Car Stereos: Radio, position preferences, track radio

Question
I have a Honda 2004, VTX1300R, my father in-law gave me a Road Track radio he purchased for his Harley Davidson.  The radio is working, however, i did something wrong during the installation because when i turn the motocycle off it gets reset.  Can you help me?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Salvador,

There are two power wires that go into a radio (aside from ground.)  One is (usually) yellow.  It is the 'constant'.  There should be 12V on that stereo at all times, even when the car is off.  This is the wire responsible for keeping your presets, CD position, preferences, etc.

The other is (usually) red.  It's the 12v accessory (sometimes called 'switched') wire.  This wire should have 12V going to it when the car is on or in accessory mode.  You've either got these wires crossed, or haven't hooked up the constant at all.

Get a multimeter, and find the wire that has 12v on it at all times, and hook that up to the constant 12v wire from the new radio.

Justin