| Author | Message | ||
     Lowflyer |
After buying the Uly and new riding gear, I hadn't much $$ left over for any toys, so I improvised. The keyhole flip cover makes a good mount for my Garmin iQue 3600. I haven't tried it with other GPS models, but will mount various other Garmin models on it soon. The mounting base I used is from a standard Garmin bean bag automotive mount.    The key fits just fine. The cradle can be removed from the base by using the quick-release, or you can loosen the thumbscrews to reposition the unit for access to the keyhole.  As you can see, all that was required was the drilling of two tiny holes. The holes look like they were meant to be there when you take the mounting base off.     I found that it works best with an interference fit with the cradle just touching the edge of the breather opening.  I rode with this for about 3 hours today and the unit was rock steady in its mount with no vibration at all. Also, there is plenty of clearance for lock-to-lock steering and the unit stays out of the wind. Obviously, a tank bag would pose a problem for this installation. (Message edited by Lowflyer on October 30, 2005) | ||
| Stevem123 |
Hey nice job! Sucks to have to drill the cap lever but I do like the mounted position. I like when someone uses their noggin to mount stuff! | ||
| Lowflyer |
Thanks. I'll post a pic of the cap without the mount on it so you can see the damage to the lever. I find it acceptable. I drilled the holes from the underside so as not to disturb the aesthetics. If I ever get tired if the holes, I'll glue rivet heads over them, or just buy a new cap.  | ||
| Henrik |
Cool. Creative thinking. Henrik | ||
| Chadhargis |
Necessity is the mother of invention! Good job! I was planning on using my RAM mount on the bars for my GPS, but I like that solution. I've got a GPS V and plan on using a tankbag, so it might not work, but I might mock it up to see. | ||
| Dave |
That rocks! DAve | ||
| Lowflyer |
If you use the iQue with its screen cover, one thing I noted is that due to the airflow over the bodywork, the leather flip cover flips up and stays up at speeds over about 45 mph.  I see that as a safety feature since you shouldn't be staring at your unit while cruising down the freeway.  Another thing I found is that this installation requires either that the weight of the unit be placed slightly forward of the lever hinge or that the unit be positioned so that it touches the rim of the breather opening. Otherwise, the unit will flip rearward under hard acceleration. I have yet to try it reversed, but its likely that you would need to either support the unit or position it low and further aft to keep it from flipping forward during braking. I will be gluing a small piece of inner tube to the bottom of the cradle where it contacts the rim of the breather opening. I will be testing this with other Garmin models so if there is a model anybody particularly wants to see, let me know. Lee | ||
| Court |
That's it . . . you win the weekly "Buell Innovation" award! Well done . . . . | ||
| Jim_sb |
Nice idea, nicely implemented. Nevertheless, I'm going to mount my Garmin V on the handlebars using my RAM mount like I did on my S2. I've been very pleased with that arrangement and I dislike having anything on the gas tank that would slow me down (such as a GPS or tank bag) at a fuel stop. I know, I know, picky, picky, picky... <g> But I've got some excellent riding buddies and when we're riding, well, we're riding and we don't like spending time at the fuel pumps. I won't say it's a race at the pumps but I will say if you get off your bike and remove your gloves you could be left behind. <ggg> Great idea though. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Lowflyer |
Update: After speaking with an authority on the subject, the polymer mount base can weaken if exposed to gasoline or gasoline fumes. Apparently, this mount has been tried on a hinged gas cap and some have broken as a result of the gasoline exposure. It is not certain whether it was the gasoline or the vapors, but I will be testing this with the unit tethered just in case. If it does break, I will try it again with a coat of clear polyurethane over the plastic to see if that helps. I suspect that the failures were due to repeated refueling with the mount in such close proximity to the fueling operation. No matter how careful, I can hardly fuel my tank without tiny splashes of gas leaping out of the fueling port. My gas cap usually sits on top of the pump well away from the flying specks of gas for the duration of fueling. Nevertheless, I will keep this thread updated with any more potential issues I discover. Although it is far superior to my alternative, I am having too much fun tinkering for free than to spend the $$ on a RAM mount. Besides, the Finance Dept. at my house has determined that I have reached the spending cap on my motorcycle account (indefinitely). I know it may be sad, but I have two excellent riding buddies besides myself. They are 'me' and 'I.' The upside is that we get through fuel and other stops with hardly any stress at all. I do whatever I want while me and myself just follow along.  | ||
| Gowindward |
Lee, creative idea! Here's my IQue mounted with Ram mounts. I borrow the money to buy the mounts from Me, and told I to pay me back, and My wife was so confused with my finance and accounting methods that she is still auditing the books   | ||
| Jim_sb |
I have this one. http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?productid=16674&cat=339&page=1 $40 from Aerostitch. Certainly not as inexpensive as your idea but not a budget buster for me. I don't even think it showed up on the CFO's radar.  Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Lowflyer |
Okay, you win. RAM mounts are better, and they are not very expensive. But, they can have my $40 when they pry it from my cold dead hands. (Or when my GPS falls off due to faulty mounting.)  | ||
| Blake |
Very cool stuff! Thanks Lowflyer for taking the time to document and share your award winning innovation. I bet ya there will be some other Buellies popping up with similar customizations.  Someone get a trophy and mark it "BadWeB Innovation of the Week" and send it to Lee. | ||
| Lowflyer |
As promised:  | ||
| Wasions |
Gee-nee-us! Nice goin', Lee. Steve Gear up! | ||
| Lowflyer |
I tried it briefly with a GPSMap 196 this morning and it appears to work well so long as you reverse the cradle in its mount. With the cradle not reversed, you can't get a tilt angle that is readable from a seated position. There doesn't appear to be an easy way to keep the unit from rocking rearward upon acceleration. However, what movement there is appears to be very minimal as it is limited by the size and shape of the cradle. I fired the bike up and at idle if the unit is vibrating, it is not noticeable by looking at it. I am working on acquiring a GPSMap 396 for testing as well. Sure it's the same form factor as the 196, but the coolness factor is tenfold. Also, the challenge of mounting the external GPS/XM antenna without using aftermarket parts and without causing irreversable damage to my bike is appealing to me. | ||
| Lowflyer |
GPSMap x96 mounted:  | ||
| Bomber |
I LOVE field expedient engineeing! very creative, very cool! |
