Changing Head Unit (Winter Project)

[Draxxis]

So, this winter, when I am unable to ride my '86 XII, I am planning on removing the factory head unit, amp & speakers and replacing them with a new system. Has anyone done this in the past? Obviously I know that there will have to be some customization to the mounting kit and stuff, but was it difficult for you?

I am going with a marine head unit and marine amp (just have to find one that will fit in the existing spot of current stock amp). And since mine doesn't have rear speakers, I am going to be doing some modding to the side bags to put them in there. Thinking of removing the little black boxes that are on the top cover and putting speakers in them.

Anyhow, I know I am going to lose the CB in the bike (honestly not a big loss for me), but I want to know if anyone has done this (at least swapped out the head unit and amp) and how difficult was it for you?

I want more oomph out of my sound system, plus a nice upgrade to the sound system all around would be nice.

If you have done this, what did you go with for everything? And would you use the same again or would you suggest something different?

[Mr Jensee]

People have changed out the Clarion unit but realize you will lose some features. You wont have the audio volume increasing anymore when you go from idle to speed. You wont have the ability to adjust your volume or change channels from the handlebar unit. If you can live with that fine. If you need the Clarion unit repaired Pete Frenche can do that including modifications to add things like Bluetooth and USB. Personally I would just upgrade the amp and the speakers.

[krasmu]

Pete did a great job for me on the upgrades to my unit. The biggest drawback to the factory unit is the 4" speakers. Find a way to install larger speakers and the factory unit with some mods from Pete will be more than enough.

[Draxxis]

If I were to just replace the amp with another one (marine grade obviously), since there is no left right control for the audio, would I just need a mono amp? Or should I just go with a 4 channel and install two more speakers?

I have a pair of Kenwood 4" up front that can run 75W continuous (150W max) at 4-Ohm (I believe). But I am planning on either making my own speaker boxes for on top of the trunk, OR taking the covers off of the little black pockets in the front fairing and installing a pair of something that will fit in the general area (yeah, I know I'm gonna have to do some cutting.

[krasmu]

The problem is that the fronts hang on brackets and these brackets also are used to mount the fairing and dash. there is very little wiggle room for mods up there. Also it doesn't matter how powerful of a 4" speaker you install, none of them produce any low range sound. To make this sound system shine, you have to find a way to add bass into the system. The 4" speakers put out plenty of clear high to mid range sound. I toyed with the idea of mounting one of those small cyclinder style 12volt bass speakers in the gap between the seat and rear trunk, but would need to add another chanel to push bass signal to it. Then riding season came and that is as far as I got. You figure this out and it will sound amazing.

[Tonyvdb]

Ok, here is a thought. How about getting two of these and mounting them on the rear of the bike or on the passenger grab bars?
https://www.amazon.ca/Lanzar-9-Inch-Mar ... e+speakers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mr Jensee]

Pardon my ignorance on this topic but If you are on a motorcycle driving at highway speeds wouldn't that lovely base just get drowned out? I think there is a reason these sound systems sound the way they do. I mostly listen to talk radio when I ride and the highs and midrange seem to be able to survive at 60 mph.

[Draxxis]

Yes the bass is drowned out, however, if you are listening to the music like I do a lot (Five Finger Death Punch, Halestorm, Iron Maiden, Pitbull, etc), you need that little bit of thump in there. I've tried listening to anything that has a small amount of bass and it is just beyond distorted. Hence why I changed my speakers out already AND looking to change the amp and head unit too. I'm not expecting deep bass, however, something without deathly distortion would be nice.

I can't even listen to any Luke Bryan or modern country because you don't hear squat.

[Tonyvdb]

Pardon my ignorance on this topic but If you are on a motorcycle driving at highway speeds wouldn't that lovely base just get drowned out?

Yes, at hi way speeds it's futile but in the city it won't. I'm not sure if the current amp can drive those speakers I linked to but the new digital amps draw less power.

[Draxxis]

I definitely would be replacing the factory amp with something with more oomph. I am even considering running two amps. one for the front and one for the rear speakers. just because I don't know if running one amp will be enough to drive all 4. unless I get a good sized one.

[Tonyvdb]

I would be very cautious about what amp you use. Most amps would draw far to much for the current alternator to keep up with.

[krasmu]

those speakers look interesting but I agree the bike might not have enough power to push what they need.
As far as bass, Yes it is more for in town cruising than touring. which in my case is over 90% of my riding, so a little thump would be nice.

[timmerz_1]

Following this thread closely, but my tunes are covered by my phone (Pandora Radio) and Beats Ear buds, absolutely awesome sound...but with the radio in the dash being useless to me, looking for any alternative installs or even a black blank bar that can be installed to fit that gap...too bad there's no after-market parts available for the bike dash that would do away with the speakers and the radio slot...

That said, I would throw my money at whoever came up with a higher-powered alternator/generator alternative...has anybody done any research yet as to how the big Hondas and Yamahas do it? Wonder if their alternators could be plug and play for our bikes?
edit: Like, for instance...there's a well-known Kaw Concours alternator upgrade from the stock alternator to the ZZR1200 alternator that bumps our 28 amp/400 watt C10's to 45 amp/600 watts...pretty much plug and play, some minor mods need to be done, but really easy... http://delp.net/Concours/Tech/Microfich ... che_Anchor" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...

[krasmu]

I personally have not heard of one as of yet, I'd bet that if there were such a plug and play swap out there, the guys on this forum would have found it. The best I've seen is a couple of guys talking about having the OEM one rewound. but that sound expensive.