Decision Time
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: appomattox,Va
97`King
I have a `97 RK,green and black.Also a `02 EGlide.Love the RK.Low on power when I first got it but added a EV-27 cam and open air box plus dyno-tune a few years ago and it pulls real strong.Take it over my `02 twin cam any day.You made a great choies.Good luck.I love this bike,you will too! Skip
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Try to avoid a 1989 due to the motor. 1989 was the year Harley changed the crank from a 5 piece to a 3 piece. The cam side is weak, and can break under heavy load. There was a Service Flash (Not a Recall) about problems with that motor, but it was only used if there was a motor problem. It also was restricted to the original owner and under certain mileage. I know because it happened to me with my 1989.
There are several motor parts that are used only on that year. If you try to buy any parts with a -89 part number for the motor, you will find they are obsolete. Harley did it the next year (1990) because of the problems.
Besides, the later year model you can get for the money, the better. And the 1997 has the newer wiring plugs that make most electrical parts just a "Plug-N-Play". Plus the EVO is from the last years and is, IMO, better than the earlier EVO.
There are several motor parts that are used only on that year. If you try to buy any parts with a -89 part number for the motor, you will find they are obsolete. Harley did it the next year (1990) because of the problems.
Besides, the later year model you can get for the money, the better. And the 1997 has the newer wiring plugs that make most electrical parts just a "Plug-N-Play". Plus the EVO is from the last years and is, IMO, better than the earlier EVO.
Last edited by RidemyEVO; Nov 20, 2011 at 05:11 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: SoCal & West TN
If you check the Harley Part Catalogs for 1987-1990 (I have it along with one issued in 1989) any motor part using the "-89" part is obsolete. It has been replaced with the "-90" part.
I bet that if you took any 5 piece crank, it would fit the 1989 cases. But some connecting parts changed and would not work on the pre-1989 motor without modifications. If your motor had a 5 piece crank, it may have been changed.
Last edited by Ultra89Rider; Nov 20, 2011 at 09:32 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood, NM
Congrats on the new RK, im new to this myself but i think you made the right choice... well its the one id have picked anyway.
I did like the list of mods on that heritage though, especially that small bit of red bling they added to the right side of the bike
I did like the list of mods on that heritage though, especially that small bit of red bling they added to the right side of the bike
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Weatherford, Texas
Well bit of an update now I have a few hundred miles on the RK ... I love this bike!! 
Had an issue with it coughing through the carb under light acceleration so after checking all the ignition side decided to replace the intake gaskets for good measure and see how the carb was set up ... remember the previous owner just had $2500 worth of service/tune up done at the dealership less than two months ago.
Findings ... Stock carb mixture screw was 3 turns out, on disassembly we found it was running a #48 Low speed and a #175 High Speed also had a NOKM needle and the slide had been drilled to 1/8", float level was at 0.49 ... so got to wondering how/what the heck did HD of Dallas do???
Anyhow so I call a buddy over tell him to bring his magic carb box with him and we rebuild this thing including a new slide and stock needle. Set the float to .433 (11mm) shim the stock need 0.050, install a #45 Low Speed and a #185 High Speed set the mixture to two turns out and reassemble.
Fire the bike up and purrrs like a kitten straight off ... let it warm up for about 10 mins and take it for a ride ... WOW ... no coughing more power mid-high end totally different bike to ride ... I am sure I looked like the Cheshire Cat while riding ... was grinning from ear to ear!
Also ended up getting a windshield from a fellow forum member and that makes huge difference now it is getting cooler
... good thing about TX is we can ride nearly all year 
Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving
Had an issue with it coughing through the carb under light acceleration so after checking all the ignition side decided to replace the intake gaskets for good measure and see how the carb was set up ... remember the previous owner just had $2500 worth of service/tune up done at the dealership less than two months ago.
Findings ... Stock carb mixture screw was 3 turns out, on disassembly we found it was running a #48 Low speed and a #175 High Speed also had a NOKM needle and the slide had been drilled to 1/8", float level was at 0.49 ... so got to wondering how/what the heck did HD of Dallas do???
Anyhow so I call a buddy over tell him to bring his magic carb box with him and we rebuild this thing including a new slide and stock needle. Set the float to .433 (11mm) shim the stock need 0.050, install a #45 Low Speed and a #185 High Speed set the mixture to two turns out and reassemble.
Fire the bike up and purrrs like a kitten straight off ... let it warm up for about 10 mins and take it for a ride ... WOW ... no coughing more power mid-high end totally different bike to ride ... I am sure I looked like the Cheshire Cat while riding ... was grinning from ear to ear!
Also ended up getting a windshield from a fellow forum member and that makes huge difference now it is getting cooler
... good thing about TX is we can ride nearly all year Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: SoCal & West TN
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