Since selling my last girlfriend to buy a Harley FLHTI I have made several changes to it. Most mods were for performance and handling but some for comfort as well. One area that I was not thrilled with was the radio. When hauling ass on open highways I couldn't make out my favorite Michael Jackson lyrics clearly, even though I had plenty of volume.

I figured it was just me getting older. Okay, No Smart remarks on that comment.

When I was at the V-Twin Expo I stopped at the Cycle Sounds booth and they explained to me that the problem was most likely just the speakers blasting distorted tunes, and I could solve the problem with better speakers.

I ended up with a set of 5 ¼ inch 40hm speakers that were a bolt in replacements for the original factory units. When I first looked at them the difference in magnet size was obvious and then I noticed some other subtle changes.

Installing them was an easy task. I placed a towel over the front fender just in case I dropped anything, DUH.

Using a T27 Torx driver I started on the inner fairing side with the two screws by the fork tubes then the two near the speakers and then the three screws below the windshield on the front side.

Disconnect the head light wire and put the windshield and fairing in a safe place. Carefully remove the speaker connections paying attention to which one goes where, and then with the T- 25 Torx remove the speaker screws. You may have to also loosen the fairing support bracket at the other end in some instances.

Remove speaker and replace with new one. The two long screws go in the top and the short in the lower outboard hole. Be sure to re-install the washer between bracket and speaker. Yep there is no screw used in the other bottom hole. No I do not know why.

Tighten the bottom screw to 22-28 in-lbs the two upper screws to 30-50 in-lbs. I use a torque wrench as screws into plastic have a tendency to strip easily.

Repeat for the other speaker.

Replace the fairing, install headlight wire, make sure all other wires are clearing and fairing seal on bottom is positioned correctly against outer fairing skirt.

Put windshield in place and position fairing. Install the three screws below the windshield, the ones with the flat washers. Do Not Tighten all the way. Proceed to the two below and then the two inside by the fork tubes. Slight wiggling and alignment may be necessary.

Start by tightening the four lower screws to 20-30 in-lbs in an X pattern.

Move to the front, start on the outside and end up in the middle tighten the screws to 25-30 in-lbs.

I turned on the radio and it was loud and clear. I actually had to turn the volume down from the previous setting. Well, the test on the highway worked as well. Now I can hear Michael sing "Thriller," like never before as I blast down the highway to the next event.

It should be noted that Cycle Sounds makes other systems as well and you can find out more at their web site http://www.cyclesounds.com/ or Toll Free at 1-866-427-2346

--ROGUE