None Honda CB

Revised: 02/04/2003

Introduction:

I wanted to install the Honda CB on my Silver 2002 GL1800, but there were several factors that made me look for an alterative.

The Honda CB and antenna are way over priced, in my humble opinion. I know that price is relevant and what is expensive to me could be a bargain, to someone else. I have a small wallet and need to make every dollar count. I did not want to spend over $700.00 for a CB. ($595.00 for the CB and $109.00 for the antenna)
I read on several Gold Wing bulletin boards, of numerous problems with the Honda CB. Some people were on their third CB, in less than 2 years.
I do not want to drill any more holes on my Wing, if it can be avoided.

I knew that, if I installed a None Honda CB, I would not be able to use some of the Gold Wings controls. I wanted the None Honda CB to be able to:

Work with my headset and boom mike.
Be able to use the intercom system and the CB.
Use the Gold Wing’s built in PTT, on the left grip, to transmit.

Materials:

Maxon	Model: HCB-10C, Hand Held CB radio	$44.96
Kennedy Technology	PTT Interface for GL1800, (95107). This harness allows me to use the bike’s built-in PTT switch, on the left hand grip.	$49.95
Kennedy Technology	FRSet HLC/1800-MWA (95007) harness. This harness is used to connect the Hand Held CB to the bike’s intercom system.	$99.95
Hardware store	Two stainless steel 6mm bolts with washers	$4.10
My closet	A piece of 1/8” thick aluminum plate	$0

The CB

I decided on the Maxon Hand Held CB for several reasons.

The only time I plan to use the CB is when I’m riding with the GWRRA group.
I don’t need any extra bells and whistles.
It was the least expensive Hand Held CB that I could buy locally. I bought the Maxon CB at Wal-Mart.

NOTE: I almost bought the Radio Shack Handheld CB # 21-1679, for $99.99

Connecting the Kennedy PTT Harness

Remove the bike’s seat.
Follow the passenger’s intercom connector, to the bike’s wire harness, that has a black boot cover. It is located by the cross bar under the seat.
The Kennedy PTT harness has 3 connectors and 1 power lead.

The P1 connector on the Kennedy PTT harness plugs into the bike’s black PTT plug.
The JI connector on the Kennedy PTT harness connects to the passenger’s PTT, if installed.
The P2 connector on the Kennedy PTT harness connects to the Kennedy FRSet harness that is under the left faring pocket.
The power lead has red and black wires that connect to the bike’s accessory terminals on the fuse box. (Red to positive and Black to negative).

Connecting the Kennedy FRSet Harness.

1. Remove the fairing's left side glove box.

2. Follow the diver’s intercom connector; to the bike’s wire harness that is under the left side glove box.

3. The Kennedy FRSet harness has 5 connectors.

Disconnect the driver’s intercom connector from the bike’s wire harness and connect it to the Kennedy FRSet intercom connector.
The Kennedy FRSet has another connector that connects, to the bike’s wire harness, where the driver’s intercom connector was connected. In other words, the FRSet is installed between the bike’s harness and the driver’s intercom connector.
Next there is a PTT extension cable (package separately) that connects to the FRSet harness and has to be run to the PTT harness that is under the seat.
The FRSet has 2 connector plugs that connect to the CB radio’s Speaker/Microphone jack. I ran the cables under the faring to the center of the bike and up the left handle bar. I positioned the cables under the handle bar, so not to be seen and used black nylon tie straps, to keep in place.

Mounting the Handheld CB radio

I figured that I had only two options where to place the Hand Held CB.

Option 1: Use the bike's left fairing glove box.

I would have to buy a smaller hand held CB radio that cost more.
I would have to remove the rubber buck antenna and use an external antenna. An additional cost.
I do not want to give up the fairing glove box.
I would not have easy access to the CB squelch/channel controls and LED display.
The CB would be out of site and rain free.

Option 2: Mount the CB on the handlebar

I would have to buy or make a handlebar CB mount.
I could use the CB as is, with out the need for an external antenna.
The left fairing glove box would be free to keep my stuff in.
I would have easy access to the CB squelch/channel controls and LED display.
RAIN? ............. my wife suggested a zip-lock bag.. I can live with that.

I choose to mount the CB on the handle bar. I searched the internet and found several mounts that I could have used that ranged from $29.00 to $65.00, but I wanted to keep my costs down so I made my own CB mount.

I used a piece of aluminum plate 1/8” thick. I cut the plate to make the CB mount. The CB has a belt-clip so I cut a slot at the top of the plate the width of the belt-clip to keep the CB from moving side to side. To secure the CB I used a Velcro strap.

I removed the black plastic cover that hides the two 6mm bolts that hold the clutch lever assembly bracket.
Next I unscrewed the two bolts and used the clamp as a template to draw the holes on the bracket.
I used two new longer 6mm screws and the spacers to install the bracket.
I plugged in the speaker and microphone plug from the FRSet harness into the CB radio’s Speaker/Microphone jacks.

I did not want to use batteries to power the CB. The CB came with a cigarette power cord adapter. I cut off the cigarette adapter plug and added 22-ga wire and ran the positive end to the Auxiliary Fuse Block, and connected the ground to the Master Ground Block.

Additional Comments:

I have never used a CB on a motorcycle, so I have nothing to compare too. I have to rely on others to provide feedback. My initial test-run was very positive. My friend rides a 1500 Wing and he said the reception at his end was loud and clear. I also could hear his transmissions clear through my Chatterbox headset. I was very satisfied with the transmission/reception of the CB's rubber buck antenna. In the future if I feel that I need greater transmission/reception range I might look into Sierra Electronics' FM/CB combo antenna. I have read positive reviews on the antenna.

Health and family problems have prevented me from giving the CB setup an extensive workout; I do plan to up-date this write-up when I have given the CB a good test.

Update: 02/04/2003

I used up a set of batteries very quickly because I kept forgetting to power off the CB. I decided not to use batteries and use the 12v power plug cord that came with the CB. I did not want to plug it into my power port because some times I have my Cell phone charging. I decided to cut off the plug, splice 22ga wire, and connect the ends, to the auxiliary fuse block that I have on my bike. This way the CB has power when the key is set to On or ACC. I also installed an inline noise filter. I remember in the old days when I used to install stereos in my cars that sometimes I could hear through the speakers the whine of the alternator when the engine would rev up. I honestly do not know if installing the inline noise filter was necessary. I decided to do it, just in case.

Overall I am very happy with the CB/Setup. I’m able to talk to my riding buddies when we are riding in a group and listen to all the chatter that goes on. The handheld CB has a 7” rubber buck antenna and now that I have used the CB for a while I might consider installing a Sierra Electronics’ FM/CB combo antenna, to get the additional transmission range.

If I install the Sierra Electronics’ FM/CB combo antenna, I plan to add the information to this write-up.

Update: 03/12/2003

I decided to install a Sierra Electronics combo CB/FM antenna.

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