One of the most noticeable aspects of India is its deafening noise level, which recedes only slightly at night as devotees, drunkards, and dogs take control of the streets. One of the greatest daytime offenders is the tricked-out autorickshaw (tuk-tuk) replete with a custom paint job and massive sound system blaring the latest Hindustani hits to cover up the ominous skips in the two-stroke engine. My masculine sensibilities offended by the presence of wheels badder than mine, I set out to pimp my ride, Indian style.
The six-day workweek affords little time for all-day automotive capers, so yesterday I set out with the limited goal of getting a stereo system installed. This way, my extensive funk collection could grace the streets of Bikaner alongside Punjabi dance tunes and Bollywood anthems. Through Jitu's recommendation, I consulted with Kailash, a mechanic who specialized in the modification of electrical systems.
His plan was simple. We would bypass the battery to feed a small amplifier equipped with a cutoff (so I could plug it into the wall for tailgating) and a switch. The amp would be housed in a box with a mounting for one speaker, with the other fixed in the protective bars in front of my left foot. I would build a small hook up and casing for my iPod.
Our first stop was the Jain Market, where we haggled over the price of the equipment sans warranty. After a brief stop at home to test the system, we headed towards the Modern Market, where mechanics were able to jury-rig the box to my Platina and install the speakers, routing the wiring through the body of the bike.
Returning home, we began the process of final assembly. While I worked on the iPod holder, Kailash and his friend Dharma mounted the electronics and tested the circuits. I noted with apprehension that the method for checking for current involves the tongue.
The system (no specs, for it was built in true hodge-podge Indian style) puts out enough volume to be heard over the engine even at high speeds, but I haven't yet developed the confidence to deploy it in the city. For that, I'm going to wait until I can reliably drive in traffic without stalling out. Til then, and the next project, the Funkmobile will have to wait.
Kailash (l), Dharma (c), and Sonu (r) discuss the electronics in the Vinayak courtyard:
The six-day workweek affords little time for all-day automotive capers, so yesterday I set out with the limited goal of getting a stereo system installed. This way, my extensive funk collection could grace the streets of Bikaner alongside Punjabi dance tunes and Bollywood anthems. Through Jitu's recommendation, I consulted with Kailash, a mechanic who specialized in the modification of electrical systems.
His plan was simple. We would bypass the battery to feed a small amplifier equipped with a cutoff (so I could plug it into the wall for tailgating) and a switch. The amp would be housed in a box with a mounting for one speaker, with the other fixed in the protective bars in front of my left foot. I would build a small hook up and casing for my iPod.
Our first stop was the Jain Market, where we haggled over the price of the equipment sans warranty. After a brief stop at home to test the system, we headed towards the Modern Market, where mechanics were able to jury-rig the box to my Platina and install the speakers, routing the wiring through the body of the bike.
Returning home, we began the process of final assembly. While I worked on the iPod holder, Kailash and his friend Dharma mounted the electronics and tested the circuits. I noted with apprehension that the method for checking for current involves the tongue.
The system (no specs, for it was built in true hodge-podge Indian style) puts out enough volume to be heard over the engine even at high speeds, but I haven't yet developed the confidence to deploy it in the city. For that, I'm going to wait until I can reliably drive in traffic without stalling out. Til then, and the next project, the Funkmobile will have to wait.
Kailash (l), Dharma (c), and Sonu (r) discuss the electronics in the Vinayak courtyard:
The front speaker. The amp/box assembly. Switch, iPod case, and rear speaker.
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