Building a Road King
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Building a Road King
Hi All
I want to build me a Road King. Since I got the bug to get a Road King, I've been researching a lot on Harley Davidson and Road Kings and just reading from the forums. I know what I want and why I want it, but I can see I'm going to spend a lot of time and money taking a basic Road Kingand converting it to my Road King. Things like changing the engine for different performance, air ride shocks to raise and lower the bike, custom paint,wider rear tire, hydralic clutch, spoke wheelsand so on. I'm pretty handy with a wrench and actually enjoy jumping into new projects. I want to look for a Road King frame and start there.
So am I crazy? Has anyone else bought a frame and built their bike from the kickstand up? Where does one go to find a wreck to start from?
Beary
I want to build me a Road King. Since I got the bug to get a Road King, I've been researching a lot on Harley Davidson and Road Kings and just reading from the forums. I know what I want and why I want it, but I can see I'm going to spend a lot of time and money taking a basic Road Kingand converting it to my Road King. Things like changing the engine for different performance, air ride shocks to raise and lower the bike, custom paint,wider rear tire, hydralic clutch, spoke wheelsand so on. I'm pretty handy with a wrench and actually enjoy jumping into new projects. I want to look for a Road King frame and start there.
So am I crazy? Has anyone else bought a frame and built their bike from the kickstand up? Where does one go to find a wreck to start from?
Beary
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 2
From: Winslow, Arizona
RE: Building a Road King
You can probably find a frame on ebay, or at a bike salvage yard. Normal precautions about buying sight unseen and making sure the paperwork is in order apply.
There's a couple of frame makers offering bagger frames (Chopper Guys, Paughgo) that are direct replacements for the stock frame, and can also be had with billet swingarms and wide tire set-ups.
There's a couple of frame makers offering bagger frames (Chopper Guys, Paughgo) that are direct replacements for the stock frame, and can also be had with billet swingarms and wide tire set-ups.
Novice
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
RE: Building a Road King
Your going to need the title, or a copy of the titlefrom the bike that the frame came from in most states. Some state DMV's might let you get by with a bill of sale, but in my home state (Wisconsin) you need the title, or a copy of the title from the donor bike, or in the case of a aftermarket frame, you will need the MSO (Manufacturer's Certificate of Origen). You will also need a MSO for the Engine, and for the Transmission, or in my state, the title, or the copy of the title from the donor bike. They are gonna want to verify the serial numbers on the big three compnnents ( frame motor and trans).
It's much less hassle to get a frame, motor and transmission with a MSO, or buy a doner bike with a clean title, and use the frame, trans, and motor.
This is just for starters. There are a variety of motor vehicle equipment regualtions that you will need to comply with on the completed bike in order to get a title for a special construction build, or a reconsrtucted build.
I've done this in the state of Wisconsin, and there is a lot more to it than this.
It's much less hassle to get a frame, motor and transmission with a MSO, or buy a doner bike with a clean title, and use the frame, trans, and motor.
This is just for starters. There are a variety of motor vehicle equipment regualtions that you will need to comply with on the completed bike in order to get a title for a special construction build, or a reconsrtucted build.
I've done this in the state of Wisconsin, and there is a lot more to it than this.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
RE: Building a Road King
Also remember that a bike is not worth as much if it hasa "salvage" title, or a non-HD title, or even worse an "assembled" title. So think about that when you are building your bike. Also check out this web site for wrecked bikes. You can find some pretty good deals here. http://www.crashedtoys.com/
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
RE: Building a Road King
ORIGINAL: shtfaced
This is just for starters. There are a variety of motor vehicle equipment regualtions that you will need to comply with on the completed bike in order to get a title for a special construction build, or a reconsrtucted build.
I've done this in the state of Wisconsin, and there is a lot more to it than this.
This is just for starters. There are a variety of motor vehicle equipment regualtions that you will need to comply with on the completed bike in order to get a title for a special construction build, or a reconsrtucted build.
I've done this in the state of Wisconsin, and there is a lot more to it than this.
I am starting to look at salvaged bikes for a starter and title. I haven't put a lot of time in it so far, but I have been surprised how much they want for broken tour bikes.
Lots of good information so far, thanks.
Beary
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
RE: Building a Road King
I'd search for a clean, high milage mid to late 90's Evo 5 speed Road King with a clean title for minimal cash. You'll find them for a lot less then the current Twinkies for sale. If you find a 97 or 98 it will have a frame that is identical to the early years twin Cam frames in terms of Seats and side panels fitment.
Then you can rip the Engine, Tranny and Swing arm / Fenderoff and sell them on Ebay or whatever for $. Thenget aFat bagger's kit (or something similar) to get the rear the way you want, throw a Baker 6 speed and a 120" or Larger Evo motor in it along with the paint, chrome, wheels and whatever other things you need and it'll be fast, fat and customized just the way you want.
Then you can rip the Engine, Tranny and Swing arm / Fenderoff and sell them on Ebay or whatever for $. Thenget aFat bagger's kit (or something similar) to get the rear the way you want, throw a Baker 6 speed and a 120" or Larger Evo motor in it along with the paint, chrome, wheels and whatever other things you need and it'll be fast, fat and customized just the way you want.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Heppner, Oregon
RE: Building a Road King
Some states title a bike from the frame and other states from the motor. NJ uses the motor for title and OR uses the frame for title, check your state. I have a King and like you don't keep much stock. I bought a used police bike and have been changing it, and enjoy riding it between projects. Looking at it you would never know it was a police bike. I also was thinking about starting from frame up, but buying old used I got a good deal on the price and have the wiring harness and all the little things that add up on a build. Looking on ebay there are a lot of good deals. Every winter I do something different to it. Good luck on what ever you choose.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
RE: Building a Road King
schoney is on the right track. Sure it would be cool to start from just a frame. But buying a police model is a great option. You can usually get them at a good price. Ride them and build on them as you go. Summer is here, IMO, get a bike you can ride now. Save some cash, and tear it down in the winter. Build it up to just what you want. Plus, since you will be riding a few months, it will give you time to really know what you want to build. That way, you wont loose out on any money if, and when, you change you mind a hundred times. And you will change you mind. We all do, that is why we are always changing things up. JMHO
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
So what happens if you replace the engine on an older bike? Do you then get a modified title? Does it vary from state to state? Anybody how it works in Florida? What happens when you move to a different state?