DIY Cheap Mods
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 4
From: Kalifornia
I did it! I finally made something that I can call a DIY Cheap Mod! 
When I go on long trips, I find myself wanting to move my leg position every once in a while for better blood circulation, comfort, etc... I usually rest my left foot on top of the primary and it's very comfy there but there's no spot for the right foot.
So, after countless hours of sketching ideas and mocking up samples (yeah, right) this is what I came up with and it's freakin' awesome! I mean it doesn't look awesome, by any stretch of the imagination. But it is so damn comfortable out on the open road.
I just cut a piece of steel angle that I got from Lowe's, drilled two holes to line up to the center two bolts on the cam cover, welded on a stock footpeg (I'm a terrible welder, I know), and sprayed everything BBQ black. I also had to get 2 longer black bolts and some ring collars to space the angle out from the cam cover.
Total cost? $4 for angle, $2 for bolts, washers, collars. Had the BBQ paint laying around. This thing will only go on for road trips, though - it's pretty fugly. Maybe I can have it chromed...
When I go on long trips, I find myself wanting to move my leg position every once in a while for better blood circulation, comfort, etc... I usually rest my left foot on top of the primary and it's very comfy there but there's no spot for the right foot.
So, after countless hours of sketching ideas and mocking up samples (yeah, right) this is what I came up with and it's freakin' awesome! I mean it doesn't look awesome, by any stretch of the imagination. But it is so damn comfortable out on the open road.
I just cut a piece of steel angle that I got from Lowe's, drilled two holes to line up to the center two bolts on the cam cover, welded on a stock footpeg (I'm a terrible welder, I know), and sprayed everything BBQ black. I also had to get 2 longer black bolts and some ring collars to space the angle out from the cam cover.
Total cost? $4 for angle, $2 for bolts, washers, collars. Had the BBQ paint laying around. This thing will only go on for road trips, though - it's pretty fugly. Maybe I can have it chromed...
WOAH!!! While it's a nice idea in theory, I'm betting the first big bump breaks those two little screws - they're NOT really bolts! The weight of my leg alone would bend them right off.
If your bracket extended to the other two top screws as well, maybe.
Dang nice pipe wrap job you got there.
If your bracket extended to the other two top screws as well, maybe.
Dang nice pipe wrap job you got there.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
I saw this at amazon and see it as a 'more efficient' version of a cigarette plug as most everything runs off USB now...
http://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Sounds-U...793450&sr=1-23
However, I will not pay 150.00 for something that can be replicated with assorted walmart parts for $20.00
After Googling around I found this thread: http://www.cbrforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96467
Which shows how it can built into the bike for very cheap.
Here is the parts list from radio shack:
Cables To Go 13403 Motherboard Adapter with 2 x USB Port (optional... see below for the waterproof connection)
Catalog#: 55010626
$8.99
SPST Flatted Metal Lever Toggle Switch (Optional... so it can be run to the battery and left hot or not)
Catalog#: 275-634
$2.99
+5V Fixed-Voltage Regulator 7805
Catalog#: 276-1770
$1.59
minus some wire and heatshrink and an in-line fuse, it is like a $20-30 project.
I can see building this into either the spedo console or the metal wind deflector around the headlight (opposite the aux flood lights)
As an alternative to the USB motherboard ports, there are these that will provide a waterproof connection:
http://www.usbfirewire.com/usb-rugge...c.html#wminibc
Specifically this one: http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-211300-10.html
and the matching cable to connect to your device, most likely this one: http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-211320-07-xx.html
Even with the waterproof cables, it is still cheaper than the Kury powerpod, and waterproof and look better and not be hanging off the handlebars.
Once I get my parts in I'll post pics.
The basic idea is that you run 12v and ground to the voltage regulator, which down converts it to 5v. Run the 5v and ground to the USB bulkhead. The only real engineering is mounting the bulkhead USB connection, the optional toggle switch and mounting the voltage regulator in contact with sufficient metal to act as a heatsink.
It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to mount it all... I tapped power from the battery line that went to the center console (on/off/acc switch) and a ground line from one of the wiring harnesses in the center console.. so everything is self contained inside the housing.
I am thinking about replacing the SPST switch with a SPDT switch, so I can select On-Batt, off, On-Acc... but I'll see how inconvenient it is having to turn it on/off everytime I choose to use it.
I'm also thinking about installing a power LED on top of the console to "remind me" if I have it turned on or not... it is only a hole and a $2.00 LED with holder that would be connected in parallel to the line between the switch and the regulator chip.. a 5 minute job.
http://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Sounds-U...793450&sr=1-23
However, I will not pay 150.00 for something that can be replicated with assorted walmart parts for $20.00
After Googling around I found this thread: http://www.cbrforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96467
Which shows how it can built into the bike for very cheap.
Here is the parts list from radio shack:
Cables To Go 13403 Motherboard Adapter with 2 x USB Port (optional... see below for the waterproof connection)
Catalog#: 55010626
$8.99
SPST Flatted Metal Lever Toggle Switch (Optional... so it can be run to the battery and left hot or not)
Catalog#: 275-634
$2.99
+5V Fixed-Voltage Regulator 7805
Catalog#: 276-1770
$1.59
minus some wire and heatshrink and an in-line fuse, it is like a $20-30 project.
I can see building this into either the spedo console or the metal wind deflector around the headlight (opposite the aux flood lights)
As an alternative to the USB motherboard ports, there are these that will provide a waterproof connection:
http://www.usbfirewire.com/usb-rugge...c.html#wminibc
Specifically this one: http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-211300-10.html
and the matching cable to connect to your device, most likely this one: http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-211320-07-xx.html
Even with the waterproof cables, it is still cheaper than the Kury powerpod, and waterproof and look better and not be hanging off the handlebars.
Once I get my parts in I'll post pics.
The basic idea is that you run 12v and ground to the voltage regulator, which down converts it to 5v. Run the 5v and ground to the USB bulkhead. The only real engineering is mounting the bulkhead USB connection, the optional toggle switch and mounting the voltage regulator in contact with sufficient metal to act as a heatsink.
It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to mount it all... I tapped power from the battery line that went to the center console (on/off/acc switch) and a ground line from one of the wiring harnesses in the center console.. so everything is self contained inside the housing.
I am thinking about replacing the SPST switch with a SPDT switch, so I can select On-Batt, off, On-Acc... but I'll see how inconvenient it is having to turn it on/off everytime I choose to use it.
I'm also thinking about installing a power LED on top of the console to "remind me" if I have it turned on or not... it is only a hole and a $2.00 LED with holder that would be connected in parallel to the line between the switch and the regulator chip.. a 5 minute job.
Last edited by Radimus; Jun 19, 2010 at 11:06 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 732
Likes: 61
From: Springfield, MA
Did a very quick, down and dirty "elcheepo" mod...
I still have the stock license plate mount on my 2010 Fatboy Lo. Since I have no back cover (and couldn't find a black one) for the the license plate it stuck out like a sore thumb. So yesterday I took the plate off, taped off the front and rattle canned it flat black (to go with the denim paint). I also have a $6 license plate frame that was gloss black that is now flat black.
Once it was all back on the bike, I realized I need to paint the nuts/bolts then it will look great until I decide what to do with my plate.
Total cost was $6 for the frame, paint was left over from another project.
I still have the stock license plate mount on my 2010 Fatboy Lo. Since I have no back cover (and couldn't find a black one) for the the license plate it stuck out like a sore thumb. So yesterday I took the plate off, taped off the front and rattle canned it flat black (to go with the denim paint). I also have a $6 license plate frame that was gloss black that is now flat black.
Once it was all back on the bike, I realized I need to paint the nuts/bolts then it will look great until I decide what to do with my plate.
Total cost was $6 for the frame, paint was left over from another project.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Dirty South, Florida
Nice job. Will be doing this to mine and "bending" it. Don't wanna pay $50 bucks for a lay down plate. Also I took the rear seat off and the main bolts were chrome. Talk about sticking out. I removed them from the bike, sanded them down and sprayed them with BBQ flat black paint. Matched up with the bike great.
