Big Bear Choppers 2004/2005 SLED, Venom, and Devils Advocate Frame Recall

[bk420]

Thanks .... i have no reason to doubt the reliability of the bike, and i understand that it is my responsibility as a rider to check my ride every time i go out on it .... you know, looking for cracks in the powdercoat and paint, checking for loose wires, bolts, etc. before i go out on it ....

[fairwaymike]

Originally Posted by ChopperWerks

Fairwaymike, I see you had a discussion with the mental midget who calls himself "Poop". Well....I've got to give him credit that the name he's chosen for himself appears to be the first thing he's gotten right to date.

Gentlemen, there is a relatively inexpensive solution to see whether your frame has structural cracks at the weld and is a candidate for further testing or repair and you don't have to wait for BBC to do it.

yeah, im glad others can see whats going on.

what is this inexpensive way if i may ask?

[ChopperWerks]

Mike,

There are some posters on this forum such as Scary, Mechwerks, pushrod, etc whom I respect. If they want to PM me I'll explain the process and they can post it if they wish. If a member here who's affected by this wants to PM me that's fine as long as they are civil. I'm retired but the firm I owned and it's associates certified welds for over 30 years.

This is a serious matter for the ones affected. I have little patience for stupidity especially when it's extremely immature like what you experienced on this thread. I'll PM you with the procedure.

[Hitman-98]

Just called BBC and as soon as I said why I was calling I was instantly transfered to voice mail. I guess we'll see how long it takes for someone to call me back...

[Hitman-98]

WOW...Ryan just called me back. Here is what I was told:

The dealer will take off tank, bars and front end. Then have a certified welder that will grind off the current neck welds and then reweld with a gusset in place. They will then "paint to match". I asked if they will french in the welds like they are and was told, "we are allowing $300 for paint, that should cover it"

I then asked how the neck welds could be bad but not the rest of the frame? This is when I got attitude. I was told, "there is no other part of the bike that has as much stress as the neck". And when I still questioned the frame, I was told "we are complying with the NHTSA and that is all we have to do".

Thus was the end of our conversation.

[PBR1970]

Originally Posted by Hitman-98

WOW...Ryan just called me back. Here is what I was told:

The dealer will take off tank, bars and front end. Then have a certified welder that will grind off the current neck welds and then reweld with a gusset in place. They will then "paint to match". I asked if they will french in the welds like they are and was told, "we are allowing $300 for paint, that should cover it"

I then asked how the neck welds could be bad but not the rest of the frame? This is when I got attitude. I was told, "there is no other part of the bike that has as much stress as the neck". And when I still questioned the frame, I was told "we are complying with the NHTSA and that is all we have to do".

Thus was the end of our conversation.

seems like their concerns are not together with ours......forgive us for wanting to know how safe we are.........if it wasnt for us customers they would not have a business ...and they have the balls to give you an attitude.....thats fucked up !!

[fleafly]

I would suggest evryone of you affected to call NHSTA and voice your concerns or file a complaint. Strength comes in numbers, enough people bitching will get someone involved. And 300 dollars in paint, wow, I get the feeling theres gonna be some out of pocket expense for some if not all of you.....

[fleafly]

And one other thing, somebody should call BBC and ask them why exactly a gusset needs to be installed, dont ya think?? If the welds are bad, why the extra reinforcement? Shouldnt all of their frames then need one?? The 06 and 07 frames dont have a gusset, correct?? Call them and tell them that while you appreciate the new welds,Ill pass on the gusset, see what that gets ya....

[Lightnin'Larry]

I just got off the phone with ChopperWerks and he has asked me to post this for all concerned. He has received an overwhelming amount of PM's regarding his post below and is unable to get to them in a timely fashion. He said he will respond to all the PM's but would ask everyone to please be patient.

Originally Posted by ChopperWerks

First of all welders or even welding instructors don't certify welds in structural members because they aren't qualified BY LAW. Engineers inspect and certify the structural integrity of welds on structural components.
Gentlemen, there is a relatively inexpensive solution to see whether your frame has structural cracks at the weld and is a candidate for further testing or repair and you don't have to wait for BBC to do it.

[Lightnin'Larry]

Questions regarding the recall, etc. are best answered by our
Recall Management Division. I believe the analyst responsible for
08V-129 is Ms. Delia Lopez.

Bob Young
Vehicle Defects Investigator
NHTSA/ODI

Originally Posted by fleafly

I would suggest evryone of you affected to call NHSTA and voice your concerns or file a complaint. Strength comes in numbers, enough people bitching will get someone involved. And 300 dollars in paint, wow, I get the feeling theres gonna be some out of pocket expense for some if not all of you.....

[Hitman-98]

Just got off the phone with my "local dealer" and of course they knew nothing about the recall or what they were expected to do. The guy asks me, "who is gonna pay for that?".

Go figure....

[Hitman-98]

And how can we complain to the NHTSA when the recall is not showing up on their website yet?

[GPKART]

So..... All BBC dealers have a frame jig? You guys better question this. Tig welding moves and distorts. Chopper forks are long..... Small mistake at the neck means a larger mistake at the end of the forks.

You poor guys are getting so shafted. Not only are you getting a janky band-aid fix........ It will be easy to tell who has a recall bike! You will have the BBC gusset Badge of Dis-Honor. The mark that says, This bike is worth less than normal.

I hope there is a better resolution to this. If they won't give you a new frame. The NHTSA should make BBC sell you a new frame at a heavy discount.

gp

Originally Posted by Hitman-98

WOW...Ryan just called me back. Here is what I was told:

The dealer will take off tank, bars and front end. Then have a certified welder that will grind off the current neck welds and then reweld with a gusset in place. They will then "paint to match". I asked if they will french in the welds like they are and was told, "we are allowing $300 for paint, that should cover it"

I then asked how the neck welds could be bad but not the rest of the frame? This is when I got attitude. I was told, "there is no other part of the bike that has as much stress as the neck". And when I still questioned the frame, I was told "we are complying with the NHTSA and that is all we have to do".

Thus was the end of our conversation.

[Hitman-98]

Originally Posted by GPKART

You will have the BBC gusset Badge of Dis-Honor. The mark that says, This bike is worth less than normal.

That's a big no shitter!!!

[fleafly]

Originally Posted by Hitman-98

And how can we complain to the NHTSA when the recall is not showing up on their website yet?

1-888-327-4236

"NHTSA Campaign ID Number" 08V129000.

Id suggest calling them, Im sure they could give more information then BBC or their dealers are giving, be interesting as well to find out what exactly your rights are as far as being a affected owner, good place to start anyways...