Fuel Injection & Road King
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 9
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From: California
Fuel Injection & Road King
1st post hope this is in the right place .... Hello!
Thinking about an early Road King and curious about Fuel Injection (and other things). Can someone let me know what year that Fuel Injection 1st became an option. And if the early version was good and reliable.
Thanks in advance!
Steve
Thinking about an early Road King and curious about Fuel Injection (and other things). Can someone let me know what year that Fuel Injection 1st became an option. And if the early version was good and reliable.
Thanks in advance!
Steve
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,487
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From: Lititz Pa
I have a 99 RK with fuel injection 45000 miles on it still works. They say these fuel injections are a piece of ****, so when and if it goes, I'm going with a carburetor. Dont ride this bike much anymore.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,797
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The first fuel injection offered by HD was the Magnetti-Marelli, and it was indeed pretty bad. Trust me, I lived with one for quite awhile. Today it's considered obsolete, and parts for it are difficult if not impossible to find. The successor to this was (and is) the Delphi, and it is great.
If you're looking at an earlier RK, I'd suggest considering only those with carbs.
If you're looking at an earlier RK, I'd suggest considering only those with carbs.
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2022
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From: California
thanks! rather not deal with a Carb since I live at about 6300' and travel to the desert regularly.
Guess the next question is when did HD start with the Delphi Injection?
Guess the next question is when did HD start with the Delphi Injection?
Last edited by prairieschooner; Jan 30, 2022 at 01:31 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 521
Likes: 635
From: Gainesville FL
I believe it was 2001 for Delphi. Look at the fuel line(s) coming from the tank, two taps and lines indicates the MM and Delphi has one tap and line. Only carbs have a petcock
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2022
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From: California
Thanks! so it sounds like I should be safe looking at '03 and better. Also curious about Cruise Control but was going to post that question in another posting
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Florida
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5th Gear
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Wow! that is encouraging!
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From: KMHT KFMY
2002 was the best engine w/ FI in that era according to most people who were actually there.
2003, while a great bike, used lesser quality bearings, and with the cam chain tensioner issues, most people who have replaced the problem components have gone with better bearings in the process.
On my 03 bagger, with the 88TC, I went with gear drive cams, upgraded cam plate and fuel pump, and I swapped out the HD ECU ( and Delphi software) for a Thundermax ECU and IIRC 2008 head pipes that have the O2 sensor bungs.... so I have true closed loop self tuning FI on a near 20 year old bike.
There is and will be considerable aftermarket support for the 2002 and newer TC88's even as the MoCo drops support for the product
The MM system has been an orphan system from day 1 and very hard to get parts and support for, even more so 20+ years later
No my next question is if you found a really nice MM bike, and could find the wiring harness to make it carb'd, if you set it up for 6000 feet, any riding to the desert would only cause it to run rich, which is not a bad thing unless you get to the point of washing the cylinders.... so don't rule the carb out if you find a nice bike, but the Delphi FI is nice... (but I really like the Thundermax)
2003, while a great bike, used lesser quality bearings, and with the cam chain tensioner issues, most people who have replaced the problem components have gone with better bearings in the process.
On my 03 bagger, with the 88TC, I went with gear drive cams, upgraded cam plate and fuel pump, and I swapped out the HD ECU ( and Delphi software) for a Thundermax ECU and IIRC 2008 head pipes that have the O2 sensor bungs.... so I have true closed loop self tuning FI on a near 20 year old bike.
There is and will be considerable aftermarket support for the 2002 and newer TC88's even as the MoCo drops support for the product
The MM system has been an orphan system from day 1 and very hard to get parts and support for, even more so 20+ years later
No my next question is if you found a really nice MM bike, and could find the wiring harness to make it carb'd, if you set it up for 6000 feet, any riding to the desert would only cause it to run rich, which is not a bad thing unless you get to the point of washing the cylinders.... so don't rule the carb out if you find a nice bike, but the Delphi FI is nice... (but I really like the Thundermax)
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2022
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From: B.C.
I am reasonably sure the 1st year for fuel injection was 1995 as I remember demo riding an Ultra Classic with it.
Someone can please correct me if I am wrong but I think all Road King Classics were fuel injected and optional on other Road Kings until 2007.
2002 Was the first year for Delphi fuel injection.
Someone can please correct me if I am wrong but I think all Road King Classics were fuel injected and optional on other Road Kings until 2007.
2002 Was the first year for Delphi fuel injection.