what now???

[allenmp]

My brother in law bought a 2003 chopper from a guy in south Carolina and for two years I watched him ride the Crap out of this bike good maintenance very little if any trouble so when he called and told me he was selling it for a good price I jumped on it he had put about 15,000 miles on it since he got it and noticed the frame was cracked bdm was quick to get the bike to wichita and install a new frame then I got the bike since then this thing has been one disaster after another my first ride to cassiday I broke down on the way home had to trailer it I took it to the shop $500 later it was running a week later broke again the ppl working on it said ehc so went to wire plus got me a new system found a confident bdm dealer on okc to install and to my surprise a $1200 upgrade ended up a $2300 upgrade and he had my ride 2mos but it was running I was happy I get home my blinkers and tag lights quit so I take it back to him on trailer 100miles and $500 later it runs again I get it home ride to work get off at 5am click click my VR burnt up $500 dollars and a trip to the city later I had it back ride it 100miles click click and another trip and $500 now riding season is gone but I ride some in the winter now after being on my tender it starts one time and then its dead I call this "professional" and he tells me my warranty is non existent but if I bring it to him he will take a look at it I am at my wits end with the $500 dollar fixes that get me about nowhere I have only added 2000 miles to this bike in 2 years that I owned it and 5000 in repairs alone I love this ride and want to just make it dependable but I don't know where to start I read the how too section constantly and am going to put a xxx carb soon to try to clear up some carb issues but now I have either a bad battery which is new or a charging issue none on the Local shops will look into my electrical since I don't have a schematic for the wire plus
I guess I am wondering does anyone know of a good place to have my bike worked on in ok or Kansas because I can't afford another year like last year getting milked every trip and still not riding I Lo e my ride I want to keep it and make it dependable

 

[outdoorsman26]

get a service manual and an S&S manual, do the work yourself and you prolly would have saved 4k!! buy a good "braile" batt they rock!! before you go the stealer again with a problem come here and we can help you fix it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nukeranger]

X2 and if you can't wrench, find a friend to teach you.

 

[RubWhore]

Always remember that you haint riden no Harley and that it is gonna break down, not that thay dont, so your only alternatives is to either learn how to fix it or get your pocket book out cause most shops that see you pull up are out to screw you cause thay think if you bought the bike and cant fix it your a dumbass,finding a good shop is almost impossable cause thay all figure your riding a 30k plus bike whats a couple of grand.Just so you no I built mine and I like to think Im pretty good at fixing shit and Ive made alot of changes to mine but if i had to go to a shop forsome of the issues Ive had
I wood have gotten rid of it as I cood not have afforded to ride it perfect example is Trany mainshaft cost about 180 bucks plus a few gaskets so with oil it cost me 250 bucks to rebuild the trany carry it to a dealer thare goona tell you 2500 to 3000 and then make you wait months but your bike shood be easy as it is all generic parts

 

[jimizee028]

I have an 07 Chopper and once all the normal things went up and got replaced after a summer of hell, my bike has ran normally...these things include the EHC,Voltage Regulator,Ignition Switch,Starter,and there was one other electical gismo that took a shit.....Luckily my EHC was replaced with what must be a good one cause its been 2 1/2 years since replacement......seems your problem is you have been taking it somewhere that isnt 100% qualified to work on your bike and never fixes what is really wrong.......

 

[wyatt580]

I agree with above why let someone else fuck up your ride when you can do it yourself... Get to know her. lot of satisfaction in wrenching on your own scoot. That way when you break down on side road you can fix it and go on your way. Most of the time it's an easy fix...

 

[outdoorsman26]

Oh and $2300 for a wires plus!!!!! holy buttfuck batman!!!!! even if it was $100 dollars an hr it should only be 1700 at most!!! you are gettin screwed!!!

 

[allenmp]

thanks for the replies yes i am getting screwed the original quote was i buy the WP and he would install for approx. 1500 bucks sounded good considering the ehc alone was 800 just tried to go the right way first time then he complained of trouble and costed more i figured if it was fixed right it was worth it but then when the VR went out he convinced me the 03 system was different than the WP i bought so i had him go through the entire bike and replace all switches relays so everything electrical would be new and he told me under warranty i admit my fear of cutting into this bike cost me out the ass and now frustration overides fear i read this forum most days and am gonna try to take the skins off and start following wires one by one while xxx is rebuilding my carb i figure i cant make it any worse than the pros if this is how it works my guess is i will do better its mine and i want it right and thanks for this forum alot of info i will be using here

 

[2004BC]

X2 and if you can't wrench, find a friend to teach you.

This is actually a very good idea. I'm doing a full tilt custom hardtail 72 sportster for this young man because it was his Dad's ride and he wanted to honor his memory. The only stipulation to the job? He works in IT and asked if I would teach him how to be a mechanic. He doesn't want to ride this chopper if he doesn't understand it and could fix it just like his Dad who built the original version. I agreed and every time I email him when I'm going to be working on his bike he is there getting greasy and busting knuckles. I respect anyone that wants to learn and I guarantee allenmp can too. You just need to find the right guy (probably an old guy!!!) who's willing to help you out then the rest is up to how much effort you put in. In the long run you will be better off mentally and fiscally. Good Luck!!!

 

[barhopper]

You got fucked, trampled on, spit on, I think he fucked your girlfriend too. Your a man with to much money and not enough know how. YOU need to start working on your own bike asap. $1500 labor is stupid. I dont want to be harsh, but wake the hell up. You gotta know when your getting screwed. Take a deep breath, start fixing it all with the help from here. Good luck.

 

[outdoorsman26]

there are a couple of guys from OKC give them a shout maybe they will help ya for some pizza an beer!!!!

 

[silver09]

There's plenty of people that would give you good advice here and walk you through a problem i try to do all the work myself it saves me a ton of money.Anything can be fixed the small things will leave you stranded not the big stuff most of the time.:bang:

 

[allenmp]

i wouldnt say i have to much money just trying to go the route to get this thing fixed right the first time and got in to deep i am trying to find the wire plus install how to now so i can dig into it and figure it out one thing is for sure i cant scrwew it up any more if it doesnt run