This is a question to those with way more knowledge than myself.

A friend told me about a 1999 carburated Road King. All original and supposedly mint with less than 8,000 miles on it. Two-tone paint. Asking price is $10K. What problems did this year have with the new twin cam engine? Should I pass or should I try to purchase it at a lower price? I have not seen the bike yet. All your input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob.

 

I had a '99 RKC prior to my '07 RG.

The '99 is the first year of the twin cam. The cam chain tensioners should be checked, and the inner cam bearings should be changed to the Torrington style (B148 iirc). Engine wise they are strong with the above exception. They have a good crank assembly and use the Timken main bearing. Converting one to the new hydra cam chain, or swap in a gear drive and you would have a very solid power plant.

There has been a lot of improvements to the touring platform since '99, but mine was a good bike. Brakes suck on the '99 and earlier bikes.

Price might be a bit high, but that's up to the buyer to decide.

Zach

 

I agree nothing wrong with a 99 except what was noted above....mine runs strong....Price might be a little high...but a very good bike.

 

My '99 was one with the cam bearing problem. The factory covered the conversion. Since then it has run like a champ. Just pushing 50k miles and just got back from a 1,700 mile trip. Ran perfect. Mine is also carbed and my bike with a stage 1 set up kept up just fine with my buddies '06 RG and '07 SG bikes with EFI.

Might be a bit high, but have high praise for my '99 RK!

 

I paid $10K for my '01 with 11K miles back in May. The chrome isn't great in spots but it's got a Stage 1 and some other extras. I looked on Craigslist and noticed a lot more RK's out there going cheaper than when I was looking.

 

Took me over a month to sell a 99 Roadking, PERFECT condition, 116" S&S motor, Jims 6 speed, Renegade wheels, custom cobablt paint, etc, etc. I got $12K.

Other issues with stock 99 is axle size (3/4"). '00 and newer have 1" axles and sealed bearings. And, '00 and newer have 4 piston calipers vice 2 piston.

My .02, $10K is a bit much...

 

Thanks for the replies.

After I look at the bike I'll decide on total price with cam updates. The brakes will have to be updated later if I feel necessary. For the past 28 years I've been riding a 1981 Lowrider and I'm sure this '99 Road King will be a major improvement.

Thanks again,

Bob.

 

I paid 8K earlier this summer for a 07 Road King police. It had a few more miles (24K), but it also has the 103 and six speed. There's a lot of bikes out there for 10K and under.

Even if the bike you're looking at has had the cam bearings and chain tensioner upgrade done (it should have), I'd guess something closer to 8500 or so as fair market pricing. Even so, I think I'd want to look for a '00 or newer, with fuel injection.

With summer winding down in a lot of places, there's gonna be lots of deals out there.

 

I have plans to look at the bike tonight. Does anyone know if the bikes with cam problems were covered under a recall? Did H-D update them, or was it the owner's responsibility?

Bob.

 

I don't think the cam issues are a recall item, they go any where from 8K to when ever. I have a 00EGC with 40K on it, I went to the gear driven cams at 24K just for the reliability factor, not knowing when the cam tensioners were going to fail isn't for me. Just got back from Texas 3100 miles and the bike runs like it did when I picked it up in Oct 99.

Buy the bike and ride the wheels off it.