ideas for upgrading 2004 flhci
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Stage I
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: fort irwin ca
ideas for upgrading 2004 flhci
I am lookin gto do a litte upgrading on my 04 Road King Classic. being in the army and being married i have little money to work with so any cheep ideas would be greatly welcomed.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Thanks for your Service.
Welcome to the Forums
What is it you are interested in changing, looks, performance, handling?
There are all kinds of things which can be done, just remember that in performance there is a balancing act between cost, reliability and longevity.
You can control only 2, the third is determined for you:
"How Fast?
How Long?
How Much?
You get to choose 2"
Mike
Welcome to the Forums
What is it you are interested in changing, looks, performance, handling?
There are all kinds of things which can be done, just remember that in performance there is a balancing act between cost, reliability and longevity.
You can control only 2, the third is determined for you:
"How Fast?
How Long?
How Much?
You get to choose 2"
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Aug 31, 2013 at 09:41 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Welcome to HDF from the UK. You have told us you don't have much to spend, but have asked a million dollar question! Give us a clue what sort of things you would like. We can do performance upgrades, a wonderful selection of technical upgrades, custom jobs, you name it!
Spend a little time browsing through HDF, as you will see members' bikes and also read about things you probably didn't know you can do!
Spend a little time browsing through HDF, as you will see members' bikes and also read about things you probably didn't know you can do!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
I have an 04 RK Custom. I would look at reliability first. If you don't have the upgraded cam-spring tensioners, I'd get the HD upgrade. They used to sell a kit (probably still do) for about 450-500 bucks that had hydraulic tensioners, a new cam-plate, and a higher-volume oil pump in it. You'd also need adjustable push-rods (or to pull the heads, and use the 'stock' push rods), a new inner cam chain (don't reuse the one that's in there), and a new set of tappets (to do it right). While you're there, for another 3 or 4 hundred bucks (for parts) you could do cams, too.
When I did this kit, I bought a used S/E 203 set of cams off eBay for 50 bucks. They were inspected prior to installation, found to be fine, and have been in service with me now 30K+ miles. If you're not hinky about used cams, then this is one way to save some money on better performance.
My parts cost less than $900 (kit, cams, push-rods, cam-bearings, chain, tappets).
The cam-tensioner kit doesn't do anything for 1/4 mile times...but if you do this upgrade with cams, you'll notice a performance improvement.
If you can do the work yourself, you can save quite a bit of money. You'll need a couple of 'special' tools. But those can be borrowed/rented. Chances are you can get the base hobby shop to purchase them (for later use by others doing the same work). Though, maybe not (as budgets are tight). Worth a try.
The cam-tenisioners on our bikes (through 06) are a weak-point of the engine design. My attitude was it was best to get them out (they're spring-tensioned) and get the upgraded hydraulics in, i.e., the hydraulic kit emulates what the 07+ bikes have in this regard. And judging from the lack of complaints on the topic from the 07+ folks, it appears the HD modification (to hydraulics) works.
Thanks for your service.
Alan
When I did this kit, I bought a used S/E 203 set of cams off eBay for 50 bucks. They were inspected prior to installation, found to be fine, and have been in service with me now 30K+ miles. If you're not hinky about used cams, then this is one way to save some money on better performance.
My parts cost less than $900 (kit, cams, push-rods, cam-bearings, chain, tappets).
The cam-tensioner kit doesn't do anything for 1/4 mile times...but if you do this upgrade with cams, you'll notice a performance improvement.
If you can do the work yourself, you can save quite a bit of money. You'll need a couple of 'special' tools. But those can be borrowed/rented. Chances are you can get the base hobby shop to purchase them (for later use by others doing the same work). Though, maybe not (as budgets are tight). Worth a try.
The cam-tenisioners on our bikes (through 06) are a weak-point of the engine design. My attitude was it was best to get them out (they're spring-tensioned) and get the upgraded hydraulics in, i.e., the hydraulic kit emulates what the 07+ bikes have in this regard. And judging from the lack of complaints on the topic from the 07+ folks, it appears the HD modification (to hydraulics) works.
Thanks for your service.
Alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Sep 1, 2013 at 05:53 PM.
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