Looking at a 98 road king that has 52,000 miles on it. what questions should i ask the seller?? I have only owned a 2007 softail standard and am not real familiar with bikes of this year (age). Any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks much!

 

When you go to check it out take a volt/ohm meter & a compression tester. While it's still cold get him to let you run a compression check on both cylinders. It that's good, start it, let it warm, then check the voltage at the battery while it's at or above 1500 rpm. Should read 13.5 to 14.5 vdc. Look for oil/fluid stains or leaks. Check the tires for wear & cracks (dry rot). Listen for any loud knocking or excessive valve train noise. If he'll let you ride it pay attention to how smooth, or rough, it shifts. If he won't let you ride it, at least get him to let you shift it into each gear while it's running. Inspect the belt. Look for splits at the edge & rock punctures in the middle, & run your hand over the teeth. Sometimes they start to peel off but lay flat till they come off completely.

If you do all that you'll have seen how easily/difficult it starts, heard it run, verified the charging system is working, & checked the tires & belt. Of course lookin' at the oil, transmission fluid & general fit, finish, & cleanliness is standard. If all that is satisfactory it's probably a good bike. Just remember, it's used so if something fails in a month or so it's just the luck of the draw not a bad deal. I did all that & a few months later a lifter failed. Not the sellers fault, just time for it to go.

 

Jinks, greatly appreciate all the information, actually going to go look at a 96 and 98 road king at a consignment auction this coming weekend. Not sure what they will go for but they have 26,00 and 18000 miles respectively.

 

If it's a private owner, I would want to see if the guyhad any maintenance records on the ride. Small point, but if the guy still has his records and is maintaining, then you've got something to look at.