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Mikef5000
Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 02:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I saw a tank bag at the IMS that had a Ram mount of the front for a GPS, and contained all the wires and everything inside. I loved the idea, but not the $300+ price tag, plus I already had a tank bag I love.

So on with my transformation:

Huge touring tank bag:


Cut and drilled pc. of plexiglass (free from the local hardware's scrap heap):




Ram mount system for GPS, plus 2.5" Round base plate:




3 power outlet adapter with switch (Target, $10)




The plexiglass slides in a pocket on the front of the bag, along with some padding that was there from the factory. The RAM base plate gets bolted to the front, and the power adapter gets bolted to the back.
Mount:



From riding position:



Inside:




Then I added a flush power port. The power adapter will plug into this (once I add the appropriate plug), and the wire comes out the side of the bag and will plug into a power outlet that is already under my speedometer.
Inside with power outlet:











I'm really happy with it! Now I can power the GPS, an Ipod, and one other thing extremely easily, with only running one wire into the power outlet on the bike. I'll have to be careful how I load the bag though. Small metal things could fall into one of the open power outlets casing it to short circuit and blow the fuse. I may use the cut off cig. lighter plug to make a 'dummy plug' so that can't happen. EDIT: Thumper's getting me some 'safety plugs' that fit into the plugs so nothing can fall in! Thanks!
The only other thing is shifting luggage could flip the switch off. If that turns out to be a problem, I'll make a little switch cover.

(Message edited by Mikef5000 on February 27, 2008)
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Azxb9r
Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 03:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Small metal things could fall into one of the open power outlets casing it to short circuit and blow the fuse

Don't be throwing any dimes in there
Great idea on the bag. Everything contained in one unit, I love simplicity.
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Pwnzor
Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 03:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

get some rubber plugs for the open sockets.

That tank bag, sir, is a thing of beauty!

You are to be commended, and it receives my official seal of approval!
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Rflives
Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 04:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What model gps unit are you using?
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Bcordb3
Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 10:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

good job!
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Chopped58
Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 10:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nice job, I've been thinking of doing something similar to my Deluxe bag. There's a company that makes custom tank bags with gps, map light, power inside etc., but they cost quite a bit. Looks like you nailed it, and for much cheaper!
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Mikef5000
Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 12:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks guys!

The GPS is a Garmin Nuvi 200 with a "Tough Skin" rubber protector around it. It's not waterproof, but I don't plan on letting it get wet.
I'll still use printed out directions in the tank bag map pocket, seeing as how I like to take the long long way, but the GPS is great for helping me find my way once I get lost! And it also gets me to the nearest gas/walmart/campground/food whenever I need it.
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Sleez
Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 02:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

very cool
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Mikef5000
Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 05:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wiring is finished, and everything works great! The factory rain cover still fits over the Ram mount too!

Now I can
1) Power GPS
2) Power Ipod
3) Charge camera battery or cell phone

All at the same time, without messing with any wiring or anything.
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Smiley1eye
Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 02:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I liked that idea so much that I went out and copied it! Imatation is flattery, don't tase me bro!
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Whisperstealth
Posted on Tuesday, August 04, 2009 - 04:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

WOW!

That is awesome! I hope I can do half as good a job. Can you show a better pic of how you put in the flush power port?
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Cyclone00
Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 09:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

This was a great older post. Ive always wanted to see a way of mounting my Garmin to my bike without actualy mounting it on my bike. Im curious to hear if how much it moved/ vibrated around. Great looking bag!
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Whisperstealth
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 12:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Where did you get your power port, and plug - if you found one?
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