1st Time Harley Ower
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Take to an office supply store and have them put a spiral binder in place of the glued binder. That will let the manuals lay flat on your bench. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, a rough idea of your range per tank, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding, and upwards of 230+ on trips.
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Take to an office supply store and have them put a spiral binder in place of the glued binder. That will let the manuals lay flat on your bench. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, a rough idea of your range per tank, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding, and upwards of 230+ on trips.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 1,761
From: Atlanta, GA
Welcome from Acworth GA!
Great looking King, and a great find!
I'm short too. On my old King I lowered it 1" by putting 12" Street Glide shocks on and then lowered the front with a Progressive kit. Then I sent the seat to Mean City Cycles (excellent Company) who lowered and narrowed the seat by another inch. Good boots can give you another inch as well. If you lower the bike you'll also need to do an easy mod on the kickstand to get the lean angle back. It's easy. Just a couple washers behind mounting bolt.
Up to you, but I'd remove the tourpac until your comfortable riding the bike; just makes things a little easier. And watch videos and practice on how to lift it back up in case of a slow tip over. 850 lbs is no joke. Good Luck!
Great looking King, and a great find!
I'm short too. On my old King I lowered it 1" by putting 12" Street Glide shocks on and then lowered the front with a Progressive kit. Then I sent the seat to Mean City Cycles (excellent Company) who lowered and narrowed the seat by another inch. Good boots can give you another inch as well. If you lower the bike you'll also need to do an easy mod on the kickstand to get the lean angle back. It's easy. Just a couple washers behind mounting bolt.
Up to you, but I'd remove the tourpac until your comfortable riding the bike; just makes things a little easier. And watch videos and practice on how to lift it back up in case of a slow tip over. 850 lbs is no joke. Good Luck!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,787
Likes: 1,440
From: Sydney Australia
Welcome from Sydney Australia.
1) I need to lower the bike to fit me as I'm 5'2 and it's all stock. I'm told if I go down to 10.5-inch shock this should correct it for me. What type of shocks should I purchase? - Yes but you will need to consider clearance around the back wheel / guard. You will also loose ground clearance and will also need to consider lowering the front forks a try to keep the geometry of the bike roughly the same. Shocks can be dear to replace so you could also consider something like a "Rear Shock Absorber 1" Lowering Kit" (at least to see what you think) and I have also seen riders take a seat to a motor trimmer and have them cut a bit of the sides of the seat as that reduces how far apart your legs are and give you a bit more standing height.
2) Will a 2000 Road King seat fit on my 03? I'm having a hard time finding a reach seat. Yes it should
3) With the low mileage I will be getting the fuilds change and new tires. However, is there anything else I should be on the lookout for? Good start. Also maybe check clutch and throttle cables to ensure they are lubed ok and maybe flush the fuel tank
1) I need to lower the bike to fit me as I'm 5'2 and it's all stock. I'm told if I go down to 10.5-inch shock this should correct it for me. What type of shocks should I purchase? - Yes but you will need to consider clearance around the back wheel / guard. You will also loose ground clearance and will also need to consider lowering the front forks a try to keep the geometry of the bike roughly the same. Shocks can be dear to replace so you could also consider something like a "Rear Shock Absorber 1" Lowering Kit" (at least to see what you think) and I have also seen riders take a seat to a motor trimmer and have them cut a bit of the sides of the seat as that reduces how far apart your legs are and give you a bit more standing height.
2) Will a 2000 Road King seat fit on my 03? I'm having a hard time finding a reach seat. Yes it should
3) With the low mileage I will be getting the fuilds change and new tires. However, is there anything else I should be on the lookout for? Good start. Also maybe check clutch and throttle cables to ensure they are lubed ok and maybe flush the fuel tank
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 38
Likes: 9
From: SW Missouri
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