Road King ABS
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
short answer: no.
long answer: with enough time and money, it could be possible. but you would be hard pressed to find anyone to do it, probably for liability reasons. even after you added the hardware, you would have to get your computer reflashed to activate it, and I doubt any dealer would do that. it would be cheaper to either live with what you got, or cut your losses and get what you want.
long answer: with enough time and money, it could be possible. but you would be hard pressed to find anyone to do it, probably for liability reasons. even after you added the hardware, you would have to get your computer reflashed to activate it, and I doubt any dealer would do that. it would be cheaper to either live with what you got, or cut your losses and get what you want.
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey,U.S.A.
Skratch, do you think it would be that much of problem even though the bike has ABS as a option for $750.00. Like I said before mine came threw without it, and now I'm having second thoughts that maybe I should have gotten it.
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From: Georgia
Your best bet for a diffinative answer will be a dealer, not an internet fourm.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
yeah, I think it would be a problem. hd has definitively said that abs is not available as a retrofit. so even if you did source all the parts, I think you would have a hard time getting the software side to work out.
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From: Texas, USA
Here is the bottom line:
ABS is a factory option. The bike either comes from the factory with ABS or it won't have it. The dealer will not and cannot retrofit a bike with ABS.
As skratch noted, if you have enough money, there is likely someone that will attempt it. Remember, it's one thing to put the parts on and say you have ABS. It's another for them to function correctly. The cost to retrofit is in the thousands of dollars.
The weak link in the whole equation is having a dealer activate the ABS system through the ECM. That just won't happen on a retrofit ABS system.
Unfortunately, you should have thought about it more before purchasing. If you want it that bad, trade your bike in (at a loss) and buy a bike with ABS. You'll save money that way.
ETA: Here is some casual reading for you.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...h+abs+hdforums
ABS is a factory option. The bike either comes from the factory with ABS or it won't have it. The dealer will not and cannot retrofit a bike with ABS.
As skratch noted, if you have enough money, there is likely someone that will attempt it. Remember, it's one thing to put the parts on and say you have ABS. It's another for them to function correctly. The cost to retrofit is in the thousands of dollars.
The weak link in the whole equation is having a dealer activate the ABS system through the ECM. That just won't happen on a retrofit ABS system.
Unfortunately, you should have thought about it more before purchasing. If you want it that bad, trade your bike in (at a loss) and buy a bike with ABS. You'll save money that way.
ETA: Here is some casual reading for you.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...h+abs+hdforums
Last edited by Bone Doc; Apr 23, 2017 at 05:07 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey,U.S.A.
Thanks for all your replies, I was going to ask the dealer if it could be done. But after reading what you guys have posted, I don't think I'm going to do that. I just thought it might have been possible, I'll just enjoy my bike the way it is. Thanks again, Bob
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 80
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From: Wittmann, AZ
I've pieced together a bike from used parts a couple years back. I used mostly 2011 parts if I remember correctly. For ABS I needed:
- an ABS-type wiring harness,
- tach,
- wheel bearings readable by ABS sensors,
- complete brake line set front and rear,
- ABS sensors,
- ABS controller,
- ECM that was on an ABS bike before
I may be forgetting something but it's at least close to a complete list. I think the ECM can be re-flashed but I have no idea what type of ECM is on the 2017 and if the dealer would do it. Also, I think the front and rear brake circuits are linked by a valve that may or may not be the same on ABS and non-ABS bikes.
I'm sure it can be done somehow but if you add up all the parts you'd have to replace it will be cost-prohibitive. I very much doubt any service manager would do it anyways because of liability issues. Probably better to trade in or ride your bike as it is.
- an ABS-type wiring harness,
- tach,
- wheel bearings readable by ABS sensors,
- complete brake line set front and rear,
- ABS sensors,
- ABS controller,
- ECM that was on an ABS bike before
I may be forgetting something but it's at least close to a complete list. I think the ECM can be re-flashed but I have no idea what type of ECM is on the 2017 and if the dealer would do it. Also, I think the front and rear brake circuits are linked by a valve that may or may not be the same on ABS and non-ABS bikes.
I'm sure it can be done somehow but if you add up all the parts you'd have to replace it will be cost-prohibitive. I very much doubt any service manager would do it anyways because of liability issues. Probably better to trade in or ride your bike as it is.
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