Harley Stereo

[Doug D.]

What's the chances anybody would have a working AM/FM cassette radio for a 1986 E-Glide laying around that they'd be willing to part with for a reasonable price? I've tried all the retail places, including those that specialize in bike audio, and nobody has anything that'll work on a bike that old. Ebay and Craigslist are dead ends. I could probably replace it with something a little more "modern", but I'd like to keep the bike as close to original as I can.

PEACE and ride safe! orag:

 

[trike tech]

I'd say the odds are pretty slim at best. There are a few listed on Ebay & a few other sites, but given the age it's tough to know if they're truly 100% operational.

I don't know of anyone that makes a "new" replacement either. I'd say you likely won't find anyone who offers a current production version since you can't really get cassette tapes anymore either. You may have to "roll the dice" on a used one & hope.

 

[pcombe]

The one on my 1989 tour glide still works but the rear speakers dont function right.

Now that i have converted it to a trike i no longer worry so much about keeping it stock, ( whats the point? )

I wouldn't mind findings a new one that would work with the stock handle bar switches?

I admit i haven't pursued it allot, I seldom turn on the stereo preferring to just hear the engine run?

It seems to me that many of the components inside the radio are used in lots of other applications and an electronics tech should be able to find them and repair the radio we have should you choose to go down that road?

Let me know what you find?

While i'm at it the CB radio could use some reworking. I dont ever use the damn thing but it would be nice for it to work?

It was always a weak spot on the bike from day one and just got tired of messing with it.

When it became obsolete i just forgot about it. I should just throw it away?

 

[Doug D.]

I read somewhere (V-Twin Forum maybe?) the unit used in he '89's was a direct swap for the '86's. Maybe I misunderstood that. Mine doesn't have the CB option and I probably wouldn't use it anyway, but if you're planning to pull yours I'd certainly be interested in it. The face plate on mine is damaged and probably beyond repair. Don't toss yours, I'd gladly give you something for it if it works at all.

PEACE and ride safe! orag:

 

[Doug D.]

Well, I've about given up finding a stock stereo for the '86. Now I'm thinking of putting in a new unit, but I hate to hack up the inside fairing to do it. Anyone here have any experience with installing a newer stereo in a bike this old?

PEACE and ride safe! orag:

 

[pcombe]

Well, I've about given up finding a stock stereo for the '86. Now I'm thinking of putting in a new unit, but I hate to hack up the inside fairing to do it. Anyone here have any experience with installing a newer stereo in a bike this old?

PEACE and ride safe! orag:

I would be interested also.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I see "kits" on fleabay all the time to add like marine unit radios to baggers .. might start there .. maybe someone that sells em for new bikes has them for the oldies too.

 

[pcombe]

I see "kits" on fleabay all the time to add like marine unit radios to baggers .. might start there .. maybe someone that sells em for new bikes has them for the oldies too.

I guess the thing concerning me most would be wiring it to handlebar switches.

volume and i have switches to shift channels etc. Mine has the AM/FM, 5 band weather monitor etc. along with the cassette deck which of course is obsolete.

Every thing still works but an updated radio would be nice. Mostly i dont even use it.

I have a small FM transmitter i can hook into a music storage device and play it through the bikes speakers should i want too.

Hell i haven't used that in years just preferring to hear my motor run.

The transmitter and music device both run on batteries so it's simple enough to tune to am FM frequency on the radio and it works just fine.

I will look into the kits though, Do you have a link by chance?

 

[Doug D.]

I guess the thing concerning me most would be wiring it to handlebar switches.

From what I've seen, anything that's not a direct HD replacement negates the use of the thumb switches. If there's a kit that will cross an aftermarket stereo to the stock thumb switches, I haven't found it yet.

 

[Doug D.]

Well, I'm gonna try to install a Kenwood KMM-BT322. It was cheap enough and does everything but play CD's. It has a provision for hooking up to steering wheel controls in a car, so I might play around with the thumb switches on the bike and see if I can at least get volume control out of it. I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

[trike tech]

Well, I'm gonna try to install a Kenwood KMM-BT322. It was cheap enough and does everything but play CD's. It has a provision for hooking up to steering wheel controls in a car, so I might play around with the thumb switches on the bike and see if I can at least get volume control out of it. I'll let you all know how it goes.

I have the "upgraded" version of this radio in my Jeep. Took a little getting used to but I absolutely love the unit. Puts out good power without creating distortion (unless you have cheapo speakers) & you can really "tweak" the audio settings. Hope you're as happy with it on your bike as I am in my Jeep.

 

[pcombe]

Great, I'm taking off tomorrow for a two bit ride.

I'm headed to Idaho to see mom for a few days and then start flipping a quarter for week or so.

 

[1dn5up]

Great, I'm taking off tomorrow for a two bit ride.

I'm headed to Idaho to see mom for a few days and then start flipping a quarter for week or so.

Enjoy yourself and ride safe !

 

[Doug D.]

Great, I'm taking off tomorrow for a two bit ride.

I'm headed to Idaho to see mom for a few days and then start flipping a quarter for week or so.

Safe travels, Paul!

 

[Doug D.]

Back to the drawing board...

Well, this ain't gonna work. I'd need to cut out the inner fairing and remove all the mounting hardware for the original stereo in order to get the Kenwood in the hole. After that, there's nothing left to support the bottom of the unit. Can't use the original mounting hardware because the new unit won't fit in hole with it in place.