When I ordered my 2011 RKC brand new, on the ride home I realized there was much to be done. They truly are a "Blank Canvas". Make it yours. I did Heritage Bars, Sundowner seat, longer mirror stems to see less arms and more road, Highway pegs where I wanted them, all LED lighting with Biketronics EQ to prevent hyper flash with led's, Head light relay to keep fog lights on with High Beams, Zumo GPS with Tire Pressure Monitoring, Long Ride Recurve Windshield of correct height, Jump Starter and air compressor in the left saddlebag, and Screaming Eagle performance upgrades galore to the 103. It never ends! I still run the stock 13" shocks at 10 lbs. solo for the sag and ride I like, more if with passenger. You could try 12" factory shocks and avoid the blocks unless you have to. Your riding boots should be thick soled lugged soles for good grip and help with good footing at stops. Lower chrome "Fang" deflectors in front to sweep the wind out, center chrome "Dog Bowl" to reduce "Beard Lift" of wind coming up and over the tank. Added two more horns up front, now 3 total to get attention when needed. It never ends! BTW - if you see a stock heritage at the dealer, so sit on it and check out the bars for height and spread for comfort. Easy swap and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Stock Road King Bars are much lower, and that is a common swap. Man, and so much more, all to make it fit YOU!
Hey Mark, Cage Free Moto with CVMA 33-9. Congrats on the Road King! Great video and thanks for putting it together for us. New Sub and look forward to more content from you :)
CVMA 38-2 NJ here. New subscriber. I ride a 2003 Road King Classic. I'm 6'1" so I don't have any issues with height but I went with 14" apes just because they are more comfortable to me than 16"s. I also put a Mustang seat on and I went with LED's all the way around the bike. Ride safe and I really enjoy your videos!
Mine came with a huge touring seat. Glad because i found a street glide seat on the cheap with craigsist. I keep both. Touring seat for touring, street glide seat for a tri-state run/bar hopping
Progressive touring 944 rear shocks automatically drops it in an inch. Then you can get front cartridge, lowering kit, which can also drop it in inch and that will be plenty.
Harley makes a low seat for Road Kings that will get you an inch or so closer to the ground without changing the look of the bike. Mustang also makes some nice seats that will get you closer to the ground. My bike came with the low seat from the factory and I find it comfortable so I didn't change it. I removed the passenger boards and put foot pegs on to replace them. It doesn't lower the bike but it does narrow the bike so you don't have to reach out as far to get by the boards. I went from a 13" shock to an 11 1/2" aftermarket shock which gets me a lot closer to the ground. You can lower the front too if needed. Dropping the rear shocks and not dropping the front didn't mess with the jiffy stand any. It still sits over enough to not worry about toppling over. A Jiffy stand extension can make reaching for the jiffy stand a lot easier. Supposedly, lowering the front end may require a jiffy stand change. I'm 5'4" and I can flatfoot my Road King after those mods.
Full-watch. Hope you get your mods done to personalize your ride. Appreciate your dedication to support our Vets (mostly to save our vets). Ride safe. 👍🏽🤠 4/10/223
My Man, Love the Road King looks great. Try a new seat 1st before you lower it. It might work better than getting a lowering kit. The blue is nice!!!!!!!
I just bought a ‘99. Same apes. 5’7”. Likely go to 12” apes. Air shocks will need a shorter shock too. I like the LED idea. Mine has an after market seat with passenger back rest and a rack. Sweet ride man.
Congrats on your Roadking! I have a 2017 superior blue/ billet silver Roadking. I lowered mine with the blocks and while I like the better control and look, I don't like the "clank" I hear and feel when I hit a bump. I hope to get Ohlins HD-039 that are almost an inch shorter but have the same travel as stock. That's my best advice so ride safe!
Blocks are never the right way to go. Definitely spring for shorter shocks. Not only does it feel shitty when you hit a bump but it can bind down when you hit the brakes.
2006 FLHRI. I'm looking at the KST Straight Jacket bars 14". Check Saddleman seats. They sure give you great support. Have 1 on my FXSTS. And you can get them heated. Passenger LOVES me! I have detach windshield. Perfect easy on/off. 16" gives me some face wind (5'10"). Great bikes without all the bs on newer RKs.
Congrats on the RK - friggin handsome bike! I'm not a chrome guy, but with that blue, there's just something about it and everything gels. I respect and like your mod ideas because you're honest in what's needed v. wanted. Agree 100% with lighting, bars, seat, etc. In fact, since the lowering kit may end up being your most expensive, perhaps see what a new seat does in terms of putting you closer to flat-foot??? Check out LePera (Maverick, Daytona, Cherokee, Sorrento, etc.). Most all of their Touring seats are famously lower than stock by a couple of inches. And even though their seats are spendy, you may end up accomplishing your goal and not having to spend money lowering. Also, thanks for the Ciro suggestion. I'm on the hunt for a charger mount and hadn't considered them. I subbed, btw. Your photo/vid shots are topnotch, plus you're doing this for the benefit of Vets. Godspeed, bud. ✌🤘
Beautiful bike!! I had a 05 RKC vivid black and I had a 95 ci with Andrews cams and I loved that motor. I Traded it for a 2018 RK Special Industrial grey color but I still miss my RKC. I was disappointed when I heard HD stopped making it in the U.S. and now HD discontinued the RK standard as well and they wonder why they're sales have gone down. The RKC is an iconic MC and its what people think of when they hear the name Harley Davidson. Don't ever sell that bike hold on to it and cherish it. Thank you for sharing an American classic.
Recently bought an 01 roadking first Harley I’m in the same boat wanting a narrower seat. Bike had 40k miles on it so first thing I’ve done is get inspect and swap out the cam chain tensioners seat is coming up next. Found a few seat suggestions in comments on this video. Yours is a great looking bike, I’d love bars like that but I’m short.😂 Enjoyed the video will check out more of your channel,
Thank you! I really enjoy your content in fact I was watching the LED lighting videos on your classic when you commented. Thanks again for watching I really appreciate it.
I don’t know your age, but myself I’m getting on up there. If you ride the bike long distances you may find like a lot of us older guys, with the high handle bars your hands are above your heart and they go to sleep. The lower bars keep your arms in the zone where you have more strength and control when you get in hairy situations. That’s a nice clean looking Roadking. I’ve been looking at them lately myself and considering selling the metric cruiser and getting another Harley.
Sweet ride I have a 2006 king an did somethings to it an it looks great I did do carlini bars 14" I'm 5'9 an they work the ones you have you can bring them closer to you an see how you like that before buying more bars ride safe.
I'm sure by now you know but if not, make sure you check the cam chain tensioner's pads that is the first thing I changed on my 05 Road King and now I'm glad I did they were pretty wore.
Check out the sandiego customs seat by Saddleman. It has a backrest that could push you forward in the seat. The bucket it’s self is closer than the traditional Saddleman step up. Also the seat is more narrow than most of the seats you’ll find for the road king. I just ordered one custom to match my road king classic… the downside is it takes nine weeks to deliver
I am5’5” have an 06 RK , my 3rd Road King and have installed Progressive 944 shocks for rear and the mono tube cartridge front lowering fork kit and would not be se anything else. Put them on and check out how smooth it rides and you will be happy!!!
I recently bought an 03 and it has I" lowering shocks on it. It is currently in the shop at Pig Trail getting the cam chain tensionor upgrade. The guy I bought it from gave me the original take off shocks for it and I plan on putting them on once I get it home. I'm in NW Arkansas and if you would like them, I'll be happy to give you the shorter shocks once I get them off the bike. They have about 46,000 miles on them. Let me know if you think you might want to give them a try.
Thanks for watching and commenting! Thanks for the offer I appreciate it but I have suspension ordered for it. Tell me more about tensioner upgrade as I may be doing that also.
@@MarkRides The upgrade involves either replacing the cam plate with a hydraulic one or going with gear drive. You can just inspect and when needed, replace the original style spring tensionors at 10,000 mile intervals but if you don't do it yourself, the labor cost involved is about the same as for the upgrade. The upgrade isn't cheap, but it's a lot cheaper in the long run than an engine rebuild which can result from a failed tensionor shoe coming apart and clogging up an oil passage.
As others have said "seat first". 2 words. Le Pera. DO NOT LOWER THE BIKE, do not compromise ground clearance. Cam chain tensioners? Have they been fixed? Windshield, with a windshield bag, bars, lights. Dunlop American Elite tires. Do not hang any crap on the bars that doesn't have to be there, put the charger in a saddle bag and forget about it. Keep the stock air filter.
I love road kings but damn I really wish they’d make the front ends.. longer lol not just the bars, give me some seperation between the fender and the headlight 😂 please
Change the seat first, you may not need to lower it. I have a 2nd bike that is a Classic as well and I am not crazy about the spoke rims, rather go tubeless. I've plugged 'many a tire' while out on the road alone and road off - that ain't happening with tubes.
@@MarkRides Hello fellow king rider… Harley have them… but pay HD dollars too. Check with Memphis Shades too… will be cheaper, more variety too… thanks for your reply… stay safe friend.
When I ordered my 2011 RKC brand new, on the ride home I realized there was much to be done. They truly are a "Blank Canvas". Make it yours. I did Heritage Bars, Sundowner seat, longer mirror stems to see less arms and more road, Highway pegs where I wanted them, all LED lighting with Biketronics EQ to prevent hyper flash with led's, Head light relay to keep fog lights on with High Beams, Zumo GPS with Tire Pressure Monitoring, Long Ride Recurve Windshield of correct height, Jump Starter and air compressor in the left saddlebag, and Screaming Eagle performance upgrades galore to the 103. It never ends! I still run the stock 13" shocks at 10 lbs. solo for the sag and ride I like, more if with passenger. You could try 12" factory shocks and avoid the blocks unless you have to. Your riding boots should be thick soled lugged soles for good grip and help with good footing at stops. Lower chrome "Fang" deflectors in front to sweep the wind out, center chrome "Dog Bowl" to reduce "Beard Lift" of wind coming up and over the tank. Added two more horns up front, now 3 total to get attention when needed. It never ends!
BTW - if you see a stock heritage at the dealer, so sit on it and check out the bars for height and spread for comfort. Easy swap and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Stock Road King Bars are much lower, and that is a common swap.
Man, and so much more, all to make it fit YOU!
Thanks for the input and all the ideas! I really appreciate you watching!
Sweet bike. Do the seat first. You may get a seat that is more comfortable and set you lower. Then you don’t need to compromise ride for reach.
Thanks for watching and for the advice!
I have an 03 RK and have Rinehart exhaust n it sounds incredible
Thank you for watching!
Hey Mark, Cage Free Moto with CVMA 33-9. Congrats on the Road King! Great video and thanks for putting it together for us. New Sub and look forward to more content from you :)
Thank you! I appreciate the support and I enjoy your channel and the content you put out.
CVMA 38-2 NJ here. New subscriber. I ride a 2003 Road King Classic. I'm 6'1" so I don't have any issues with height but I went with 14" apes just because they are more comfortable to me than 16"s. I also put a Mustang seat on and I went with LED's all the way around the bike. Ride safe and I really enjoy your videos!
Thanks for the sub and for watching! I really appreciate it!
Mine came with a huge touring seat. Glad because i found a street glide seat on the cheap with craigsist. I keep both. Touring seat for touring, street glide seat for a tri-state run/bar hopping
Throw a street glide seat on there. It’ll lower you. But keep in mind that’ll also change the bars you need. Seat first imo.
Thanks for watching and for the input! I really appreciate it!
Nice Road King. Chapter 4-1 member here. Hope to see you in Colorado Springs in June.
Thanks! I'll be in Colorado Springs and would love to meet you.
Progressive touring 944 rear shocks automatically drops it in an inch. Then you can get front cartridge, lowering kit, which can also drop it in inch and that will be plenty.
Thanks for the info and for watching!
Harley makes a low seat for Road Kings that will get you an inch or so closer to the ground without changing the look of the bike. Mustang also makes some nice seats that will get you closer to the ground. My bike came with the low seat from the factory and I find it comfortable so I didn't change it. I removed the passenger boards and put foot pegs on to replace them. It doesn't lower the bike but it does narrow the bike so you don't have to reach out as far to get by the boards. I went from a 13" shock to an 11 1/2" aftermarket shock which gets me a lot closer to the ground. You can lower the front too if needed. Dropping the rear shocks and not dropping the front didn't mess with the jiffy stand any. It still sits over enough to not worry about toppling over. A Jiffy stand extension can make reaching for the jiffy stand a lot easier. Supposedly, lowering the front end may require a jiffy stand change. I'm 5'4" and I can flatfoot my Road King after those mods.
Full-watch. Hope you get your mods done to personalize your ride. Appreciate your dedication to support our Vets (mostly to save our vets). Ride safe. 👍🏽🤠 4/10/223
Thanks for watching and for the comment! I appreciate it!
My Man, Love the Road King looks great. Try a new seat 1st before you lower it. It might work better than getting a lowering kit. The blue is nice!!!!!!!
Thanks for the input and thanks for watching! I appreciate it!
That blue looks great! I’ve got the same bike in red, and silver. That things going to be with me until I can’t ride it anymore.
Thanks for watching and for the comment! I bet red and silver look great!
I just bought a ‘99. Same apes. 5’7”. Likely go to 12” apes. Air shocks will need a shorter shock too. I like the LED idea. Mine has an after market seat with passenger back rest and a rack. Sweet ride man.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Congrats on your Roadking! I have a 2017 superior blue/ billet silver Roadking. I lowered mine with the blocks and while I like the better control and look, I don't like the "clank" I hear and feel when I hit a bump. I hope to get Ohlins HD-039 that are almost an inch shorter but have the same travel as stock. That's my best advice so ride safe!
Thanks for the input! I'll keep that in mind and I really appreciate you watching!
Blocks are never the right way to go. Definitely spring for shorter shocks. Not only does it feel shitty when you hit a bump but it can bind down when you hit the brakes.
2006 FLHRI. I'm looking at the KST Straight Jacket bars 14". Check Saddleman seats. They sure give you great support. Have 1 on my FXSTS. And you can get them heated. Passenger LOVES me! I have detach windshield. Perfect easy on/off. 16" gives me some face wind (5'10"). Great bikes without all the bs on newer RKs.
Thanks for watching and thanks for the input!
Looks alot like my roadking 2001 classic ,14 inch apes,solo seat ,I've owned mine for 20 years.
Thanks for watching and commenting! I really appreciate it!
Congrats on the RK - friggin handsome bike! I'm not a chrome guy, but with that blue, there's just something about it and everything gels. I respect and like your mod ideas because you're honest in what's needed v. wanted. Agree 100% with lighting, bars, seat, etc. In fact, since the lowering kit may end up being your most expensive, perhaps see what a new seat does in terms of putting you closer to flat-foot??? Check out LePera (Maverick, Daytona, Cherokee, Sorrento, etc.). Most all of their Touring seats are famously lower than stock by a couple of inches. And even though their seats are spendy, you may end up accomplishing your goal and not having to spend money lowering.
Also, thanks for the Ciro suggestion. I'm on the hunt for a charger mount and hadn't considered them. I subbed, btw. Your photo/vid shots are topnotch, plus you're doing this for the benefit of Vets. Godspeed, bud. ✌🤘
Thanks for watching and for the advice!
Beautiful bike!! I had a 05 RKC vivid black and I had a 95 ci with Andrews cams and I loved that motor. I Traded it for a 2018 RK Special Industrial grey color but I still miss my RKC. I was disappointed when I heard HD stopped making it in the U.S. and now HD discontinued the RK standard as well and they wonder why they're sales have gone down. The RKC is an iconic MC and its what people think of when they hear the name Harley Davidson. Don't ever sell that bike hold on to it and cherish it. Thank you for sharing an American classic.
Recently bought an 01 roadking first Harley I’m in the same boat wanting a narrower seat.
Bike had 40k miles on it so first thing I’ve done is get inspect and swap out the cam chain tensioners seat is coming up next.
Found a few seat suggestions in comments on this video.
Yours is a great looking bike, I’d love bars like that but I’m short.😂
Enjoyed the video will check out more of your channel,
Thanks for watching and for the comment!
If you're planning to do long distance I wouldn't recommend air-ride only because some have a tendency to fail
Thanks for the input! I appreciate it!
Mine has the Hiawatha headlamp.. it's awesome
Great vid, thanx.
Thanks for watching!
First time to the channel, good stuff. I have a 2000 Classic and eyeballing hour bars. Enjoy the ride
Thank you! I really enjoy your content in fact I was watching the LED lighting videos on your classic when you commented. Thanks again for watching I really appreciate it.
@@MarkRides glad to be seeing your stuff now! Good choices on the king
@@MarkRides and thank you for your service
Thank you
I don’t know your age, but myself I’m getting on up there. If you ride the bike long distances you may find like a lot of us older guys, with the high handle bars your hands are above your heart and they go to sleep. The lower bars keep your arms in the zone where you have more strength and control when you get in hairy situations. That’s a nice clean looking Roadking. I’ve been looking at them lately myself and considering selling the metric cruiser and getting another Harley.
Thanks for watching and for the comments! I appreciate it!
Sweet ride I have a 2006 king an did somethings to it an it looks great I did do carlini bars 14" I'm 5'9 an they work the ones you have you can bring them closer to you an see how you like that before buying more bars ride safe.
Thanks for watching and for the comment! I appreciate the info very much!
If and when you take those bars off and wanna sell ‘em I’ll take ‘em!
Thanks for watching and I'll keep that in mind!
Congratulation on the nice bike
Thank you Larry
WORD ECONOMY learn it, live it
Salute from 51-1 Asia brother!
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it!
I'm sure by now you know but if not, make sure you check the cam chain tensioner's pads that is the first thing I changed on my 05 Road King and now I'm glad I did they were pretty wore.
Thanks for the input!
I’ve got a 02 road king I like them bars
Check out the sandiego customs seat by Saddleman. It has a backrest that could push you forward in the seat. The bucket it’s self is closer than the traditional Saddleman step up. Also the seat is more narrow than most of the seats you’ll find for the road king. I just ordered one custom to match my road king classic… the downside is it takes nine weeks to deliver
Thanks for watching and for the input! I'm looking at those seats right now! I appreciate the info!
@@MarkRides I’ll let you
Know how it is in eight weeks
When you do your bars, upgrade your cables…that would look pretty good in my view.
Thanks for watching and thanks for the input!
I am5’5” have an 06 RK , my 3rd Road King and have installed Progressive 944 shocks for rear and the mono tube cartridge front lowering fork kit and would not be se anything else. Put them on and check out how smooth it rides and you will be happy!!!
Thanks for watching and for the input!
I recently bought an 03 and it has I" lowering shocks on it. It is currently in the shop at Pig Trail getting the cam chain tensionor upgrade.
The guy I bought it from gave me the original take off shocks for it and I plan on putting them on once I get it home.
I'm in NW Arkansas and if you would like them, I'll be happy to give you the shorter shocks once I get them off the bike. They have about 46,000 miles on them.
Let me know if you think you might want to give them a try.
Thanks for watching and commenting! Thanks for the offer I appreciate it but I have suspension ordered for it. Tell me more about tensioner upgrade as I may be doing that also.
@@MarkRides The upgrade involves either replacing the cam plate with a hydraulic one or going with gear drive. You can just inspect and when needed, replace the original style spring tensionors at 10,000 mile intervals but if you don't do it yourself, the labor cost involved is about the same as for the upgrade. The upgrade isn't cheap, but it's a lot cheaper in the long run than an engine rebuild which can result from a failed tensionor shoe coming apart and clogging up an oil passage.
Nice bike brother quick question I got my first bike a 1995 95th anniversary road king would those ape hangers you got fit in my bike?
Thanks for watching! I appreciate it very much! I think they would fit yes.
Super shox with lowering kit
I don’t have them yet
But definitely getting them this season
Thanks for watching! I'll look into them!
Brotherrrrrrrr
Machine 20-7
Thanks for watching!
I tilted my 14s down and made a big difference on handling
Thanks for watching and the info! I appreciate it!
As others have said "seat first". 2 words. Le Pera. DO NOT LOWER THE BIKE, do not compromise ground clearance. Cam chain tensioners? Have they been fixed? Windshield, with a windshield bag, bars, lights. Dunlop American Elite tires. Do not hang any crap on the bars that doesn't have to be there, put the charger in a saddle bag and forget about it. Keep the stock air filter.
Thanks for watching and for the input!
I love road kings but damn I really wish they’d make the front ends.. longer lol not just the bars, give me some seperation between the fender and the headlight 😂 please
Thanks for watching and the input! I appreciate it!
Which leds did you go with?
And something about the three headlights I just can’t roll with. Lol
Yes lol
Trade it in is what I’d do 1st off and pick up an Indian Challenger. America’s #1 performance bagger and not a parts dragged like hd
Thanks for watching and for the advice! I really appreciate it!
Change the seat first, you may not need to lower it. I have a 2nd bike that is a Classic as well and I am not crazy about the spoke rims, rather go tubeless. I've plugged 'many a tire' while out on the road alone and road off - that ain't happening with tubes.
Thanks for watching and for the input! I will keep this in mind.
If you plan on long distance riding… and you may on disagreeing but maybe put a wind shield… and maybe a shorter one.
Thanks for the input! I have a windshield but I need to find a shorter one. Do you have any recommendations?
@@MarkRides Hello fellow king rider… Harley have them… but pay HD dollars too. Check with Memphis Shades too… will be cheaper, more variety too… thanks for your reply… stay safe friend.
Try Klocks Werks as well.
You look a lot like a buddy hippie i once knew
Funny thing is his name was mark
What War Veteran you are, Sir?
How about a windshield?
I am looking at them also! Thanks for watching!
How wide are those bars?
They are close to 40" wide. It's a stretch for me.
Mark you need a small mans bike. Like a Honda Shadow 500