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[Puzzled]

I've been looking at the GPS and MP3 set ups from HD as I would like to get rid of the CD changer in my tour pack for a little extra room. The HD stuff in their catalog is not compatible with my SERG. Figures. I also didn't like the fact it is all an add on to the bars. It looks very cluttered or what it really is, nerdish! About two weeks ago I started searching the Internet for something better. I didn't have any luck. I than visited the old Road Glide Yahoo groups I use to hang out at (still do occasionally) and searched the archives because if it can be done, someone there has done it. I came up with a few options. The one I chose was a company called Bike Tronics. They make what they call a Retro Radio kit. What this kit is is a kit to install an aftermarket radio in the Harley Davidson chassis and retain the use of the hand controls. After a few e-mails with Mike he had me pointed in the right direction. They sell their units which are compatible with Sony and Pioneer. Half heartedly I told Mike I would like a unit that played MP3's and it would be nice if it had a GPS system in it. His response was the Pioneer AVIC N2. This unit is MP3 Capable and plays all the latest formats of CD's, has a navigation GPS built in, is a DVD player as well as a good old AM/FM radio. I wasn't shocked by the price as a DVD for an auto is up there. If you take the cost of an HD radio and add in the MP3 player and GPS system your really close to the cost of this unit with the added benefit of the DVD player and the cool flip up screen. Bike Tronics has several other cool conversion pieces on their web site also.

Back to the Internet I went in search of a decent price on this model radio. Nextag gave me a few dozen choices and I ordered from 6thAve Electronics. My radio was here in two days. I ordered the Retro Kit from Bike Tronics and it was here within a week.

Now the install.

[Puzzled]

Here is a shot of some of the parts. The unit itself which consists of the head unit and a remote unit, the rear mounted camera and new speakers.

Oh I forgot to mention all the things that can be added to this radio. The list is as long as my posts! I opted for the rear facing camera which acts like a rear view mirror but better.

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The mini camera which I'll mount in the rear of the bike.

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The wiring. I really don't enjoy wiring!

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Out with the old and in with the......

It is a shame to take this out as I just had it replaced last year. Good old E-bay here I come.

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The speaker install

The speakers in this bike are 5 1/2". The opening is not a perfect circle.

[Puzzled]

Since it's not a perfect circle the speaker when mounted is pressing against the part of the speaker cone that needs to move. Hmm maybe this is why they always sound so flat when installed but great when you hold them in your hand.

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I tried several variations of spacing the speakers out and off the mounting surface. The problem with this is it left a gap and the sound was horrible. I tried some rope gasket from what would be used for a wood stove. It sealed the opening but I had no way to keep the speaker and rope in place. I could have glued it but I didn't want to put any chemicals on the speaker or the bike.

[Puzzled]

Some oversided nuts was the next train of thought. They kept the speakers out just enough to clear with out a gap. They just looked cheesy and I wasn't going to leave them in there.

[Puzzled]

My next thought was to try the factory grills. They wouldn't fit unless I cut the centers. Oh well here I go cutting. I guess the speakers are mine now! This proved to work the best. The speakers are now spaced properly and there are no gaps or rattles. The fairing wouldn't go back on so some trimming was in order to get everything to work. For some reason I didn't take a picture of the finished product. I will the next time I'm in there.

[Puzzled]

The Biketronics Retro Kit. Pretty basic stuff but worth the money. It did everything it said it was suppose to. The directions were good. They were written for a Sony so a few things were off but overall very comprehensive.

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The new filler panel installed. You don't realize how big the HD radio is untill you have to fill the area where it was.

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The kit comes with a wrap to go over the radio to help keep moisture out. It's a condom if you will!

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Not a very brite picture. What I'm attempting to show is that after following the directions the radio won't slide through the chassis. I had to remove the frame from the fairing in order to get the radio in with the face plate on. It only took a few minutes to loosen it up and move it out of the way.

[Puzzled]

I soldiered , heat shrunk and taped all the connections. With a little luck they will all hold.