Here’s a list of things to check when your HSA adapter isn’t working properly with a compatible Sony radio.

With the fairing cover off, HSA adapter removed:

1. On the 23 pin stock radio harness connector; Check to see if all contact pins are properly installed and seated into the connector housing. Verify that all contact pins come all the way to the top of their respective pin holes (excluding pin 14, not used). To reseat these contacts, gently pry the lock tabs on either side of the contact housing (RED plastic piece) until it comes out about ¼”. The contact housing does not need to be removed, only loosened. Reseat the contact(s) by pushing them further into the connector from the wire side until they snap into place. When finished, push the contact housing back into the connector until it snaps back in place.

2. On the 14 pin Sony radio connector (on HSA adapter); Check to see if all contact pins are properly installed and seated into the connector housing. To reseat these contacts, push them into the connector housing from the wire side until they snap into place.

With the fairing cover off, HSA adapter connected to stock radio harness only:

3. On the 14 pin Sony radio connector (on HSA adapter); Using a voltmeter or test light, Check for +12V on the YELLOW wire, check for +12V on the RED wire (with ignition switch in Accessory), and check for GROUND on the BLACK wire. If one of these wires fail inspection, disconnect the HSA adapter from the harness and check pins 10 and 20 of the stock radio harness for +12V, and pins 11 and 19 for GROUND. If these pins fail inspection, the problem is with your stock radio harness.

With the fairing cover off, HSA adapter installed:

4. If the Sony radio does not power up, or functions intermittently, check for proper GROUND at the radio. Using a jumper wire, attach one end to the screw or post on the back of the radio, and attach the other end to a well known GROUND (eg. throttle side of the frame between gas tank and fairing, negative (-) terminal of battery, etc.).

5. If the Sony radio is working, but the handle bar controls don’t function, ensure that the 3.5mm phono jack from the HSA adapter is installed and seated properly into the back of the Sony radio. In most cases the right angle side of the pigtail wire should be facing up towards the top of the radio.

Here's a list of tools needed to work in/around your fairing:
T-40 Torx Wrench
T-27 Torx Wrench
T-25 Torx Wrench
1/2" Hand Wrench
7/16" Hand Wrench
3/16" Hex Wrench
P2 Phillips Screw Driver
Wire Crimmpers
Wire Strippers
Wire Cutters

Unfortunately at this time we can't offer installation or customization as a service, as we're really set up to design, test, build, and ship our products. Maybe someday though...

These are the names given to the 2 touring fairing designs by none other than Harley-Davidson themselves. It's a simple matter of what they look like:

Sharknose Fairing
Looks like the nose of a shark, the fairing used on Road Glides.

Batwing Fairing
Looks like a bat with wings, the fairing used on Electra Glides and Street Glides.

We use this terminology around here because it's usually the only physical difference to deal with when installing an audio system in your fairing, regardless of your specific bike model.

To install a 2006-newer Harman/Kardon radio on a 1998-2005 bike, there’s 3 things to consider; physical mounting/fit, wiring, and calibration (programming).

From a physical point of view, the radio will fit and mount in exactly the same way as the Radiosound units from 1998-2005, so no problem there. You may need to reroute or relocate some wiring to accommodate a proper fit, but nothing major needs to be changed.

From a wiring point of view, there’s 2 harnesses involved in installing stock H-D radio's:

1) Main Audio Harness (includes power/ground, hand controls, front speaker outputs) 2) Auxiliary (overlay) Harness (includes rear speaker outputs, accessory connections for XM, intercom, etc,)

The main audio harness is the same from 1998 through 2009, so for power/ground, front speakers, and hand controls, no wiring changes are needed. This means that if you’re installing on a 2 speaker bike without additional options, it’s a simple plug and play situation.

The auxiliary harness (also known as the overlay harness) is where the radical differences between 1998-2005 and 2006-2009 occur. If you plan to run rear speakers from the H/K radio, or utilize the Harman/Kardon XM or intercom modules (like Ultra Classics), then you'll need to buy and install the 2006-2009 overlay harness on your 2005 bike. It can be done, but it does involve some work. The best thing to do here is to obtain a copy of both factory wiring diagrams old and new, and locate the power/ground/speaker wire connection points that suit your particular needs best.

From a calibration/programming point of view, if you can find a Harman/Kardon radio out of a 2006-newer bike that’s already functioning, just plug it in, you’re done. New Harman/Kardon radios come blank from H-D however, and currently the dealers are the only ones who can calibrate/program them properly. Check with your local Harley-Davidson dealer to see if they are willing to help get your new radio programmed before you install it on your older bike.

Here's some things to keep in mind when choosing the right source unit for your bike:

Factory Harley-Davison Radios
Pro's:
- Designed with headset and intercom functionality (most models)
- CB, XM*, and MP3 options available (*new Harman/Kardon units)
- Built like a tank to survive the brutal motorcycle environment
- Weatherproof and resistant to vibrations
- Display screen is designed for visibility in direct sunlight
- Hard to beat these units in the reliability category
Con's:
- Choice of looks and design style limited to only a few
- Headset, intercom, CB, XM, etc. are integrated; remove it and you lose those functions
- CB*, XM*, and MP3 options are very expensive (*new Harman/Kardon units)
- Lacks power to drive speakers loud at highway speeds without external amplification
- Speaker selection is narrowed to 2/8 ohm only (*excludes CVO high output units)
- Built like a tank, and heavy as a tank as well

Aftermarket Automotive Radios
Pro's:
- Wide variety of looks, features, and options to choose from
- Relatively inexpensive compared to factory Harley-Davidson units
- Typically lighter in weight, and physically smaller in design
- Wider speaker selection available (with standard 4 ohm outputs)
- Sony radios can be adapted to your handlebar controls
Con's:
- Headset, intercom and CB are not typically supported
- Built for the mild environment of a car, not weatherproof (excluding marine grade)
- Lacks power to drive speakers loud at highway speeds without external amplification
- Display screen is not typically designed for visibility in direct sunlight
- Many aftermarket units fail after a short time on the road (dirt, water, UV exposure, etc.)


If you want to stick with a factory radio, consider getting one of those new Harman/Kardon H-D radios.

Factory Harley-Davison Harman/Kardon Radios
Pro's:
- All the modern features available (MP3, XM, CB, etc.)
- Compatible with your existing intercom and headset equipment
- Built like a tank like its predecessors to endure the harsh environment
- Looks just like a Harley radio should; clean, simple, and black w/ amber display
Con's:
- It's expensive compared to typical aftermarket source units
- The optional modules are expensive too
- You may have to buy an overlay harness (for rear channels, options, etc.)
- You have to find a dealer willing to calibrate (program) it for you using a 2006-newer bike ECU.

Now, if you can get an H/K unit out of a 2006-newer bike that's already functioning, it can be installed in 1998-2005 bikes without re-programming (1996-1997 with our adapter harness as well). New H/K units come blank from H-D however, and currently the dealers are the only ones who can program them. See the FAQ “Installing a Harman/Kardon Radio On A 2005-Older Bike” for more information.

If you choose an aftermarket radio, our HUA360 adapter connects your handlebar controls to a Sony, Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood, JVC, or Clarion source units that incorporate a wired remote or steering wheel interface port. But no matter what you choose, our amplifier systems will work just fine with any source unit, stock or aftermarket, and get you rocking down the road.