Radio antenna

[mayhem8]

Does anyone know offhand if the antenna cable goes to the radio as one cable, or is it 2 pieces. If the latter, where is the joining connector (i.e. under the seat, under the faux tank cover, ???)?

I never use the radio and it worked when I got the bike. My wife went with me the other day and wanted me to play the radio, but it's acting as if the antenna is disconnected, and of course, nothing is easy to get at when it comes to things in the fairing.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

This may seem silly but check the "mute" button on the handlebar as well as the one on the left side passenger controller. My wife accidently hit it while mounting the bike once and it took me about 5 minutes to figure it out. Then I found out that it's happened to others as well. With it inside the leather pouch it's gets forgotten about but that button can still get depressed unknowingly!
Check that before tearing into the bike.

[SgtSlag]

A disconnected antenna will result in static noises. If the mute button is depressed, it will be silent. Please share more details of the symptoms. Cheers!

[mayhem8]

I am getting static noises. I did check the mute buttons as I wasn't getting volume at first, but was thinking that the left knob on the radio was volume and it doesn't appear to be the case according to the online manual.

I turned up the volume via the handlebar volume controls and got plenty of volume, but couldn't really bring in any stations. I can get something from very strong stations so know the radio is basically working, but the antenna is somehow disconnected.

Really just looking to see if the antenna wire goes straight from the antenna mount to the back of the radio, and if not, about where it joins so I know about where to start looking.

Can't tell for sure, but it almost looks like if I removed the front headlight assembly that I may be able to see the back of the radio, but trying to see what I can glean before pulling stuff apart for something I rarely use.

[VoyKimmer]

Antenna connection wire comes out of the radio maybe less than a foot. Lead from antenna is one continuous run to that connection. Right upper fairing has to come off and let headlight hang down and you can get to it. Don’t be intimidated removing fairings. It’s easy.

[GrandpaDenny]

Antenna connection wire comes out of the radio maybe less than a foot. Lead from antenna is one continuous run to that connection. Right upper fairing has to come off and let headlight hang down and you can get to it. Don’t be intimidated removing fairings. It’s easy.

You should be able to get to the antenna connection to the radio by removing the headlight.

[mayhem8]

Thank you for the last 2 posts. It did appear from just taking off the headlight cover that removing the headlight would get me access to the back of the radio. When I was in there doing other things I must have somehow pulled and loosened the antenna connection.

I did download the manual a while ago and just looked at the Frame section (Chapter 14) and that sort of demystified the fairing removal a bit, but I prefer not to take things off unless absolutely neccesary. Just more opportunities to break and lose stuff.

As mentioned, I never use the radio when driving alone, which is probably over 90% of the time. At some point (hopefully soon), we plan to upgrade helmets to bluetooth enabled ones with mics. I think these would also allow me (or the Mrs) to listen to the radio if she likes. Not sure why, but it just always seemed weird to me to see a bike driving down the road with a radio blaring.

[mayhem8]

FWIW - I did note that the left knob on the radio is marked as "vol", but not shown in the Clarion radio user manual as the volume control. Odd. Either way, my volume control knob is not working, but the volume on the handlebar controls is working.

Also, the radio did seem to be working when I went for a ride yesterday, so whatever the issue is, it's on the hairy edge of working, or not. Was having similar issues with my headlight, which I mentioned in another thread.

[SgtSlag]

At some point (hopefully soon), we plan to upgrade helmets to bluetooth enabled ones with mics. I think these would also allow me (or the Mrs) to listen to the radio if she likes. Not sure why, but it just always seemed weird to me to see a bike driving down the road with a radio blaring.

All of the Bluetooth intercom systems will work with any 3/4 or full-face/modular helmets. You do not need to buy a BT-specific helmet to use them. For 3/4-face helmets, you will want to order a BT set for such: they have a slightly different microphone equipped with the set.

All of the BT intercoms will clamp to the side of the helmet, with a mounting kit included with the units. I've had a few different models, over the past 12+ years. We started out with a wired intercom. That system ran off of a pair of AA batteries, connected by headset wires between the two riders, leading to the module worn by one rider. It was annoying, at gas and rest stops, when we dismounted, but they were always on, always plenty of volume (adjustable with the unit, but each person got the same volume, as there was one controller only). It had a lot of plusses to it.

The USB re-chargeable BT units were wireless, with good range -- turn them off before one of you hits the head... Models vary, as do their controls. We have radios built into our's, but we rarely use that feature. We rarely use the BT interface with our cell phones, and GPS, either. We like to talk to each other when we ride. Never tried connecting to another bike, but that is another feature available in most BT models, if you care to ride in a group.

Shop around, buy what fits your needs, and your budget.

I, too, can't stand to have a bike ride by, with their radio blasting their music of choice to everyone they go by. I've experience that many a time, and it gives every rider a tarnished reputation. No one wants to have other people's music (Rap/Country/Rock/Christian/Metal/Talk/whatever) blasted at them, against their will. Cheers!

[GrandpaDenny]

FWIW - I did note that the left knob on the radio is marked as "vol", but not shown in the Clarion radio user manual as the volume control. Odd. Either way, my volume control knob is not working, but the volume on the handlebar controls is working.

That's intercom volume. Should actually say INT VOL if I recall correctly (I'm not within arm's reach of the bike LOL).

[mayhem8]

GrandpaDenny,

You are correct. It is labeled INT-VOL. So my radio volume works as it should, via the handlebar or rear controls.