Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Tom149]

Removed the HK Radio from my 06' FLHTCUSE and sent it off to Iron Cross Audio after growing tired of the intermittant problem of losing output to the speakers. Tony at Iron Cross was very helpful in explaining the problem and the repair procedure. They also go over the entire radio and update it and make sure all aspects of the radio are up to spec. The flat fee rate is $250, but as a forum member we receive a $50 discount. He cautioned me to check the main (vertical) fairing braces for cracks and explained that a cracked main faring brace would subject the HK radio to an excessive amount of vibration which creates the problem of intermittant output to the speakers that I was experiencing. After teardown, I saw that my right main fairing brace was cracked at the top where it bolts to the inner fairing. I installed a 1" L-bracket to repair the break on the right side, and used the xm antenna mounting plate on the left side as a bracket to beef up that side. Now the fairing doesn't budge and hopefully the repaired radio will last.

Tom

[Gone Fishin']

Nice socks!

I always get scared when I see the pictures of the open fairing. How much better would be bike handle, if all this crap would not have to be placed in the fairing?

Ride safely,
Louis

[flhse]

I have experienced what you have and after understanding a little about the failure, added a couple braces below and above the radio.  I was told HD changed the braces in 08 (if my memory is correct) to add more support.  I've put on a lot of miles since the new radio with the braces and all is well. 

On a side note, the braces also took out a lot of the fairing vibration I had both at idle and cruising.  I think the lower brace did the most to help, but don't over look the braces, they need to be inspected and either replaced or repaired to minimize future failures. 

The more mods you do to a bike to increase the vibration, the more issues you can have.  I have a urethane front mtr mount, the first version of sta-bo bushings in the swing arm and a set of cams, all of which have added some vibration to the bike. 

For the lower brace, you need to be careful, not a lot of room between the radio and where this brace goes.  I used existing holes in the vertical brackets to mount the braces with the same bolts that the radio uses for mounting. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Brad

[flhse]

Another pic.

Oh, another thing that adds to the issue, bigger, heavier speakers in the fairing. 

Brad

[Tom149]

I have experienced what you have and after understanding a little about the failure, added a couple braces below and above the radio.  I was told HD changed the braces in 08 (if my memory is correct) to add more support.  I've put on a lot of miles since the new radio with the braces and all is well.  

On a side note, the braces also took out a lot of the fairing vibration I had both at idle and cruising.  I think the lower brace did the most to help, but don't over look the braces, they need to be inspected and either replaced or repaired to minimize future failures.  

The more mods you do to a bike to increase the vibration, the more issues you can have.  I have a urethane front mtr mount, the first version of sta-bo bushings in the swing arm and a set of cams, all of which have added some vibration to the bike.  

For the lower brace, you need to be careful, not a lot of room between the radio and where this brace goes.  I used existing holes in the vertical brackets to mount the braces with the same bolts that the radio uses for mounting.  

Let me know if you have any questions.

Brad

Thanks for the info flhse! I like the idea of the additional braces, especially the lower one and agree with you on the added vibration that occurs as we continue to modify. I have the heavier Hawg Wired CX series speakers as well as going to a 107CI motor with 112 TQ; talk about extra weight in the fairing and increased motor vibration!

Tom

[wenchal]

Never considered the speakers, the bigger the magnet the more the weight.

[miker]

Mne just dropped out this morning...

[Tom149]

Nice socks!

I always get scared when I see the pictures of the open fairing. How much better would be bike handle, if all this crap would not have to be placed in the fairing?

Ride safely,
Louis

I agree Louis, and I'm glad you like the socks!

Tom

[Tom149]

Guys,

Any tricks or tips about getting the radio to side back in, it was very tight between the two brackets after removing the four mounting screws and I really had to pull very hard to get it out (seems like the mounting points are too close together).

Tom

[flhse]

Well, the easiest way I've done it is to use a visescript or crescent wrench on each vertical brace to open them up.  It works best with two people.  Just spread them a bit while inserting the radio, slip right in.  I wouldn't get too carried away but they do move fairly easily.

 

Brad

[Tom149]

Well, the easiest way I've done it is to use a visescript or crescent wrench on each vertical brace to open them up.  It works best with two people.  Just spread them a bit while inserting the radio, slip right in.  I wouldn't get too carried away but they do move fairly easily.

 

Brad

Brad,
Thanks for the tip! (just can't let myself get carried away and put too much torque on those braces)  

Tom

[Chains]

May be my issue too, I noticed the right side of my Fairing shakes and the left side does not.  Thanks for the tip on the cracked brackets after modifications to the motor.  Just another project to get done before spring.

[Tom149]

May be my issue too, I noticed the right side of my Fairing shakes and the left side does not.  Thanks for the tip on the cracked brackets after modifications to the motor.  Just another project to get done before spring.

Chains,

I noticed that same shaking in my fairing (right side also), especially at idle, before I opened it up to send the radio for repair. Here are two fixes that I found if you decide against the L-bracket and using the xm antenna platform as a fix as I did.

http://www.bagger-parts.com/Harley_Fairing_Repair_Kit.html

http://www.eglidegoodies.com/id314.html

Tom

[flhse]

Don't forget the silver (silver on mine) bracket that attaches to the one speaker bolt and the vertical braces, those break fairly easy and allow one side of the fairing to really shake.  Check those also, they usually break in the thin area very close to the speaker.  I don't have a pic, but they are under the amps in the first pics posted here.

Brad

[Tom149]

Don't forget the silver (silver on mine) bracket that attaches to the one speaker bolt and the vertical braces, those break fairly easy and allow one side of the fairing to really shake.  Check those also, they usually break in the thin area very close to the speaker.  I don't have a pic, but they are under the amps in the first pics posted here.

Brad

Brad,

I bought a pair of the new horizontal HD brackets that mount from under the speakers to the vertical fairing brace, but they will not fit with the Hawg Wired oversize magnets and the Hawg Wired mounting brackets for the satellite amps and crossovers, I returned them .....  .

Tom