Hey guys Im new to the forum and also to Big Dog motorcycles. I bought an 04 Ridgeback about a month ago and love it so far but I do have a few questions. When I turn the bike on (just ignition- not started) it does the readout on pulse width I think its called and reads 98880 until I start it, when started it goes to 263 which I assume is the hour meter, then will only go to trip meter and will not read total miles no matter how I push the button on the gauge. It will only switch back and forth from 263 to trip and thats it. Any ideas on what the problem could be? Also I have a second question, I should have done more research before buying the bike, but anyway the headlight housing has a small 2-way switch installed on it that when set to center it turns the headlight off completely when flipped up is high beam and when flipped down is low. The P.O. told me that was part of Big Dogs wiring update on these models. Im not sure if thats true or not because the high/low on the bars doesnt work when the switch on the housing is in the high position. Now dont get me wrong, I love the bike but just wished I had researched before looking and possibly saved myself a headache or 2. Third and last question is where can I get one of those Push Solo Seats for it ASAP? Im too short to put my feet comfortably on the pegs and its driving me nuts. Sorry for the long first post but I appreciate all the help I can get. :up:
Odometer Confusion And Other Questions
- Thread starter nhstomper
- Start date
KaptinAmerika
Guru
That switch on the light bucket is not BD work. Someone Jerry rigged that in.
It sounds like someone was having trouble with the electrical and didn't troubleshoot the issues correctly.
Your speedo could be defective or you may have defective EHC, if the bike still has an EHC.
Look in the swap meet section of this forum there are a couple of people looking to sell or swap their push seat for a regular seat
It sounds like someone was having trouble with the electrical and didn't troubleshoot the issues correctly.
Your speedo could be defective or you may have defective EHC, if the bike still has an EHC.
Look in the swap meet section of this forum there are a couple of people looking to sell or swap their push seat for a regular seat
Thanks guys. If I had to guess I would say the gauge is bad because I have been reading that the needle does a full sweep when the key is turned on, well mine only goes up to 10 then back to 0. Idk if the battery has anything to do with the sweep of the gauge but I just replaced the battery last week so its new and its kept on a Tender Jr. I just dont want to start throwing parts at it trying to trouble shoot, I would like to be able to pinpoint and fix. Wishful thinking?
before going the push seat route, verify that you have stock forward control mounts or extended mounts. might be better off going that route instead of the push.
francoblay1
The Spaniard
X2, if you have extension plates in the forward control mounts you may want to take them off and check if you still need the push seat. :up:
Also, do an Introduction HERE for everyone in the Forum :2thumbs:
Welcome
I do not have extension plates. I googled pics so I could see what they looked like and I dont have them. I just feel like when Im riding it, especially at highway speed that my feet are sliding off the pegs. Then I started thinking maybe its just the vibration on my feet feeling funny, but I dont think so. When I shift I have to extend my left foot all the way flat to get the tip of my boot under the shift lever. I dont like that feeling at all. I dont really like the look of the Push seat on the bikes but if it will help me control it a bit better I dont care what it looks like.
It actually does feel good when I apply the brake. Its at cruise speeds 55-65mph or so that it feels my feet are slipping off. If I kick my toes to the outside of the bike my boot heels just barely rest on the pegs. If I slide my butt forward an inch or so I can get my whole boot sole onto the pegs which feels a lot more comfortable. Also the peg on the shifter side is horizontal with the ground and the brake side peg is tilted toward the rear of the bike. Is this how they are supposed to be?
RAW Blue Rider
Active Member
Ridgebacks Rule!
Congrats on the scoot!
My low beam, then high beam were the first sighns of my EHC failure.
I don't have much help on your other issues.
Hope you can get it worked out so you get what you need.:up:
Happy Motoring!
Congrats on the scoot!
My low beam, then high beam were the first sighns of my EHC failure.
I don't have much help on your other issues.
Hope you can get it worked out so you get what you need.:up:
Happy Motoring!
The bike runs fine at the moment but the switch on the light is odd. It is so small and on the underside of the housing that I didnt even see it until after I bought the bike. I called the P.O. and he said it was the Big Dog electrical update which I have now learned is not true. What are some of the things I should beware of if it is the start of EHC failure? Will it not run at all or will it be simple things like Im seeing like no odometer and the switch on the bar not working? It does have the stock EHC in it as far as I can tell. Should I buy a new speedometer or start looking for wire troubles? It wont be till the snow flies here before I do anything any way but Im just looking for pointers on where to start or what I should do.
JeffM
Active Member
Seems like you have some options and some $ to spend.
As stated previously sounds like you may have the 2" extension forward controls already fitted, there will be some tall bugger on here that may swap you.
As for the light/speedo issue, get a new head light (Fleebay), ehc (WP recomended), Dakota Digital speedo form our supporting members, find an auto electrical friend and a box of JD and get workin.
As stated previously sounds like you may have the 2" extension forward controls already fitted, there will be some tall bugger on here that may swap you.
As for the light/speedo issue, get a new head light (Fleebay), ehc (WP recomended), Dakota Digital speedo form our supporting members, find an auto electrical friend and a box of JD and get workin.
Man I hate to sound stupid or come across as such but as I said this is all new to me so I am learning. Looking under my seat I see a silver box with a circular place to plug in a computer or some kind of cord and it says Thunder heart on it. I am wondering if this is a factory part or not and what would plug into it? I think its the ignition module if Im not mistaken?
francoblay1
The Spaniard
Correct, it is the Ignition Module and it comes from factory. you can upgrade it to a programmable one if you are thinking on doing some mods on your bike.