Those of you that troll the Dyna threads know that I've been working on mounting a Garmin Zumo 550 on my 06' FXDBI. After consulting with several members and debating options I've completed the install. I'd like to thank RudeDog and Jackyl for the help with the custom tank lift.

So here's what I've done:

1. Replaced the 2" tank lift with a modified tank lift. This provided a bolt on location for everything else.

2. Purchased a Techmount #10994T with the Quick Detach Plate. I removed the stem insert that is meant for a sport bike and bolted the Techmount onto the tank lift.

3. Attached the Garmin Zumo mount to the Quick Detach Plate, and then placed on the Techmount. This allows me to remove the Garmin mount and secure it and the Garmin prior to walking away from the bike.

4. Routed the electrical wire for the Garmin under the dash panel, below the seat and to the electrical panel.

5. Used an Add-A-Fuse and tapped power off the accessory fuse on the Electrical Panel. Attached the ground to the bolt that secures the Electrical Panel to the bike.

The only problem I have with it currently is the height of the Techmount. I was eyeballing things and didn't completely account for the added height of the Garmin mount and the GPS itself. Apparently the guys at Techmount beefed up their mounts about a year ago, and somehow I received one of the old style mounts. This means that replacing just the vertical piece of the mount wasn't possible. I have a shorter replacement mount coming from Techmount in the next few days.

Well, enough stalling.... here are the pics.




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...and one more pic.

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Looks great! Nice job. You had assistance from some of the most creative members of the forum.

I would like to do something simular but the lowrider has all of the warning lights up on the bar clamp and I would not be able to see them. I know that there are guys that have moved the lights to different places but now we are talking about major changes and before I do that I plan to keep looking for a while for alternate GPS mounting systems.

 

In a shameless attempt to revive my own thread.... umm... here are a few updated pics.

I switched out the Techmount to a shorter one, bringing the GPS tighter to the tank.

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and a few more...

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I like it much better with the shorter set up!

 

Looks great! Fits into the form of the bike. How do you get the spoken directions to your ears?

I bought a TomTom Rider 2. They are a little expensive, but very nice features. I obviously don't have the patience/skill you do with mods!

 

I agree- it looks clean!

 

Thanks everyone, I agree that the shorter arm makes a huge difference in the look. With the dashboard screen options on the Garmin Zumo, I can actually glance down to check speed on the GPS with less effort than needed to see the speedometer.

Regarding the navigation prompts, I have two options. I have an audio cable running from the GPS, under the dash panel, and ziptied to the frame near the seat. This allows me to listen to MP3's on the Garmin and get Nav Prompts. This is ok for long runs, but I found remembering to unplug a nuisance. So, I my other option involves the use of bluetooth. Unfortunately, the Zumo doesn't have the ability to play MP3's over bluetooth. Garmin chose to omit a stereo option for the bluetooth and music in mono optimized for voice sounds horrible.

My solution to this is as follows:

Shure E2C earphones (think hearing protection with tunes built in).

These plug into a Jabra BT3030 Bluetooth receiver.

The Jabra BT3030 links over Bluetooth to the Garmin Zumo as a Headset allowing for navigation prompts. In theory it would work as a headset for my phone, but in reality I doubt the microphone will pickup over road noise.

The Jabra BT3030 links to a Jabra A120s Bluetooth transmitter as a Music Player. This Jabra A120s is connected to an iPod Shuffle giving me stereo music.

I also link my cell phone to the Garmin using Bluetooth, not to talk on the phone but to alert me that I'm missing a phone call so I can pull over and check a message if it's someone important.

All of this works great with the only real limitation being the 7 hour battery life on the bluetooth devices.

 

dam that looks awesome, great job. man that tanklift looks familiar . glad i was able to help you with your project. jackyl