Adding iPhone connectivity to a motorcycle - the RAM mount

After seeing a couple of pictures of GPS mounts, satellite phones, etc.. decides to cheaply give some navigability features to my F800GS.
Instead of buying more electronic devices, decided to leverage the connectivity heavyweight iPhone. With the installation of some software, it can be a versatile GPS device - just need to install it in a visibile position on the bike and also find a way to power it during longer drives.

After looking around for a while, narrowed the search down to two contenders for the support - the touratech and the RAM. Decided for the RAM because of the price difference. As for power, found a Power socket to Car cigarette lighter adapter, into that device I can plug in a regular Cigarette lighter to USB abd power the iPhone.

The RAM mount arrived today and I've been going around on exactly how to mount it. The mounts are very modular so you can mount almost anything, anywhere. The one I purchased has one module which is the Handlebar mounting kit (a U type bolt), and another module which is the iPhone support. Everything is connect by mounting balls. Very sturdy. After experimenting a bit, I didn't like the mount on the handlebars, as it's to close to the driving position and means you have to take your eyes really off the road to look at the screen. I decided to mount it on the structure which supports the windshield & the instrumentation panel. All with the pieces supplied by RAM, no further handywork needed.

First I unscrewed the windshield and took it off
I wrapped the F800GS support structure in cloth as to protect it (it's plastic) from the tightening of the ubolt.

Added some cloth inbetween the windshield and the U-bolt as to not damage the windshield (it's pretty tight and they touch)

After some tightening and putting the windshield back on, this is the result!


I only had the iPhone camera, so as soon as there's camera around bike I'll take some pictures of everything up & running - with the iPhone and the charger.

Details:
RAM-HOL-AP6U UNPKD RAM HOLDER FOR APPLE IPHONE 3G
RAM-B-149ZU UNPKD RAM U-BOLT MNT W/2.47DIA. X 2.47X1
BMW Powerlet to USB Charger

Adding a USB port to a motorcycle as to power / recharge an iPhone

Today added a USB charging port to my BMW F800GS.

The reason is that I need some type of navigation on the motorcycle but won´t use it enough to invest in a motorcycle specific navigation device which tend to be very expensive. So I wondered if I could use tomtom or google maps on my iPhone for the task.

I encounter 3 issues to make this work:
1) How to mount on the motorcycle: see next post:
 http://charliemotorcycle.blogspot.ch/2010/10/iphone-connectivity-ram-mount.html

2) How to hear the instructions:  Got a bluetooth for the helmet. See post:
http://charliemotorcycle.blogspot.ch/2010/07/lets-start-communicating-sena-smh-10.html

3) How to power the iPhone for long trips.

After investigating for a while on USB ports, I decided on this one:
http://burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php

 

Because:

- You just need to connect it to a 12V source

- I can adapt it to connect to the BMW´s Canbus as to turn on and off with the motorcycle. (No switch needed and no fuses needed)

- It´s weatherproof

 

As to mount you need a BMW Canbus cable. You can use part number 80 00 0 611 656.

Instructions to make it work with CAN-Bus (sorry, no pictures!):

1. On the BMW CAN-Bus connector you can cut off wire 2 - it isn´t needed

2. Soldier the black wire from the USB connector to wire 1 on the BMW CAN-Bus cable

3. Soldier the red wire from the USB connector to wire 3 on the BMW CAN-Bus cable.

4. Waterproof the connections - Heat shrink them or use PVC tape.

Instructions to mount on BMW F800GS

1. Open the top cover of the BMW F800GS (that covers the battery

2. You will see the GPS CAN-BUS connector right next to the battery in a holding clip. (it has a plastic cap)

3. connect the CAN-BUS plug with USB connector you made above.

4. Route the wires to the handlebar.

5. Mount the USB plug on the handlebar

And Done!

See this post for some images on where the GPS connector is on the BMW F800GS:

http://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php/36121

 

BMW F800GS: 10000kms revision!

Went to BMW for the 10000kms revision. Besides the normal maintenance items such as oil, oil filter, etc... had 3 small issues that were fixed.


Engine gasket: BMW replaced the engine gasket (near the top of the cylinders) as it had a slight oil leak. BMW mentioned this was a known issue with a 2009 series that went out

Drive chain: There is a BMW campaign to fully replace the drive chain, it seems that some of them would break under stress.

Rear brake pads: It seems I need to get used to where the rear brake pedal is vs the Transalp. I seem to have my foot slightly on it permanently which caused premature wearing of the brake pads... Will take into account for future driving