[Art_NJr]

Friend of mine's seriously considering buying a 2001 Road King & we just went to check it out. Approx. 3650 miles, completely stock (laced wheels), one owner, documented history, bought new & serviced @ the local dealer, excellent condition. Searched around the site a bit to see if there were any particular problems with that model but didn't see anything, so I'm looking for input. Also, I know next to nothing about the fuel injection system on that bike so I'd be interested in input on that too. My friend hasn't ridden in a long time so he's not interested in any performance modifications - just a trouble-free bike. Thanks for your comments.

[hotroadking]

The A Twin Cam motor came out in 99, this would be the third year,

Only issues on early TC's 99 and 00 were the outer cam bearings and cam tensioners, the rear cam bearing was prone to problems, not all, HD replaced them on a lot of bikes

However I don't think the 01's were part of that problem

With 3650 miles it's a great bike, probably need to flush the fuel system out, run some injector cleaner, change oil, and maybe even consider changing tires as they are 7 years old.

JMO it's a great bike, the 88 inch motor is a great platform for performance upgrades.

Having said that I believe the 01's were the Older MM EFI system, can't remember when they switched over to Delphi, you can tell as the MM has two throttle plates and two runners vs delphi single plate runner.

MM can be tempremental when performance mods are made, however once dialed in they are very stable.

Delphi bikes are better and take changes better.

For a bike he wants to start out back on I'd say it's probably a good bike.

[duke76]

Delphi came out in 02, the MM fuel injection would be the only thing that concerns me with that bike, if it runs alright and doesnt plan on doing alot of engine mods the Magneti Morelli should be alright but if you have any issues with it dont spend a lot of time or money fixin it just switch it over to Delphi. Todd

[chucktx]

i agree, and it sounds like it could be a pretty good buy......if the price is in his range!

[ringo912]

I could be wrong, just ask my wife , but I think I read a bulletin awhile back that the bearing problem extended into the first half of the 01' production run and then a running change of the bearings was made in the second half. Other than that, I agree with the rest, sounds like a good deal.

[hotroadking]

Check production date to be sure,
I doubt it was ever taken in

I think you can go on hd's web site and enter the vin to see if it was part of any recall or service issues.

[Red Rider]

I could be wrong, but I thought that bearing problem was overcome early in the production run. I had mine (a '99) replaced (free during another servicing) and the wrench said that mine was in fact NOT one of the questionable ones - but a free replacement was fine with me.

Road Kings are sweet, if you don't need music or other noise like Ultras but do want the best ride on the road and the ability to drop that 'shield off on those other days. And now you can get windshield/stereo sets that give ya that - if you want it. I still just gab/sing/scream/ponder to myself and enjoy the noise of runnin' down the road, but know that there is the option (not stock, but numerous after-marketers) to placate the riders that want the extra sounds.

The King is king to me!

[Art_NJr]

Thanks for all the info & hopefully others benefitted too. Looks like somebody got a good deal - the bike sold for $11,500. The man who owned it is 72 years old, his wife bought it for him for his 65th birthday & when he got to the point that he didn't think he could handle it anymore he put it up for sale.

My friend didn't get it though - looks like he may have some "identity theft" issues to deal with as when he got to his bank, his credit report was showing unpaid bills he doesn't owe (he's never missed a payment in his life). The seller said he had another guy wanting to buy the bike & my friend said let him have it. But I passed the info I got here along, so now he knows a lot more about the RK for the next time a deal pops up & in this area, you can bet there will be a next time.