HarleyTechTalk

I'm in the market for a Road King from '95 - '06. I understand the earlier years came with an EVO while the turn of the century ones came with a twin cam. Realizing this would be purchasing a 'used' bike or should I say 'previously owned' and that each engine had problems that were worked out; my question is what is the best year for the EVO and Twin Cam?

02

On the twin cam I also always heard '02. 

Had the better fuel injection system and still had the Timken bearing among other things. 

I vote for 1965...simpler times   

2002TC

00-02 carbed 02 FI, any FI before 02 is hard to get parts for & hard to find anyone who knows what there doing as far as tuning or repair. They need to be an extremely good deal to make them worth it, figure in the cost of a swap to carbed in the cost.

'02

I've long heard the 2002 model year was a happy convergence of a couple of factors.  With respect to my '02 Wide Glide, it was the first year the bullet-style turn signals appeared; insofar as I am aware and the other models are concerned (I've also an FI '02 Road Glide) it was to have also been the first year for one-inch axles, the Delphi fuel injection system and the final year for the Timken bearings. 

As a side note, I remember my mechanic speaking to me about the 2002 model year axle change but in now researching the matter various years of incorporation are provided.  Nonetheless, were I to now buy something on which I was going to put a lot of miles in a short amount of time I'd most likely go new; if I was shopping for a weekend fun ride I wouldn't think twice about seeking out another '02.


--Colt

84-early 92 EVO with bottom end breathers had heavy case and Torrington cam bearing. 97-99 heavy case came back but still had Ina cam bearing with head breathers for better pollution control. As my memory serves me,,,

Quote from: BlackRiver on September 29, 2013, 06:35:07 AM
I'm in the market for a Road King from '95 - '06. I understand the earlier years came with an EVO while the turn of the century ones came with a twin cam. Realizing this would be purchasing a 'used' bike or should I say 'previously owned' and that each engine had problems that were worked out; my question is what is the best year for the EVO and Twin Cam?

Steer clear of '92-93 Evo's as those cases had a noteriety of fracturing behind the rear lifter block, and the 2004's seem to sissor the flywheels more than most others.
Scott

I've changed 3 EVO cases 90-91 that cracked behind rear lifter blocks.

Late model Evo's are plently tough in that area.
Scott

Seem to remember that 91 and 92 had porosity problems left side cases too.

Quote from: DTTJGlide on September 29, 2013, 10:03:15 AM
00-02 carbed 02 FI, any FI before 02 is hard to get parts for & hard to find anyone who knows what there doing as far as tuning or repair. They need to be an extremely good deal to make them worth it, figure in the cost of a swap to carbed in the cost.

This is all you need to know, now go shopping!

Was a thread in the twin cam section which was bookmarked in tech section on differences in touring models by year.

http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,38465.0.html

For my money.
97 or 98 evo with a carb,  swap the ina cam bearing for a torrington, pretty damn bullet proof.
99-02's had the timkens on each side of the crank. Replace the cams with gear drive, again pretty damn buletproof.

Quote from: 89FLHT on October 01, 2013, 10:42:55 AM
For my money.
97 or 98 evo with a carb,  swap the ina cam bearing for a torrington, pretty damn bullet proof.
99-02's had the timkens on each side of the crank. Replace the cams with gear drive, again pretty damn buletproof.

Don't forget the 99 in the softail line.  I have 87,000 on my bottom end and I've beat the chit out of it!

02, 02, 02, 02.... Just change cam to gears and beat the crap out of it. Also replace the electric fuel pump hose in gas tank....

jb

I have a '99 E-glide with one of the first twin cam motors in it. It also has the dreaded M&M fuel injection, with 55k on it. When something goes wrong with it, I'll let you know.,,

If you leave it stock, it probably does not make much difference what year it is.

Quote from: 89FLHT on October 01, 2013, 10:42:55 AM
For my money.
97 or 98 evo with a carb,  swap the ina cam bearing for a torrington, pretty damn bullet proof.

As a current owner of an '02 RoadGlide (for sale now) with gear drive cams, I'll agree with the majority that 02 is a good one. My only complaint about it is the change to rear belt adjusters that was made in '02. They are a PIA. After riding HD's since 1956, I still think the older adjustment setup was much better.  JMHO

I also wouldn't be adverse to a '97 or '98 Evo and replace the 3 piece rocker boxes with a 2 piece setup.

Quote from: Ed Y on October 04, 2013, 05:17:28 AM
As a current owner of an '02 RoadGlide (for sale now) with gear drive cams, I'll agree with the majority that 02 is a good one. My only complaint about it is the change to rear belt adjusters that was made in '02. They are a PIA. After riding HD's since 1956, I still think the older adjustment setup was much better.  JMHO

I also wouldn't be adverse to a '97 or '98 Evo and replace the 3 piece rocker boxes with a 2 piece setup.

The three piece set up works just fine. It was 99 when Harley went to a harder fiber gasket and they would crack and leak in less then one year. I know someone with a 1990 with over 150 thou on it, bone stock untouched. 

I think a lot of people don't know 99 was the last year for the evolution in the softail line up.  Other then the gasket issue and the clutch cover is a 5 bolt like the TC, instead of a 3, its the same critter. 

Many already said 02.  01 was a good year also for carbed bikes.