How To Mount any Gizmo/ iPhone/ Garmin

[kevorama]

Hey gang, it's been a while since I've posted a 'how to', basically, because I haven't made any serious mistakes lately, LOL. Any how, Here's an anything mount that I put together using KewlMetal's Gizmo Mount and Ram Mount parts. I know that there are several ways to mount your smart phone, GPS devices and video cams. Here is what I came up with. For those of you that are on the wall, like I was, I hope that this helps narrow down your choices.

First off, I ordered the KewlMetal Gizmo Mount. It's between $55 and $60 through their website. It's packaged very nicely and the black powder coating is well done on both the bracket and the spacers. See below.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/KewlMetalGizmoMountPackaging.jpg

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/KewlMetalSpacersandBolts.jpg

You'll need a pretty hefty 7mm Alan wrench + a breaker bar of sorts, to loosen the bottom two bolts. I believe they are epoxied in. I replaced the old, shorter bolts with the new, longer ones & spacers using blue thread locker. Torque to 30+ lbs. The new bolts require an 8mm Alan to tighten.

Here, you can see the diff between the stock bolts and the new KewlMetal bolts w/ spacers.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/KewlMetalSpacersandBolts.jpg

Once installed it looks like this:

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/KewlMetalGizmoBracketInstalled.jpg

Next, I installed the Ram Mount base piece (less then $10 on Amazon) it fits the standard four hole AMPS which, even though not advertized on their site, KewlMetal's Gizmo Mount lines up perfectly. The hardware to install the Ram mount to the KewlMetal mount is not included for obvious reasons. I took both parts to my local hardware store to size the bolts and nuts and settled on stainless steel. The parts were less than $5.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/RamBaseMountwhardware.jpg

Ram Mount installed on KewlMetal's Gizmo Mount:

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/RamBaseMountInstalledonKewlMetalGizmpMount.jpg

Add the short Ram arm and the X-Grip and you have a killer iPhone, Garmin, or whatever device you want, including video cams if you add the longer Ram arm.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/AddingShortArmRamwiththeRamX-GripforiPhoneandGarminetc.jpg

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/iPhonePandora.jpg

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t432/kevorama1/iPhoneasGarmin.jpg

I hope that this helps some of you that want to put one of your devices up front. I'm working on a simple way to add the 7 PIN connector through the front speaker grill while keeping the trunk iPhone connection intact. Mainly, so that we can have internet radio in dry weather and wet. As long as two phones are not connected at once, splitting the two connections for front and rear should be reasonably easy.

To be continued in time...

[warp10]

very nice write up, thanks

[NancysToy]

Don't forget the Loctite on the new handlebar screws!

[kevorama]

You're right,Scotty. I meant to put that on there. I only had blue loctite on hand and that should be enough. I'll check the torque periodically. Good point.


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[JRWW]

Very impressed with your install with the kewlmetal GPS/Gizmo bracket, just wondering how to run wiring such as power or 3.5mm jack for audio etc, I noticed there is a small plug that appears in the handlebar between the bolts and I believe that it can be removed to run wires. How difficult is it to run wiring through this hole and how do you get to the underside?

Regards
John

[fastfraser]

Nice install . With the Ram mount looks like you have a ton of adjustment there to move your device around .:thumbup:

[Trickie Dick]

Don't forget the Loctite on the new handlebar screws!

Caption under second picture: You'll need a pretty hefty 7mm Alan wrench + a breaker bar of sorts, to loosen the bottom two bolts. I believe they are epoxied in. I replaced the old, shorter bolts with the new, longer ones & spacers using blue thread locker. Torque to 30+ lbs. The new bolts require an 8mm Alan to tighten.

[kevorama]

Very impressed with your install with the kewlmetal GPS/Gizmo bracket, just wondering how to run wiring such as power or 3.5mm jack for audio etc, I noticed there is a small plug that appears in the handlebar between the bolts and I believe that it can be removed to run wires. How difficult is it to run wiring through this hole and how do you get to the underside?

Regards
John

Several ways to go about doing that, John. A freind of mine found that it was easier to run his wires through an armored sleeve under the left side panels and then up and through the opening to the left of the handle bars. Personally, I'm going to run a Y splitter 7 PIN DIN for my iPhone through the right side and bring it through my right side speaker grill. Just pop the weather proof cap off and plug in the cable. You can find several threads and posts on how and where to run that kind of wiring. I have never popped that middle cap off, but I believe you are right about that. Good luck with your project. :thumbup:

[NancysToy]

Caption under second picture: You'll need a pretty hefty 7mm Alan wrench + a breaker bar of sorts, to loosen the bottom two bolts. I believe they are epoxied in. I replaced the old, shorter bolts with the new, longer ones & spacers using blue thread locker. Torque to 30+ lbs. The new bolts require an 8mm Alan to tighten.
:thumbup: The factory screws use Scotch Grip, which is a micro-encapsulated epoxy. They take more torque to loose (once cured) than to tighten. BTW, Scotch Grip treated fasters are somewhat reusable. Not as strong the second time around, but there are enough epoxy capsules left to be effective for a second try or two. Blue Loctite seems to work fine on the new screws. I have not had the screws loosen at all on two Spyders over a total of 22,000 miles.

[kevorama]

Thanks for that update, Scotty. I was hoping that a good heavy dose of 'blue' would be enough to hold tight. I wasn't aware of the yellow epoxy product that they used EOM, but it does take a little elbow grease to break them loose. Great post!

See you in 2013 unless you are going to be in the San Diego area around Thanksgiving. That's when my middle boy graduates Marine Boot Camp. Talk soon, my friend. Tell Nancy 'hello' for us from the mid west. be cool!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[Phil]

JRWW- really easy to get wires through that hole. Take off enough panels to see in toward the handle bars from the side. Get a LARGE zip-tie, cut off the large clip end and then drill a hole in one end. Pop off that little cover in the middle of the bars and feed the zip-tie through the hole and angle it out and to the side of the bike. It can be used as a really neat 'fishtape' to easily get wires through that hole. I have iPhone charging wire on mine - http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?24907-Phil-s-Mods&p=284444&viewfull=1#post284444

Kevin--,WAY TO GO MY FRIEND!!! Looks great.

Phil, Tyler TX- from my iPad3.5 using Tapatalk HD

[JRWW]

Thankyou for the replies, will order the Kewlmetal bracket and get to work.
Regards
John

[Knarfoh]

very nice write up, thanks

Here is my KewlMetal install described and with pictures.

http://www.knarfoh.com/spyder_gps/spyder_gps.html

[Knarfoh]

very nice write up, thanks

Even better write-up here

http://www.knarfoh.com/GPS_INSTALL/gps_install.html

[kevorama]

Knarfoh (http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/member.php?9565-Knarfoh), awesome write up! You took mine and went miles further with it. Good use of the weed wacker line, I'll have to remember that. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[cearley]

I prefer to keep my Garmin higher up to avoid washout from overhead sun light and reflected light from light colored clothing. Also helps keep the eyes looking closer to over the dash rather than looking down and not at the road. At my age any little distraction is unwelcome. Some times it only takes a second to get into a bad situation.4934649347

[Phil]

I prefer to keep my Garmin higher up to avoid washout from overhead sun light and reflected light from light colored clothing. Also helps keep the eyes looking closer to over the dash rather than looking down and not at the road. At my age any little distraction is unwelcome. Some times it only takes a second to get into a bad situation.

VERY CLEAN and very nice install! Congrats!


Phil, Tyler TX- from my iPad3.5 using Tapatalk HD

[juliantrost]

Hi guys. New to the forum and to the Spyder family. Just picked up 2012 RS SE5 and starting to modify it a bit. Like the idea of the GPS on it, but noticed this post is for RT. Can someone advise if similar is available for RS model. Thanks in advance.

[kevorama]

The RS model does differ. I'm sorry that I can't give you the info that you need. Check out the forum for your model. I know that it is as well informed as this thread is.

[Tomite]

How did you fasten this down? I like where this is but I can't tell how it's fastened or how to do it. I'm not good with this stuff and need to have a gps with me so I don't get lost. lol



I prefer to keep my Garmin higher up to avoid washout from overhead sun light and reflected light from light colored clothing. Also helps keep the eyes looking closer to over the dash rather than looking down and not at the road. At my age any little distraction is unwelcome. Some times it only takes a second to get into a bad situation.4934649347

[kevorama]

I'm not sure how he did that. It's not using the X-Grip and Kewl Metal mounts that I had originally posted in this thread. Sorry.

[smporter420]

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