| Author | Message | ||
     Mikef5000 |
'Stealth' mount radar detector. Total cost for this was $0. I had the detector itself laying around, and made the bracket out of something I found. The bracket holds it solid as a rock, but I threw a piece of velcro around it just for peace of mind. It clicks in and out with no effort in case of rain or parking in a questionable area. It's hardwired to the same switched line as my GPS, and the audio runs into my 'mixer' (more on that later).      NEXT! CB Antenna, this I actually bought. It came as a kit with the 2' fiberglass antenna, 9' of coax cable, and the aluminum mount all for $22: Drilled 1 extra hole in the side bag bracket:  Drilled 1 extra (center) hole in the antenna mount:  2 Bolts:      The CB Mic I modified by custom making a helmet mount mic, that is wired through a connector into the factory mic. Now the factory mic is simply used as a push-to-talk switch for the helmet mount. I hot glued two layer of foam off of some old headphones to cut down on wind noise. Mic:    <>On a side note, I bought some fasteners, strapping, and 'rivets' to install bolt on mounts for my tank bag, similar to the Buell tank bags. Turned out perfect! The bag itself has 4 clips, so I installed one clip on all 4 mounting bolts for the airbox cover.    OK, CB Radio. This is simply an automotive unit (Already had it laying around). I placed it into the front pocket of my powered tank bag. Also inside my front pocket is an audio mixer. I have my ipod, Radar Detector, and CB radio all plugging into the inputs. It also has a remote mount master volume control, and then the headphone out. The wires will be run through the inside of the bag, not out the top of the pocket like you see now. This is just the test setup. Both the remote volume control and the Push-To-Talk have alternate mounting locations in case I use the map pocket. They just mount with Velcro.  The CB is located just right, so I can look down and see the display, or make any adjustments.  The mixer does not have individual volume controls or a 'ducking' feature, but setting up each pieces volumes correctly eliminates the need for either of these. Took it out today for a test ride, and it worked flawlessly. It's an Amplirider, found here: http://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html  The CB, Amp/Mixer, and Ipod are all plugged into the power outlets inside the bag. Then the bag has a single power wire that plugs into the outlet on the dash. This makes everything powered by a switched signal, so I don't need to shut anything off manually. The CB antenna is not optimal, nor is it mounted in a great location, but I'm sacrificing CB performance for looks here, a 4' antenna sticking out of the top box would work great, but look gross. I like the look of mine, and it does work, just not at the peak of it's capabilities. I did have the CB tested. The guy said there is no good way to do a motorcycle CB. You need at least a 4' antenna above the vehicle, and 18' of cable for it to be near optimal. As expected, mine was nowhere near optimal, and he said if I speak much, I could fry my radio. I don't plan on speaking much, so I'm ok with that. Unplugging the mic from the radio allows it to be zipped into the pocket for protection against the element (not waterproof) or if I need to leave it parked somewhere. The rain cover does go over the whole assembly, although if I'm caught in a serious downpour, I'll also zip-lock bag the electrical stuffs. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
You sick bastard! I love it! What do you suppose the total weight is? | ||
| F_skinner |
That is not true, what you need is a good ground plane that can be made with wire. If the ant is grounded to the metal bag bracket you should be ok. I assume you are using 50 ohm coax, maybe RG58.. It is loosey but at 11 meters or 27MHz (CB freqs) it is ok. Are you going to Homecoming? I would like to take a look at it. Great mods and I like it all. Also Mike, can you tell me what store you got the strap hooks???? I need some of those... Frank (Message edited by f_skinner on June 01, 2010) | ||
| Buellerxt |
Very cool, Mike, and thanks for sharing! Props to you! I'm 'a lot' more of a minimalist guy myself but I am impressed. Very cool. Nate, I love your response, Man!  | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I bought the straps and clips etc. from Joanne Fabrics. I tested the ground and it is very strong. Next to no voltage drop. I thought about a no ground plane antenna, but thought since I had a strong ground it wouldn't be necessary. I will be at Homecoming, but only for a short bit. I'll show up Friday afternoon for the banquet and concert, then leave Saturday a ride north. | ||
| F_skinner |
Ok Mike, thanks for the tip on Joanne Fabrics. I will only be there for a short time as well but if that antenna is adjustable (is there a screw at the base to allow it to go up a down a bit) I can bring some test equip and tune it for you. I am running into a problem with the ground on mine but I used a hose clap and some wire to ground the antenna (works great but at VHF and UHF it is a lot shorter than yours... Good job Mike.. I hope I get to see you at Homecoming.. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I was hoping it was threaded at top like the Firestik, but it was not. The directions say to tune it you can cut it down from the top (it has a rubber cap that covers the top). It pegged out past 3.0 on the test meter when we tested it at the CB shop. I'd love to find a way to 'cheat' it, I'm not as interested in maxing out my distance as much as I want to avoid frying my radio. | ||
| Blasterd |
Thanks for the radar detector idea Mike , I'm still pondering my 2 meter setup though, I have the same antenna mount but I haven't came up with something that will work for me yet. Fskinner, any idea how much power is too much power to transmit on the Uly? | ||
| F_skinner |
I would use no more than ten watts... For 2 meters you really do not need any more than that anyway. You will have line of sight and will be able to full quite most all repeaters in your are. (I use 5 watts on the S2) Make sure your antenna is tuned and you have a good ground plane... You can butterfly some wire to the right length and that would work just as well. With the Uly I would use ten watts and the stator charge indicator would go yellow at idle. Just rev it a little and it is fine. Power management is the key. Using PIAA 510s, radar detector and GPS will add up... | ||
| Ratbuell |
I like your mixer. I have a GPS, and usually also an iPod. I'd love to have them both feed a mixer, and from there to me/headphones, so I can listen to music and hear "her" grouse at me about "turn left, 1/2 mile" over top of it. My Mackie 1604VLZ won't fit in a tankbag, LOL. Frank, et al - if you need an SWR meter at HC, let me know. I'm 90% sure I know where mine is, and I'll be happy to bring it along | ||
| Blasterd |
Thanks, I didn't want to overdrive the stator on the Uly. I'll just stick to my HT alone. I was using it with a 30 watt linear (output was about 22 watts) on my Vulcan Classic. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Hm, turns out the large tankbag causes noticeable buffeting. Buffeting that I was happy to get rid of with the Palmer brackets and home-made memphis shades. Interesting. | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Okay, so if no one else has said it, I will: "Gear Geek!"  Just kidding, between this stuff and your lights, your bike is awesome. Hell, I'm just happy running iPod buds into the helmet for the commute... Great stuff. Paul | ||
| Andymnelson |
Toooo much stuff for me. I prefer the ride over the gear...I ride to escape all that stuff. But nice job on the install! I also recently stole your ideas for rear lighting and such....just ordered up a bunch of parts | ||
| Etennuly |
Mikey, Mikey, Mikey.....If you needed a truck you should have got a truck!  I mean really, are you going to install a 2" receiver type hitch next, with larger self defrosting mirrors? Yosemite Sam mud flaps perhaps? I bet I could build a mini fifth wheel for ya. It would have to mount over the rear axle for proper effect though. Not good for seat space.  | ||
| Discochris |
I have the J&M 2003 CB on my bike. It seems to work just fine. Better than on my old Concours (had lots of electrical noise), except the lack of a fairing on the Uly makes for increased wind noise when talking. I did the same thing with my tank bag. In all, nice job! | ||
| Ulynut |
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