Inherited a 95 Road King have questions
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
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From: Oklahoma
Inherited a 95 Road King have questions
My brother died a few months ago and part of his estate is a 95 Road King. He bought it in 08 for $8,300 with 29K miles. He rode it once or twice and it sat for 3 years under his porch, so it is dirty and has minor rust on some of the chorme. I took a couple pics but they are crappy.
I want to get it running again so my other siblings and I can sell so we can pay off his bills.
The battery is dead, but it doesn't seem to have any other obvious mechanical issues.
I have some basic questions:
What is the gear pattern?
We never found a key in his stuff, the steering is unlocked, but the saddle bags are locked. The key is not needed for any ignition stuff to get it fired up, right?
Once we get it running and cleaned up, what dollar value would you place on it?
I want to get it running again so my other siblings and I can sell so we can pay off his bills.
The battery is dead, but it doesn't seem to have any other obvious mechanical issues.
I have some basic questions:
What is the gear pattern?
We never found a key in his stuff, the steering is unlocked, but the saddle bags are locked. The key is not needed for any ignition stuff to get it fired up, right?
Once we get it running and cleaned up, what dollar value would you place on it?
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From: Adirondack Mountains
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Seattle, WA
Gear pattern should be:
1-N-2-3-4-5
(toe tapping the shifter 'all the way down' puts it in 1st gear, subsequent taps with the heel will shift to N through 5)
I think there is a way to get the key remade through Harley Davidson if you give them the VIN number ... I'd take it down and maybe go to or call a local dealership ... or check the H-D website for 'contact us' info and pass it to them ...
The key is required ... it has to be inserted and turned ... then the key can be removed and the cover closed ... then the '****' is used to switch it to ignition ....
I'd take a look at Kelly Blue Book or NADA web sites to obtain estimates on fair market value ... it is pretty low miles for a '95 ... a couple of observations:
- the Evo motor is 80" (cubic inch displacement) ... Twin Cam motors increased the CID to 88" then 96" and now 103" ... so, may not be as attractive as a low-miles 88" or 96" bike ....
- I am guessing the bike is carbureted ... depending on the buyer it could cut either way ... there are some aficionados for whom it may be a big plus ... but, with the wide advent of electronic fuel injection on the late models you might find it to be a 'down tick' ...
- there are a few notable modifications that may make it attractive ... 'ape hanger' handlebars, some 'old school' pin striping, etc ...
- when you go to try starting it, there is a good possibility that the carb will have some build up in the jets that may cause it to run poorly or not at all ... possibly the carb will need to be rebuilt before it will run ...
Condolences on the passing of your brother and good luck sorting the bike out ...
R/
'Chop
1-N-2-3-4-5
(toe tapping the shifter 'all the way down' puts it in 1st gear, subsequent taps with the heel will shift to N through 5)
I think there is a way to get the key remade through Harley Davidson if you give them the VIN number ... I'd take it down and maybe go to or call a local dealership ... or check the H-D website for 'contact us' info and pass it to them ...
The key is required ... it has to be inserted and turned ... then the key can be removed and the cover closed ... then the '****' is used to switch it to ignition ....
I'd take a look at Kelly Blue Book or NADA web sites to obtain estimates on fair market value ... it is pretty low miles for a '95 ... a couple of observations:
- the Evo motor is 80" (cubic inch displacement) ... Twin Cam motors increased the CID to 88" then 96" and now 103" ... so, may not be as attractive as a low-miles 88" or 96" bike ....
- I am guessing the bike is carbureted ... depending on the buyer it could cut either way ... there are some aficionados for whom it may be a big plus ... but, with the wide advent of electronic fuel injection on the late models you might find it to be a 'down tick' ...
- there are a few notable modifications that may make it attractive ... 'ape hanger' handlebars, some 'old school' pin striping, etc ...
- when you go to try starting it, there is a good possibility that the carb will have some build up in the jets that may cause it to run poorly or not at all ... possibly the carb will need to be rebuilt before it will run ...
Condolences on the passing of your brother and good luck sorting the bike out ...
R/
'Chop
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Gear pattern should be:
1-N-2-3-4-5
(toe tapping the shifter 'all the way down' puts it in 1st gear, subsequent taps with the heel will shift to N through 5)
I think there is a way to get the key remade through Harley Davidson if you give them the VIN number ... I'd take it down and maybe go to or call a local dealership ... or check the H-D website for 'contact us' info and pass it to them ...
The key is required ... it has to be inserted and turned ... then the key can be removed and the cover closed ... then the '****' is used to switch it to ignition ....
I'd take a look at Kelly Blue Book or NADA web sites to obtain estimates on fair market value ... it is pretty low miles for a '95 ... a couple of observations:
- the Evo motor is 80" (cubic inch displacement) ... Twin Cam motors increased the CID to 88" then 96" and now 103" ... so, may not be as attractive as a low-miles 88" or 96" bike ....
- I am guessing the bike is carbureted ... depending on the buyer it could cut either way ... there are some aficionados for whom it may be a big plus ... but, with the wide advent of electronic fuel injection on the late models you might find it to be a 'down tick' ...
- there are a few notable modifications that may make it attractive ... 'ape hanger' handlebars, some 'old school' pin striping, etc ...
- when you go to try starting it, there is a good possibility that the carb will have some build up in the jets that may cause it to run poorly or not at all ... possibly the carb will need to be rebuilt before it will run ...
Condolences on the passing of your brother and good luck sorting the bike out ...
R/
'Chop
1-N-2-3-4-5
(toe tapping the shifter 'all the way down' puts it in 1st gear, subsequent taps with the heel will shift to N through 5)
I think there is a way to get the key remade through Harley Davidson if you give them the VIN number ... I'd take it down and maybe go to or call a local dealership ... or check the H-D website for 'contact us' info and pass it to them ...
The key is required ... it has to be inserted and turned ... then the key can be removed and the cover closed ... then the '****' is used to switch it to ignition ....
I'd take a look at Kelly Blue Book or NADA web sites to obtain estimates on fair market value ... it is pretty low miles for a '95 ... a couple of observations:
- the Evo motor is 80" (cubic inch displacement) ... Twin Cam motors increased the CID to 88" then 96" and now 103" ... so, may not be as attractive as a low-miles 88" or 96" bike ....
- I am guessing the bike is carbureted ... depending on the buyer it could cut either way ... there are some aficionados for whom it may be a big plus ... but, with the wide advent of electronic fuel injection on the late models you might find it to be a 'down tick' ...
- there are a few notable modifications that may make it attractive ... 'ape hanger' handlebars, some 'old school' pin striping, etc ...
- when you go to try starting it, there is a good possibility that the carb will have some build up in the jets that may cause it to run poorly or not at all ... possibly the carb will need to be rebuilt before it will run ...
Condolences on the passing of your brother and good luck sorting the bike out ...
R/
'Chop
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
I agree, take it to a dealer or a gray beard biker and explain what you want to do. If I may ask. Why do you owe your brother's bills? My brother died about five years ago and all kinds of collection people wanted me to pay his bills. I gave them my lawyer's phone number and never heard from them again. You cannot inherit a debt if your name is not on it or you have not made a payment on it. Call your lawyer association and they will get you to a lawyer who will donate 30 minues of his time answering your questions.
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
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From: Oklahoma
KBB only gives excellent prices. I would classify this as fair based on the fact that it sat since 08. Assuming we can get it to run without pissing fuel everywhere is it worth ~$4,750.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
I agree, take it to a dealer or a gray beard biker and explain what you want to do. If I may ask. Why do you owe your brother's bills? My brother died about five years ago and all kinds of collection people wanted me to pay his bills. I gave them my lawyer's phone number and never heard from them again. You cannot inherit a debt if your name is not on it or you have not made a payment on it. Call your lawyer association and they will get you to a lawyer who will donate 30 minues of his time answering your questions.
Taking the bike to a dealer for pre-sale service and repair really isn't an option since the estate doesn't have money in it to pay extra bills on what is esentially a toy.
I guess we can always ebay it "as is" with a low reserve and see what happens.