Hey all,

I'm new to the V-Twin/Harley, cruiser scene, but I tried out a few HD's and really liked them. I've made a deal on a 2005 Road King with 17k miles on it (27k kms), it is fully stock, fuel injected, and has ABS.

I'm planning on riding it as is for a while, but want to do V&H big radius, Screaming Eagle Heavy Breather, and Stage 1 program.

Anything I should look out for before I lay the money down?

Thanks for any and all replies....

Sherwin

 

ABS on a 2005?

I have an 05 Road King, it has treated me well and I bought mine with 28k miles in August of 2008.

 

ya I agree about the ABS feature on a 2005???....you sure about that? Congrats on the purchase though...and enjoy

 

Bought my '05 last year with 5k miles on it and I just rolled over 20k with only one problem so far: my rear Reinhart true duel pipe cracked where it bolts to the engine just behind the rear cylinder. No biggie: had a buddie weld it up, but it's worth looking at. Done alot of mods to it, but nothing wrong other than that so far

 

the guy says it has ABS, apparently it was spec'd out as a police model but never made it to the force. Supposedly all Police models have ABS? I Haven't seen it in person yet, and come upon another deal this morning that might cause me to pass up on the Road King. There's an '07 Street Bob locally that a friend of my FIL's won in a raffle. It has 23 kilometers on it, basically was driven from the dealer to his house, then parked because he has no license, nor any desire to get it...

Now I have to do more research... :P

 

With the 2005 you have the old style cam tensioner shoes that you will need to have checked, and will eventually want to change, or upgrade to the newer hydraulic system or gear driven cams. It is kind of the weak point of the '99-'06 Twin Cam engines. I would ask if they have been upgraded or replaced.

 

The early police ABS had the pump in the saddlebag, which means less luggage capacity. That may or may not be a problem for you.

 

05's had "valve-itis" also.

 

I spoke with my local Harley shop today and they said not to worry about anything at this mileage. They said the few bikes they had issues with were up to 60-80k before having troubles. Also, they said if I'm planning on doing a 95ci kit, they would change the cam tensioners to the new improved style for a little extra money.

Thanks for all your replies!!

 

That "little extra money" is about $450 US dollars plus tax just for the parts.