.

 

[HMAN]

Just be patient tuna....your Dog will FIND you. Ask anyone here.

 

[Bigdogchop04]

Tuna I have my 04 chopper for sale. I’d do $8500. 7900 miles. I’m in missouri

 

[awg]

And there you go!