IGNITION TIMING
The V-Twin engine in your motorcycle has been designed
to give you a good amount of performance. Ignition timing
is electronically controlled and must not be altered. If you experience trouble and think it might
be the timing, give your bike to an authorized Big Bear Choppers Dealer to be inspected. If you
are assembling a kit with an S&S engine, you will have to install the supplied ignition system
and time the engine. Refer to the S&S manual for timing instructions. NOTE: You must use the
supplied ignition system, or your bike will not be EPA and CARB legal.
SHIFTER LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT
The shift linkage can be adjusted without removing the shift rod or eyelets from the shift con-
trols. The shift rod has right and left handed threads on opposite ends. To adjust the shift lever,
loosen the jam nuts at the base of each shift rod eyelet. Rotate the shift rod clockwise (to the
right) to lower the shift lever. Rotate counter clockwise (to the left) to raise the shift lever. Once
the lever is adjusted to the desired position, tighten both jam nuts. As the jam nuts are locked
into place, the shift rod eyelets must remain in a vertical position to one another. If the eyelets
are not aligned vertically, linkage may bind causing difficult shifting.
DRIVE BELT INSPECTION
The rear drive belt tension is set properly from the Big Bear Choppers factory. You should check
along with pulley wear at the 500-mile service and each 2,500 miles. Inspect the belt for signs of
excessive wear, tears, cracks and missing or broken teeth. Replace the belt if any of these condi-
tions are found. The inner tooth surface area of a new belt is coated with a thin layer of polyethyl-
ene. This coating will wear off as the bike is ridden and its appearance will change. This is a nor-
mal condition and not an indication of belt wear. Too tight or too loose will cause poor handling.
DRIVE CHAIN AND TENSIONER INSPECTION
Visually inspect tensioner assembly for excessive wear, cracks, or dysfunction. If you see any
of those, have your Authorized Big Bear Choppers Dealer check it out. Your rear drive chain
should be tight, about a 1/2” deflection. These chains are O-ring type with minimal maintenance.
Lube with chain wax every thousand miles or so, and lube more if environment is unfriendly.
3 . 3 G e n e r a l I n s p e c t i o n
NOTE: You must use the supplied
ignition system, or your bike will
not be EPA and CARB legal.
