2003 road king classic
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 702
Likes: 16
From: Zebulon, NC
Inspect the cam tensioner pads if you buy it.
The cheap fix would be to replace the inner/outer tensioner pad.
The best fix would be the upgrade.
Ask the owner if the cam tensioner upgrade has been performed. (from spring tensioners to hydraulic)
Harley is well aware of it...they even sell their own kit for the upgrade.
The cheap fix would be to replace the inner/outer tensioner pad.
The best fix would be the upgrade.
Ask the owner if the cam tensioner upgrade has been performed. (from spring tensioners to hydraulic)
Harley is well aware of it...they even sell their own kit for the upgrade.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
Many consider the 2003 model year to be the LAST of the trouble free HD's.
My HD guru says it is a toss up between 02 and 03 though.
Cam tensioners are the only issue, they can be replaced for short money and go for another 25K, or you can do the upgrade. While you are in there do the oil pump and cams too.
the drive belt is probably due for replacement soon, either because of wear or age, same with the brake lines. Flush the calipers out thoroughly while you are replacing the lines.
If you have money to burn toss the HD suspension go progressive suspension front and rear.
Take care of all those issues and you will have the perfect bike.
look at every year since 03, and HD has had a disaster in every model year.
My HD guru says it is a toss up between 02 and 03 though.
Cam tensioners are the only issue, they can be replaced for short money and go for another 25K, or you can do the upgrade. While you are in there do the oil pump and cams too.
the drive belt is probably due for replacement soon, either because of wear or age, same with the brake lines. Flush the calipers out thoroughly while you are replacing the lines.
If you have money to burn toss the HD suspension go progressive suspension front and rear.
Take care of all those issues and you will have the perfect bike.
look at every year since 03, and HD has had a disaster in every model year.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 18
From: Orange, VA,
I just bought a 99 EG Standard that had 38k, the dealer replaced the tensioner pads with stock ones and upgraded the cam bearings, those are the only issues with bikes around the age of ours. I am thinking about the upgrade kit, about $450 or cams with gear drive, does away with chains and tensioners all together, about $750.
I love mine, ride it more than my 2010 Ultra. Here's some things I did, based on threads here:
Got it at 32K miles.
What I considered manditory
- replaced the cam chain tensioner with the SE Kit
- new Torrington inner cam bearings while I was at it.
Totally optional
- Since I was in there, SE211 cams
- Cobra true dual, PCIII, Kerker slipons, already had a SE A/C
- WW Chubby 518's and all the cable that goes with it
- Sundowner solo and pillion, rider seat "tweaked" at Mean City
- new windshield
Love this bike. What the others said, cam chain tensioners your only "real" issue.
Got it at 32K miles.
What I considered manditory
- replaced the cam chain tensioner with the SE Kit
- new Torrington inner cam bearings while I was at it.
Totally optional
- Since I was in there, SE211 cams
- Cobra true dual, PCIII, Kerker slipons, already had a SE A/C
- WW Chubby 518's and all the cable that goes with it
- Sundowner solo and pillion, rider seat "tweaked" at Mean City
- new windshield
Love this bike. What the others said, cam chain tensioners your only "real" issue.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Mt.Pleasant Pa.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Hobbs, NM
Love mine!!! I've put almost 55,000 miles on it since I bought it new....Changed tensioners and had a cam upgrade at 50,000. Cams had virtually no wear................I'm looking forward to another 50,000 miles. Good bike and it'll probably be a good choice for you.