Improving the sound of the Harley-Davidson standard audio: speakers and amplifier

In this practical case we will work directly with the sound system to improve our experience in a simple way and without special tools when rolling with music.

The amplifier and speakers
Normally when we think about improving an audio system, the first thing that comes to mind is to install larger and more powerful speakers. The sound we hear occurs by an electrical signal that reaches a coil located at the speaker's base, creating a variable magnetic field that acts on a permanent solidarity magnet with the speaker cone, rhythically moving it and creating sound waves and thus turning electricity into sound.

Simplifying a lot, we can say that the electrical signal that comes from the emitter apparatus (the radio) is not very powerful, and if we try to move a very large speakers system, the signal loses quality, producing distortion and saturation.
It is important to increase the power of this signal by amplifying it, achieving a more powerful signal but with hardly any loss of quality. This is responsible for the amplifier or sound stage.
It is essential to choose a good combination of speakers and amplifier, in order to ensure its compatibility and thus ensure that our investment will meet expectations.

Equipment installation
In this case we have chosen an amplifier kit + Hogunes speakers, which is prepared with all the necessary connections compatible with the H-D original audio equipment, largely facilitating its installation.

We will start opening the lid of the fairing “batwing” loosening the front screws for it

And the rear,

In this way we can already extract the front and have access to the radio.

Next we will disassemble the original speakers loosening the screws that hold them to their support,

and we will replace them directly with the new ones. In the following image we can see the difference in size (and quality) between both components.

We will place the new amplifier at the top of the radio housing, holding it with the velcro provided in the kit.

The next step consists of making the connections indicated in the instructions, basically what we do is intersperate the amplifier at the radio output, and then connect the speakers at the output of the amplifier.

The energy source
The amplification process requires extra energy to be carried out, so we have to feed the power stage directly from the battery, for which we will pass the connector from the front area

Below the fuel tank

to the battery terminals.

To do this we will use the main motorcycle wiring duct.

Ending
At this point we can already give the contact and listen to our favorite song, uploading the volume progressively and checking that everything is correct. We will close the fairing again and try the audio system in progress again, verifying that it is not affected by the vibrations or create parasitic sounds during the motor brand.

Now we only have to make a selection of the songs that will accompany us on the trip, thus becoming the soundtrack of the film of our life.

Frank Burguera

#mecanicaharley