I am looking to buy my first harley.looking at roadkings 2000-2007.what are the common issues to look out for when buying from a private owner?most bikes i see are in the 15k mile range.are there major maintenance milestones to be concerned about? Any advise is appreciated.

 

Pre 07's have a cam chain tensioner issue...it can be a costly repair and could cause catastrophic engine failure....do some searching on the issue and make an informed decision.


And watch out for the smile on your face when you take one for a ride.

 

1. 1999-2006 TC88 engines have the cam chain tensioner shoes that should be upgraded.
2. 1999-2006 TC88 engines should have the cam bearings upgraded with koyo-torrington needle roller bearings
3. 1999-2002 EFI TC88 engines have the Magnetti Marelli EFI system which does have some issues.
4. 2003-2005 TC88 engines had a valve stem seal recall. (not sure if the RK's were on the list)
5. steering head should be checked

Basically the RK series is pretty good all around. But, If it were me I would find a competent Harley dealer and have them go over the bike before I bought it. I would also want to look up the maintenance history. The dealer will have access to any done at Harley dealers.

 

This is what you definitely want to get plus do the cam bearings at the same time and you should be G2G.

 

Cam chain tensionor issue is a big one. I would be hesitant if it hasn't been addressed. More likely than not, it is a problem that will crop up eventually.

As with any used bike you should probably check the steering head bearing, if you don't know how ask someone to show you or have a friend that does go with you. I would want to check any big area that would be exspensive to fix if it goes bad such as the drive belt condition and primary chain condition/tension. I also look at the clutch and throttle cables to see if they have been maintained (lubed). Of course you want to look for signs of oil leaks and take a look at the oil. These will give you some insight into how well the bike has been maintained.

I never let the appearance of a bike influence me as far as mechanical condition is concerned. I use to be a Harley tech and have seen bikes that looked like hell but were always in top mechanical condition. appearance is an easy fix compared to a serious mechanical problem in my opinion.

A Harley, even a used one can be a considerable outlay of cash so I would ask the owner if you can have it looked over by a knowledgeable mechanic. If he says no, that would end the conversation for me right there. It might cost you a buck or two to have it checked out but it could save you even more if there is a problem you aren't aware of.

Hope you find the one that's just right for you. Be sure to let us all know and post up pics when you do.

 

Thanks.would the cam upgrade be something that most previous owners would have done? Or would they ignore it.at what mileage would this start to become a concern? I was hoping i wouldn't have to dump money into a newly bought bike.do you think i might be better off spending more money and going 07 or newer to avoid issues? I always hear horror stories about harleys spending alot of time in the shop!

 

The cam tensioner issue is a bit of a crap shoot. I've heard of them going bad at 20,000 miles and some going 75,000 with no problems. I upgraded mine at 45,000 miles and they still looked good. You just never know.

Otherwise the twin cam is overall a very dependable motor and should give you many years/miles of trouble free enjoyment. The storys you hear about Harleys spending all their time in the shop are B.S. for the most part and an urban legend stemming from decades ago when the bikes were not as well built as they could have been.

Harley-Davidson is really a pretty simple machine (except for the later model electronic ****) and easy to maintain if you are even a little mechanically inclined.

Edit....Many owners don't even know about the Cam tensioner problem unless they frequent forums like this one or know someone that has had a problem.

 

I bought my 02 Roadking with 9K miles. I joined this forum and started reading about the cam chain tensioners and became concerned. I have about 13K miles on the bike now and have spoken to 2 Indys and one HD dealer and they all said to keep riding. They all agreed it would be prudent to "check" the cam tensioners at 20K miles. And all three said it would only be a few hundred bucks to change out the shoes when they are found to be worn beyond use if they did the job. Don't let all this tensioner **** scare you on a bike with 15K miles.

 

Avoid modified bikes.

Look for a low mileage cream puff.

Cosmetic condition usually gives you a good idea about how well the owner took care of it. But ask to see service records. Even if owner-maintained, a log should have been kept in the back of the owners manual. Does tire wear match the odometer?

If you have any doubts about condition, pay a dealer to do a pre-purchase inspection.

 

I wont let that stop me from buying, but i have learned a ton of info from reading these forums.throwing down 10-12k to some stranger after a test ride makes me a little apprehensive. It seems like most owners take good care of their bikes due to the investment they made.just dont want to get a money pit.