CB radio

[Perry Burkart]

I have a 85 LTD and i believe it is stock except for some LED running lights. I have a hand held CB radio in the right side speaker pouch on the rear passenger area. I have looked for pics or content on the original CBs' for this bike and mostly i see pics of them installed in left side of fairing, down by your knees. Does anyone know about the handheld one that i have, whether or not it was factory? Mine seems to work, but not to well, it probably needs the antenna tuned or just not to powerful to begin. Any info or leads would be so gratefully appreciated.

[galwegan]

can you take and attach any pics ?
does the ht ( hand held unit ) have any makers label ?
is it 32 or 40 channel unit ?

[WingAdmin]

I have a 85 LTD and i believe it is stock except for some LED running lights. I have a hand held CB radio in the right side speaker pouch on the rear passenger area. I have looked for pics or content on the original CBs' for this bike and mostly i see pics of them installed in left side of fairing, down by your knees. Does anyone know about the handheld one that i have, whether or not it was factory? Mine seems to work, but not to well, it probably needs the antenna tuned or just not to powerful to begin. Any info or leads would be so gratefully appreciated.

Definitely not factory. Tuning the antenna would be a good start.

[CrystalPistol]

I can recall seeing OEM used units advertised for $6-700 back about 20-25 years ago. Factory where you describe by your left knee.

I wanted one on my '85 for group rides, Ken Chapin sent me schematics and RS parts list to build an "integrator" box in the '90s, I used a smallish Cobra from a truck stop CB store, a CB antenna signal combiner with tuning coil, mounted on an aluminum cross bar mounted on 1" rifle scope mounts (made from receiver side mount from an old Winchester 94 I no longer had), later I made a new suction cup mount that set on the faux tank and had a strap that fastened under the lid. I even had a removable dark tint plexiglass rain cover I made. I rigged a PTT switch, used a 5 pin DIN plug (male) to plug into headset outlet, hook up PL259 for antenna, two terminal plug to PTT switch, and a two terminal power cord, and a 1/8" mini plug for external speaker outlet from CB. Worked great and a lot cheaper than used OEM then. Fully integrated, integrated the mute, worked as well as a factory CB and usually had better range on rides. Ken gutted a speaker in his and put the components there in place, I used a separate prodject box.

You likely want to hold onto the handheld. Bikes don't have great ground planes anyway.

[Perry Burkart]

Ok very interesting. I really am not sure about 32 or 40 channels. I do know it is more than 19.

[Perry Burkart]

[galwegan]

thats not stock , its a old midland 23 channel hide away radio from the early 80's
its not even meant to be used on a bike, the mic gain wont allow for a clean / clear pickup and any transmission from that radio would sound , well .. pretty bad and with a 3 or maybe 5 watt output , youd not reach out very far anyhow..

someone really really wanted a cb on thier bike and fitted it on.
im not bashing , just giving out some facts

[Perry Burkart]

Thanks i appreciate the information!