HELP! Broken CB antenna on my '99 RSV....

[YamahaLarry]

Ok, on day one of my tear down of the '99 RSV for repaint, I have broken a part. I had purchased the 2 short black antennas and studs needed as linked by others on here to replace both antennas during reassembly. The radio antenna came off easily, no problems. But, when I got to the CB antenna, evidently, it does not assemble the same way. I placed a wrench on the 2 slots at the base of the actual antenna mast and a wrench on the nut under the tube mount, and was very difficult to turn. Was only able to turn it about 1/2 turn (yes, CCW) and it was very squeaky.

 

So, I drenched with WD40 a few times, trying to be careful and not apply too much pressure. It was turning and loosening, but was extremely difficult. Well, I guess I applied too much pressure, and SNAP, the mast fell off. Finished disassembling and below are the results.

 

I see no way in getting the HD 13" flexible antennas (along with the adapter studs as referenced by some on here) to go onto the CB antenna mounts. There does not appear to be any female threads anywhere for the stud. Looking down into the tube on the end of the cable, there is what seems to be a gold looking spring in the center, and there are no female threads in that tube. Also, the black nut/cover in the pic does not look like you can take it apart or removed the part sticking out of the top that has the screw that held the antenna. Looks like maybe it was made to fold down.

 

Any suggestions or ideas are needed. I checked price for a new one, but that just means I would be going back with the 25' long antennas. Would really like to use these shorties. And, also, anyone else that has ordered these antennas, are yours different - radio vs CB?

 

Both of my antennas they sent me are identical. I am no radio genius, but I am pretty sure that there is a difference in radio vs CB antennas.

 

Here is what I have and desperately need help with:

[etcswjoe]

Unless you are going to put original antennas back on just throw the broken piece away. The stud you bought should mount right on the tube coming from under the trunk mount. You will need to buy a short pl295 to Motorola cable for the CB side to go from the box under the trunk to the stud, the antenna should screw right into the stud. For the AM/FM side you will need to cut the cable and put a new PL295 connector on it or buy a pre-made one and run all the way from the front. A CB antenna will work for the AM/FM but not optimally DO NOT use an AM/FM antenna for the CB! If you need more help give me a shout after 1800.

 

I am no sure if the Harley antennas will work at all since Harleys have a load coil in the tour pack for the CB antenna, so when you mount them make sure you run a a VSWR check. Stock Harley antennas also have CB stamped on the side at the screw end or at least mine did.

 

Cable

http://www.walcottradio.com/18smmpl-pl259-to-motorola-plug-18-long-p-934.html

 

Stud

http://www.walcottradio.com/firestik-k4a-stud-mount-pl259-screwon-connection-p-247.html

Edited July 28, 2015 by etcswjoe

[YamahaLarry]

Unless you are going to put original antennas back on just throw the broken piece away. The stud you bought should mount right on the tube coming from under the trunk mount. You will need to buy a short pl295 to Motorola cable for the CB side to go from the box under the trunk to the stud, the antenna should screw right into the stud. For the AM/FM side you will need to cut the cable and put a new PL295 connector on it or buy a pre-made one and run all the way from the front. A CB antenna will work for the AM/FM but not optimally DO NOT use an AM/FM antenna for the CB! If you need more help give me a shout after 1800.

 

Cable

http://www.walcottradio.com/18smmpl-pl259-to-motorola-plug-18-long-p-934.html

 

Stud

http://www.walcottradio.com/firestik-k4a-stud-mount-pl259-screwon-connection-p-247.html

 

From an old Coastie, thanks Chief!!! I had searched many options online last night, but was really unsure if the CB studs I was looking at would fit into the hole of the mounting tube on the bike. These antennas are supposedly tuned for CB radio (not sure of cable length required for proper wave length) and was unsure of the AM/FM reception. I did read someplace, that AM would be fine but it would effect the FM reception.

 

CB radio is a necessity for me because I organize several rides a year and help escort on some others. FM radio, not a requirement. I can always listen to mp3.

[etcswjoe]

I have Firestiks on mine I think 2 foot is shortest you can get for those.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Firestik-FS-2BK-Series-Tunable-Antenna/dp/B004USX7EE

[utadventure]

If I remember correctly the combined cable/antenna length for a CB radio to work correctly (not receive feedback on transmit)is 10 meters. It might receive transmission by others but will not transmit out well and will damage the radio over time if it's not tuned (SWR Meter). Many antennas, like the OEM, have a center coil to meet the length requirement. Harley places a coil inside the saddlebag, and others like Firestik, have additional length coiled around the antenna (usually visible underneath the outer rap). Firestik recommended that the cable length between the mounting stud and radio be 18' long in order to have the proper over all length when I replaced the antenna on my '86. Other lengths may work but are typically done in 3' increments.

Edited July 28, 2015 by utadventure

[Condor]

The female threads are located up inside the gold ring you see. The male stud portion should be mounted on the bracket where the co-ax goes into. The part that's broken in you pics is nothing more that a joint that allows the antenna to be layed down for your cover.

[YamahaLarry]

If I remember correctly the combined cable/antenna length for a CB radio to work correctly (not receive feedback on transmit)is 10 meters. It might receive transmission by others but will not transmit out well and will damage the radio over time if it's not tuned (SWR Meter). Many antennas, like the OEM, have a center coil to meet the length requirement. Harley places a coil inside the saddlebag, and others like Firestik, have additional length coiled around the antenna (usually visible underneath the outer rap). Firestik recommended that the cable length between the mounting stud and radio be 18' long in order to have the proper over all length when I replaced the antenna on my '86. Other lengths may work but are typically done in 3' increments.

 

From my CB radio days in the 70s, for some reason I was thinking that everything was trimmed in lengths of 118", ie. cable lenght + whip + coil (if any). Regardless, I intend on either purchasing or borrowing a SWR meter and try to get it at least close. Sometimes our bike rides get long enough that from the front to the back, depending on terrain, it is iffy on reception/transmission. My RSV has always performed well.

[YamahaLarry]

The female threads are located up inside the gold ring you see. The male stud portion should be mounted on the bracket where the co-ax goes into. The part that's broken in you pics is nothing more that a joint that allows the antenna to be layed down for your cover.

 

Not sure what gold ring, but I am going to tinker with it a little more when I get home this evening. If can't get it to work, I will perhaps follow Chief Joe's recomendation. It looks for a cleaner setup once some heat shrink is applied.

 

The antenna's that I have are 13" long.

 

http://www.antennax.com/p-4729-2-eurostyle-13-inch-antenna-masts-harley-davidson.aspx