Radar detector mount / mini shelf - no bolts, no screws, no holes!

treemuncher

Vegetation Terrorist
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
877
Location
West TN
Bike
'07 ST1300A
STOC #
7712
My new radar detector finally came in and I needed a mount for the ST1300. I built this out of 2" x 0.125" aluminum stock.


It fits into the top seam of the instrument panel and requires no hardware to hold it in place.

It does require some minor trimming on the back side of the front instrument panel top cover with a utility knife and a very sharp blade in order to provide the proper recess to hold the mount in place.

The trimmed area is hidden from view when the instument panel is re-assembled. Even if the shelf is removed, you can't see the trimmed out section. Keeps everything neat and looking stock. I might build a box for it later but for now I have a working mount. Note that I also added the hardwired smart cord next to the cruise control so I can hit the mute button when I have the winter gloves on.



I did not take great care to measure this finished mount but I did make a tracing of it and scanned that tracing for anyone who is interested in building one of these. I can't get it to load during this session so post a request if you want a scan of the tracing in the first picture.

I've built a custom bending press brake that mounts in my hydraulic press to do all of the bending work. A small, cheap press brake will not normally handle this 0.125" aluminum stock. After the mount was built and fitting level, I covered the entire top surface with stiff velcro rather than painting it black. I put the soft velcro on the bottom of the mount where it touches the plastic to provide some paint protection. If,during riding, things wiggle too much, I can always add some stiff velcro to the underside to stiffen the mount. I expect to build a rain cover and/or bug deflector to mount here as well.

After I've used this new detector for a few trips, I will post my opinions. It's an Escort Passport 9500ix model with the built in gps. So far, on my one day of driving with it in the car, I was very, very impressed with its performance. No false alarms and instant reading of my current speed when a threat is detected. I'm likin' it! :D
 

Attachments

Mellow

Joe
Admin
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
18,826
Age
59
Bike
'21 BMW R1250RT
2024 Miles
000540
My detector needs a clear front and rear view..

BUT, that would be very cool for a SPOT or XM Antenna location.
 

ChipSTer

Growing old, but not up!
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
1,194
Location
Prattville, AL
Bike
2004 ST 1300
STOC #
5859
Very nice indeed... I was thinking of doing something similar... but it would wrap around the lip instead of being inserted into it.... :D
:cool:
 
OP
OP
treemuncher

treemuncher

Vegetation Terrorist
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
877
Location
West TN
Bike
'07 ST1300A
STOC #
7712
Very nice indeed... I was thinking of doing something similar... but it would wrap around the lip instead of being inserted into it.... :D
:cool:
That's what I was thinking at first. As I was trying to put the bends in the metal, I realized I would have to either velcro it or screw it down. A simple lip lock was not going to be made easily and the metal would cold work & break before I could get that tight radius bend in there.

This method uses the existing compression fit to clamp the piece in place. Simple & neat.

Requested tracing & more photos:
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
527
Location
Warrenton, Va
Bike
07 ST1300A
Nicely done, congrats. :bow1:

BTW, TM, like your avatar. I like to look at the various mulchers on tractorbynet.com that are discussed from time to time. I would love to have one for just an afternoon. ;)
 
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
289
Location
Olympia, WA
Bike
2003 ST1300
I have a Cobra and need your mount as you made it. If you plan on producing these, please PM me, I'll be your first customer.
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
1
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Bike
2007 ST1300
Nice, I have been trying to think of some way of mounting my new detector. I have a stem mount but it won't pick up laser while it's hidden behind the dash. I too have a backwards facing detector but it picks up radar through me so it's ok to mount in the middle.
 
OP
OP
treemuncher

treemuncher

Vegetation Terrorist
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
877
Location
West TN
Bike
'07 ST1300A
STOC #
7712
Nice, I have been trying to think of some way of mounting my new detector. I have a stem mount but it won't pick up laser while it's hidden behind the dash. I too have a backwards facing detector but it picks up radar through me so it's ok to mount in the middle.
I would think that a convex mirror or mirrors mounted off of the sides of the detector, but still under the windshield, would reflect any laser signals from the rear to the pick up point on the detector. By using a convex mirror, light will be reflected from more angles and have a better chance of setting the alarm off.
 

v8-7

Site Supporter
Joined
Jul 13, 2010
Messages
1,187
Location
Bradenton, Fl
Randy,

Good idea .
So.. after 6 years, how did it work out ? Would you make any changes to the design?

I'm thinking of doing one , or buying one like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/111270476645?rmvSB=true

But rather than use the suction cup on the windshield, I may bolt it to the top of the brake reservoir or another place .

Did your velcro stay attached to both the aluminum bracket and the plastic radar detector ?
It seems like when I use velcro. and pull it apart, the velcro tends to pull off rather than separate, especially in the heat .
 
OP
OP
treemuncher

treemuncher

Vegetation Terrorist
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
877
Location
West TN
Bike
'07 ST1300A
STOC #
7712
I guess that I forgot about this thread. Years ago, I gave up on this shelf design and cut out a hole in my dash that the radar detector sits into. I cut a front hole and used a clear vinyl window to allow laser ingress. This newer design keeps the RD nearly waterproofpr in heavy rains. A small zip lock baggie makes it 100% waterproof unless the bike goes swimming.

Follow this thread for the current design that I use: https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?86665-Passport-9500ix-inner-dash-mount-or-new-digital-speedometer&highlight=
 
Top Bottom