6.5'' Adapter Rings
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I am curious to try other speakers, if anyone would like to send me a set.
We have tried many in the past with the same results. I have however noticed if we over torque the ring we do get some distortion in the ring as it meets the fairing on one of the four fairings we have here which leads me to believe not all are the same and can cause a fitment issue we can not control.
Being mindful of this we were able to still get our speakers mounted with minimal effort. Thank you to all for bringing this issue to our attention with the Polk Speakers.
We have tried many in the past with the same results. I have however noticed if we over torque the ring we do get some distortion in the ring as it meets the fairing on one of the four fairings we have here which leads me to believe not all are the same and can cause a fitment issue we can not control.
Being mindful of this we were able to still get our speakers mounted with minimal effort. Thank you to all for bringing this issue to our attention with the Polk Speakers.
Coming to you Kevin. Polk DB651, same bolt pattern as the MM and DXi series.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Ashevegas
I just noticed HW has changed the design of their adapter rings from the conical shape I have to a two piece design. I just ordered a set to make sure they line-up as well. The set I have is almost two years old and came with their ZX series speakers.
I also ordered a set of the Arc branded adapters to see if there is any change in fitment with the Polk's. If they fit then I'll know what the problem is.
Left (Old style) Right (New style)
I also ordered a set of the Arc branded adapters to see if there is any change in fitment with the Polk's. If they fit then I'll know what the problem is.
Left (Old style) Right (New style)
Last edited by rbferg; Apr 16, 2013 at 01:59 AM. Reason: added info
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
hmm.. wonder why.. I don't see the logic or application behind a 2 piece adapter. To me 1 solid piece of plastic vs two thinner pieces. Would be interested to see some pics and how you piece them together once you get them rbferg if you don't mind sir...
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 27
From: Texas
You might want to go check the "counter" on the machine.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Ashevegas
I have no idea why they changed the design (old design to weak for their speakers maybe?). I'm not sure but I bet the spacer they include may not be needed with the Polk's (small magnet). I assume the spacer places their large magnet past the horizontal fairing brace? I think this adapter design can be used on both batwings and sharknose bikes and the sharknose does not require the spacer? I do know the older design puts the frame of the Polk's right against the slot in the horizontal brace, I just filed it out some. I will take some pics when I get them together.
Last edited by rbferg; Apr 17, 2013 at 12:29 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
actually kevin.. I have the db651, mm651, and titan II 6.5" speakers right here with me and a pair of cycle sounds adapters. ALL 3 speakers line up perfectly to the holes in the adapters.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 27
From: Texas
My adapters & speakers lined-up perfectly when they were off the bike. It was only when the adapters were attached to the fairing that alignment became a problem.
Checked on that last month, he have sold more than one, and less than250,000. When we hit 125,000 pairs I will have no problem working on the mold,or buying new.
I am wondering however why out of the four fairings I have here, one of thefour allowed the ring to flex, and the others didn't. I know that HD used morethan one mold from 96-13 for this fairing. WIth the flexing we did experience,we still had really no problem getting the speaker to fit.
Its hard to calculate tolerances on stuff you don't make when those itemschange. We did an install yesterday with 2012 E Glide Classic and my installerwas checking for this type of problem, and stated when he unscrewed OEM speakerhe noticed it "UNFLEX" when screws loosened. This tells me only onething, some fairings are different than others and only the new part is goingin is being scrutinized. I am thinkingthat perhaps the mounting holes may be lower to surface plain for the opening. Whenring/adapter is tightened it is pulling the ring out of shape the holes linedup on before.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Checked on that last month, he have sold more than one, and less than250,000. When we hit 125,000 pairs I will have no problem working on the mold,or buying new.
I am wondering however why out of the four fairings I have here, one of thefour allowed the ring to flex, and the others didn't. I know that HD used morethan one mold from 96-13 for this fairing. WIth the flexing we did experience,we still had really no problem getting the speaker to fit.
Its hard to calculate tolerances on stuff you don't make when those itemschange. We did an install yesterday with 2012 E Glide Classic and my installerwas checking for this type of problem, and stated when he unscrewed OEM speakerhe noticed it "UNFLEX" when screws loosened. This tells me only onething, some fairings are different than others and only the new part is goingin is being scrutinized. I am thinkingthat perhaps the mounting holes may be lower to surface plain for the opening. Whenring/adapter is tightened it is pulling the ring out of shape the holes linedup on before.
I am wondering however why out of the four fairings I have here, one of thefour allowed the ring to flex, and the others didn't. I know that HD used morethan one mold from 96-13 for this fairing. WIth the flexing we did experience,we still had really no problem getting the speaker to fit.
Its hard to calculate tolerances on stuff you don't make when those itemschange. We did an install yesterday with 2012 E Glide Classic and my installerwas checking for this type of problem, and stated when he unscrewed OEM speakerhe noticed it "UNFLEX" when screws loosened. This tells me only onething, some fairings are different than others and only the new part is goingin is being scrutinized. I am thinkingthat perhaps the mounting holes may be lower to surface plain for the opening. Whenring/adapter is tightened it is pulling the ring out of shape the holes linedup on before.
But again, I've had NO issues whatsoever with any manufacturer's speaker I mounted to the DF or CS (one in the same) adapter rings.