Well it finally happened the radio on my 1987 FLHTC died. I searched a little and all I found was stuff for newer bikes from mostly the touring section. I have the 4 inch speakers. Anyone have any suggestions? it would be nice to keep the handlebar controls. Thanks for any help. Figures it would happen on a Holiday weekend.

 

Try Biketronics, you can contact them at (208) 882-8469. We have one of their retro radio kits with a Sony radio and their speakers front and rear, plus their amplifier. This allows you to still use the handlebar controls and is basically plug and play. The sound is very good for 4" speakers. If you also have a CB be sure to check the push to talk button, if it is stuck in then it kills the radio even if the CB is off. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the help. I looked at their site. I might be out of luck because they only list for 88 and up. I'll call Tues and see what they say.

 

BB4xl,

I think Harley changed the way the radio controls work somewhere around '88, previously they used variable resistance to control volume, just a slider on the controls. However, I think they also have a complete (Nomad?) kit with controls that should work with any bike.

 

I know they changed the radio style in 88. The radio I have was used in 86-87. I noticed in a pic that he posted Dr. Hess's 86 has a Sony Radio installed. Iam hoping he wil chime in sooner or later. Thanks for the help. Iam going to call Biketronics on Tues.

 

I updated my '87 and had it all working before the shop fire forced me to re-do the bike. I went to a '88-'95 volume switch and housing and the Biketronics. If you are OK with wiring schematics it is not too bad. You have to alter the radio opening since the '87 was a two shaft style radio behind the faceplate. I modified the rear bracket that the faceplate screws into so that the plastic hadlebar cover has a place to attach. It winds up in two pieces since the '87 has 4 gauges and the radio just clears on the sides. I re-used the factory weather cover and that worked GREAT. These pieces are still available from HD if yours are in tough shape. With it closed you didn't know it was not stock. My hand contolls worked great and the variable volume did too. I posted last year, if you search for " '87 radio " it will pop up. The unit they sent me for '88 had the rear speaker outputs cut off and capped. If you ever want to add speakerpods to your tourpack or a set of speakers in your bags or lowers I would get one that has front/rear outputs. Any questions let me know....I am no expert but everyone told me "IT CAN'T BE DONE!!!!!", but if you bang your head against it long enough - it HAS to work!!!

 

Thanks you guys. You give me hope. This is what I love about the Evo section. Help is always just a log on away. People with new bikes do not understand the attachment you get to you bike. This radio problem is minor I know, but I want a radio. Thanks again.

 

I've already modified my opening for a standard DIN mount. I think that's what it's called - pretty much standard size and the way 99% or radios mount theses days...

My question - is the left control the only one you had to actually change? I have no problem with switching pins and sockets in the connector blocks to make things work

 

I have an original radio/cassette from an 87 FLHTC sitting in my garage, along with the speakers I believe.

 

When I did mine I changed to '95 chrome hand contolls so I dad to re-wire everything. I bought the HD wire ends and jumpers that go in the plugs...it looked factory. The '95's power up the switches differently than they did in '87, so I had quite a bit of re-wireing to do. If memory serves, without me studying the schematics again, that the RH switch is the same and you need to re-doo the LFT lower housing half and the push-to-change volume switch instead of the slider. It's not the end of the world. Finding a good volume switch can be a little of a hunt since I am told they are obsolete now, I got a good used one for my re-build with some of the parts I bought. Now I am using an '89 ultra harness and who-the-heck-knows what other parts to rebuild. I am a glutten for punishishment... so I am going to add a cruise unit from about '94. Hope I get it done and it dosn't drive me insane!!!!