Hi guys,
Been enjoying my '97 Fatboy for 17years now.
I really enjoy this machine and have her just the way I want her to be.

However, since there are no mods left to be done to this bike, I am looking for a new project.

Since the Fatboy was my first choice, and a roadking was second on the list, I am now hunting
for a decently used Roadking or elektra to baby during next wintertime.
That gives me enough time to look for the perfect buy ;-)
One in a while they turn up on the market, some pricey garagequeens (40K miles), others less pricey but well ridden (60K+ miles).
Upto now, I'm more of a softail guy so my touring knowledge is very meager.

What years would you folks look for?
The late 90 models were better quallity than the early 80's, but they did have the dreaded fuel injection.
Has the company made other tweaks in the design thru the years, other than cam-bearings and gaskets?

What (ab)normal wear and tear would you be looking for in my case, other than goofy engine noises?

What $$ am i looking at to convert from injected to carb pricewise?

Any knowledge is welcome ;-)

 

Here's one, low miles, a little pricey, and on the other side of the pond from you

http://albany.craigslist.org/mcy/5969213785.html

 

That's too funny.... Lmfao.......

 

As for the inspector, lots of great upgrades...... Primaries, cases, electrical connectors and wiring, trans with speed sensor. 95-99 were probabley the best years....

 

thx Ruggs,

that would be ideal, exactly my cup a tea, the shipping and registrationcost woul kill me tho.... (actually the OL would).

Were the speedo's allready digital in '96?
Just asking 'cause mechanical ones are known for being tampered with over here.

 

No....My 97 Ultra is mechanical.

 

Have seen some electronic speedos on 95 and 96, may have been tinkered with tho. A friends 96 ultra that we are pretty sure is stock has one.

Then my 97 EG Standard is mechanical. Yea they got messed with here as well.

WP

 

For parts availability and good prices the 97-98 are desirable years, frame changed in 97 with parts interchanging up to 2005. Seats, fenders, tanks, exhaust, shocks will interchange allowing a better market on nice used items.

ECM's can accept being altered, good engine cases and pretty much the bugs was worked out being the last 2 touring years. 95-96 can have the ECM changed to 97-98 for a update to accept fuel alterations but the frame is year specific for those 2 years, seats, fuel tanks and misc items are squeezed down in the parts market. Many members ride some nice 95-96 tourings so don't shy away from a nice priced 95-96 big bikes.

The speedo conversation was here not to long ago, my 97 RK has a electronic speedo and not for sure what years and models have electronic

 

How bout getting one that is both RK and E-Glide ? Sorry for the joke,but I got that situation here. When I got the bike in my sig I look for a 97 or 98 cause some of the body part carried over in the TC years. With that in mind if I needed parts I can go as high as 02 to 07 I do believe.

 

I owned BSAs for many years - parts are more readily available now than when they were being built new! I have little doubt the same will happen with Evos, especially with the secondhand stock still alive and well. So while later models have carry over into the TCs the earlier models are reasonably well supported too. I haven't had any difficulties finding parts for my 1990 Glide.

As with many vehicles of all sorts, later versions have things going in their favour, but you will probably have noticed that we have examples of most model years in here and plenty of support if and when things got awry.