1998 Road King
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,004
Likes: 7,538
From: Poolville
Wow!!!!
You can get a ten year newer twinkie for that. 65 or maybe 68.....98 FI can have issues that can go into your wallet....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,121
From:
I am looking at a 1998 Road King to buy. It is super clean with 24K miles and is injected. All stock looking.
The problem is the front exhaust pipe has turned blue from the head clear to the running board. It also pops when decellerating.
Is this an indication of trouble?
Seems I have been told this may indicate a leak at the intake manifold leading to lean burning/hot front cylinder? Can this burn or warp the valves?
Should I avoid this bike or use these conditions to get a better deal and repair it?
The problem is the front exhaust pipe has turned blue from the head clear to the running board. It also pops when decellerating.
Is this an indication of trouble?
Seems I have been told this may indicate a leak at the intake manifold leading to lean burning/hot front cylinder? Can this burn or warp the valves?
Should I avoid this bike or use these conditions to get a better deal and repair it?
Would this be a standard with hard bags or the first year Road King Classic with the Large Leather Bags?
24, 000 miles is a low mileage bike and if this is somewhat of a garage queen then it could make for an excellent motorcycle for someone.
It would be perfect for someone that works on their own bikes and can appreciate a future classic.
The 1998 Road King was the last year of the EVO motor in a Road King touring bike.
That is considered a very reliable motor.
People ride EVO bikes to cross the country.
The blue could be something really simple as explained by others.
If the bike is the Classic (leather bags) then it will be fuel injected (EFI) and you will need to read about 30 pages in chapter 9 of the service book so you can service it.
The EFI of that vintage is simple and the parts are available.
The EFI trouble codes can be read with NO tools and their are a total of about 12 trouble codes.
The two items that are most common is the original factory cam position sensor will melt eventually if original and the engine temp sensor will fail eventually if original.
If you are not a DIY then i would step away and let someone else enjoy the bike.
A model 10 years newer may cost the same or 1-2 thousand more because the EVO motor has a following.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,004
Likes: 7,538
From: Poolville
Fortunate Love...
There is no monetary value to what a dedicated rider puts into their Bike. Unfortunately we never get back what we put into it. All told with that said and the price I paid for my bike I'd say about 20 g's but that only gave me fortunate LOVE.....PRICELESS.......
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
On second thought 20k wouldn't do it for me!!!!!!!!!
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
Most people feel the way you do..
Mine is my first and the original owner (only had the one) is a damn good friend of mine.
The first bike my son rode on.
I guess I'm just a sentimental fool!!!
Mine is my first and the original owner (only had the one) is a damn good friend of mine.
The first bike my son rode on.
I guess I'm just a sentimental fool!!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 115
From: Boston, MA
Some people even have a Wood W8H sitting on the shelf or a perfectly good stroked motor hiding in a garage. I've even heard of some character with a large cube engine hiding in a trash can from his wife.
Again, who???
Tom 😇