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Hello, I’m new to this site and seeking a little guidance with an issue I have. I’m an auto mechanic, but never had a lot of luck diagnosing bikes. I have a 2002 road king 88ci fuel injected 31k miles. At constant throttle while cruising at lower speeds, the bike seems to almost surge or miss. If you roll into the throttle it runs like a bat out of hell. It’s only noticeable at higher rpm’s/ lower speed with light throttle input such as cruising at the higher end of 3rd or 4th gear (30-45mph). Parking lot speeds in 1st gear is horrible. However in 5th gear i never seem to have an issue. Can cruise a steady 60-65 all day long as smooth as can be. Bike has new plugs, wires and coils with no change to the issue. Listened for fuel spray in the tank as well as looked inside while fuel system pressurized to try to check for pinholes in fuel lines and can’t see or hear any fuel spraying in the tank. What stumps me the most is there are no issues with it in 5th gear unless I’m just not able to feel it at that speed. I’m leaning towards a lean condition, but a little lost at this point. The bike is stock from what I can tell. I bought it from a widow whose husband owned it since new, she didn’t know much about it. Her neighbor told me the guy had put cams in it and did chain tensioners but bike still has solid push rods so I’m not sold on that. Any help would be appreciated.
If this bike is fuel injected, there will be an access panel under that center console.
The access panel has some screws (about 10) that are described as 1 time use but they generally work fine if you are careful and re-use.
I am thinking that some gas tank liner has released and is blocking fuel flow.
The release of tank liner near center bottom is more common on road king.
A quick capture of piece usually solves problem.
You should have less than 1/2 tank of fuel when opening that access panel in order to avoid spillage.
If this bike is fuel injected, there will be an access panel under that center console.
The access panel has some screws (about 10) that are described as 1 time use but they generally work fine if you are careful and re-use.
I am thinking that some gas tank liner has released and is blocking fuel flow.
The release of tank liner near center bottom is more common on road king.
A quick capture of piece usually solves problem.
You should have less than 1/2 tank of fuel when opening that access panel in order to avoid spillage.
i think you’re on to something. Liner is definitely releasing as can be seen through the fuel filler. I’ll pull the access panel and pump out this weekend. My fuel gauge sender is bad anyways so good excuse to fix it while I’m there. Thank You!
If the bike has aftermarket mufflers and stage one down load, they will be kind of burbly at small throttle positions. Early stage 1 down loads were crap.
Add:
You may have a fuel system issue since the early Delphi were known to spring leaks inside the tank but I doubt it's causing your issue.
It looks like you have the stock Y exhaust. If you do and the mufflers are not stock, one thing you can is to plug the left exhaust and see if it runs better.
Last edited by Max Headflow; May 8, 2026 at 09:42 PM.
Reason: add:
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2002 FLHRI surging at light throttle/higher rpm
