Speaker upgrade for 85 Limited - results

[Goldenponyboy]

I just figured I would post about my efforts to upgrade the old speakers in my 85 limited. I took a chance and hoped the stereo itself was good and the signals to the speakers would be fine. I wanted to keep the stock stereo. I like the mute function on the handle bar and having a radio is nice for when you don't want to mess with a playlist. I found some 4 inch kicker( 43DSC404) speakers that seemed shallow enough that they will fit the holes in the fairing and in the back speaker pods. I only bought one pair as I didn't want to waste my money if they didn't sound any better. I hooked them up and they didn't sound amazing. So I figured I would use them in the front and buy some of the ebay ones from Show chrome that are direct match for the back pods. Both fit just fine and I didn't notice any difference except they were better than the old dried out ones. If I had to do it again I would not have bothered with the kickers.
I think maybe the stereo itself is not 100%. When I use the joystick to move front to back left to right not every speaker is as loud as the other. The back right is kinda low. If anyone knows a way to make the connections better or if there is a trick let me know. I will leave it for this summer and maybe I will get lucky and learn of a fix. But if that doesn't work I might remove as much of the stereo and cb radio and wiring and get a blue tooth amp like this one from kenwood. It has a wired remote that can be placed anywhere.

https://www.amazon.ca/Kenwood-1177524-A ... ive&sr=1-1

Maybe that amp would bring the kickers to life a little. I would probably have to replace the show chrome ones with kickers as the show chrome speakers are low wattage speakers.
By getting rid of the stock stereo and cb radio it would simplify the handlebars and the rats nest of wires this bike has.
The kickers were $68 cdn and the showchrome were $35 USD.
I also think that getting a set of side case covers and putting some 6x9s would be nice boost for road trips. I never thought I would like having music so much but it sure is nice to cruise along with some tunes.

[ksigurdsen]

I was actually working on something very similar for my 1984 Aspy that only has the two (2) front speakers. Being a keep-it-stock as much as possible guy, I had the OEM stereo repaired by Sierra MC Electronics a few years back and I replaced the original speakers with the same Show Chrome set you got. The audio quality is okay considering the era when it was produced (mid-1980's) but it is really weak compared to modern bikes with sound systems.

My improved audio comes from a 2-channel 100 watt marine-grade amplifier with Bluetooth connectivity / RCA inputs. The OEM system only has 7.5 watts per channel for a grand total of 15 watts. The amp is mounted out-of sight at the very back of the seat just under the trunk (on top of the license plate bracket). The wires coming from the amp are spliced into the original speaker wires so the factory audio works without change. To use the amp, I shut off the OEM stereo and play music over the Bluetooth connection from my phone. The mid and upper tones are loud and clear but of course, bass is very minimal out of the speakers that fit the stock mounting locations.

[Perry Burkart]

What brand was the amp you installed?

[ksigurdsen]

"Boss" (made in China). It was in the $50 price range from Amazon.

[Perry Burkart]

Thanks, have you had any issues with it?

[ksigurdsen]

I haven't had any problems with it so far.