Hi everyone, I'm posting this to get some info for my dad's bike.

He has a 95 year anniversary 1998 road king classic with the 88 motor.
The bike is in mint condition with about 50,000 kms on it (31068 miles)

His issue is that the rear shocks dont hold good pressure, and the front forks are very very bouncy.

Any advice, or anyone out there with that style of bike that knows what to change.

Thanks in advance.

 

I got the progressive monotubes for the front end of my 2000 road king and the ride is way way better up front, as far as the rear, i'm going with the arnott air ride this off season, but it's not close to the best ride you can get. A lot of folks go with the progressive rear shocks as a cost vs quality choice, there are better if you wanna spend the money... ohlins comes to mind.

 

Yeah I was thinking about switching the front out for the progressive hardware. Do you know what model or numbers, I checked their website and they have a million different styles.

 

http://www.progressivesuspension.com...ube/index.html

 

Hello.
I have the same year 1998 but non-anniversary addition (original owner).
The anniversary addition difference was a limited paint color scheme and a few numbered badges.
The bike is an EVO (evolution model) with a 1340 cc motor which is 80 cubic inches.
It was the last year of the very reliable EVO motor on a road king but the first year of the road king classic (large leather bags).
The front end "bouncy" while difficult to interpret i will guess to mean rather soft, this improves with change of fork fluid to the screaming eagle fluid which is heavier.
The rear shocks are likely a loose hose, loose connector or maybe someone is using something other than the harley suspension pump. The shocks hold very little "volume" of air BUT are under a lot of pressure. If someone uses a regular pump and a regular gauge the pressure measure drops dramatically after each check...that little ppffffff when checking drops it 5 pounds easy and when you check again the second ppffff releases what is left.
I am familiar with this bike and i consider it reliable.
Some quick notes for you:
The bike has M & M fuel injection (italian) and should cause little problems IF you buy the harley service book PN 99483-98 and read chapter #9 if you fail to do this you may run into major frustration since that fuel injection system has not been used for over 12 years on a harley. The system is very simple and requires little oversight or tools.
1-The CAM position sensor (timer cone) by your right foot should be leaky a biege goo were the black wire exits at the bottom of the cone if it has not been replaced. (replace sensor/easy DIY but about $200)
2-The fuel lines under the tank should be leaking by now if they have not been replaced..a bag of money at harley or just get the Goodridge HDFL005 brand fuel lines for under $200 total.
3-A small piece of gas tank liner (about size of US quarter) will break-off from inside of tank. It will be missing from interior center of tank and it will block fuel flow..Just open top access panel, remove liner piece, drain & refill tank with fuel FREE fix.
Please remember the following since many spend big $$$ and fail to identify this simple problem...
On the throttle side of bike (right)
Behind the plastic painted side cover below the seat. The painted pop-on body panel.
Remove saddle bag, pop panel off and look for the wire connector that is hidden by triangle portion of frame.
The connector is BLACK and is a push together and turn connector.
It is the connector for the C R A N K position sensor.
That connector gets loose and WILL cause all kinds of problems. Make 100% sure it is zipped tied several times to the frame so it will never get loose.
The information above should save you a lot of frustration and a bucket of $$$$.
As additional information there is a website that you can check to SEE the parts diagrams..Ronnies HD, just click OEM parts finder on top and then scroll to bottom and click motorcycle ...makes SEEING the parts easier.
http://www.shopronniesharleydavidson...partfinder.htm

 

Thanks for the info. I thought the bike is an 88, it says twin cam on the side. You might be right though because the rest of your description is perfect.

Yes the front end is very soft, he wants it more firm, he went and tried to push more air in both the front and back but basically messed it all up because, as per the service book, it only takes like 2 or 4 psi in the shocks. So I'm wondering if the seals are blown now. Also when he did this a bunch of oil came out the air steam.

Thanks for all the other little bits of advice, I'll let him know.

 

Oil out/in the air lines is normal. The rear shocks should hold 30lbs. (use a hand pump or regulator). If they do hold air ya might try a heavier oil? If they don't hold air and there is no oil leaking check the lines and fittings. It they are leaking they will need replacement. Cheap way to go would be some '09 up EG takeoffs. They are slightly better than earlier air shocks (especialy two up). Progressive makes some decent replacements and of course a call to Motorcyclemetal is the best.
The air front forks were known for leakage and I'd guess that is what happened to your dad's. Ya can try rebuilding them and heavier oil but I'd recommend ditching the air setup and going to Racetech springs and Ricor intiminators but lots of folks like progressive monotubes.

 

A 1998 road king is an EVO. The classic had fuel injection ( M & M ) along with the leather saddlebags and several chrome add-ons included.
The timer cone (throttle side by foot) came with a V2 stamped on the round aluminum cover.
The bike has only ONE cam shaft.
That round cover is/was held by two blind rivets.
The V2 logo was to mean V-twin.
The max pressure for the front is 25 pounds and for the rear it is 35 pounds.
Unless he used a gas station high pressure hose the seals for the shocks should be fine.
Oil gets into the lines sometimes and will shoot out..especially if someone is NOT using the Harley pump. Some bicycle shops have a similar no leak pump with built-in gauge and a let down button..
Consider exchange of oil in front forks and adjustment of pressure with the correct tool first.
Sometimes $50 gets the job done.
In regards to the details provided.
I would suggest you print and hand the information to the owner...many have not..more have not even checked the items detailed...several have admittedly returned after getting dumped on the side of the road, remembering something they read and now the dealer wants a bucket of cash because they are not sure of diagnosis.

 

1999 was the first year twin cam and mm efi on the twin cam. The fork may just need to be serviced? does it leak down. i had success with my suspension after servicing but wished i had gone with progressives when i had a chance. otherwise, i loved that old 99..