Sirius Satellite Radio...

Out during the boring bits of riding... I've been lost humming the same
old tune over and over in my head... well I now have some 149 channels
of Sirius Satellite Radio to which to jog along the next song stored in
my noggin...

Sirius's 60 commercial free channels beat XM's 20 commercial free
channels... not to mention a more eclectic range of tunes... you may
check out the actual programming on their site...
http://www.siriusradio.com

I went with Audiovox's Universal FM system... normally $179.00 but
Circuit City sold me their demo for 35.00 OTD... sweet...

First I mounted the separate display module on my custom tank bag bracket...
http://home.earthlink.net/~netters2/lalovey/RC45SatelliteDisplay.JPG

Next I mounted the receiver inside the lower compartment of the tank bag...
http://home.earthlink.net/~netters2/lalovey/RC45Satellite Receiver.JPG

Finally I mounted a $49.00 Terk antenna inside the tail cowl...
http://home.earthlink.net/~netters2/lalovey/RC45SatelliteAntenna.JPG

I plugged a Radio Shack cord that adapted the receiver's red and white
RCA jacks into a stereo mini jack and with a small volume control in the
line... I now have perfect dynamic sound going into my stereo ear plugs...
http://home.earthlink.net/~netters2/lalovey/EarPlugInstalled.JPG

After the online 12.30 subscription fee... I was ready to test it out on
my solitude Clearlake ride... I ended up very pleased... the system
worked perfect... I only lost the signal twice due to the proximity of
high metal objects... you'd think the signal would deteriorate while
leaned 45 degrees to the asphalt... I delighted to report that's not the
case...

After the sound of a HRC's V4... what comes nearest to expressing the
inexpressible is satellite moozic non stop...


Larry L
94 RC45 #2
Have a wheelie NICE day...
Lean & Mean it... the extended warranty in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/

 

Nice install Larry, although I am slightly partial to XM b/c I've had them
before Sirius could get a signal to my area its sweet nonetheless.

Danny

 

Mine were made at San Mateo Motorcycle show for $160.00 ... I think
Laguna Seca has a vender that does them for 50.00...
Larry L

 

Hiya Ray...
60ºlean angle black box is Honda's way to kill the ignition if the bike
falls over saving your engine... the "Oh Shit" works independently to
save a rider having to give CHP head...


Larry L
94 RC45 #2
Have a wheelie NICE day...
Lean & Mean it... the extended warranty in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/

 

Nice pictures, what camera have you got????

 

Bah! Just stick the speaker nib in your ear and pour in some silicone
calking, Keep your head on it's side for several hours till dry, then pry it
out. Instant custom-fit.
B

 

Hey Larry here's the 64,000 dollar question -- what do you do for
speakers/headphones?

I have tried to play my walkman for long superslab trips and I can't
find a happy solution.

If I remove my ear plugs then the wind noise makes me crank it so loud
it is deafening.

If I use ear plugs, then I cannot fit the ear-buds in my ear and they
don't make enough sound for me to hear.

I've tried sticking the ear buds behind my ear lobes to conduct the
sound through the bone ... at V < 45 mph it is O.K. but once I hop on
the freeway all I cal hear is the wind and the engine.

I'll buy a drink at Alice's for anyone who gives me useful advice ...

John Beck

 

Try a set of earphones from Radio Shack (they're a re-labeled Koss'
"The Plug" but are easier to find).
http://www.radioshack.com/product.a..._name=CTLG_007_003_003_000&product_id=33-1167
(RS Part # 33-1167). They provide about 29db of noise reduction but
still allow you to hear someone's voice. I've ridden with these for
about the last 3-4 months and must say that I'm pleased.

 

I've often considered carrying an mp3 player with me but I was afraid that
it would block out too much noise that i would need to hear.. like a car
horn or something.. strange noises coming from my bike and the like... Can
you still hear what you need to hear with music going in your ears? or do
you just not care to hear anything and would rather listen to some good
tunes?

-Josh

 

I can't answer that for you... it's better you test it yourself to gain
first hand knowledge...

I feel enough of the outside noise reaches my ears while in moozic mode
to act in a safe manner... my home made exhaust cap is stamped 80 dba...
but in reality it's rated above 103dba... at that level my exhaust note
has no problem reaching beyond the ear plugs and moozic...
http://home.earthlink.net/~netters2/lalovey/ExhaustCap01.JPG

Larry L
94 RC45 #2
Have a wheelie NICE day...
Lean & Mean it... the extended warranty in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/

 

Pussy. Two-part epoxy would set in 5 minutes.

Charles

 

And those annoying eardrums that always cause problems

Steve
95 Buell S2
96 Kawasaki ZX7R

 

Yesterday I went to Radio Shack and bought a pair of $22 earplug
headphones (part number 33-1167) they have foam plugs with a through
hole with the earphone inside. I tried them and they don't reduce road
noise as much as my normal foam plugs but at 75mph they are acceptable:
I can hear my music, the car horns AND my engine.

Next I'll try drilling a hole in my favorite foam plug (they're bright
orange and "bell shaped" instead of "bullet shaped"). Freezing the
plugs first before using a 1/16" dill bit should do the trick. If not,
I'll ruin a $.50 pair of ear plugs.

 

Gerald,

I took your advice and ordered a pair of the Radio Shack earbuds. It wasn't
until the end of the transaction that I got the following message:
"California Residents: WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including
lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling."

Seems like that would have been nice to know earlier. Glad I'm not the
reproductive type. Wonder if I should wash my ears after using? And why
only California residents. Don't we care about the folks in the other 49
states (is that what they mean by a 49 state earphone?), or do they just add
the nasty chemicals to the earphones they are selling to us CA folks?

I suspect that is just a blanket warning they put on all products they sell
to CA residents, to cover their rears because of our state disclosure laws,
but I'll let you know for sure after I've worn the things a few times.

Paul

 

Well darn. Shoots my love life all to hell. Seriously though, thanks for
clueing me in about the solder. I never would have thought that was what
they were talking about, even though I've been known to wield the ol'
soldering iron a time or two myself.

Paul

 

All of this talk about music while riding is slowly leading towards a
project I've been working on for ages: wireless helmet speakers. I've
fiddled with a few off the shelf setups enough to know what has to be
changed and how to go about the changes, but it looks like it's not a
do it yourself setup unless you're very good with tools and composites
since new housings need to be made. Some electronics work is needed,
too. As soon as I can I'm going to pick up some stuff to start with
and build my setup, test it out, take pics, and report on it's
performance, but for now I can say that it'll be 900 mhz, powered by
the bike, and semi-permenantly installed in the helmet (ala
Chatterbox), but all internally. More details later.

If this works out I might let a friend who builds custom computers,
cases and all, build and sell them. Hopefully I'll be able to build a
universal kit that can be installed by the end user, otherwise it'll
be a send the helmet arrangement. Right now I'm estimating the cost to
be around $150, plus a bit for installation if necessary. Anyone
interested in this setup? Think about it. No wires from your head to
your tankbag, armband, belt, pocket, etc. They'll even be FCC approved
so the radiation police can't say shit to ya

email me at ninja(zee ecks seven are) at swbell dot net changing the
stuff in (these) as appropriate. With any questions, comments, ideas,
etc.

Steve
95 Buell S2
96 Kawasaki ZX7R

 

I use an Iriver MP3 player every once in awhile when I'm commuting on
the bike. It actually works suprisingly well... Once above 75 mph it
gets harder to hear, but I figure I should be concentrating on other
stuff by then anyway. At lower speeds, I can still hear all the
important sounds (cars around me, engine noise, etc.).

 

I've often thought that the actual phones from a pair of Sony MDR7506
professional studio headphones would work really well in a helmet if you
could get them placed just right... these are full over-the-ear studio
phones, and each earpiece is in a metal can thats not excessively large.
they use 40mm drivers, so have superb bass response. they are designed for
all day use by studio professionals. they do require somewhat more power
than most any miniphones, however. The cushions are even replacable and
available from sony's pro catalog. The phones are about $100-120 a pair.

With wireless helmet speakers, how would you supply power? I think a good
set of helmet phone/speakers with a simple minijack in a convenient place,
then an optional vest-pocket sized wireless reciever would be perfectly
adequate. Otherwise, you'd have to remove too much of the helmets foam
to install the electronics and battery compartment inside the helmet, or
you'll have an ungainly external box stuck on the helmet which will mess
up the aerodynamics.

 

Most of the wireless headphones out there use 2 or 4 AAAs. The plan is
to build some suitable NiMH packs that will fit out of the way.

True, but I rarely have my helmet on unless I'm immediately next to
the bike anyway. Too hot for the lid around here if I'm not moving.

That's what I thought until I saw some of the electronics involved.
One set of headphones I fiddled with "accidently" came apart at the
store. The boards in each side are barely bigger than Chatterbox
speakers and will fit in my helmet (Vega Monterrey) behind or inside
the ear pads. An external box is the last resort. Aerodynamically a
Chatterbox makes no difference and a 900 MHZ rx can be made even
smaller. The only real problem is batteries.

Years ago I had an FM radio about the size of a credit card, but a
lttle over 1/8" thick that would have easily fit in the helmet
somewhere. Unfortunately I can't find any of those anymore. If I could
it would be a piece of cake. Bury the radio in the helmet, hook it up
to some speakers, and transmit to it with a Soundfeeder in the
tankbag.

Steve
95 Buell S2
96 Kawasaki ZX7R

 

I use a Panasonic MP3 CD player and Sony clip-on earbuds. Took forever
to pick the CD player since I wanted something with ID3, full digital
controls on the top so I could get to them through the map pouch, and
decent shock buffering. The Panasonic works perfect. The only problem
was low volume when I was using my Chatterbox headset. Took it out and
switched back to the Sony buds and it sounds perfect. A little
inconvenient putting the buds in and working my head into the helmet
without moving them, but I'll figure out a way around that one of
these days.

As for hearing what's going around, no problem, just don't turn it up
too loud. I leave it at 5 (out of 20) around town and go up to about 8
on the freeway.

Steve
95 Buell S2
96 Kawasaki ZX7R