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What to look for on a 2003 Road King

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  #1  
Old 05-22-2012 | 09:01 AM
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Default What to look for on a 2003 Road King

I'm looking at a 2003 Road King. It looks in great condition with under 10k miles.

Are there any issues that I should be looking for or anything bad that I should know?
 
  #2  
Old 05-22-2012 | 09:04 AM
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10K probably not an issue, but cam tensioners go bad early and often on 03-07 models. HD sells an updated hydraulic tensioner kit with a better oil pump
 

Last edited by Keithhu; 05-22-2012 at 09:08 AM.
  #3  
Old 05-22-2012 | 09:50 AM
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Cam tensioners are the big one. Other than that it's a pretty good year. Carb or injection? Either is fine. I just love my carb so to me that is a plus. '06 was the last year for the carbs.
 
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Old 05-22-2012 | 10:05 AM
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Yep...cam tensioners. As stated, 10k shouldn't be a problem, though. Shop & parts manuals are an absolute must...next to that, these forums are my primary source of info when advice is needed. I think the '03 is a great choice...the Motor Co. got plenty of practice building them that year!!
 
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Old 05-22-2012 | 10:29 AM
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I had an 03 RKC and enjoyed 65K awesome trouble free miles. Cam tensioners as stated above, but I got 56K out of mine.

 
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Old 05-22-2012 | 10:32 AM
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I guess the point on the tensioners is that you will have to do them eventually, personally I'd do it proactively vs trying to gamble on getting the most miles out and playing a high stakes game of chicken with your engine.
 
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Old 05-22-2012 | 11:01 AM
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Good luck! hope you get a good one! Don't worry too much and forget to enjoy it if you get it! ; )
 
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  #8  
Old 05-22-2012 | 11:23 AM
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Thanks guys. It's a Road King Classic 100th Anniversary model.

I'm assuming it's injection as all of the reviews I've seen seem to suggest that the anniversary model was injected. I'll check.

Is the cam tensioner upgrade a kit or a culmination of several parts? I'll try to price it up beforehand and see if I can't barter a bit.
 
  #9  
Old 05-22-2012 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Billy...
Thanks guys. It's a Road King Classic 100th Anniversary model.

I'm assuming it's injection as all of the reviews I've seen seem to suggest that the anniversary model was injected. I'll check.

Is the cam tensioner upgrade a kit or a culmination of several parts? I'll try to price it up beforehand and see if I can't barter a bit.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
 
  #10  
Old 05-22-2012 | 11:53 AM
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My bike had less than 900 miles on it last year when I bought it, and the fork seals were dried out & beginning to leak a bit.

Look at seals, gaskets, tires... anything that may have aged and become less pliable.
 


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