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[Emerald Ice]

Well, it took a while but I'm finally done installing the new stereo in my bike.  I think the stock stereo is an improvement but I wanted a little more out of it so I decided to upgrade the stereo while the weather is crummy.  Enjoy the pics and let me know if you have any questions.  I took my time and tore the bike apart in order to do it "right".  It actually wasn't that hard.  I would recommend anyone with the proper tools to tackle the job.

[Emerald Ice]

The goods to be installed.

[Emerald Ice]

Documenting the old stereo removal for if I ever sell the bike and want to revert back.

[Emerald Ice]

New deck rear view.

[Emerald Ice]

Took the tank off and exposed the backbone of wires.  I'll be running mine through the tunnel.

[Emerald Ice]

Front speakers installed with crossovers.

[Emerald Ice]

More of the backbone exposed with the 5 channel wires run.

[Emerald Ice]

Another rear view with the 5 channel wires plugged in.

[Emerald Ice]

Run the wiring with quick disconnect to the crossovers and buttoned up the tunnel.

[Emerald Ice]

5 channel wires routed through the side to the bag.

[Emerald Ice]

Its alive!

[Emerald Ice]

All done up front.

[Emerald Ice]

Obviously theres a lot more done here but I didn't shoot any pictures.  Basically cut 2 holes with identical rubber grommets to route the wires into the saddlebag.  Its water tight so weather shouldn't be an issue.  One has the 5 channel wires and remote on wire the other power, ipod interface and crossover/speaker wires.  Amp is an Alpine PDX-5. No subwoofer but I wired the entire bike in case I wanted to add that later.

[Emerald Ice]

Wires tucked and ready for the seat.

[Emerald Ice]

Oops, forgot this image.  Its just before I buttoned up the backbone to show the 5 channel wires and crossover wires routed.

[Emerald Ice]

All done.  Rode it and it sounds amazing.  Focal makes some great speakers.

[Emerald Ice]

Another detail of the wires under the seat.  All are quick disconnect so the saddle bag can be removed.

[Emerald Ice]

View of the lower speakers.

[Emerald Ice]

Last image.  Bike parked next to my wife's bike.  Thanks for looking. 

[Sierramadre]

Wow.  Beautiful installation.  I'm not enough an audiophile to tackle a job like that but I sure admire your work.

[Harleypingman]

Heckuva sound system you installed and the pictures are great.

I doubt I'll ever install an amp in a saddlebag, but I'm curious about the four channel wiring.  Do you have the fairing and fairing lower speakers wired as four channels, and can you use the fader control to moderate the volume between the two pairs of speakers?

Also, did you use Hawg-wired installation kit to mount the Alpine head unit, and HW's interface for handlebar controls of the headunit?

Thanks, againn, for the pictures.

Carl

[Mano]

Great job. Thanks for sharing and taking the time to post the pictures.

[Jock]

Thanks for sharing the details and photos has it will assist others...Enjoy the New Sound!

[mjb765]

Great install...I see you replaced the fairing speakers with separate tweeters..what model speakers did you use???

[Emerald Ice]

Wow.  Beautiful installation.  I'm not enough an audiophile to tackle a job like that but I sure admire your work.

Thanks Sierramadre!  I've actually never done a stereo install before.  That's why it took nearly 2 months for me to get it done working at it over weekends, etc.  I've always paid someone to do this in my cars but I like the simplicity of Harley's so I thought I'd try my first job on the new bike.

[Emerald Ice]

Heckuva sound system you installed and the pictures are great.

I doubt I'll ever install an amp in a saddlebag, but I'm curious about the four channel wiring.  Do you have the fairing and fairing lower speakers wired as four channels, and can you use the fader control to moderate the volume between the two pairs of speakers?

Also, did you use Hawg-wired installation kit to mount the Alpine head unit, and HW's interface for handlebar controls of the headunit?

Thanks, againn, for the pictures.

Carl

Thanks Carl!  Yes, the 4 channels are split upper and lower so I can fade down to the lowers.  It helps but the upper speakers are far better than the lowers in terms of quality.  Both are Focal but the uppers are amazing.  I used BikeTronics for the handlebar controls and patched into the wire harness for the Alpine.  Was a piece of cake.  The head unit install kit is also Hawg Wired as well as the speaker grills in the fairing and the crossover mounts in the fairing.  Hawg Wired had everything to make it a clean install and were very helpful over the phone.

[Emerald Ice]

Great install...I see you replaced the fairing speakers with separate tweeters..what model speakers did you use???

Thanks mjb765!  The bike already had separate tweeters but those were replaced as well.  The uppers are Focal 165 KRX2 and the lowers are Focal 165 KRC.

[mjb765]

Thanks mjb765!  The bike already had separate tweeters but those were replaced as well.  The uppers are Focal 165 KRX2 and the lowers are Focal 165 KRC.

I was thinking what to do when I replaced my speakers as well since I have the same setup in my '11 SESG2. I'm hoping the tweeters are the same size as the stock ones?

[Emerald Ice]

I was thinking what to do when I replaced my speakers as well since I have the same setup in my '11 SESG2. I'm hoping the tweeters are the same size as the stock ones?

They're pretty close.  I asked the local stereo install guys for pointers and followed their advice.  That was one of the things that had me stumped...  So, you've already switched out the deck to an Alpine?  My original intent was to keep the stock deck and have it wired for pre-outs.  There's someone back east who does this for a few hundred bucks.  Although I started to get frustrated with the stock deck because every time I reconnected my iPhone it would start at the default Playlist at Song 1 rather than picking up with the last song played.  I listened to a lot of speakers before making my decision.  The upper Focal's have really decent base for a component setup.  I was thinking of going with Hertz but couldn't find anyone local who carried the component Hertz so I could hear them first.  I've heard great things about them and they're about 1/2 the price.  If you have a place who carries Hertz nearby they'd be worth a listen.

[mjb765]

I haven't changed anything yet. I want to decide what I am doing before taking the bike apart. Only want to do it once--although that never works out!

[TIF2]

Sweetness on the install - nice job!

I would agree that Focal makes DAYUM nice stuff but SHESSH to you pay for it! I had Hertz in my 2010 and will be using them in the 2011 (HCx165 in lowers, HCx130 in rear pods) and will be going with the Mille MLK-165 separates for the fairing. Still laying out what I am going to do for the juice - looking at the JL Audio M400/4 but I'd like to keep everything in the fairing. Could be a challenge mounting that amp in the space available.

I'm gonna send my stock HU out to Tony at Iron Cross and have him do the low-level conversion (RCA outs) as well as add the mini-plug for Nav. According to him, it has no effect on the rear line-level (speaker) outputs on connector 28A, so it provides more options. I have also been toying with getting another stock SESG amp and bolting it next to the existing. Ipod module gets moved to wherever convenient. Hook the additional amp to the rear speaker outs from 28A (the 35-pin connector) then run the lowers and the rear pods from that amp. Still debating as the output from the stock amp would suffer greatly if you believe that the 100w/ch is based on a 1-ohm load.

Anyway ... again a sweet and neat install. Might be interested in taking your stock amp off your hands (depending on my direction) if you want to get rid of it.

[Emerald Ice]

I haven't changed anything yet. I want to decide what I am doing before taking the bike apart. Only want to do it once--although that never works out!

Ah, I see...  I think you may have to change the amp. The stock speakers are 1 ohm. Most aftermarket speakers are 2 or 4 ohm. This is where I'm no expert and would ask a lot of questions from a local stereo install joint. In my opinion, after talking to my local HD dealer (who also do a lot of stereo upgrades) I'd convert the deck to component pre-outs and go with a different amp. The Arc Audio 2 channel will fit in the fairing. The Arc 2 mini will drive just about anything. This was my original path before deciding to switch the deck and go 4 channel.

[Emerald Ice]

Thanks TIF2.  Bingo! Tony is the person who does the conversion.  I've heard nothing but great things about his work.  That sounds like a great setup. One I was considering. The MLK's are supposed to be awesome. I just couldn't hear a pair before making a decision. I've heard great things about the JL 4 channel mini amps too. It might be a little tight though. Let me know what you decide to do and I'll think about the stock amp.

[amigo Jorge]

It looks great......Nice installation....I wish to do the things that way!! 

[Unbalanced]

They're pretty close.  I asked the local Car Toys guys for pointers and followed their advise.  That was one of the things that had me stumped...  So, you've already switched out the deck to an Alpine?  My original intent was to keep the stock deck and have it wired for pre-outs.  There's someone back east who does this for a few hundred bucks.  Although I started to get frustrated with the stock deck because every time I reconnected my iPhone it would start at the default Playlist at Song 1 rather than picking up with the last song played.  I listened to a lot of speakers before making my decision.  The upper Focal's have really decent base for a component setup.  I was thinking of going with Hertz but couldn't find anyone local who carried the component Hertz so I could hear them first.  I've heard great things about them and they're about 1/2 the price.  If you have a place who carries Hertz nearby they'd be worth a listen.

Nice job on the install.   I used the Hertz speakers in my Dead Center Fairing for my roadking and am very pleased with the results.  If you happen to get down to Daytona check out Millers Custom Parts on US 1 in Daytona Beach.

[Deltasonik]

Great job on the install.  I did a very similar install on my Street Glide.  I bought the same Alpine as you used and I decided to return it and go with the Marine version (X100M) due to the many times that I have been stuck in the rain.  It has all of the same options.  My favorite part of the head unit is that Alpine offers  plug and play Sirius module (SIR-ALP1) all you have to do is hook it into the AI-net port on the back of the radio and you are all set.  I also like that I can load up my Pen drive with MP3's and i can plug it directly into the head unit.  I havent used the Ipod controll functionality of this radio yet but I could guess it works pretty well.  I went one step further and upgraded my controlls to Ultra controlls so on the left side I programed the CB switch to act as a track selection switch or it can be used to go to the next channel on my Sirius.  I upgraded the Faring speakers to 6.5's and I am looking at adding the same lowers that come standard on the 11 CVO so I can add some speakers to those. 

Did you add a quick disconnect to the amp so you can remove the bag for cleaning etc? 
Can you really hear the lower faring speakers when you are driving at speed?

Thanks!

[Emerald Ice]

Great job on the install.  I did a very similar install on my Street Glide.  I bought the same Alpine as you used and I decided to return it and go with the Marine version (X100M) due to the many times that I have been stuck in the rain.  It has all of the same options.  My favorite part of the head unit is that Alpine offers  plug and play Sirius module (SIR-ALP1) all you have to do is hook it into the AI-net port on the back of the radio and you are all set.  I also like that I can load up my Pen drive with MP3's and i can plug it directly into the head unit.  I havent used the Ipod controll functionality of this radio yet but I could guess it works pretty well.  I went one step further and upgraded my controlls to Ultra controlls so on the left side I programed the CB switch to act as a track selection switch or it can be used to go to the next channel on my Sirius.  I upgraded the Faring speakers to 6.5's and I am looking at adding the same lowers that come standard on the 11 CVO so I can add some speakers to those. 

Did you add a quick disconnect to the amp so you can remove the bag for cleaning etc? 
Can you really hear the lower faring speakers when you are driving at speed?

Thanks!

@deltasonik. Thanks!  The bag can be removed in just a few minutes. I did use quick disconnects for the power and speaker runs. I used a company called Batts Racing to build the wire harness and quick disconnect. You can hear the lower speakers. It helps round out the sound. I really like the head unit  has a ton of features and streaming Pandora is awesome. Got any pics of your install?

[Hawg]

Great job on the install, thanks for the post. Can you make a small video on how well it sounds?

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Excellent job, and thanks for taking the time for documenting it! 

Did the lower Focal speakers pop it the OEM lowers?

[Emerald Ice]

Excellent job, and thanks for taking the time for documenting it! 

Did the lower Focal speakers pop it the OEM lowers?

@TheLoneWolfPack  Yes, the Focals in the lower popped right in as well as the screens.  No modifications necessary at all. 

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Thanks, 

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Sweetness on the install - nice job!

I would agree that Focal makes DAYUM nice stuff but SHESSH to you pay for it! I had Hertz in my 2010 and will be using them in the 2011 (HCx165 in lowers, HCx130 in rear pods) and will be going with the Mille MLK-165 separates for the fairing. Still laying out what I am going to do for the juice - looking at the JL Audio M400/4 but I'd like to keep everything in the fairing. Could be a challenge mounting that amp in the space available.

I'm gonna send my stock HU out to Tony at Iron Cross and have him do the low-level conversion (RCA outs) as well as add the mini-plug for Nav. According to him, it has no effect on the rear line-level (speaker) outputs on connector 28A, so it provides more options. I have also been toying with getting another stock SESG amp and bolting it next to the existing. Ipod module gets moved to wherever convenient. Hook the additional amp to the rear speaker outs from 28A (the 35-pin connector) then run the lowers and the rear pods from that amp. Still debating as the output from the stock amp would suffer greatly if you believe that the 100w/ch is based on a 1-ohm load.

Anyway ... again a sweet and neat install. Might be interested in taking your stock amp off your hands (depending on my direction) if you want to get rid of it.

I'm just sitting back in amazement at what you guys are doing -- whatever happened to the old 8-track.  This is above my paygrade. 

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Another question:  How well will your Alpine head unit handle the rain?  It seems like it would not fair too well  -- which is my only consideration in not replacing my head unit.

[glenpick]

Thanks so much for taking the time & effort to document & provide pics of your custom install. Given me great inspiration to go down the same path.
2 questions from me - did you feel the bass was good enough to not add a subwoofer? I see you have wired for it & did Hawg Wired provide all the items? I went to a few audio shops here & was treated like a lepper so may see if they'll send down under to me.
Thanks again for a top write up.
Cheers
Glen

[Hank Hankerson]

From what I see, your install is absolutely amazing!  Probably sounds a gajillion times better than factory.  Kudos on a job well done!

[TheLoneWolfPack]

The more i look at your install, the more amazed I am. 

[Emerald Ice]

Another question:  How well will your Alpine head unit handle the rain?  It seems like it would not fair too well  -- which is my only consideration in not replacing my head unit.

So far so good!  I originally ordered the marine version of the head unit but decided I'd take the risk and see how this went. I've had it in the rain a few times and it's done fine. Time will tell though. The head unit is way better than the stock unit. Full iPod control and Pandora is awesome.

[Emerald Ice]

Thanks so much for taking the time & effort to document & provide pics of your custom install. Given me great inspiration to go down the same path.
2 questions from me - did you feel the bass was good enough to not add a subwoofer? I see you have wired for it & did Hawg Wired provide all the items? I went to a few audio shops here & was treated like a lepper so may see if they'll send down under to me.
Thanks again for a top write up.
Cheers
Glen

@glenpick. It's actually pretty decent. I may end up adding a sub at some point but it's not that bad. It's better than the stock speakers that's for sure. I did custom wiring for everything. I spec'd the wiring and had a custom wire harness built by batts racing. I wanted quick disconnects so I could remove the saddlebag and amp if needed. All the disconnects are water tight so shouldnt be an issue with rain down the road. That's too bad about the audio shops. I picked the brains of the guys at Eastside Harley and they were extremely gracious to answer all my questions.

[Emerald Ice]

From what I see, your install is absolutely amazing!  Probably sounds a gajillion times better than factory.  Kudos on a job well done!

@Hank. Thank you! 

[TheLoneWolfPack]

So far so good!  I originally ordered the marine version of the head unit but decided I'd take the risk and see how this went. I've had it in the rain a few times and it's done fine. Time will tell though. The head unit is way better than the stock unit. Full iPod control and Pandora is awesome.

Thanks ----

[Rhodsman]

Emerald Ice. Beautiful job. Do you happen to have any videos where we can hear the sound???

[TheLoneWolfPack]

New deck rear view.

Another question, how much room did the Alpine deck free up as comapered to the HK Head Unit?  Do you think an ARC 125.4 mini would fit without any difficulty?

[TheLoneWolfPack]

I started my own game plan, and posted it on another individuals post who was asking about options.  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=66724.0  If you have any suggestions, would really look forward to reading them -- I'm in a serious self debate as to whether I should not even get a CD player in my head unit.  I know my stock unit, the Ipod Nano seems to be lacking any power.  Not sure if its the HK and Apple problem, or both.

[MKW]

WOW!  I will not be tackling that job anytime soon.  Nice work 

[Fast FLHX]

With four mid bass speakers on the 2011 krypto their is still no bass.  It is due to how the stock HK radio is equalizing and powering things.

[Fast FLHX]

BTW, are those who are upgrading getting better bass?

[Emerald Ice]

Emerald Ice. Beautiful job. Do you happen to have any videos where we can hear the sound???

@Rhodsman  I don't but have had several requests to do one.  I'll work on that and post one on youtube and send a link. 

[Emerald Ice]

Another question, how much room did the Alpine deck free up as comapered to the HK Head Unit?  Do you think an ARC 125.4 mini would fit without any difficulty?

@TheLoneWolfPack  Its definitely smaller but I don't think you can fit the ARC 125.4 in there without widening the frame on each side.  I know Bellevue HD is doing that and getting the 125.4 in the fairing.  I haven't seen one yet but they mentioned that's what they're doing.  I had originally bought one but opted for the Alpine 5 ch in the saddle bag.  Would have been a lot easier if the 125.4 fit.

[Emerald Ice]

I started my own game plan, and posted it on another individuals post who was asking about options.  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=66724.0  If you have any suggestions, would really look forward to reading them -- I'm in a serious self debate as to whether I should not even get a CD player in my head unit.  I know my stock unit, the Ipod Nano seems to be lacking any power.  Not sure if its the HK and Apple problem, or both.

@TheLoneWolfPack  I read your thread.  That's awesome that Eastside HD (Bellevue, WA) is willing to sell the bracket to get the 125.4 in the fairing.  That wasn't available when I did my install but they were working on it.  That's great news and would definitely go that route.  As for being able to play CD's.  You may run into skipping issues but I have no first hand experience with that.  I use my iPhone with the Alpine and it works flawlessly.  One of the least headaches and easiest setups to listen to my music I've ever used.  Our cars all have factory head units that have iPod/iPhone interfaces but they don't hold a candle to the Alpine.  If you can live without the CD's I'd still recommend the 305 from Alpine.  The Pandora streaming is really awesome and opens up a ton of music that you have at your disposal.  Not sure if Alpine has a CD head unit with Pandora or not.  But if they do you won't be disappointed. I use Pandora whenever I get tired of my own music and its introduced me to a bunch of music I wouldn't otherwise have heard.  Anyhow, great writeup and I look forward to seeing your install progress.

[Emerald Ice]

WOW!  I will not be tackling that job anytime soon.  Nice work 

@MKW  Awe, come on!  Go for it!     It was actually a lot of fun.  Tons of work but heck if I can do it anyone can. 

[Emerald Ice]

With four mid bass speakers on the 2011 krypto their is still no bass.  It is due to how the stock HK radio is equalizing and powering things.

@Fast FLHX  You know, I originally went into this project wanting to keep the stock head unit.  I was going to have the outputs installed and keep the HD unit but I'm glad I changed course.  So far, replacing it with a standard deck (Alpine in my case) works great.  Has full control and even though there's no sub its not bad.  When I park in my garage I plug a sub in for when I'm working in the garage.  Just teases me to come up with a solution for getting a sub on the bike although based on what I've read I won't hear it while on the bike.

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Thanks for all the input EmeraldIce --- I just may go without the CD -- but it is soooo hard just to let go. LOL

[TheLoneWolfPack]

@glenpick. It's actually pretty decent. I may end up adding a sub at some point but it's not that bad. It's better than the stock speakers that's for sure. I did custom wiring for everything. I spec'd the wiring and had a custom wire harness built by batts racing. I wanted quick disconnects so I could remove the saddlebag and amp if needed. All the disconnects are water tight so shouldnt be an issue with rain down the road. That's too bad about the audio shops. I picked the brains of the guys at Eastside Harley and they were extremely gracious to answer all my questions.

Did BattsRacing create a custom wire for your ipod in the Saddlebag too?  How did you wire in your saddle bag Ipod if you don't mind sharing?  And thanks for taking the time to document your install.

My problem is figuring out
I just ordered the following:

Kenwood KDC-X995 head unit (USB and 3.5mm hook ups in the back)
JL XD400/4 400W 4 Channel Amplifier
ARC Standard Tweeters
Kenwood eXcelon KFC-X133  5-1/4" 2-way Speakers
Kenwood - eXcelon KFC-X1730 6.5inch 2-Way Speaker

I listened to ARC, Focal, Alpine, and Kenwood.

Kenwood ran second to Focal, but first in price (ARC was last) -- I will see how they handle the rain before i go for the Focals.  Going with Kenwood primarily because of the USB and 3.5 with CD. 

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Obviously theres a lot more done here but I didn't shoot any pictures.  Basically cut 2 holes with identical rubber grommets to route the wires into the saddlebag.  Its water tight so weather shouldn't be an issue.  One has the 5 channel wires and remote on wire the other power, ipod interface and crossover/speaker wires.  Amp is an Alpine PDX-5. No subwoofer but I wired the entire bike in case I wanted to add that later.

Just trying to figure out your Ipod connection? I don't see it.

[Emerald Ice]

Did BattsRacing create a custom wire for your ipod in the Saddlebag too?  How did you wire in your saddle bag Ipod if you don't mind sharing?  And thanks for taking the time to document your install.

My problem is figuring out
I just ordered the following:

Kenwood KDC-X995 head unit (USB and 3.5mm hook ups in the back)
JL XD400/4 400W 4 Channel Amplifier
ARC Standard Tweeters
Kenwood eXcelon KFC-X133  5-1/4" 2-way Speakers
Kenwood - eXcelon KFC-X1730 6.5inch 2-Way Speaker

I listened to ARC, Focal, Alpine, and Kenwood.

Kenwood ran second to Focal, but first in price (ARC was last) -- I will see how they handle the rain before i go for the Focals.  Going with Kenwood primarily because of the USB and 3.5 with CD. 

@TheLoneWolfPack  The Batts Harness (yellow with green quick connect) is for the amp to crossover leads. There is also 4 channel plus sub wiring from Monster Cable running from the head unit to the amp.  The image below has everything mapped out.  The iPod connector has an extension which is supplied by Alpine.  It runs from the deck to under the seat (quick disconnect) and continues on to the saddlebag where I'm using the stock iPod holder that came with the bike.  I pulled the HD version and ran my cables through the existing hole.  It was a snug fit...  Hope this helps.  I included part numbers in case you wanted them for reference.

[Emerald Ice]

To add a little regarding the iPod connector...  Its hard to tell but the wiring is wrapped in electrical tap along with the 4 channel plus sub Monster wiring.  You can barely tell, but it has a few inches poking out from the electrical tape where I connected the quick connect and ran it separately to the saddlebag outside of the 4 channel plus sub wiring.  Thought I'd add that since its a little hard to see in the photo. 

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Thank you soooooo much for providing a valuable public service to "The People" and for answering my questions.  I know it takes time, and it is much appreciated.

[Emerald Ice]

Thank you soooooo much for providing a valuable public service to "The People" and for answering my questions.  I know it takes time, and it is much appreciated.

Anytime!  Looking forward to seeing your install.  Should be awesome and I like the combo you chose.  Will you be installing the JL amp in the fairing?  I've heard great things about that amp.

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Anytime!  Looking forward to seeing your install.  Should be awesome and I like the combo you chose.  Will you be installing the JL amp in the fairing?  I've heard great things about that amp.

yes, going in the fairing.  I will post pics. 

[ruiner73]

Hi guys, been following this thread & TheLoneWolfPack's thread on his new install, good info here, thanks!
I've been thinking about changing my head unit & going with the JL amp that I originally wanted, but wouldn't fit with the stock radio.
Started with Alpine speakers w/ARC amp, now currently have Focals w/Rockford's new amp & am pretty happy, but always wanting more.

Anyway, I am also curious how the iPod connection works when changing head unit. Emerald Ice, you said you took out Harley's iPod cable & are using Alpine's cable all the way to the bag - is the only quick connect close to the bag under the seat, like the picture shows? If you could clarify, it's just real handy w/Harley's quick connect right by the bag for removing the bag. Not a deal breaker, just don't want to run into any surprises if I decide to go this way.

How about the hand controls, I'm only finding a wiring adapter from Hawg Wired, if I'm correct you posted yours came from Biketronics? I can't find anything on their site. Not having done a head unit swap before, can you select between say the radio & iPod from the hand controls like with stock unit or do you have to switch sources from the radio faceplate?

Last question, I've got the 660 navigation, wired into the navigation interface module from Harley, per some of the other instructions found on the forum. The audio coming from the navigation is spliced into the iPod wiring in the fairing in order to be able to have the audio cut in for directions. Do either of you have any idea how this will work if the head unit is changed to the Alpine?
Is there an extra aux input on the back of the Alpine head unit & if so, will connecting the NIM to this aux input allow the navigation to break in with the audio for directions? From looking at the wiring diagrams for our bikes, when changing the head unit we lose the iPod connector going into the back of the stock radio correct? Meaning it is not used if the head unit is changed, right? That is where my NIM is spliced into, so not sure how to make this work if I go to an Alpine head unit, more specifically, how to get my navigation signals to the radio.

Thnks for any help & I will continue to follow your guy's threads, great ideas & installs!

Allan

[Emerald Ice]

Hi guys, been following this thread & TheLoneWolfPack's thread on his new install, good info here, thanks!
I've been thinking about changing my head unit & going with the JL amp that I originally wanted, but wouldn't fit with the stock radio.
Started with Alpine speakers w/ARC amp, now currently have Focals w/Rockford's new amp & am pretty happy, but always wanting more.

Anyway, I am also curious how the iPod connection works when changing head unit. Emerald Ice, you said you took out Harley's iPod cable & are using Alpine's cable all the way to the bag - is the only quick connect close to the bag under the seat, like the picture shows? If you could clarify, it's just real handy w/Harley's quick connect right by the bag for removing the bag. Not a deal breaker, just don't want to run into any surprises if I decide to go this way.

How about the hand controls, I'm only finding a wiring adapter from Hawg Wired, if I'm correct you posted yours came from Biketronics? I can't find anything on their site. Not having done a head unit swap before, can you select between say the radio & iPod from the hand controls like with stock unit or do you have to switch sources from the radio faceplate?

Last question, I've got the 660 navigation, wired into the navigation interface module from Harley, per some of the other instructions found on the forum. The audio coming from the navigation is spliced into the iPod wiring in the fairing in order to be able to have the audio cut in for directions. Do either of you have any idea how this will work if the head unit is changed to the Alpine?
Is there an extra aux input on the back of the Alpine head unit & if so, will connecting the NIM to this aux input allow the navigation to break in with the audio for directions? From looking at the wiring diagrams for our bikes, when changing the head unit we lose the iPod connector going into the back of the stock radio correct? Meaning it is not used if the head unit is changed, right? That is where my NIM is spliced into, so not sure how to make this work if I go to an Alpine head unit, more specifically, how to get my navigation signals to the radio.

Thnks for any help & I will continue to follow your guy's threads, great ideas & installs!

Allan

@ruiner73  At first I bought both the HawgWired and Biketronics hand control units.  I ended up using the one from Biketronics because it retains the AVC (automatic volume control) when riding at different speeds.  It works pretty well.  The HawgWired solution is nice too but the AVC is pretty important.  I didn't use the faceplate and mounting hardware that came with the Biketronics kit but used HawgWired since its billet aluminum and not plastic.  Hand controls are fully functional.  You change sources by pushing in the right control and push up/down for track up/down.  The left control handles volume and is used (if memory serves) to set the AVC level and sensitivity.  I set the AVC sensitivity once and haven't touched it since the install. If you search on "BT 1005" on the Biketronics site you'll find the AVC hand control kit.

The Alpine iPod/iPhone extension is long enough to run to under the seat. I would have preferred it going all the way to the saddlebag.  Its not a big deal since I have to pull the 4 channel plus sub cable out of the bag anyhow to get it off the bike.  That's a continuous run from the head unit to the AMP in the saddlebag.  I've heard that splicing into an iPod cable is tough since there are a lot of wires and didn't want to deal with that.  Everything I read online said to avoid splicing into an iPod cable.  As for the AUX in according to the manual there is an AUX connector which can be turned on/off in the settings area.  A bluetooth adapter from Alpine can also be fitted...  All this according to the manual.

I have HD's Zumo 665 but its not tied into the radio.  Didn't even think of doing that...  Hmmm...  I use my iPhone on this setup and that does come up on the 665 when I get a call, via bluetooth.  I don't answer it but if its important I at least know who's calling.  At any rate its a decent setup and now that you've mentioned the 665 going through the Alpine for nav directions I may have to look into that. 

[TheLoneWolfPack]

Emerald Ice -- thanks for posting that pic of the quick connect under your seat.  What great idea!