I live in Pittsburgh PA. Recently been looking a a 2003 Big Dog. Bike looks clean with some decent upgrades from what I can see. Honestly I know pretty much nothing about the bike or it's manufacturer. I've been riding an 83 Kawasaki LTD 1100. I'm ready for an upgrade and something made in America. Looking for any advice along with pros and cons on the bike.
Looking to possibly buy a 2003 Big Dog
- Thread starter Rider79
- Start date
bigkelk9
Well-Known Member
Really I couldn't tell u much about an 03, they made a lot of changes in 04 and 06.. and those years and up is what I'm familiar with. I think u will have like a 107 or so and Harley style pimary.. great bikes no matter what the year.. hopefully someone who is more knowledgeable of this year will chime in and give u the answers u r looking for
cdogg556
Guru
Hell if the wife approved why not! Seriously though like kel said hopefully someone with more knowledge on the 04 and older models can fill ya in on anything you need to know, bike looks great, hopefully it's priced great too, like PK said with the way prices are today, you might find something newer for close to whatever you are paying for the 03.
FrankBDPS
Well-Known Member
Well here are my thoughts. The front half seems to be a Big Dog. Everything from the swing arm mount forward looks to be mostly Big Dog. The air cleaner has been changed. The engine is probably an S&S Super Stock 107. I say that because it has the old style rocker boxes on it. It most likely has a 5 speed transmission. It should run like a scalded dog. FRom the swing arm pivot back is anyone's quess. That fat rear tire along with the wide swing arm and that fender I do not think are Big Dog. But I have been wrong before. It does look cool though. I like it.
Good luck. Let us know if you buy it. Welcome to the forum.
Good luck. Let us know if you buy it. Welcome to the forum.
Mr. Wright
Knows some things
I work on a lot of Big Dogs, and I believe the 03"s are the finest they ever made. If it was maintained well, it will make you a great bike, and if you have any problems, we'll get you rolling again. I see it needs some new rubber on the pegs. Get you some silicone rubber hose, and cut it into strips ans slide them into the grooves. I've found the silicon hose lasts longer and take a lot of the vibration out.
that bike, especially with the snakeskin solo seat, looks familiar, like it has been a member here before.
Looks to be an 02 mastiff.
Think that's spot on...the rear brake light frenched into the fender was 02 and they ditched it in 03.
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Rear end looks 02and stock. Maybe he changed shocks?.
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FrankBDPS
Well-Known Member
That rear fender is pretty cool. Too bad they didn't put the plate up there also. What size tire would that be?
01Mastiff
Active Member
That's a '01 Mastiff rear end/fender. That was the last year they ran a 230 tire, '02 and up had 250.. Just traded mine in perfect condition with 13 thousand miles for $5000 and I did very well. I later heard the Harley dealer got $3 thousand at auction for it. If you don't do a rewire you will drive yourself crazy with the ehc. Everything is still proprietary parts through '03 which is a major pain in the ass. Make sure it has compression releases. '01 heads aren't drilled for them so way expensive to do; '02 are drilled and may or may not be installed, '03 should have them. From looking at the whole bike, front fender, light and pegs, etc, you are looking at a '01 Mastiff. No one changed out the rear end for anything. Someone is confused and for once it ain't me. In the condition it is, I would definitely not go above $4 thousand.
BWG56
Guru
Maybe just adjusted pre-load, some consider that having work done.
chubs
Guru
Just post up the numbers off the neck and you'll get the year, model, production number, and everything.
DynoDave
Guru
Mine is an '02 (according to the title and vin #), has a 230 rear tire, and is not drilled for compression releases.
The 107's are strong running engines but need a good starter and battery to keep them going.
Also, according to S&S you should replace the lifters after 20,000 miles. Found this out the hard way because at 21,000 miles I blew a lifter which also trashed the camshaft.
With a .600 cam and a XXX Mini Taz carb mine runs like a beast!
01Mastiff
Active Member
Do a google search for 2002 Mastiff and look at all the pictures of 250 tires. Also do a search here for 2002 BD rocker covers/heads. At the end of 2001 the last ones made and 2002 on had a hole in the top of the rocker cover and a nut inside for the releases. If you got a 230 tire from the factory you got a special Dog. Check your rear fender for the 2001 tail light (one year only), 2002 on light was removed from fender, 2002 fender will not work with a 2001/230. I tried. Things were fast and loose in the company back then and I bet you got a bike off the line of the 2001 manufacture. It must drive you crazy looking for parts as there were lots of changes.