Let me show you the steps I used for installing a headset on my helmet. Judy and I just upgraded our Nolan N41 helmets to the new N42 N-Com helmets with J and M's Integrated Elite headset designed for the N-42.
Of course you can have one of the shops install your headset but after looking at the instructions that came with the J and M's, we felt that installing a headset would be easy for us to do on our own. Besides I had two helmets to do and I figured as long as I did mine first, I could install Judy's and get through it with no mistakes and make sure hers was done right. Remember, always make sure to keep your co-rider happy.
Okay so first thing's first, we unboxed our helmets that we picked up from Dan Kenney at www.motovationcycles.com and made sure that they fit. We picked up our headsets from Mac Slothour at www.macsmotorcycle.com and pulled out all the headset pieces and placed them aside, then sat down to read through the instruction which were well written. So, the following are the basic procedures for installing these headsets which are unique to this helmet but if you follow along with some minor changes to suite your helmet and headset, you can install a headset of your own too.
First thing you'll need to do
in installing a headset is to remove any liners or pads that might
be in your way. Try to remove them completely so you can get at
everything. For my installation I do not need the pads on the
headset speakers since I have a liner that will be between the speaker and my ear so
those come off as well.
The N-42 has a clip in module for the microphone that will require a
small modification on the helmet. Included in the instructions is a
template to cut out and lay in the pocket on the side of the helmet.
Mark for the cutout and use a Dremel tool to route out the piece.
Alternately you can use a small file but that will take you a while to
make the hole the correct size. Most other units will not require
cutting like this so check the headset installation guide that came with
your system.
Once the cutting is done you now need to locate the placement for the
speakers. For the N-42 measure inline with the chin strap and place a
mark 3/4" up from the lower edge of the polystyrene shell. This will be
the top edge of the speaker. If you have foam padding then locate the
speakers by placing the helmet on and having someone help you mark where
your ears are. As long as there are no obstructions in that area, try to
get them right over your ears. If you need to move them a bit go up and
back, but not more than about an inch and a half.
Use
the speaker as a guide and trace around them with a pencil. Then use a
small knife and carefully cut out the sections for your speakers. Do not
go too deep since the webbing for your chin strap is right underneath.
Pop out the foam pieces and clean up any pieces of foam that you may
have missed. You should now have a nice pocket for your speakers to fit.
To wire in the N-42's microphone you first place the microphone into the
hole you cut in the pocket for the microphone module. The feed the wires
through the rear hole. Bend the microphone boom to about 90 degrees and
from the inside, pull the wires through while feeding the
microphone boom in from the outside. Clip the front in first then that
back. The module should now fit nice and cleanly into the pocket and
snap in.
From the inside, feed the longer wire around the back and to the other side. Tuck the wire up into the helmet so
that
it is out of the way. I would not recommend attaching
this wire in a permanent manner as you may have to do some
troubleshooting on them in the future and that will most likely be when
you are on the road.
The
speakers are held in by either sticky back Velcro or double face tape.
This should have been supplied with the speakers.
You can place the Velcro or tape right on the chin strap,
surprisingly it will hold pretty good. Press the
mounting material firmly. If using Velcro, attach the other side to the
speakers. Now place the speakers into the pockets you made and press
them in firmly routing any
wires down and back so they can be tucked away.
Now you can reinstall your liner or pads and test out
the headset. When reinstalling the Nolan N-42 liner, make sure to route
the microphone above the snap. Other helmets may require that you cut a
slit in the ear pad and push the microphone out through the pad that
way. If so, just go a little at a time and once the microphone is
through, take a needle and thread and stick up the material tight around
the boom for the microphone to clean things up.
Now you can head out on the road and have tunes in your ears, talk with your co-rider, talk with other riders or even call back home on your cell. Just remember the state requirements for headset and cell phone use are different in each state, so check your local laws and the laws of the states you'll be riding in.
We hope you found this helpful and please pass this page onto your friends.
