** I posted this on a couple forums after I did this today. Just thought I'd post it here in case anyone needed it **
Just thought I'd post a "how to" since I didn't see one online anywhere
for this simple mod. Aimed at "idiots" like me that need pictures to
understand what anybody is talking about...so apologies in advance for
the slow load time...
If you've got a basic garden variety sportbike like me, then you may
have noticed that they lack auxiliary power outlets like some fancy
touring bikes have. And if you're like me, you occasionally forget to
charge you iPod and cellphone before heading out on a ride. And if
you're like me, you kinda want the option of being able to add a radar
like an X50 (not a Solo or other such battery powered one), and maybe a
GPS, and maybe a Roady2, etc, etc...Here's a pictorial guide for how to
install some auxiliary power outlets on your sportbike, so that you can
power up all your electronics (tip: put electronics in tank bag)
My supplies (inline blade type fuse holder, 15 amp fuses, etc.):
My tool arsenal (drill, rotary tool, basic drill bits and grinding bits, beer):
I got a couple Truck Bed Liner cigarette lighter type power outlets
because they are weatherproof (and have a 17 foot hot wire). I chose
the mounting points shown in photo below because those locations had
enough clearance for the underside of the power outlet assembly without
having to modify the ram air ducts.
Drill a pilot hole in the vicinity of the area you wish to mount. Then
place the ring from the bottom of the power outlet over the pilot hole.
Use this as your guide to grind out the hole using rotary tool. You
could alternatively use a hole-saw like the power outlet instructions
say, but I didn't have a hole saw bit.
If you haven't already unscrewed the cap (and ring) from the underside
of outlet, do so. Feed the wires down through the top side of ram air
duct cover and see if outlet fits. Grind until it fits flush. Then
screw the bottom cap and ring back underneath.
Test fit on your bike for clearance. Measure and mark the length of wire you need to reach the battery.
Cut the hot wire to the length you marked (save the excess). Solder the
inline blade type fuse holder to the hot (red) wire. Install a 15 amp
blade type fuse. Crimp and solder a ring connector on the end of fuse
holder
Cut a length of wire from the excess hot (red) wire and solder to the
ground (black) wire so that the total length is same as hot wire. Crimp
and solder a ring connector on the end of ground wire. Picture below is
of finished wires.
Unscrew the cap from the bottom of outlet. Put a bead of silicone on
top side and underside of outlet where it meets the ram air cover.
Screw the cap back on.
Lift tank on bike and prop it up. Position the ram air covers and run
the wires as close to the stock wiring harness as you can. (left side
is pictured below. outlet wires are the red and black wires 'looped'
around the stock wiring.)
right side wiring below
Unscrew the screw holding the ground side of the stock battery cable to
the negative battery post. Stick the screw through the ring connector
you soldered to the ground wire and through the stock battery cable
ring connector and screw them back down onto the battery post. Do the
same for the positive (hot) wire side. Tuck wires, bolt the tank back
down, screw the ram air covers back in, and then you're done.
Sorry for lack of pics for battery connections, but it's pretty
self-explanatory. Ground (black) to ground (negative), and hot (red) to
positive side of battery.
Done (**UPDATED PHOTOS**):
2003 CBR F4i - STOLEN on 12/21/2005 from Econo Lodge parking lot in Mojave, CA. I was going to a track day at Willow Springs that day...