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?

 

"Should I avoid this bike or use these conditions to get a better deal and repair it?"

Most FI issues are misdiagnosed. There is no mystery there. If you can get the bike for what you consider to be a fair price, do it. The '98s are the one to have.

 

If the bike was running lean then I would expect both pipes to be a similar colour. If only the front pipe is blue that suggests to my simple mind that the front pipe may be leaking, or not sealed correctly. As I have discovered it is easy when installing the exhaust system to not seat a pipe correctly in the head, which can be readily rectified. I don't see that as a reason to walk away.

 

I was thinking the same thing as Brown. Leaking intake or exhaust gasket on that cylinder. Both easy fixes.

 

All years of Evo RK's are neat, 97-98's will accept parts up to 2005 RK's that opens up the market on parts availability that can save some coin on used or new items.

Evo members are on it as most likely a gasket or joint pulling in air on that front pipe or muffler area, don't overlook the simple stuff first with EFI. If the EFI does get irrattic, a carb change over is popular but we can supply info to tinker with the EFI or show direction on a carb change over. Bottom line, 98 is a good year for the Evo RK and actually surfacing as desirable if your into riding big bikes.

 

What are they asking for it?

 

Asking $9. I offered $8. He said "cash talks". Which I take to mean "wheel it Out, we may have a deal".

 

8k? Does it have any other add ons? I'd start at 7 and work upwards. This is harder without pics. GL

 

Personally I wouldn't pay anywhere near 9k for it.
I would start at 6 and if I really liked it I would go up to 7 but that would be the max I would go.

There are plenty of good deals out there.

 

If you like it, buy it, or someone else will.