Many of you may have read Raoul Matagora's story about 2 bikes coming in to his shop, 5150 Bike Werks in Rocky Mountain House AB - One bike was a Big Bear Chopper that was subject to a recall for a steering neck issue involving lack of weld penetration.
The second bike was a custom bike built using a Nasty Boy Frame - however according to Raoul the Nasty Boy appeared to be the exact same frame with the exact same problem. Raoul had both frames x-rayed.
I have made some calls and talked to Mike the Greek at Big Bear Choppers.
We have no idea IF the situation in Raoul's shop is unique or a sign of a larger problem.
You see at one time Nasty Boys used to build frames and other parts for Big Bear.
Big Bear Choppers is pretty sure they have pinpointed the recall issue on their machines to one welder who was not applying enough heat, however, this situation in Rocky Mountain House warrants looking into.
Was Nasty Boy Motorcycles selling frames, kits and motorcycles here in Canada using the same frames they were building for Big Bear?
If not, is it possible that welders in both businesses used inadequate heat?
I do not know and so far no one else seems to either but why take a chance with your life?
If you own a Big Bear Chopper, here is the recall, if your machine is one of these - call your dealer and get the repair done.
Information on the original recall:
Build Years/Makes/Models: 2004 - 2005 BIG BEAR
CHOPPERS VENOM CHOPPERS
2005 BIG BEAR CHOPPERS SLED CHOPPERS
2004 - 2005 BIG BEAR CHOPPERS DEVILS
ADVOCATE CHOPPERS
Units affected: 432
Recall Number: 08V129000
Summary: BIG BEAR CHOPPER IS RECALLING 351 MY 2004-2005 VENOM AND DEVIL'S ADVOCATES CHOPPERS AND MY 2005 SLED CHOPPERS. SOME MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE NECK, BACKBONE, AND DOWN TUBES OF
THE FRAME. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES, STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION MADE TO THE FRAME BY OWNERS, AND/OR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE SPECIFIED TORQUE SETTING OF THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT MAY CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Consequence: THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN NECK SEPARATION AND FRONT-END COLLAPSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND MAINTAIN THE PROPER TORQUE OF THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT OR MODIFY THE FRAME AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG BEAR CHOPPER AT 1-909-878-4340.
Notes: BIG BEAR CHOPPERS RECALL NO. 1B9/631.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO http://www.safercar.gov/.
In Canada the dealers for Big Bear Choppers are:
Howler Custom Cycles
306.542.3839
408 Queen Elizabeth Blvd East
Kamsack SK
http://www.howlercustomcycles.com/
Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson
807.577.6221
1330 Rosslyn Road
Thunder Bay ON
http://www.tbharley.com/
Speed Trix
450.537.3277
259 Route Du'Long Sault QC
speedtrix@hotmail.com
Underground Performance Cycles
403.901.1000
Hwy #1 1020 A Westridge 1K1
Strathmore AB
http://www.undergroundheads.com/
If you own a Nasty Boy Motorcycle, a rolling chassis or bike built with a Nasty Boy frame that appears to be similar to the three models described above - built between 2003 and 2005 you might want to consider having the steering neck x-rayed just to be safe.
Coincidences happen and perhaps that's all this situation is but I'd rather err on the side of caution. I am not trying to push panic buttons - I just want my brothers and sisters riding safe machines.
Please ride like they are out to get you - Because they are!
Belt Drive Betty
The second bike was a custom bike built using a Nasty Boy Frame - however according to Raoul the Nasty Boy appeared to be the exact same frame with the exact same problem. Raoul had both frames x-rayed.
I have made some calls and talked to Mike the Greek at Big Bear Choppers.
We have no idea IF the situation in Raoul's shop is unique or a sign of a larger problem.
You see at one time Nasty Boys used to build frames and other parts for Big Bear.
Big Bear Choppers is pretty sure they have pinpointed the recall issue on their machines to one welder who was not applying enough heat, however, this situation in Rocky Mountain House warrants looking into.
Was Nasty Boy Motorcycles selling frames, kits and motorcycles here in Canada using the same frames they were building for Big Bear?
If not, is it possible that welders in both businesses used inadequate heat?
I do not know and so far no one else seems to either but why take a chance with your life?
If you own a Big Bear Chopper, here is the recall, if your machine is one of these - call your dealer and get the repair done.
Information on the original recall:
Build Years/Makes/Models: 2004 - 2005 BIG BEAR
CHOPPERS VENOM CHOPPERS
2005 BIG BEAR CHOPPERS SLED CHOPPERS
2004 - 2005 BIG BEAR CHOPPERS DEVILS
ADVOCATE CHOPPERS
Units affected: 432
Recall Number: 08V129000
Summary: BIG BEAR CHOPPER IS RECALLING 351 MY 2004-2005 VENOM AND DEVIL'S ADVOCATES CHOPPERS AND MY 2005 SLED CHOPPERS. SOME MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE NECK, BACKBONE, AND DOWN TUBES OF
THE FRAME. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES, STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION MADE TO THE FRAME BY OWNERS, AND/OR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE SPECIFIED TORQUE SETTING OF THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT MAY CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Consequence: THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN NECK SEPARATION AND FRONT-END COLLAPSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND MAINTAIN THE PROPER TORQUE OF THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT OR MODIFY THE FRAME AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG BEAR CHOPPER AT 1-909-878-4340.
Notes: BIG BEAR CHOPPERS RECALL NO. 1B9/631.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO http://www.safercar.gov/.
In Canada the dealers for Big Bear Choppers are:
Howler Custom Cycles
306.542.3839
408 Queen Elizabeth Blvd East
Kamsack SK
http://www.howlercustomcycles.com/
Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson
807.577.6221
1330 Rosslyn Road
Thunder Bay ON
http://www.tbharley.com/
Speed Trix
450.537.3277
259 Route Du'Long Sault QC
speedtrix@hotmail.com
Underground Performance Cycles
403.901.1000
Hwy #1 1020 A Westridge 1K1
Strathmore AB
http://www.undergroundheads.com/
If you own a Nasty Boy Motorcycle, a rolling chassis or bike built with a Nasty Boy frame that appears to be similar to the three models described above - built between 2003 and 2005 you might want to consider having the steering neck x-rayed just to be safe.
Coincidences happen and perhaps that's all this situation is but I'd rather err on the side of caution. I am not trying to push panic buttons - I just want my brothers and sisters riding safe machines.
Please ride like they are out to get you - Because they are!
Belt Drive Betty
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