HARLEY TOURING SPEAKER WIRING QUICK REFERENCE

Much thought and process has been discusses regarding the stock
factory speaker wires, where they're found and what colors, so on,
since my search button never finds the info quick enough, I thought
I would repost some of the data for reference.

this is for the current "Infotainment" system models ( classic radio )

reference Touring Models manual page B-26 pullout towards the back.

most people directly access front speaker outputs by removing the wires
from the speakers themselves. there was an error found on page B-26 so bear with me,
maybe the reason so many peoples radios have died an untimely death.

Front speakers
small connector on the back of the radio, already plugged in on custom
models, pins listed from right to left, up then down~,
1 RT front negative - LGN/BK
16 LFT front positive + W/O
17 LFT front negative - LGN/W
18 RT front positive + GY/R

Rear speakers
larger connector on the back of the radio, referred to as the unused connector
or 35 pin connector, it's number labeling system is the same
1 RT rear positive + GN
2 LFT rear positive - BN
24 RT rear negative - LGN/BN
25 LFT rear negative - W/BN

it's not necessary to make a rear speaker connector, the pins are already hot and a properly insulated molex pin can be
pushed on to access those wires, or connector purchased and mini DIY harness made.

please feel free to help me add the p/n's update this or make corrections,
goal being a reliable SPEAKER WIRING QUICK REFERENCE

wiring harness connector parts related to classic radio found here, at namz customs

http://www.namzcustomcycleproducts.com/products/radio_connectors.html

on to the error found: on section 34A/34B

the manual shows the RT front speaker as being wired backwards, I've stated it, others have said it, but it's worth noting, you should more than likely correct that error or you will have some issues, whether you are installing $50 upgrade speaker or $2800 fantasy kit you saw at a bike show. mine and several other radios have died in the process and if you are out of the 10k mi warranty range it might be costly.

so those are the codes and colors and locations

a little photo essay on the way out the door

Taking the road less traveled

To point, let me start by saying this past year has been tough, seeing my parents

gone and my life's work of making them kinder people finished.

Almost to the point of searching around for some special meaning, which isn't

really there. Solis is taken in small steps, just loving my remaining family the best

I can, being steady and reliable.

Hot inked concept.

Stretched bags and fender.

Bags like these would require a short 2-1 side exhaust system, which I found here..

these are also cool, because they do this..

not a huge deal, the open close, but allow some options

here's my stock bike

notice the rear axle nuts and swing arm, ewww

stretched bag would take care of that

as with all projects, you have to time thing right so it doesn't seem like you are flushing money down this

fat bagger rear end is one project away, getting some basic maintenance and handling will come first.

Planning on doing some progressively rated front control springs and new brakes, going with a soft skinned synthetic brake pad and hopefully medium weighted springs.

Still leaving tires at bay, selection will hopefully be from some of the newer compounds, nothing radial  or pricey or noisy, just smooth sailing down the way.

Again, you have to be careful not to let the bike become your master, been there, done that, lived every minute to ride and letting competition drive constant change. 

Realizing basics on a bike is a freeing experience, 

most of these concepts are simple. I only wish I had learned sooner to say no. 

That said, 2 wheels means top safety and that

usually ain't free.

a little pre-view

from my photo archives

here's one of my favorites

this may be a very cool shot, you decide

last years kick off party

world famous ice cream cone

another one from down south

looking forward to great year riding, will post again soon

Bike Audio: 2012-up CVO Speaker Lids

4ohm PioneerUSA brand 6x8" speakers, shaved and gasket crammed into a 5x7 opening without modifying the lids themselves, only the speakers safety rings and outer lips were removed and shaved resepectively

This was a first humble attempt at something to fill in the gaps. Gaps in sound.

Ran 4 speakers at 100w each all summer, although the sound was great, the toll on the speakers was becoming an issue, simply finding speakers that can handle 100w effectively

is a big challenge. That said replacing the speakers ever so often does not seem like the worlds biggest concern, just to freshen up the system. The good news is that the simple and effective 2 channel boosted rail amp from rockfordfosgate doesn't seem phased by the workload, so growing on that constant, I sought out to expand and refine the setup.

A little history

phase one: stock 2010 FLTRX audio, HK radio, two 5.25 speakers

radio breaks up before it has a chance to be loud

phase two: stock FLTRX radio, boom audio 5.25 component speakers

still sounds terrible, just possibly, 20% louder, useless, waste of $120, but the speaker grills look cool, keep the grills

phase three: add polk db 651 slimline speakers, with throttle up 6.5" speaker ring adaptors

because they are 4ohm speakers, still does not get loud, due to the HK radio being 2ohm

phase four: add PBR300x4, run two channels

louder, but distorted, polks are not powerful enough

phase five: bench test several various makes and model of speakers, replace PBR300x4 with PBR300x2, add aftermarket radio MS60 and second set of speakers to the inner fairing

tested TitanII, Hawg-wired ZX, Pioneer G144R and polks in 1w1m

found ZX and Pioneers combination to be the most pleasing to the ear and loudest.

proceeded with install - ran this all summer - really rocked - got almost no negative comments about the sound quality - very loud - very clean

200 hours later - post rain weather and extreme use - started losing ZX speakers, then Pioneers - 

phase six - added second amp, amp heat sinks, 6x8 CVO lids and PEQ dials, replaced MS60 with DSX310 radio

overall sounds good still, DSX310 is a bit gainy, so will be adding a gain attenuator to the radio outputs, PEQ adds either High, Low or High&Low is a predefined "Punch" curve, a curve well know for it's usable accuracy for on road situations.

at this point I have replaced my original red coned ZX speakers with black cone ZX under warranty exchange, the Pioneers are really starting to overextend, so those will be replaced shortly

working on the amp remote location currently, has to really be on the left side of the bike.

more than likely will be utilizing the lower part of the glove box door

what will the amp remote do? well, in lieu, of going back to the MS60, soften and sweeten up the sound, at least that is the hope.

The MS60 has a very pleasing output and controls are straightforward, sort of, but there just seemed to be more options with the DSX310 software, until something else is available, it's one of these two radios, both hold and control the ipod or flash drive, so this is a TBD. both items priced under $200

one master trim and EQ for each amp, master trim is more of a preamp offset, hoping between those two knobs and volume and a basic good radio EQ, peak performance

can be achieved with a simple volume, trim trim method, phyisical controls rather than

menu controls.

There really isn't time for menus on a motorcycle. but single function knobs, okay.

Well, I hope that explains it, 100% safety guidelines and positive connections make all the difference in a quality output, here's to happy motoring.

new amps arrival

After a year or more of finding a small and powerful mobile amplifier,
several new models with similar design attribute are beginning to ship.

Good for me, and everyone else in general, to fall under the heading
"healthy competition" what I paid $170 for a year ago in 2012, is now
listing for $299 in an American Made version, so $250 on sale.

Wow, I'm thinking, better parts. And that's the main goal in quality
engineering, being able to find longevity and workmanship in the
pieces you use to express yourself though projects.

Can I name the parts, yes, will I, no, not at this time, but I can say that
I am extremely excited, everything checks out and is legit.