Which is more trouble-free: an 03 BDM Chopper or an 06 Wires Plus K-9?
- Thread starter No H2O
- Start date
No H2O
Active Member
Reason I ask is I heavily lean towards the 03 chopper.
I obviously prefer the K-9s 300 rear but the chopper has a slightly smaller wheelbase and will therefore be easier to handle and park. Also far less cost upfront.
However if I'm looking at an electrical cluster, the bike just wouldn't be useful to me since I commute daily.
I obviously prefer the K-9s 300 rear but the chopper has a slightly smaller wheelbase and will therefore be easier to handle and park. Also far less cost upfront.
However if I'm looking at an electrical cluster, the bike just wouldn't be useful to me since I commute daily.
roadie1389
Well-Known Member
The 03 had a Thunder-heart controller and if you look on their site, is still avail. Add the fuses to it for the power lines and it should make the system more reliable. Like everybody said, it is has a lot of HD parts and you can basically get a repair part almost anyplace. You want a everyday bike, get the 03 because they are usually cheaper, and ride great. You can even put 422 shocks on it
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No H2O
Active Member
Based on this and other things I've read on this forum, the 03 chopper is the last of the custom-build-using-Harley-parts line (in the same vein as Thunder Mountain and Titan where the bike is basically an arrangement of Harley parts or at least Harley fitment).
04 was the first year BDM started doing their own proprietary electrical and other stuff.
Hence from a DIY perspective, the 03 Chopper is going to be the most straightforward to maintain and easiest to get parts for. Not necessarily the exact same part but a part with the same fitment, correct? Including electrical if it needs to be redone in part or in whole?
pauldeepsea
Guru
The 03’s used an ehc and is not wired like a Harley “old school” type with a controller and relays . You are correct with the non proprietary parts as far as handlebars and controls .
Axel
Active Member
Hi Mark,
Yes, the 2003 have the Harley Style handle bar buttons and switches what are more solid compare to the button pcb boards in the newer BD. The old EHC is more stabil compare to the newer versions. The old EHC have really waterproof con´s compare to the newer models what had build in, let´s say "semi waterproof" connectors in the EHC. I made for fun a copy of the 2003 EHC with a few improvements compare to the old model last year ( http://www.elektronikbox.de/ehc03_de.html ) but the numbers of sales are very low, what is a good indication that the old 2003 EHC work pretty good. Only the hardwired head light relay in the original EHC make sometimes trouble. This is what I hear from clients.
Big Dog had changed the old EHC against the newer versions what was basically a good decision, cause it reduces the amount of cables in the bike what result in a cleaner look and BD were able to use their own handle bar buttons what have a more modern styling in my opinion. Unfortunaly the electronic company who developed the newer EHC made a few serious mistakes what result in higher fault rates compare to the old version, but this is an other story...
I wish you all a nice and relaxed Christmas time and a good start in the new year and of course always a save trip with your BD !
All the best!
Axel
Yes, the 2003 have the Harley Style handle bar buttons and switches what are more solid compare to the button pcb boards in the newer BD. The old EHC is more stabil compare to the newer versions. The old EHC have really waterproof con´s compare to the newer models what had build in, let´s say "semi waterproof" connectors in the EHC. I made for fun a copy of the 2003 EHC with a few improvements compare to the old model last year ( http://www.elektronikbox.de/ehc03_de.html ) but the numbers of sales are very low, what is a good indication that the old 2003 EHC work pretty good. Only the hardwired head light relay in the original EHC make sometimes trouble. This is what I hear from clients.
Big Dog had changed the old EHC against the newer versions what was basically a good decision, cause it reduces the amount of cables in the bike what result in a cleaner look and BD were able to use their own handle bar buttons what have a more modern styling in my opinion. Unfortunaly the electronic company who developed the newer EHC made a few serious mistakes what result in higher fault rates compare to the old version, but this is an other story...
I wish you all a nice and relaxed Christmas time and a good start in the new year and of course always a save trip with your BD !
All the best!
Axel
I own a 2003 chopper with 43,000 miles, I also have a 2007 k9 with 9,000 miles . I have owned the chopper for years and put most of the miles on it. The k9 is a fairly recent acquisition. Both have been great bikes with very few problems and no electrical issues. I recommend big dog's to everyone I meet. I think the main reason I have not had electrical problems is that I live in the desert , not much water to get in electrical connections.
francoblay1
The Spaniard
mittens
Well-Known Member
I have a 2004 the last year of the old schoolstuff. One of the main things I love about it, parts are everywhere, and its old school reliable.
Mine was Rewired/ and is very basic. but Super reliable... Also the 2004 has the thunder heart as well.
I have Progressive 422 shocks, as well., rides great, parts at any Harley place, and is pretty basic proven set up, Baker OD6 is a long time good trans, Primary is nothing crazy, and all foot controls and bar controls are custom aftermarket for Harley and easy to change or get parts for.
By basic, I have Zero turn signals, headlight is always on high beam, and front brake lever is not wired to brake light... its also Key start... so literally, key, OFF/Run/Start, lights are auto on, and brake light is only rear... I have nothing on my custom bars, and all clean...
Mine was Rewired/ and is very basic. but Super reliable... Also the 2004 has the thunder heart as well.
I have Progressive 422 shocks, as well., rides great, parts at any Harley place, and is pretty basic proven set up, Baker OD6 is a long time good trans, Primary is nothing crazy, and all foot controls and bar controls are custom aftermarket for Harley and easy to change or get parts for.
By basic, I have Zero turn signals, headlight is always on high beam, and front brake lever is not wired to brake light... its also Key start... so literally, key, OFF/Run/Start, lights are auto on, and brake light is only rear... I have nothing on my custom bars, and all clean...
No H2O
Active Member
letting go of the left handgrip to use your arm to signal left is straightforward - how do you signal right?
lowrider47
Pooch
I have a 03 chopper and just replaced all switching on the handelbars.Also had to replace the starter and solenoid as they caught fire from the start switch failing. All the parts were standard Harley parts. Not bad for a71 year old fart to do!
SB03chopper
Well-Known Member
I really like my 03. Have had it for 2 1/2 years, and replaced the EHC right away. It was starting to go bad, which 14 years on it not bad. The trans was changed before I got it, and now as a Jim's 6 speed no problems.