Peacekeeper6
Member
29) Show Chrome Short Spiral Antenna
Difficulty Level - 1.5
Tips - BEFORE YOU START, TAPE OFF THE AREA AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ANTENNA TO PROTECT THE BIKE'S FINISH. I forgot to do just that and now have a nice scratch.
Starting at the very bottom of the old antenna, I tried my best to unscrew it WITHOUT breaking the dadgum thing. After many turns of the pliers, I ended up breaking it, which was a blessing in disguise, because it revealed both the spiral part of the antenna which wrapped around the mounting bolt. Using a sharp box cutter, I cut off the remaining rubber part which covers this bolt. Only then can you unscrew this bolt (Numerous DIYers had a different way of removing the old antenna using a deep socket, but this didn't work for me).
Screw in the new mounting bolt into the base on the bike, because if you do it the other way, and screw in this bolt onto the base of the new antenna, you will discover that it is "bottomless" and will not leave you enough threads. The beauty of the new mounting bolt is that it can be screwed in using an Allen bit. Then, insert the new rubber base onto the new antenna FROM THE BOTTOM, BEFORE you screw it onto the bike. If you try to mount this rubber base AFTER you screw in the new antenna from the top, you will quickly find out that the rubber piece won't go all the way down (Please don't ask me how I know, lol).
Notes: The hardest part really is removing the old antenna. It is REALLY fixed on there because BRP used blue Loctite. If I didn't have such a difficult time removing it, I'd have given this job a 1.0. I haven't had a chance to try out the radio reception yet, but I've read some mixed reviews. However, I do like the look better, and it's going to be a lot easier to cover our Spyder during the winter months because it is only about half as long and quite robust. I've actually thought about installing a similar "dummy" antenna on the other side to balance it out, but I already have 2 flag holders. Don't really want our bike looking like a rolling 3-wheel porcupine.
Difficulty Level - 1.5
Tips - BEFORE YOU START, TAPE OFF THE AREA AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ANTENNA TO PROTECT THE BIKE'S FINISH. I forgot to do just that and now have a nice scratch.
Starting at the very bottom of the old antenna, I tried my best to unscrew it WITHOUT breaking the dadgum thing. After many turns of the pliers, I ended up breaking it, which was a blessing in disguise, because it revealed both the spiral part of the antenna which wrapped around the mounting bolt. Using a sharp box cutter, I cut off the remaining rubber part which covers this bolt. Only then can you unscrew this bolt (Numerous DIYers had a different way of removing the old antenna using a deep socket, but this didn't work for me).
Screw in the new mounting bolt into the base on the bike, because if you do it the other way, and screw in this bolt onto the base of the new antenna, you will discover that it is "bottomless" and will not leave you enough threads. The beauty of the new mounting bolt is that it can be screwed in using an Allen bit. Then, insert the new rubber base onto the new antenna FROM THE BOTTOM, BEFORE you screw it onto the bike. If you try to mount this rubber base AFTER you screw in the new antenna from the top, you will quickly find out that the rubber piece won't go all the way down (Please don't ask me how I know, lol).
Notes: The hardest part really is removing the old antenna. It is REALLY fixed on there because BRP used blue Loctite. If I didn't have such a difficult time removing it, I'd have given this job a 1.0. I haven't had a chance to try out the radio reception yet, but I've read some mixed reviews. However, I do like the look better, and it's going to be a lot easier to cover our Spyder during the winter months because it is only about half as long and quite robust. I've actually thought about installing a similar "dummy" antenna on the other side to balance it out, but I already have 2 flag holders. Don't really want our bike looking like a rolling 3-wheel porcupine.
