Topic: Strange Harley Road King Plugs

[Dr. Frankenstein]

I've finally gotten around to working on a 2002 HD Road King a friend of mine gave me; it hasn't run in about six years and I've been trying to get it running but so far no luck, although I think I've found a clue in a blown fuse, but that's not why I'm writing. Does anybody have one of these bikes and can tell me what these plugs are for? I removed the rubber plug on the one on the right so you can get a better view of it, but what do they go to? They live in the battery compartment, but I can't find a similar matching plug on the bike, and they don't fit together; the bike also won't go into Neutral/I can't get the Neutral light indicator to illuminate either. There's also a fresh battery in the fob, too (Man, those things are a PITA!!) Any ideas??

[spotty]

they're to recharge your 'BRO' levels, especially needed if you find yourself looking covetously at a honda

and you really don't want to know where they plug into
 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I have a 2001 Softail service manual but no longer the bike. Might have similarities? Also a 2002 accessory and parts book and a bunch of take offs from my 2003 Fat Boy, most new or almost. Can you zoom out a little on your pictures? Carburetor or fuel injection? I'd almost bet one of those is for the computer hook up OBD port. And maybe a security system, etc?

[MauiK3]

Plug in a heated riding suit?

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Okay, so they're nothing 'important' they plug into...full disclosure I'm trying to get this bike started, it's been sitting since '19, and I think I have it narrowed down to the fuel check valve - all the fuses are good, but I have Zero fuel pressure (as indicated by the 'official' and pretty dang pricy 'Fuel Tool'). It's fuel injected and I have replaced everything in the tank - new pump, pressure valve, injectors etc - but I still can't get fuel to flow. It'll run on starting fluid, and with the Reinhart pipes on it I can tell my neighbors are gonna hate me - but I live in the country, sooo...

Beyond all that I know nothing about this bike or how it operates - I'm more of a carburetor guy - although the bike seems to be more like a CAR than a bike! And I accidentally discovered it has an alarm system on it - yah, THAT was fun...fwiw, I do have the operators manual and the other two really expensive electrical and repair manuals, purchased in happier times...

[Mr. Mike]

So Doctor,
The forum members over at HD have wondered of your whereabouts regarding your no start issue. Did you get it figured out? If so, let them know. A number of people gave time and information to help you diagnose your issue. Just sayin’.

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Hey, Mr. Mike! Thanks for letting me know, I haven't been on there for a while, I was finishing up my CB550, as seen in the "What Did You Do to Your Bike Today" section. I'm flattered, nobody has asked about me in a long time...I'll make a visit over there shortly. FWIW, all I've done so far is to get a new neutral 'safety' switch put in but haven't tried to start it again yet; I'm hoping that with all those damn 'safety' switches the Road King has, it might let me start it, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Dr. Frankenstein]

UPDATE: Thanks to Mr. Mike for prompting me to get off my seat and redouble my efforts with the 2002 Harley Road King. Yesterday I took out the 'new' Fuel Pump Factory pump that I had put in previously and changed that out with a Kemso fuel pump and a new fuel valve and the Harley started right up! FINALLY! Man, that suckers LOUD! It's got these 'boneshaker' Reinhart pipes on it that I don't know if are OEM, but it's a good thing I live in the country - any nearby neighbors would not like to hear this thing start up on a quiet morning.

It smells kind of rich but revs well; I get a little smoky exhaust through the left pipe, but I figure it just needs to be run, what with new injectors and new parts in the tank - but it's running! Oil change is next

So it was the fuel pump - but I'm a little perturbed that the 'new' FPF pump I got and installed didn't work at all; too late now to return it, but I'll put a little note in their product review category.

[HondaMan]

Your experience helps me to understand why so many of those Road Kings were seen here in the Rockies riding on the back of a tow truck...

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Yeah, I can't really say anything 'bad' about a Harley, since I've never had one before, but the stories are legion. This one was given to me by a friend of mine. But I do think they are overbuilt/more intricate than they need to be, and of course the more intricate a system is, the more prone to breaking down it is. The service manual is an inch and a half thick! Not to mention the electrical manual, which is its own book. It's more like a car than the bikes I'm used to working on, but the guys over at the HD forum (and here) were a big help getting it running. I'm mostly miffed about the previous 'new' Fuel Pump Factory fuel pump I put in that didn't work right out of the box! FWIW, the latest one I bought to replace the 'new' bad FPF pump was a Kemso fuel pump ($42.10) on Amazon, and the bike fired right up. In any event, the Harley is a nice addition to my collection.

[Kelly E]

I can't say anything bad about the 05' Fatboy with FI and a stage 1 motor. Paul bought it new and the things we have fixed are steering head bearings twice, a drive belt, front brake pads, a couple of batteries and tires. It's got well over 30k miles on it without any serious breakdowns. Not sure what the issue with the steering head bearings is but it's not a hard repair.
The stage 1 1550cc motor is a blast to ride with bucket loads of torque just off idle. I've embarrassed more than a few sport bike guys. My biggest issue with it is the floorboards scrape way to soon.

[Mr. Mike]

“I can't say anything bad about….the ‘05 Fat Boy”.

Neither can I regarding the brand. Maintenance is a big part that most owners neglect… me included. My EG is carbureted and it’s a ton easier to work with and TS certain issues. But hey…isn’t that how we gain knowledge?