radio

[Nails]

I'm trying to figure out what I have.

My bike has a Clarion CD player -- evidently aftermarket replacement for original cassette. The left switchset controls don't do anything (and they don't say "CB" on any of the switch labels). The passenger controls are completely AWOL; and the rear speakers don't play. There's a hole behind the left fairing door (where the air forks/shocks are on the right), with a couple rectangular multiplugs floating about down there. The bike had what I think was a CB handset clip on the left handlebar. Finally, there's some Clarion unit behind the right fairing (just beneath the lockable pocket in the right fairing) that has a short pigtail din plug. There's certainly no "helmet sound system".

(I downloaded the Owners Manual but subsequently broke those html links -- sorry.)

1. What's supposed to be behind the small door (doesn't lock) on the left fairing? Is that for the intercom (and CB, if this bike really had that).
2. Is that Clarion thing behind the right fairing for the intercom or CB? Maybe a din plug was supposed to extend to the pigtail?
3. Has anyone removed the "second story" on the left switchset? Maybe install a flat piece of plastic instead?

Honestly, I'll probably just nuke all of this -- don't need no stinkin' radio. But I like to know what I'm tearing apart.

(All this crap is probably why I have to put 10 PSI in my forks )

[Highway Rider]

Not sure why you are saying the HTML links are broke. The manuals that you are trying to view are PDF files and you will start the process of downloading when you click on it. Then it should open up in as PDF viewer if you have one installed. I tested the links and they work

[triton28]

Go to the Tech Center on the AVA Home page, select Voyager XII, then from the Voyager XII Index select Accessories and then Clarion/Kawasaki OEM CB Installation.
This will at least show you what was included with the optional CB kit when it was available.

[cranky]

... under Voyager XII Tech tips:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clarion Radio or CB Service Procedure

Clarion no longer services the Voyager XII radios or CB's.

However, there are still two outlets where service can still be obtained at this time. The first outlet we recommend is service and modifications provided by Peter Franchi. He can be contacted through his email by clicking here. He can also be contacted through his username (suzib6sw) on the AVA Message and Information forum here.

The other source of service is noted below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd contact Peter and deal directly with the horses head... I'd think he could tell you what
is "normal".. FWIW

[Tonyvdb]

Behind the right faring is the amp for the 4 speakers. Behind the left faring is the CB and headset controller. It sounds like the original Clarion head unit was removed and that would mean that non of the handlebar controls (volume, radio tune and more) will work any more as those were spaciffic to the original head unit.
The hole on the left by your knee would be where the CB channel and sq control was and above that would have been the fader control for the front/rear speakers. Obviously the person who had it before removed that also.

[Nails]

> Behind the right faring is the amp for the 4 speakers.

Okay, I thought it might be a power amp, but the din plug threw me.

> Behind the left faring is the CB and headset controller.

Yeah, that squelch control stuff is gone (I saw it in the radio manual, but didn't know where it went). And the CB radio guts must be totally gone (those two big plugs just hanging back there).

> It sounds like the original Clarion head unit was removed

Yeah. I'm just gonna remove what's left: the radio and speakers, fader, and power amp. The antenna and rear speakers are already on the garage floor. Since I only paid $1500 for the whole bike, I'm not worried about value. And I'll like the bike better without that crap - and I bet the fairing won't rattle nearly as much.

I might figure out getting the radio and power amp into an old truck. Some of the speakers might work, too.

I'm buying a thin sheet of black ABS to cover all the holes, including the top of the left switchset after I remove those unnecessary switches. I think I'll try to move the cruise stuff to where the radio is, and then fab a map holder (with light?) on the "gas tank". Looks like I'll have a lot of room for aux light switches &etc.

Thanks for helping me figure this out. Now I can rape it proper.

[Tonyvdb]

If you want to get it going again. I have a working spare original Clarion radio/tape unit for the bike. Im open to offers.

[Nails]

Thanks, but it looks like I have about everything else (except CB) now available. So make US an offer
Besides nuking the radio schtuff, the bike is in pieces to repair a zillion cracks in the plastics. But that's going well -- I hope to move to painting this weekend. (Really grateful to this site for telling me about ABS glue.)
Now to source some sheet ABS to cover those radio holes!

[Wahrsuul]

Sheet ABS can be had on ebay in different sizes and thicknesses.

What are you using for paint?

[Nails]

My repairs are now a bunch of black ABS worms. I use a Dremel and steel wire brush to etch into the cracks, below the paint. I filled these with black ABS, applied with a toothpick (applied traction as necessary to line things up).

I plan to sand those below the surrounding paint (about 100 grit, by hand), mask it off and alternate a few layers of fill and regular primer (rattle can, alternating colors), and then finish sand (300 grit or so, carefully by hand, to feather). Then mask again, color coat, sand again (600 grit or so), mask again, clear coat, and finish sand/buff.

I don't expect perfect. I just don't care that much.

My '97 apparently is code 665C ("candy cardinal red"). We have a great local shop. I just called, and they can't find that code for their Dupont paints. He'll look for a cross-walk to paint codes he can use. Otherwise, he'll have to scan a side cover -- he warned that this won't come out exact.

He sells a pint of paint, generally about $30. He can put that in rattle cans (4-5, at about $10 ea). He thinks the "candy" part means three-layer, meaning I'd have to pay that twice (base and mid layers). Clear coat also comes in rattle cans, about $17 for urethane and $13-30 for acrylic. For the urethane, when you first spray it releases an activator -- then you have up to 24 hrs to use up the can. He can mail rattle cans.

So, I get something like $200 (including supplies like the primer) for my numerous small repairs. I won't have to fuss with setting up the sprayer and all that. (I don't especially like this color, else I'd think about buying more and just spraying it.)

Bond Paint Company, Santa Fe, New Mexico 505-471-1317. Nice guy.

--
Neal

[Tonyvdb]

another option to ABS glue is JB weld. that stuff does wonders to cracks and even fills small holes.

[JHD]

Who needs a stinkin radio if you are wearing one of these strapped to your brain bucket. https://www.sena.com/product/cavalry-helmet/

Really contemplating getting a couple for the wife and myself. Just need to get my hands on one first to check it out.