Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Road King Frames

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 15, 2010 | 04:32 AM
  #1  
jmltinc's Avatar
jmltinc
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default Road King Frames

Hello to all,

I am new to H-D and soon new to Arizona. I have been advised in another forum of this site (and by my posterior) that the Road King is the bike of choice. I wish I could buy a new one, but that is out of my range.

I noticed while looking through add-ons and accessories, that there seems to be a break after the 1999 year model regarding the frame. I am looking at a 1997 RK. Other than the Evo/TC, can anyone tell me if there is a difference and what it may be.

Is there any particular production years I should shy away from?

Thanks to all,
-John
 

Last edited by jmltinc; Oct 15, 2010 at 04:37 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2010 | 07:12 AM
  #2  
piasspj's Avatar
piasspj
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Default

Looking at bikes that age, condition is more important than design variations. There were some issues with swing arms, I'm not exactly sure what years, but the swingarm can and may have been replaced.
All of the touring bikes use the same frame, engine and trans.
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2010 | 07:24 AM
  #3  
MarineBagger's Avatar
MarineBagger
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
Default

Significant changes were made to the frame in 2009. Most who have older and newer models much prefer the stability of the 2009 and later. However, the pre-2009 bikes are still great bikes and have no problems that I know of.
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2010 | 08:01 AM
  #4  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

There was a swingarm change in 2002, to a superior and stiffer design. I have retrofitted an 07 to my 1990 Glide. There have been other minor changes, such as the way the seat is fixed on and the Evo engine had upgrades around 1994. When you have it post pics, then call by the Evo forum!
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2010 | 07:55 AM
  #5  
jmltinc's Avatar
jmltinc
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Appreciate the info, folks.

I took the plunge and bought it. Pix and ad info included here.

Thanks to all.
-J

Classified Ad:
1997 Harley-Davidson FLHR ROADKING CUSTOMIZED BEYOND MOST DREAMS. THIS IS DEFINATELY NOT YOUR DADS ROAD KING. IT HAS ALL THE STYLEING OF A REALLY CUSTOM BIKE COMBINED WITH A COMFORTABLE LONG DISTANCE CRUISER NOT TO MENTION INCREDIBLY FAST !!!!! (thousands and thousands of dollars have been spent on this bike)

ONE BAD A$$ SCOOTER WITH 45K MILES, BIG BORE MOTOR KIT 103 ci., APE HANGERS , CUSTOM GHOST FLAME PAINT JOB , CHROME CONTOLS , D&D EXHAUST SYSTEM , 40 SPOKE WHEELS , NEW ROAD KING HARD LEATHER BAGS OVER $1300 VALUE , DANNY GRAY CUSTOM FLAMED SEAT( and turfted 2 up seat), CUSTOM AIR CLEANER , ALL STEEL BRAIDED LINES AND WIREING , NEAR NEW TIRES, MOUSTACHE HWY CRASH BARS , RUNNING LIGHTS , NOSTALGIC 1962 TANK EMBLEMS , ALERON GRIPS, FLAMED SHIFTER, DOCUMENT STORAGE.

THIS BIKE IS SO NICE AND IT HAS JUST HAD A FULL SERVICE, IT RUNS AND RIDES ABSOLUTELY GREAT, NO OIL LEAKS, AND HAS A CLEAN AZ TITLE (NO TAX) This is an incredible bike with an incredible look and is the ultimate cruiser.
 
Attached Thumbnails Road King Frames-rk2.jpeg   Road King Frames-rk5.jpg   Road King Frames-rk3.jpeg   Road King Frames-rk4.jpg  

Last edited by jmltinc; Oct 23, 2010 at 08:23 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2010 | 08:11 AM
  #6  
1931jamesw's Avatar
1931jamesw
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
Default

Some of the 05's had valve seal problems.
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2010 | 08:39 AM
  #7  
stewy1200c's Avatar
stewy1200c
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 569
Likes: 7
From: Massachusetts
Default

Congrats on the new ride. welcome
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2010 | 08:50 AM
  #8  
WildBillAce2's Avatar
WildBillAce2
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 929
Likes: 0
From:
Default

Nice bike!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 23, 2010 | 09:25 AM
  #9  
aviator's Avatar
aviator
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
Default

congrats! the ghost flames look cool.

I love my "older" Road King.
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2010 | 09:47 AM
  #10  
RoadWhipper's Avatar
RoadWhipper
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Default

Congrats on the new sled, nice paint and apes! Welcome to the forum
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:30 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE