98 Road King Classic...idle problems need help!!!

[adventon]

I'm the proud owner of a 98 RKC and have approx. 35k on it. The only problem that I've had with it is the idle. It seems like sometimes the idle is too high. I've adjusted it via the service manual and most of the time it seems ok, but what bothers me is I'll come out of somewhere and get on it, start it up, and it seems that it takes way too long for the idle to come down to normal. I've heard that Harley has had some problems with the engine temp. sensor...can anybody verify this? Aside from some aftermarket reduced backpressure mufflers on it, the engine is stock. Somebody please help.

[jjs]

If you move this to the engine modification forum, it might get more attention. Sorry I have no mech. expertise to lend to the prob.

[elPrez]

How long? I've got an EFI 98 RKC and it will idle high for quite some time if it's real cold out.

[Ragnar]

Assuming that your warm idle setting is at least reasonably close, the problem is your cold idle setting. Your engine temp sensor is fine.

Setting the idle on the MM can try your patience a little, but I learned a really good trick from Ed Y., a very knowledgeable guy. BTW, there is a service bulletin that over-rides the cold idle setting instructions in the manual. But try this: With the engine cold (I mean ice cold) and nothing disconnected, start the bike. Once the idle stabilizes, if it idles below 1200 rpm's, increase the idle by turning the cold idle adjusting screw to the right. If it idles above 1300 rpm's, turn the screw to the left. It's that simple.

Also, you can turn the adjusting screw without even removing the A/C cover. With the ignition off, turn the throttle to almost wide open. This brings the screw right to the top (you may need a flashlight to see it clearly). You can then turn it with a very small allen wrench.

Ragnar

[adventon]

Originally Posted by 98RKC

How long? I've got an EFI 98 RKC and it will idle high for quite some time if it's real cold out.

My 98 RKC when it is cold out idles quite high also, I wish I knew why?

[adventon]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Assuming that your warm idle setting is at least reasonably close, the problem is your cold idle setting. Your engine temp sensor is fine.

Setting the idle on the MM can try your patience a little, but I learned a really good trick from Ed Y., a very knowledgeable guy. BTW, there is a service bulletin that over-rides the cold idle setting instructions in the manual. But try this: With the engine cold (I mean ice cold) and nothing disconnected, start the bike. Once the idle stabilizes, if it idles below 1200 rpm's, increase the idle by turning the cold idle adjusting screw to the right. If it idles above 1300 rpm's, turn the screw to the left. It's that simple.

Also, you can turn the adjusting screw without even removing the A/C cover. With the ignition off, turn the throttle to almost wide open. This brings the screw right to the top (you may need a flashlight to see it clearly). You can then turn it with a very small allen wrench.

Ragnar

Thank you for the advice. Most of the time my bike will idle ok, but sometimes out of the blue I start it up, and that's when it seems like it idles too high, also when it is cold out, it seems that the idle is high for quite some time. It sure seems like Harley's fuel injection would be better with a closed loop system, but with an air-cooled motor it'd be pretty hard.