external stereo volume control

[86 goldwing]

just wondering if any one has wired the volume and mute control on the left handle bar to an after market stereo
can it be done and how hard would it be

[the_big_h]

I used a PAC SWI-RC interface ($75 CDN from Crutchfield.ca or $42 CDN from Amazon.ca), but made my own switch assembly instead of using the factory switches.

Your aftermarket radio needs to have an input for remote control for this to work. On some radios, it's the Blue/yellow wire, apparently some may have a 1/8" jack on the back for this purpose. I used a Kenwood radio KMR-something, I forget the exact model. I chose one with no CD player, it was shallow enough to fit perfectly in the original radio space, once I removed the connector bracket from the dash. I wired the output signal through the auto-volume control, and kept the remainder of the original wiring and amplifier and speakers intact.

The PAC SWI-RC translates different voltage levels from various buttons to the same signal that an infrared remote control would send to the radio. You have to go through a teach process for it to learn the voltages of your switches.

The original switches have only 3 switches: Volume UP, Volume DOWN, and MUTE. The MUTE switch is problematic, as it is a maintained switch, which does not really work with the SWI-RC. And only 3 switches was not enough for me, I wanted to be able do do more controls (radio tuning up/down, source select, next/previous track, etc).

So I made my own switch box: I installed 4 SPDT center-off momentary switches in a 2x2x1 cast aluminum box, and installed that in place of the original switch. The switches I used had short paddles, and snapped into round holes. I arranged them:
lower-left=up/down (Volume up/down)
upper-left=left/right (next/previous track)
lower-right=left/right (next source)
upper-right=up/down (Mute/unmute)
so I could find and operate them with gloves on without looking.
Each switch gets wired with a different resistance value to the SWI-RC, so only need to wires from SWI-RC to this switch box (resistors soldered to back of switches in box).

It worked perfectly, except I powered the SWI-RC from the Blue wire from the radio, so when I switched Next Source to Standby, the radio would power down this blue wire, so I would have to press the Power button on the radio to get it going again. (Oops).

Clear?

[86 goldwing]

well thats about as clear as mud for me lol
but i looked up the switch on amazon and now the mud has turned to a semi clear liquid
have a feeling the radio i ordered will not have the wires needed to do this

[86 goldwing]

sorry got side tracked would you be able to send me pics of the finished switch
would like to see what it looks like on the bike
i would really like to have the same set up you have
need more control of radio at my finger tips to get wife off my back lol
she constantly yells at me to turn it down or change the songs just when i need both hands
right now the only button i have at finger tips is my intercom mute lol
going to look at wiring from new radio and see if i have the right wires needed
then maybe just take a ride over to your house and have you make it for me
not sure where you are but would be a good reason to go for a ride lol

[86 goldwing]

sorry forgot to say thankyou for getting back to me on this issue

[Rambozo]

If your radio has an optional wired or wireless remote control, it won't be too difficult to do this. If not, it will require some electronics work to make it happen. There is a pinout of the control posted here or on Goldwing Facts.

[86 goldwing]

thanks Rambozo the radio on order does have a wireless remote
where do i find the pin you mentioned

[Rambozo]

A wired control would be easier, but they are getting rare. I thought I saved a copy of it, but I don't see it. I know it was either here or on goldwing facts, but a quick search is not turning up anything. There are so many radio threads to go through, it's probably faster to ohm out your switches than to look for it. Once you have the remote and can take it apart, you can figure out what switches you can use for what functions. As most of the wireless controls are IR, it will also need to be located where it can "see" your radio. If the remote is RF that would be better.

[Rambozo]

I found it!
viewtopic.php?p=293344#p293344

You can also use the CB controls to add functions. I found those on ebay.

[86 goldwing]

hey Rambozo looked at the thread thanks
will look into it more when radio arrives

[the_big_h]

Sorry for the late reply....
These are the switches I used:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/5Pcs-R13-402-Bl ... 46b1e01769
or just search ebay for R13-402.
I put them in this Hammond box, I forget where I got it. Mouser, Digikey, Newark, or any local electronics store (do they still exist?) should have it.
https://www.hammfg.com/files/parts/pdf/1590WLLBBK.pdf

Remote control switches on GL1200

The switches are installed in the bottom of the box, and I mounted the box on edge. In one side of the box, I drilled a small hole for a screw to mount the box to the handlebar. On the opposite side, I drilled a larger hole to stick the screwdriver through to be able to tighten this mounting screw. The chrome screw on top is just to plug this screwdriver hole, a plastic hole plug would be better. On the mounting side I also put in a short self-threading screw, protruding maybe 3/32", to fit in the existing hole in the handlebar as anti-rotation. You'll see what I mean when you remove your existing radio control switch assembly.
The radio is a Kenwood KMR-322BT.

Kenwood radio in GL1200

As you can see it fits really nice in the original space. I did have to remove the connector bracket out of the dashboard, but most of the rest of the radio bracket is intact. I did need to paint the radio trim black, as the silver trim reflected too much sunlight to my eyes.
I didn't have to hack up the motorcycle wiring at all - I found connectors to mate with the motorcycle connectors. To revert back to stock radio (why?) I would just need a new connector bracket, and plug it all back in.

What radio model are you getting? I could look it up and see how it may or may not be similar to what I did.

[86 goldwing]

https://www.amazon.com/BAYUE-Bluetooth- ... ref=sr_1_1
thats the link to the radio im waiting on from amazon
dont think im going to have the right wires to make it work
but if you think it will i really like what you did
that looks dam good
i assume that the switches are turning and not push buttons
any way to use push style

[86 goldwing]

ok so looks like the link doesnt work will try to take a pic

[86 goldwing]

Car Bluetooth Player, 12V Colorful Lights Stereo MP3 Player Single Din Hands-Free Calling USB/Aux-in/FM Radio Receiver(with Accessories)
ok try this high lite the above and copy then paste in amazon search bar
radio is the red lights 56 dollars and change
i know its cheap but it has everything i need

[86 goldwing]

ok so i just looked at the switches on ebay
they are toggle my mistake
now i really want the same set up lol

[the_big_h]

I found that radio on Amazon, unfortunately as far as I can see it has no provision for "Steering Wheel Controls"
The one connector has 8 wires with the standard colours for speakers, the other connector has Black, Red, Yellow, and Blue - the standard colours for power (Red/Yellow/Black) and switched power out (Blue). No wire for "steering wheel control" or "remote input", and no 1/8" jack on the back for that purpose.
It would be theoretically possible to make a circuit that would take in either the signal from the switches, or perhaps the output of the SWI-RC, and output it to an infrared LED that you would mount so the radio could see it. Maybe such a thing could be purchased, a quick search didn't look too promising. If you are good with electronics, it would be an interesting project.
In my original research I had considered something like https://www.amazon.ca/Wireless-Universa ... B07D39YXLS, but I didn't like the tiny buttons, and didn't think it would work reliably. If you think it would work for you, it's not too much money, might be worth a try.

In any case, you can use this radio with the existing amplifer in the motorcycle, to keep the auto-volume control. You would need to purchase a 5-pin DIN plug, and solder a pair of RCA plugs to it, to connect from the radio to the Auto-Volume control. Makes installation really simple in that respect, no need to mess with the speaker wires.

[86 goldwing]

Hi Big H thanks for checking the radio out for me
as for being any good at electronics nope not a chance
wish i had waited until i talked with you before ordering radio
oh well guess i will just live with it until it dies then order one with what i need
and then we can start from scratch this is going to be the third radio ive had in the bike
so might not take me to long to kill it lol first one fried in a heavy down pour while bike was out side for 4 hours
second one was just a cheap 30 dollar amazon that just gave up the ghost
so now im hopping third time a charm
if not will be getting the right one with all the right wires
then double check all the threads you have sent me
your switch was really well done your electronic abilities are way above my pay grade
thanks again hoping we might get together for coffee come spring your not far from me

[86 goldwing]

just to let you know all the original wiring was scraped by po before me

[the_big_h]

I have 2 nightmares when buying a new bike:
- Previous owner "improved" the wiring....
- Previous owner forced imperial bolts/screws into the metric holes.
I've run into a little of both over the years, but not more than I could fix

One of the features I looked for when making my selection was a "marine" radio, hoping that it might be a little more waterproof. Not sure if that is the case or not, but I can always hope.

[86 goldwing]

same issues here but my po was my brother inlaw (god rest his sole)
so i cant complain to much
not sure what was done before he purchased the machine
and now that i have her i know ive done some make shift repairs
but she is never going to see another owner so i will have the time to fix all my screw ups and any others i find