I'm still here. Lurking more than posting. Work and life have been taking more and more time. Finally the good weather seems to be coming. Had the bike out once this March for a 20 mile run... it was ~30 F so I didn't bother going anywhere too exciting.

At the moment I'm farkling my bike. When I started touring I had an old gym bag that I'd wrap in clear garbage bags and bungee to the seat. I had printed maps and directions in a ziplock bag - that I'd dangle infront of the head light to read at night, and stuff "securely" between the seat and tank until the next major turn. That worked well and I enjoyed touring.

Then I brought bags and said - well - aren't these dandy. I can pack all of my stuff quickly and easily... lots of nice pockets. $200 well spent. That was Canadian dollars back when they were 3/4 the US.

Then I decided I didn't like to not be able to hear my passenger... and I started looking up com devices. I happened across a fellow admin in one thread who was considering selling his AutoCom unit. Done and done.

It arrived a few weeks ago. Since I still have snow on the ground here, I have plenty of time to tinker on the work bench.

So I've wired up my new helmet and my pillion helmet. They both have stereo headsets and a boom mic. According to web reviews and the website they work up to ~180mph. We should be fine!

Then I made up a new pigtail to connect the unit to my bikes battery. Apparently it can run off a 9v battery for 3 day's use... or you can wire it to the bike for an indefinite period of use.

So that leaves me at today. I'm shopping for two things. A set of FRS radios and a GPS unit. Gone are the days of zip lock bags!

With the autocom I can make a cable to directly connect the FRS radio in. That means I will have a nice PTT button. Incoming talking will mute my radio, and play on my speakers. To talk to another bike, I press the PTT, and talk. Simple as that. I've also learned that the midland radios are easy to modify to directly wire the bike.

The GPS unit I'm still waiting for. Just brought a Garmin Nuvi 360. I was looking for something cheap, expandable, usb connectable, and most importantly headphone out! I want to wire this in as my 3rd sound source. This way I won't have to look at the GPS unit while navigating strange cities. It'll just guide me as I need it. Again - I'll power it straight from the bike. The added bonus is this acts as mp3 player and came with the 12v car charger. Easy to tie into my fuse block.

So that bring's the next question. Power. I plan on adding a second fuse block that is directly connected to the battery. I'll put a relay on the power source - tapped to the daytime running rear tail light. The fuse block will then power on with the ignition.

I'll then fuse 3 pigtails with SAE 2 pin power plugs, and fuse 2 more switched SAE 2 pin powerplugs.

This way I can power the FRS radio, AutoCom, and GPS right from the bike. It leaves 2 aux plugs for my heated vest.

The next farkle is a voltometer. I found the datel unit for ~$50 pricey but seemingly the best out there... I'll try my local electronics shop before ordering. As I'd now have an easy switched powersource I'll tap my front fairing and install this below my clutch hand.

Then I'll have the most goldwinged track bike CBR east of the Mississippi

I'll try to keep notes and pictures... but that is what I'm up to. If anyone has GPS advice or wiring advice/comments please please chime in!

Woot.