HONDA GL1800 User Manual

Honda GL1800 (2001-2005) Audio Amplifier Installation Instructions

This sheet must be read completely to:

1. Provide assistance/clarification to the
installer.

2. Avoid causing injury to installer, customer,
end user, or others.

3. Prevent damage to motorcycle and/or
accessory.

4. Prevent death to customer or other vehicle

operators.

Installer: Please forward this sheet to the
customer after reviewing it.

5. It is virtually impossible for us to be able to
address every possible situation an installer
or user will encounter. This requires both to
exercise due diligence and to apply some
level of common sense. If you have any
question or problem during the installation,
please contact us as necessary. Read the
instructions completely prior to installation.
90% of questions we receive could be
answered simply by reading the instructions
in their entirety. Phone support will always
provide the quickest response.

Important Information in our instructions
will be provided in the following manner:

6. SHOP TIP: this is information we have
gathered from hands-on installs or customer
feedback.

7. NOTE: important information regarding the
installation.

8. CAUTION: failure to follow instructions
could result in damage to motorcycle and/or
accessory.

9. WARNING: failure to follow instructions
could result in injury or death of operator
and/or passenger or others.

NOTE:

10. "Left", "Right", "Front" and "Rear" are
described from the seated position of the
bike.

11. Check local laws regarding the use of
auxiliary lighting.

12. Use of owner’s manual or service manual is
recommended for installation.

13. If so equipped, place the motorcycle on its
center stand on solid, level ground.

CAUTION:

14. Never route wires or install components that
interfere with the operation of the forks,
handlebars, brake/clutch levers or any other
operational function of the motorcycle.

15. When adding electrical accessories, always
disconnect the battery and properly fuse new
electronics.

WARNING:

16. Allow the motorcycle to cool prior to
installation.

17. When operating engine, allow adequate
ventilation.

18. Never route wires or install components that
interfere with the operation of the forks,
handlebars, brake/clutch levers or any other
operational function of the motorcycle.

19. Never allow your accessories to cause
distractions to remove your focus off the
bikes operation. Never forget that this is a
high-risk sport - don't make it a higher risk
when you don't have to.

20. Never allow your accessories to cause
distractions to others on the road.

Honda GL1800 (2001-2005) Audio Amplifier Installation Instructions

21. Remove seat. Remove the two
passenger grab rails on each side of the
seat. Lift the seat from the rear and
then move the seat toward the rear of
the bike to disengage the front catch.

22. Remove the left side cover (battery
cover). This panel is held in place by
rubber grommets. Simply pull the
panel starting at the front.

Caution:

23. Pull the panel as evenly as possible.
Excessive angles can break the fingers
off the back of the panel.

24. Remove the left chrome engine cover.
This panel is held in place by rubber
grommets. Pop the panel at the
bottom, and then the side towards the
rear of the bike. Then slide the panel
towards the rear of the bike to
disengage the front catch.

Shop Tip:

25. The front grommet is famous for
popping out when this panel is
removed. Check the panel to see if the
grommet is still in place. You can also
lightly spray the grommets with silicone
to allow them to pop off better in the
future and reduce the risk of loss.

26. Remove the left fairing trim strip. This
is the strip to the left of the left fairing
pocket. This is held in place by tabs on
the back of the strip. Start at the
bottom of the strip. Gently push the
strip to the side, and then in a slight
rocking motion, disengage the tab.
Repeat the process until all the tabs
are disengaged and the strip has been

removed.

Shop Tip:

27. The trim strips have a tab at the top.
That is the tab you start with when
reinstalling the strip. The strips are
also marked on the back with an R or
an L if you forget what side it came
from.

28. Remove the left fairing pocket. Open
the pocket. Using a small tipped tool,
press in the center of the fastener in
each of the four corners on the pocket.
Now pull each of the four fasteners out
of the bike. Reset the fastener by
holding the flared base and then
pressing the pointed tip until the shaft
of the fastener pops out beyond the
flared base.

29. Remove the headlight adjustment
switch panel. This panel is located by
your left knee when riding. Remove
the allen head fastener. Just below
the fastener is a small slot. Using a
small tip standard screwdriver, gently
push the tool into the slot. Now move
the handle of the tool to the left. This
will disengage the tab holding the
panel in place. Unplug the connecter
and remove.

30. Remove the gray dash cover. Pop the
speaker grills off. Under each grill, you
will find one black pop fastener
(slightly different than the fairing
pocket design) and one allen head
fastener. Remove both on each side.
Now lift the cover where it meets the
black plastic next to the radio. Once
the rear is popped up, you will have to
disconnect the plug for the MODE/TRIP
buttons. You have to use your

Honda GL1800 (2001-2005) Audio Amplifier Installation Instructions

fingernail to lift the tab and pull the
two apart. Remove dash cover.

31. Remove fairing speakers.

Shop Tip:

32. Use the longest shaft phillips
screwdriver you have. It gives you
better leverage and makes it less likely
you will damage the speaker. Also, you
can use a standard screwdriver to
‘move’ the speaker pod to access the
screw that is slightly hidden by the
dash.

33. You must now determine the mounting
location for the amp. This amp is not
waterproof and must be mounted in a
dry location with a small amount of air
around it for head dissipation. If you
do not have the CD Changer, the
cubbyhole in the trunk is the best
location. The rear of the left
saddlebag is your alternative. The
harness has been designed for either
location. (Fig. 1-3) shows trunk
location.

the bike. Thread the harness from
inside the trunk or saddlebag to under
the seat area. Do not connect to the
amp at this time. Refer to (Fig.2-3)

Fig 2-3

35. Connect rear speakers. If you bike
does not have rear speakers currently
installed, stop now and install them
using the manufacturers instructions.
Under the seat, behind the large relay
block and the silver frame cross brace,
you will find several black boots. In
the one towards the center, you will
find a black 4-pin connector. Unplug
this connector and plug in the one from
the harness between the two
connectors you just unplugged. Refer
to (Fig. 3-3)

Fig. 1-3

34. Drill holes only as large as needed to be
able to run the harness from the amps
mounted location toward the front of

Fig. 3-3