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[Garznhogs]

Man, I've got magnet envy.  Got to change those anemic stock speakers

[Twolanerider]

OK, you just flushed me out.  Never had an Electra Glide before, I am a total virgin [smiley=anxious.gif].
Just a little off topic...  ALL YOU EXPERTS, just how tough is it to take off that fairing? Where do you start?  I want to put an antenna in there and I should change the stock speakers out. Maybe a horn.  Peed my pants just putting in the Clearview shield.  [smiley=nervous.gif]
WHAT AM I GOING TO BREAK? :-/   AAGGGHH!   All helpful hints will be mucho appreciated!  

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

Garz, it really is a very simple operation.  Three screws along the top, two in the center (one on each side) that come through from the inner fairing, and two down low.  The basic hints to make it even easier are as follows:

Stuff some rags in/around/under the area where you will drop the lower screws.  Use an ignition magnet or other small magnet close to the lower screws as you take them out.

Put two old socks in your tool box and use them pulled over the spot lights when you're removing the outer fairing.  The fairing will slide over the cotton much much easier than it will the spot lights themselves.

When you are prepared to lift the fairing off the first time have a small screw driver in your pocket.  You might (or might not) need it to get the headlight plug unhooked.  Alternatively, take the headlight out of the fairing first (not really necessary though).

Doing it the first time will take you however long it takes you.  Second time will be half that.  After that you'll have it off in about five minutes.

One more hint that I've done to every bike I've ever had the fairing off more than once or twice.  The lower screws can be obnoxious to get started.  I pitch them and put a length of 1/4" all thread in the holes in the fairing.  With that in place all you have to do is guide the threaded rod through the holes and start a nut on the inside.  It really is a LOT easier.  I know a couple of guys that have all but trashed fairings by getting those cross threaded doing it the "stock" way.

[Twolanerider]

Man, I've got magnet envy.  Got to change those anemic stock speakers

I did a very quick search on the site looking for that comparison photo someone had put up previously but didn't find it.  I did have this from the night I brought my bike home brand new.  Was installing the antenna inside the fairing.  The photo does show those itty bitty A cup size stock speakers though.

[Garznhogs]

Thanks Don!  I feel better already.  And I KNEW there was something in the back of my little fried mind... a friend had his ultra in to the dealership couple years ago and told me they stripped a thread on his fairing.  At the time I had no idea what he was talking about.  Now I know!
Great advice.  Thank you!  

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

[Twolanerider]

Thanks Don!  I feel better already.  And I KNEW there was something in the back of my little fried mind... a friend had his ultra in to the dealership couple years ago and told me they stripped a thread on his fairing.  At the time I had no idea what he was talking about.  Now I know!
Great advice.  Thank you!  

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

No problem Garz.  It really isn't a task to be at all afraid of.  It is one you want to pay attention to details on though.  Mess up those threaded inserts in the fairing and you've made an expensive mistake.  But basic attention to detail while doing things is all you really need.

Just noticed something that scared me a bit when I posted the pic to show the stock speakers.  Look at this (insert kind word here) inside my fairing:

Before:



After:

[bigdog257]

Twolane- did you change out the stock radio as well? If so what did you replace it with?

Bob

[bigdog257]

Hey Cookie, waazzzaaapp!  Yah I know how to reach you.  Saaay...you're not just wanting to experiment on MY pumpkin, are you?  
Just kidding!  I'll take you up on that. Thanks!  
 
Garz    
 
aka Studley Ironbutt

Well Jerry I want to get one of these systems so why don't we install in your bike first. Get the bugs out before I buy one.

[Garznhogs]

Well Jerry I want to get one of these systems so why don't we install in your bike first. Get the bugs out before I buy one.

Ha, I knew it  [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]
Not knowing any better, I was/am quite impressed with the sound from the stock sound system...actually I'm REALLY impressed after seeing the teeny magnets on the speakers. He11, I've seen nipples bigger'n them.
I'm thinking just changing the speakers and adding a Tune Trapper antenna. But I gotta do it before our road trip on the 22nd.  That dumb whip antenna is gonna be in the way of my luggage.
Don, I'm impressed with the amount of stuff ya got stuffed in there.  How much do you suppose your front end weighs now?  Thanks again for your encouraging words.

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

[Twolanerider]

Twolane- did you change out the stock radio as well? If so what did you replace it with?

Bob

Sure did Bob.  Last fall put in the 06 Harmon Kardon radio from the new HDs and the XM module to go along with it.  That's part of what you see tucked up inside there.  That big extra harness is part of that system as well.

The radio has proved a superb combination with the amp kit.  It's also really nice having all the XM and other controls at your thumbs on the handlebar just like any other radio function.

[Twolanerider]

Don, I'm impressed with the amount of stuff ya got stuffed in there.  How much do you suppose your front end weighs now?  Thanks again for your encouraging words.

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

Garz, it looks like a lot of stuff, but it ain't heavy; it's my fairing  

[Garznhogs]

Garz, it looks like a lot of stuff, but [highlight]it ain't heavy; it's my fairing[/highlight]  

Good one (shakes head) [smiley=wiseguy.gif]

[Fired00d]

Garz, it looks like a lot of stuff, but it ain't heavy; it's my fairing  

Don,
I know why you got all that weight in the fairing it's to keep the front end on the ground after installing the 575 Cams.

/me might have to do this as his wants to do "bunny hops" when he shifts now.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[Twolanerider]

/me might have to do this as his wants to do "bunny hops" when he shifts now.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

So you gonna install big floppy ears on the fairing?  

[Fired00d]

So you gonna install big floppy ears on the fairing?  

I would but that might cause more high speed turbulence which in turn could create wobble.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[Twolanerider]

I would but that might cause more high speed turbulence which in turn could create wobble.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

Cotton tail as a stabilising rudder?  [smiley=nixweiss.gif]