Tech DIY | ARC Audio's MPAK Install

Our buddy Adam loves the rock 'n' roll. So much so that he has blown out his OEM H-D speakers and a few aftermarket car audio speakers in the short time he has owned his '04 Electra Glide. On a recent ride we heard just how bad his stereo sounded ourselves and when we asked him why he hasn't change the cracked cones. His only reply was: "There just going to blow again."

01. Under the seat we gained access to the battery and exposed the terminals.

01. Under the seat we gained access to the battery and exposed the terminals.

It is true. The balance of size, sound quality, and reliability has been a challenge in the bike segment of the audio industry. Striving to be one of the best, ARC Audio built its motorcycle audio with the aid of factory trained Harley-Davidson technicians so all ARC Audio motorcycle products are designed to directly fit into the factory locations. ARC also has many amps and speakers that directly fit to a Harley-Davidson factory radio allowing you to upgrade your motorcycle stereo without the loss of any factory controls or options.

After reading up on ARC Audio, Adam purchased its Motorcycle Performance Audio Kit (MPAK) The MPAK comes complete with a two-channel 100-watt amplifier, a set of 100 watt 5 1/4 speakers, wiring harness, and all the necessary components and instructions needed to complete the installation.

Once we got down and dirty with the installation it only took a few hand tools and a couple hours time to get Adam rockin' in the free world.

02. We removed the tank although it is not necessary to do so. You can also just remove the rear mount and rotate the tank up to slide the ARC harness along the backbone of the frame where the H-D main harness is located.
02. We removed the tank although it is not necessary to do so. You can also just remove t
03. We connected the terminated ends to both the positive and negative terminals of the battery and pulled the fuse from it so we had no shocking incidents.
03. We connected the terminated ends to both the positive and negative terminals of the b
04. Gaining access to the inside of the fairing we affixed the ARC Audio amplifier to the top of the stereo with the supplied Velcro keeping it as close to the front of the stereo as possible. This keeps the amp from hitting the fairing.
04. Gaining access to the inside of the fairing we affixed the ARC Audio amplifier to the

05. We pulled the rest of the ARC harness into the inner fairing access hole and secured it to the OEM harness with zip ties. Once it was routed, we secured the harness to the factory wiring and attached the harnesses power and ground to the amplifier.
05. We pulled the rest of the ARC harness into the inner fairing access hole and secured
06. We then took the black hi level input grounding lead on the five pin input harness and connected it to the ground wire plug on the bike's cigarette lighter.
06. We then took the black hi level input grounding lead on the five pin input harness an
07. Next we grabbed the supplied yellow wire with termination on one end and attached it to the amplifier in the appropriate terminal.
07. Next we grabbed the supplied yellow wire with termination on one end and attached it

08. Once secured to the amplifier we routed the orange wire to the fairing's front headlight harness. We attached it to an orange/white wire that was an unused and terminated accessory switched 12-volt wire. This insures that the amp turns on when in accessory and ignition modes.
08. Once secured to the amplifier we routed the orange wire to the fairing's front headli
09. After removing the old speakers we installed the ARC speaker onto the spacer making sure to rotate the speaker so the terminals faced to the inside of the bike. This is done so the terminals don't short out on the fairing supports.
09. After removing the old speakers we installed the ARC speaker onto the spacer making s
10. Next we plugged in the five-pin hi level speaker input plug that was provided with the amplifier. Using butt connectors we attached speaker wire to the wires extending from the plug as necessary to reach the OEM speaker wires.
10. Next we plugged in the five-pin hi level speaker input plug that was provided with th

11. Using an RCA cable we connected the amplifier to the stereo.
12. We then connected the speaker leads to the newly mounted speakers and routed them to the respected channels of the amplifier.
12. We then connected the speaker leads to the newly mounted speakers and routed them to
13. Next, we reinstalled the fuse into the ARC wire harness and turned the bike on to accessory mode. Once everything checked out fine, we got busy setting up the crossover settings and gain adjustment of the amplifier. This is probably the most important step in getting better audio.
13. Next, we reinstalled the fuse into the ARC wire harness and turned the bike on to acc

14. As per ARC's instructions we switched the output selection switch into the "high" position (red arrow). Then we turned the crossover frequency selection dial clockwise just before the "110" marking on the dial (blue arrow). To adjust the gain setting we turned both the right and left adjustments up until the indicator was just past vertical at the "1:00 o'clock" position (yellow arrow).
14. As per ARC's instructions we switched the output selection switch into the "high" pos
15. We once again checked the sound of our new set up and when we were happy fine-tuning the stock settings, we reinstalled the outer fairing, gas tank mount, and seat.
15. We once again checked the sound of our new set up and when we were happy fine-tuning
16. On our initial ride it was apparent that the audio was cleaner and more powerful than before. Thanks to Arc Audio, Adam can truly rock the horns with glee! Visit hotbikeweb.com for an audio sample.
16. On our initial ride it was apparent that the audio was cleaner and more powerful than