ST1300: Do you have a self made mounting system of your GPS?

[fashlend]

If so, could you please share a few tips on how- and perhaps a photo or two of the mount?

I ask because I have ordered a Bike-Quip dashmount, but in retrospect I'm afraid that the navigator will come "too close". Or "stick out of the dash" too much. Even with the shortest RAM arms. So I'm now thinking that I might be better off making my own mount instead.

 

[SMSW]

I had a similar mount, now out of production but described in another thread for do-it-yourselfers. Mine was a thick aluminum strip, bent to fit the top of the dash with 3 RAM balls on the aluminum. My iteration's RAM mounts were too close together to use all 3 simultaneously. I used two - one to hold my GPS and the other held my cellphone in a RAM X grip. The GPS started out with a Nuvi that snapped into a plastic holder w/ a RAM ball on the back, it graduated to a Zumo with the factory holder + RAM ball. Both used (IIRC) the short RAM ball clamps. I adjusted them pointing upward, positioning the two holders so they would not hit the inside of the windshield. I found if the RAM clamp was horizontal (pointing toward the rider) the device (either gps or phone) exerted too much of a moment on the dash. The whole shabang would flex and the Zumo or phone would bob up and down when I went over bumps. Ideally, you want the center of gravity for your accessory (gps, phone, whatever) to be directly above the lower RAM ball.

Note that if you use such a mount to hold a newer iPhone with image stabilization, vibration can damage the phone. Quad lock sells an anti vibration mount. I have no idea how well it works (even though I bought the AV mount and a wireless charger) because my iPhone is so old it does not have this sensitive feature.

I never had my arms come loose. I did however make a modification. Since space was limited, I opted not to get the locking RAM clamps. I pulled the hand turn knob off and replaced it with a nylock nut (its metric, I think 6mm). I keep a cheap wrench in my top box and use it to tighten the arm down. I also remove my GPS and phone if I'm away from my bike. A determined type can probably wrench either off with his bare hands.

 

[Uncle Phil]

I made a simple mount that fastens to the top of the front brake reservoir on my ST1100s.
Simple right angle bend and a hole drilled for whatever ball or bolt you want to put in it.
I find it has worked well for many years and keeps the GPS from blocking any of my dash but is not out of my sight.

**EDITED - Here's a picture of my GPS Mount -



You just have to make sure the mounting holes line up with the master cylinder screw holes.
And I bought a couple of stainless steel socket head bolts that were a little longer to replace the original screws.
It does have to be constructed of sufficient material thickness or it will vibrate.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Have a look at the below for a couple I'd ideas.

Who still makes a dash shelf for ST1300? | Dash Shelves / Mounts

Howdy, y'all. First things first - I've known of this group for years; now I have a REAL reason to join. So I've reviewed and searched and read and searched some more for dash shelves or DIY ideas. Many of the threads are 10 years old, and many of the vendors have sadly left the marketplace...

www.st-owners.com

 

[SupraSabre]

This is how I have my GPS mounted. There is a metal plate in the tankbag.

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

I went the other way, started with a single in the dash cover, then put two in the retaining holes, and onto the Bike-Quip.




These are the short arms.


And onto the Bike-Quip. With the windscreen on the "high bolts" this has the screen al the way down, does not touch the equipment.


These are not the short arms, they are the medium(?). I couldn't get the devices far enough apart with the short arms.



Part of why I evolved this way was needing bifocals. I positioned the devices so I didn't have to move my head and they land in glasses sweet spot. Hope this helps.

 

[fashlend]

I went the other way, started with a single in the dash cover, then put two in the retaining holes, and onto the Bike-Quip.
Hope this helps.

In fact, that helped a lot. Looks like we use the same kind of navigator; and I think I'll keep the phone tucked away (for now) even if also I have the same Quad-Lock charger lying around from my old bike. Before I do anything, I think I'll just wait until the Bike-Quip manages to fight its way through the Swedish customs / VAT-system, and try it directly. But I suspect that I'm going to end up with your first solution with a single RAM-ball in the middle. That way I can decide exactly how far out I want the navigator to stick out. Your pictures also gave me an idea of combining the Bike-Quip with a 12mm bar to mount it using parts from a Touratech-mount that I have. That way I can also have control over the "depth", and at the same time avoid using the RAM-mounts; making it at least a bit more fiddly to just grab and run.

If you don't mind me asking; was there any changes in "vibrations" when you mounted the RAM-ball in the center directly in the dash cover- and after you installed the Bike-Quip mount?

Thank you so much for the answer- and the pictures!

 

[fashlend]

The whole shabang would flex and the Zumo or phone would bob up and down when I went over bumps. Ideally, you want the center of gravity for your accessory (gps, phone, whatever) to be directly above the lower RAM ball.

Note that if you use such a mount to hold a newer iPhone with image stabilization, vibration can damage the phone. Quad lock sells an anti vibration mount. I have no idea how well it works (even though I bought the AV mount and a wireless charger) because my iPhone is so old it does not have this sensitive feature.

Thank you for the heads up regarding the "bobbing". This is one of the things I'm afraid of and want to avoid. Regarding the Quad-Lock mount, I already have the anti-vibration mount and the wireless charger lying around from my old bike. But for now, I think I'll just keep my phone in my jacket or in the tank bag when I'm driving anyway

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

In fact, that helped a lot. Looks like we use the same kind of navigator; and I think I'll keep the phone tucked away (for now) even if also I have the same Quad-Lock charger lying around from my old bike. Before I do anything, I think I'll just wait until the Bike-Quip manages to fight its way through the Swedish customs / VAT-system, and try it directly. But I suspect that I'm going to end up with your first solution with a single RAM-ball in the middle. That way I can decide exactly how far out I want the navigator to stick out. Your pictures also gave me an idea of combining the Bike-Quip with a 12mm bar to mount it using parts from a Touratech-mount that I have. That way I can also have control over the "depth", and at the same time avoid using the RAM-mounts; making it at least a bit more fiddly to just grab and run.

If you don't mind me asking; was there any changes in "vibrations" when you mounted the RAM-ball in the center directly in the dash cover- and after you installed the Bike-Quip mount?

Thank you so much for the answer- and the pictures!

Glad it was helpful, the worst vibration was the two in the retainer holes. I don’t recall being bothered by the center, I only relocated so I could have the phone up as well. The Bike-Quip I added an internal bracket to minimize flex. Vibrating doesn’t seem to be an issue, but potholes are, or at least were.

 

[fashlend]

I made a simple mount that fastens to the top of the front brake reservoir on my ST1100s.

This might be a good idea. Thanks for the tip. And thanks for the edit/picture I might try something like this to see what I like best.

 

[Uncle Phil]

This might be a good idea. Thanks for the tip. And thanks for the edit/picture I might try something like this to see what I like best.

You could make it out of aluminum or steel - IIRC mine is 16 gauge steel.
I find with the GPS in that position I have full view of all of my dash and yet I have a clear view of the GPS screen.

 

[jfheath]

This location is the one that I have used on 4 bikes now. 2 x ST1100s and 2 x 1300s. This is the first 1300.

Getting the location as high as possible, without getting into my line of sight - particularly when going over the brow of a very steep hill (we have a lot of those in these parts) - is important for me. Tucking them to one side does thrre things.

1. Keeps the Satnav sheltered - this is a Zumo 590/595 cradle.
2. Is easy to take a quick glance with much less of a glance than is required for checking mirrors.
3. Allows my pillion to see ETA for next stop / final destination.



I should have used Japanned bolts - these are a little rusty.

The mount itself is a sandwich of Aluminium sheet, Old car inner tube, fairing plastic, old car inner tube, ram ball mount. Drilled through and fastened with 2 x 5mm bolts with nyloc nuts. Finding a place that doesn't interfere with the sliding screen mechanism underneath and with the windscreen going up and down is crucial. So plenty of trial and error before fitting.

The downside is that you have to drill holes in the grey nose cowl. That doesn't bother me in the least. I tend to keep my bikes for what I want to use them for with little regard tot he resale value. In any case, havinging a RAM ball mount ready to use is a bonus.

The type of mount offered originally (I think) by Migsel, and a smiliar verison offered by Bikequip - seemed to be an attractive proposition. But I sat on a bike with one which made me realise that having it mounted dead centre was not what I wanted. I daresay that mounted in one of the side holes on a long arm to one side would put the satnav in more or less the same position as mine

I have tried the clutch lever / brake lever adapter which uses longer screws to piggy back the lever clamp. THat is a good, quick solution, which I used until I had the chance to take the headlight cowl off. I have two mounts at present - the one like the photos above, and one RAM ball, screwed into the hole inthe centre of the Bike Quip bar riser centre piece. I put the XT on the top mount, and sometimes, when testing, I'll have the 590 or 595 between the bars. I don't like it in that position. It takes far too much time to look down, refocus, read the information, look up and refocus again.

 

[motornut]

I made a mount between the handle bars mount brings the gps and power plug to the center. That way I was able to mimic the angle of the bars. It helped to keep the stuff from blocking view of dash. Since I don't have a smart phone I didn't need dual mounts though.

 

[fashlend]

1. Keeps the Satnav sheltered - this is a Zumo 590/595 cradle.
2. Is easy to take a quick glance with much less of a glance than is required for checking mirrors.
3. Allows my pillion to see ETA for next stop / final destination.

The mount itself is a sandwich of Aluminium sheet, Old car inner tube, fairing plastic, old car inner tube, ram ball mount. Drilled through and fastened with 2 x 5mm bolts with nyloc nuts.

Thank you. Your "point three" on the list is something I haven't even considered. Until now I have only had the "center position" as an option. But I have to sleep on that now after I have seen this.

 

[ELC]

Dylan (slipclutchms) makes an awesome farkle bar that uses the mirror assembly bolts, no drilling the dash.
It sits a couple inches above the dash.
Perhaps with enough interest he could be talked into making a few.
I currently have a GPS and radar detector on mine, with room for one more item if desired.

 

[STRider]

Below is the RBIS (RAM ball installation system??) It's the 'commercial' embodiment of a design originally made by a site member for an NT700V Deauville if I recall correctly?

Migsel GPS mount | Dash Shelves / Mounts

When we rented the RT I grew to like the GPS. Thinking about one for STella but not entirely sure I'd like the clutch mounted location and putting it between the bars seems too low. Has anyone had experience with this *pricey* GPS mount? Or made something similar...

www.st-owners.com

The bad news is it's long ceased production, but the good news is it shouldn't be hard to replicate should you be so inclined. The original was equipped with SAE fasteners - that center ball is attached from the underside with a 1/4-20 flathead screw. Should you roll your own, I recommend going with an M6 flathead screw and at those outer attachment points use a clip-on barrel nut to retain it. Those outer points can also support their own RAM balls for additional gadgets.

I use the center for my Garmin zumo XT and the left one for a GoPro HERO5 Session action camera. I haven't come up with something for the other mount yet.

 

[Hound]

I happened to have a spare screen inner cowl that had holes drilled at the top for police equipment, so was sacrificial. I made a satnav bracket from a piece of aluminium (that's a-loo-min-um to you) bent in a roughly triangular fashion, bolted between the clips at the edge of the cowl and further to the front towards the screen. I then attached the mounting plate for my Garmin. It worked a treat. Sorry the pictures aren't the best, but it was at least 15 years ago and you should get the idea.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Below is the RBIS (RAM ball installation system??) It's the 'commercial' embodiment of a design originally made by a site member for an NT700V Deauville if I recall correctly?

Tom ... Deja vu, we have done this dance before.

What did you do with your ST1100/ST1300 today? | General

And at the risk of impacting my ability to equip my 1300 with the finest of rare farkles, it also shows how when you encounter a widget that piques your interest, grab it! Because if you don't someone else will, and these items are only getting harder to find. OEM tank pad or Hondaline trunk...

www.st-owners.com

 

[SThammer]

This is how I have my GPS mounted. There is a metal plate in the tankbag.

Was scrolling through this thread to see how to mount my phone. Came across this. Thought to myself well that looks familiar. That looks like dad's setup... oh wait it is..