New tunes for the UltraNomad (Now w/pics!)

[cactusjack]

Last night, I replaced the stereo head unit in my fairing. I also installed a different splash cover, which required me to increase the size of the opening in the fairing.

The original stereo I installed was kind of an El Cheapo, and the volume knob/on-off button stopped working a few weeks ago. I had always disliked the splash cover because it didn't stay open on its own.

So I replaced the cover with a unit that the tinted cover retracts into and locks in the open position, which necessitated the larger opening. It was a little unnerving cutting into the fairing, but I used a Dremel with an abrasive disc and it went pretty fast and easy. I got it close to the finished size with that and then used a flat file to finish it to the proper dimensions.

I installed a JVC KC-HDR60 head unit with AM/FM/HD/CD/USB. It is much better than the other unit. There is a commercial free classic rock station I like that I could only pick up if I was near my house with the old setup. That station now comes in clear as a bell at my office, 17 miles further away. It also reads my USB thumb drives much faster. The old unit used to take 2 minutes just to read an 8GB drive. The JVC reads it in about 10 seconds and will read my 16GB drive, where the other could not.

Since I had the fairing apart, I used that opportunity to install a 10" medium tinted shield from Fastaire. It works good, but I have yet to decide if I like the looks of it. I'll give it a chance to grow on me before I make my mind up.

I don't have any pictures right now, but I'll snap some tonight and post them, so you can see a before and after.

I will probably go up to Flagstaff tomorrow on a poker run as part of the Thunder Valley Rally in Camp Verde, which will be a good test of the new gear.