1988 GL 1500 Sirius Sat.Radio install?

[eberlebike4]

Does anyone have any experience with a Sat.Radio install on a '88 GL1500?? And how do i go about finding out my Radio ID#on the bike? Thanks in Advance......Harry

[Mag]

The Radio ID is actually Channel 1 (I believe, or Channel 0) and there is a long # that identifies. I have a Sirius that I plug in to my car, then also use on a boombox around the house. I want to also add a stand on the bike so I can just switch and only pay one monthly fee.

If you do not get a response....I have emails that I kept to help out which I can post here. Still need to put it on my 88 also.

[eberlebike4]

Thanks Mag,as long as i don't have to get into the Radio and do surgery(Cutting,splicing,soldering)i'm in like Flynn:)

[Mag]

Admin helped out on some of what I kept for this. Unfortunately all you have to do is take off plastic, etc., etc. I figure I am going to do this for the winter....I try not to do any work during riding season since I only get to ride about 5 months due to all the rain.

I will start pasting the conversation together. Also, look through this site, I know there is a good thread on it too.

[AJ Wehnert]

My radio came with a mounting bracket i mounted by my ignition key, I ran a 12 volt socket from my battery to my right fairing pocket and just plugged my sat into that. The antenna was ran under my plastic along the frame under the seat and mounted to my luggage rack on my trunk bag..works great..just turn to a fm station and good to go.

[eberlebike4]

I hear ya on the rain in Wa. Mag,That was one of the major reason's i left Mt.Rainier N.P.for Mesa Verde,N.P......Much BETTER,lot's of sunshine:):)....and riding:):).....Going to tackle that prob.2morrow AJ,and thanks for all of the advice.....Harry

[Mag]

So, yes, I know there are other areas with better weather, but one thing I like about Western WA is all of the green....but looks like riding season is officially on this week, highs in mid 80s to 90 (so coming your way) and then down to low to mid 70s.

By the way, below is a write up that another member gave me (credit to "JDJones").....I cropped it some for the areas of the msg he sent me that no one would understand (since this was sent in the middle of a full conversation).


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Mine is a portable head unit so I don't really worry about the rain. I've attached the base to the left handle bar. The power point on my bike was already installed when I purchased it and is located on the right side of the fairing. So here is what I did:

1. Base attached to the left handle bars. I did this by using the attachment designed for the vents of a vehicle. Then using two black plastic wire ties I ran then thru the back of the base plate in a crisscross pattern and snugged them down. If you go that route snug just to the point of keeping from distorting the plastic handle bar trim. I've not had the unit slip even once on some pretty bumpy roads.

2. The antenna. I mounted the antenna on top of the fairing on the left side just at the base of the windshield with velcro.

3. I could have used the bluetooth to connect to the radio but when I had the unit in another vehicle I found that when traveling I had to constantly change channels to avoid bleed over from that channel being used in a particular city. What I ended up doing it going to Best Buy and getting an adapter. It's called something like radio antenna interface cable. <It's non powered so there's no need to have to run more wires to power it>. This small unit was inexpensive and I placed the base of it on the fender under the seat. This is an ideal location as the connection for the antenna is located there as well. Installation is simple. Disconnect the existing antenna coupling and plug the male portion into the adapter. Connect the male connector from the other end of the adapter to the existing female connection that you unplugged. The third wire is the one you route along the frame to the back of the satellite radio. Now whatever station you have your satellite radio on and bike radio on is much clearer and from experience of traveling thru some 9 states I've only had bleed over once. It's one thing to fiddle with the settings in a 4 wheel vehicle vs fiddling with the settings on a bike. You said you might have the cassette that you can use for the interface between your satellite radio and bike radio. That would certainly work and you'd not need the interface cable.

4. So, now I have all these wires, power, antenna and the radio antenna interface attached to the satellite radio base. I took all the wires from the base and routed them along the clutch cable and using small black plastic wire ties attached them loosely to the clutch cable. From there I routed the wires to the left cubby with the snap on cover. All the access wiring along with a 3 power point box. The 3 power point box wire was run to the power point on the bike along the base of the windshield. The reason I use the 3 point power box is for the Satellite radio power, GPS power and the 3rd one I use to recharge my phone. The power drain is minimum since they are only functioning when the bike is running. Hint hint about a multi plug power point.

............The only two points I'd recommend is one, the satellite antenna. While putting it on the top of the luggage compartment will work, it'll only work if you don't put something on top of the luggage rack such as extra luggage bag for those super long travels. Two, the radio antenna interface cable is well worth the small price to keep from fiddling with buttons and knobs tooling down the road. I only got mine at Best Buy because I was in there shopping for other items. You can pick it up at Radio Shack as well.

[minimac]

I considered going a whole radio route but decided it wasn't worth it for me. I have an older XM Roady ll with the suction cup mount. It's on the left side of my windshield with the antenna mounted to the top of the "dash" below it with Velcro. All of the wiring is minimally exposed and tie wrapped together to keep it neat, with the excess tucked into the left side pocket.My power outlet is installed on the lower left panel where I had a CB block off plate. I went to Walmart and bought one of those lighted triple outlet adapters with a usb port, which is tucked under the straps on the left side pocket cover to hold it in place. The power cord plugs into that, with the excess tucked into the pocket also. In case of foul weather(often) the Roady and the power adapter are covered with a Baggy, closed at the bottom with a twist tie. I can see the face of the unit easily through the baggy, it stays dry, and is easily replaced if necessary. The whole works is quicksly and easily removed if I'm parked and locked away and re- installs in nothing flat. Besides having my music, I can run a gps, phone charger, even charge up my computer while travelling.

[Mag]

Now this just gets me to want to install my Sirius to my bike. I listen to it almost entirely now in the cars (ESPN and Magaritaville, lol), would be nice to have good tunes ALL THE TIME.