The Wiring Job From Hell

There are two complete reviews coming for this project plus 3 side reviews. When you see some of the pictures you'll know why the reviews aren't completed yet. This is just a little synopsis and some well deserved thank you's.

This project started with me and my anal attitude (stupid attitude). I wanted to use my radar detector, MP3 player, GPS, cellphone on my bike. That's no problem, right? Oh, you have a Harley? YOU'RE SCREWED! So with that in mind I set out on a mission. Besides what better way to spend my winter months than a project that would last until friggin' summer! Ok, late spring but it was a long time, OK?

Now the bike comes with a radio, CB, and intercom which I didn't want to give up so using a third party solution really wasn't going to work and I didn't want to invest in something like that. Besides I wanted it all integrated into the bike. In hindsight I probably could have used a cheaper third party solution but once you're down a path it's hard to turn around and start over. Knowing what I know now I can easily adapt what I have to fit my needs.

Everything came together last night after 3 or 4 months of cabling, wiring, ground-loop isolators, power filters, and one Mix-It. Without the Mix-It and John Brown's technical advice this project would not have happened. I can't say enough good things about John and his products. John gave me tons of help with cables and shared his technical savvy with me. I can't say thank you enough to John for his expertise and patience. So, Thanks John. I also want to thank everyone on the LDRider list for their help and infinite resources. Thanks to Lisa Landry for not laughing her butt off when I mentioned sewing and helping out with a tank bag supplier (Wolfman Luggage) who not only sold me a tank bag but sold me a lot of material for making some mods and a cover for the wiring job from hell. A plus for the Slipstreamer Radar Mount is in order also. With just two of those things I was able to mount 5 devices (after a added a few nuts and bolts of my own). Their handlebar mount is exceptional for the price ($25/each) and it's so versatile I was able to try a lot of different setups before I found the one that suited me the best. One more thanks goes to Brett Donahue who provided me with wiring diagrams and a lot of helpful advice. Brett also worked with Kennedy Technologies to get them a bike to do some developement on the cellphone product for Harley's '97 and later. Thanks for all the help Brett.

This project tried my patience but I refused to give up and the fact that I kept hearing "that won't work" and "no one makes something for that" only motivated me more. All the gadgets now work. The phone alone is a project that can be done on any '97 and later Harley with just some cables, connectors, and some soldering skills, if the bike has the intercom system installed. I've talked with people, on the phone while riding, that had no idea I was on the bike which makes me believe the quality is good enough. The MP3 player, radar detector, and GPS all work like they should and I can still use the CB or flip over to the radio anytime I want. The Mix-It gives me another volume control to adjust everything where I want it.

Here's some pictures. Hopefully I'll have the reviews up in a few months but honestly if anyone is crazy enough to do this after reading my review you should just shoot yourself in the foot first. It'll cost you less money and hurt less than doing this project. Thanks again to everyone that helped on this project.

The right tree setup (Mix-It, Passport, MP3, Cellphone)	The wiring (If you think you can make it look better, have at it.)
The cover (For those rainy days)	The whole rig (Ready to role)