87 FLHTC Stereo
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Stage II
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: TX
87 FLHTC Stereo
I am a new Harley Davidson owner and need some help with replacement or upgrading the AM/FM/CB/ Tape Deck for a 1987 FLHTC.
I inherited the motorcycle from my dad and spent a lot of time with him and the bike growing up. I dont want to it trade for a new motorcycle, its a family thing, you know?
I have looked through this forum for a few hours now and have spent a lot of time online looking for an option, but havent found anything helpful. Contacted a motorcycle stereo vendor and was told they start with 1988 only.
Here are my ideas?
Change out the inner Fairing or complete Fairing to a newer model --- Can this even be done?
Cut the inner Fairing to fit a newer stereo --- will probably lose handle bar controls
Install a J&M 2003 and connect Sirius Radio kit, but how do I run it to external speakers? can I even do that?
Find the original manufacture and contact them --- who would have built the stereo for the 87?
Were the fairings for previous years the same? I know they obviously changed on the 88 model, but if anyone has changed an older than 87 model maybe I could do what they did.
Any suggestions or help would be great.
I inherited the motorcycle from my dad and spent a lot of time with him and the bike growing up. I dont want to it trade for a new motorcycle, its a family thing, you know?
I have looked through this forum for a few hours now and have spent a lot of time online looking for an option, but havent found anything helpful. Contacted a motorcycle stereo vendor and was told they start with 1988 only.
Here are my ideas?
Change out the inner Fairing or complete Fairing to a newer model --- Can this even be done?
Cut the inner Fairing to fit a newer stereo --- will probably lose handle bar controls
Install a J&M 2003 and connect Sirius Radio kit, but how do I run it to external speakers? can I even do that?
Find the original manufacture and contact them --- who would have built the stereo for the 87?
Were the fairings for previous years the same? I know they obviously changed on the 88 model, but if anyone has changed an older than 87 model maybe I could do what they did.
Any suggestions or help would be great.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,885
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
I won't be too helpfull, but I own a 1986 FLHTC with the slider volume controls. First off my original radio works just fine for 23 years of age... go figure... did something right in the mid-eighties. Damn, the whole bike is still running just fine.
I would love to upgrade to USB/mp3 also. But as you found out and as I've looked at the service manual wiring diagrams, you'll lose volume controls because in 1988+ radio went to a 3 wire stepped (up/down) volume control instead of a 2 wire slider pot. A PAC tech told me to upgrade my left controls to 1988+ and then their set-up should work.
But like I said... radio works just fine. I really don't want too mess with it yet until it fails. Once that happens... new radio should fit with a filler plate. then I'll hack into the all or most the wiring, ect and maybe upgrade the volume slide too 1988+ style. That should be a fun project!!!!
Good luck, Post some info if you do an up-grade I would like to know if you had issues or not.
Opp
I would love to upgrade to USB/mp3 also. But as you found out and as I've looked at the service manual wiring diagrams, you'll lose volume controls because in 1988+ radio went to a 3 wire stepped (up/down) volume control instead of a 2 wire slider pot. A PAC tech told me to upgrade my left controls to 1988+ and then their set-up should work.
But like I said... radio works just fine. I really don't want too mess with it yet until it fails. Once that happens... new radio should fit with a filler plate. then I'll hack into the all or most the wiring, ect and maybe upgrade the volume slide too 1988+ style. That should be a fun project!!!!
Good luck, Post some info if you do an up-grade I would like to know if you had issues or not.
Opp
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Glenwood, MN
I have a thread that you will see that I banged around all winter till I finally muddled thru. IT WORKS!!!! Here is a post of me working on putting newer radio in mine: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...eed-ideas.html I did have to upgrade to a '88 and up volume switch (I found a complete chrome set off a '95 and did both sides, wound up being a lot of head scratching!!) You will have to run one more wire in the poly coating, I was able to feed it down the '95 tubes OK. If you want more of a plug in application you will have to hunt up a 8 pin plug for the Biketronics to plug into. My Photobucket ID is http://s729.photobucket.com/albums/ww295/IDIDNTDOIT87/
I have some pictures of the install there. I like the autoadjusting volume feature of the biketronics unit. Get one for an '88. Replace the left lower switch housing and volume switch, cut your inner fairing for a Sony, modify YOUR existing plate like I show in the pics to hold the plastic trim under the radio and it should go pretty smooth. The extra wire for volume I just brought straight to the radio plug and bypassed the handlebar plug with it.
I have some pictures of the install there. I like the autoadjusting volume feature of the biketronics unit. Get one for an '88. Replace the left lower switch housing and volume switch, cut your inner fairing for a Sony, modify YOUR existing plate like I show in the pics to hold the plastic trim under the radio and it should go pretty smooth. The extra wire for volume I just brought straight to the radio plug and bypassed the handlebar plug with it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From:
can you post a pict of the radio on it, factory that is, cause hawg-wired makes an adapter that allows you to put the newer hk radio on the older bikes, and I happen to have a new hk factory radio, 08'... just took it off the roadglide in my sig...
anyhow, there are many options for upgrading audio...
anyhow, there are many options for upgrading audio...
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Glenwood, MN
I believe that the newer radios are wider than will fit in the '86 and '87 fairings. There is a guage on either side of the radio in these years that makes it a tight fit for even a 'din' sized radio. I was able to fit a new one into the stock cover with a tiny bit of trimming. Biketronics kit to put this size radio in the newer bikes include spacers to fill them out.
Last edited by IDIDNTDOIT; May 15, 2009 at 11:23 PM.
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