Looking for electronics recommendations

[nonextant]

Well, Since I have the bike all torn apart right now... I figure it's time to start a project I've been long putting off.

 

I bought a plain old vanilla venture. My previous bike was a BMW R1100RTP so I miss all the electrical doo-dads (that's right, I used doo-dads in a sentence)

 

Anyway, I have an Idea of what I want on there. I have already got some of the items, and I know what I want for some others. I mocked up a rough diagram attached below. The Items with pictures are Items I already have or have picked out.

 

I'm planning on running the XM audio through the input on the tablet pc.... that way, I can always hear the GPS nav prompts. I'll run the audio out from the tablet pc into a switch or splitter of some kind.

 

The audio on one "branch" will run to a 2 channel amplifier powering the roadmasters in my fairing. the issue I am having here, is finding a suitable amplifier that has some kind of remote variable gain knob that I can mount on the fairing. If anyone seen anything please let me know. The only thing I've been able to find are some chinese products on ebay, and I'm leery of the quality.

 

The other branch will run to an amplifier driving some helmet speakers. Again, I'm having trouble finding the right product here as well. I used to just plug my earbuds into the tablet pc, but I don't want to have to deal with in ear phones as helmet speakers are more convenient and don't hurt my ears on long rides. I'm concerned about volume being an issue though, and would rather have a fairing mounted volume control here as well.

 

Lastly, does anyone have any recommendations for a good set of helmet speakers? I have a Schuberth Concept helmet, it that will affect the choices at all.

 

I may add a CB at some point, and am thinking about a bluetooth cell phone kit. (It won't need to be wired in, as I won't talk on the phone while riding, but something on the "dash" so I know if my wife is trying to reach me

 

I would appreciate any advice you may have, and maybe someone will have an even simpler way to accomplish the same goals.

 

Thank you very much

 

Mark

[usnmustang]

For the helmet, I have a recommendation. I used a set of speakers from an old head set I had lying around. It was a KOSS head hugger that no one had used in a while. I removed the speakers from the head frame, used some double sided tape to put them in the helmet and tucked the wires into the gaps of the padding. Works like a charm and it didn't cost a dime. I have a SOEI RF 1000 and there was plenty of room in the ear space. Not sure how much yours has.

[Squidley]

Mark,

I'm somewhat ignorant on all the techy stuff as far as audio and all the Doo-dads (I got to say it too ) that are available these days. I dont know if you have already looked, but Crutchfield is a very reputable company that sells high quality electronics. You might want to check them out and see what they have to offer.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4PCcaROg5Bz/

[nonextant]

I hadn't thought of adapting my own headphones, so I will look into that...

 

I like the idea of "repurposing" items (well I must, or I would just try and track down a stock CB/Radio/Cassette system and install it. perhaps I can take an old boombox or something and circuitbend it to use as a headphone amp.

 

The amp for the helmet speakers is the biggest stumbling block right now, as most portable headphone amps I'm finding just boost the signal some... I'd rather install something that can control and amplify a line level signal.

[GeorgeS]

On your 84 you have space in the left fairing ( ie. no yamaha audio system )

 

I would consider a Marine Quality, AM FM Radio. Most of them have Plenty of power to drive speakers. ( be sure buy marine quality speakers also )

 

Look for a Radio unit that has the " Aux Input " for MP3.

 

Ok, Now make up a switching unit, that will switch whatever Item you want to use as an audio source.

 

(( say, your cb, radar det, mp3, or whatever ))

 

You can make up a small box, useing minature Audio transformers, to Mix audio from many sources. Also, a switching system to switch between audio sources.

 

I am considering ripping out ALL the OEM stuff in my 89, and doing something like this.

 

But consider, a High Quality Marine AM/ FM, stero , with about 50 Watts per channel, More then enough power. Cost about the same as a seperate Amplifier, and you get the radio thrown in, and Wireing is Kept SIMPLE !!!