GPS mount for Garmin Nuvi 755

[FJmonkey]

I have been using the suction cup mount for my GPS with some success. It has fallen a few times and forced me to pull over and deal with it. So I got my engineering like designer mind to solve this problem Monkey Man style.... I had to chose what I was going to block when the GPS was in place. Where can it sit and give full lock to lock clearance of the bars and dash panel. The clock and fuel gauge are the two most worthless items on the dash, the gauge works some of the time and the clock is off by one hour half of the year cuz I am just too lazy to fix it every DLS time change. Now I need a good place to mount a bracket that can mount the GPS cradle, not all GPS units need a cradle, it sucks to need one. The built in traffic feature is nice but it is worthless where I like to ride in the hills. The upper triple tree (Right hand side) is the best place that I found. I chose a two piece bracket to make it easy to fabricate and install. Here is my almost finished concept.





I can have extras made if some of you have Garmin units that use the same cradle. When I make these, the deal is, members that are recent donators (6 months or less) can get them for the cost of shipping. 

I am designing this to fit loose to the tree so I can use foam as an insulator and to dampen vibrations that are not good for most electronics....

It will be made of 304 SST and powder coated black unless no finish is requested.

Kookaloo my friends. 

[SlowOldGuy]

It's kind of hard to describe, but I milled a C-shaped piece of aluminum that fits around the front part of the upper triple clamp.  On the bottom of the C, I drilled and tapped for a clamping screw that tightens against the underside of the triple clamp to hold it in place.

On the top of the C, I drilled, tapped, and helicoiled to fit a simple Ram Mount ball.  I drilled the ball mount out to pass a 1/4-20 bolt.  I use a Ram Mount cradle for my GPS that has a ball mount.  Works well for both the GPS and the GoPro.

DavidR.

[FJmonkey]

It's kind of hard to describe
DavidR.

Yep, that is why I used visuals, hard to describe when it gets technical and specific on this kind of stuff.

[yamaha fj rider]

Another quality product from Monkey Manufacturing. Just wind him up and watch him go.   FJMonkey 

Kurt

[Klavdy]

Far too over-engineered.
Drill a hole through your steering stem nut and mount a 1" ball through that.
Puts it in a really good place that doesn't block gauges, tankbags or vision.
I've done it on a couple FJ's and it works great.

Looks like this,  


Or This,




I'll see if I can find some pics of it mounted to an FJ.

Think Fluffy has his Garmin Nuvi suction mounted to the screen, that works really well too.
He's using the car mounts that come with it.







[/img]

[Dan Filetti]

I've posted this before, but here is what I have done on the GSX-R:







As a bonus, you can see my ghetto ambient temp gauge I have mounted...

[FJmonkey]

Think Fluffy has his Garmin Nuvi suction mounted to the screen, that works really well too.
He's using the car mounts that come with it.

That ball mount idea could work and I did think of going this way, but with the Garmin cradle the unit sits lower from where the ball mounts. So I would still need to get the unit further up and forward to clear the tank bag with a bracket of some kind. Then it sits directly in the center of the dash. Now the bracket gets bigger to shift it to the Right. I prefer to have it more to the Right and leave the tach visible. I also like having foam as a vibration insulator. The ball mount is very clean looking though. Baldy used his auto suction cup mount to his screen. That is where I got the idea and I was using it, till it fell off a few times at speed and a panic stop ensued to keep the GPS from falling the rest of the way off the bike. One of these times it tore the internal connector out and I had to buy a new cradle.

Thanks for the ideas Klavdy.

[AustinFJ]

Far too over-engineered.
Drill a hole through your steering stem nut and mount a 1" ball through that.
Puts it in a really good place that doesn't block gauges, tankbags or vision.
I've done it on a couple FJ's and it works great.

Looks like this,  


Or This,




I'll see if I can find some pics of it mounted to an FJ.
Think Fluffy has his Garmin Nuvi suction mounted to the screen, that works really well too.
He's using the car mounts that come with it.

[/img]

I've done exactly as Klavdy speaks.  Drilled the stem nut and mounted the Ram ball mount pictured in his first pic.   Works beautifully.   I'll snap a few pics if I get the chance, but gotta say it's the easiest (and very inexpensive) mount to install and use available.   Position is great even with a tank bag.

[giantkiller]

I also mounted my trailtech allows gps on the stem nut.  I epoxied the mount nut inside the stem nut. With the extension you can position it where you want

[Rich Pleines]

I think you can find exactly what you are looking for here. http://www.rammount.com/Products/MotorcycleMounts/tabid/128/Default.aspx#/

I used the RAM Motorcycle Brake/Clutch Reservoir Base with 1" Ball with the small extensiom and it's great. Clears a tank bag, easy to see and use.
http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045051048057045049085/Default.aspx

Hope this helps.
Rich

[FJmonkey]

I used the RAM Motorcycle Brake/Clutch Reservoir Base with 1" Ball with the small extension and it's great. Clears a tank bag, easy to see and use.
http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045051048057045049085/Default.aspx

Hope this helps.
Rich

I must have an odd ball mounting system. I used the GPS Mounting Wizard, selected the make "Garmin", selected the model "Nuvi 765T" then it offers no choices for Holder Versions.... I see a lot of 1" ball mounts, my cradle uses a smaller ball, closer to 3/4".

This might fit my GPS but the connection to the bike won't work.
http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049052057090045071065050054085/Default.aspx

This might work for more $$$ but it protests it from weather. Still have to figure the connection to the bike.
http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049052057090045065081050085/Default.aspx

Lots of good ideas, thanks.

[Rich Pleines]

[[/quote]
I must have an odd ball mounting system. I used the GPS Mounting Wizard, selected the make "Garmin", selected the model "Nuvi 765T" then it offers no choices for Holder Versions.... I see a lot of 1" ball mounts, my cradle uses a smaller ball, closer to 3/4".

[/quote]

The configuration tool on the site seems to be messed up however this may help.

1 .RAM Cradle Holder
http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045072079076045071065050054085/Default.aspx

2. RAM 1" Diameter Ball Short Double Socket Arm with Diamond Base. Overall Length: 3"

http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049048051045065045050051056085/Default.aspx

3. RAM Motorcycle Brake/Clutch Reservoir Base with 1" Ball

http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045051048057045049085/Default.aspx

or any other base you prefer.

http://www.rammount.com/Products/MotorcycleMounts/tabid/128/Default.aspx#

With the part numbers you can order from many other sources that offer the Ram product.

[FJmonkey]

That was spot on Rich... The RAM cradle has a pocket that allows room for the Garmin cradle to fit into, then the 1" ball mount is the new standard, then pick how one wishes to attach to the bike. This will give me something to ponder on. It is still kind of fun thinking my own shit up. But RAM has good looking and sturdy looking products. The weather protected case that still works with the touch screen is very tempting now..... Thanks.

GPS safety advise from your friendly neighborhood Red Power Ranger:

I took one more shot at using the suction cup mount today. Damn near Karked it when the suction cup gave way and fell, it landed on the release button ejecting the GPS from the cradle so no longer tethered by the power cable. It almost fell between the front of the tank and the triple tree, to street below zipping by at 60+ in a corner. Suction cup users beware......

[Klavdy]

Mate, yer doing it wrong.
Is your cradle and mount like this?


If it is, you need to mount it on your windscreen with the lever pointing up, the opposite way to this pic below.



Turns it round, fits better.



Secure with a piece of builders string for peace of mind.,



Run the power lead up behind the gauge pod and screen, bobs your uncle.
Out of the weather, seen them last there through blizzards and thousands of miles.

[FJmonkey]

Mate, yer doing it wrong.

Is your cradle and mount like this?

Turns it round, fits better.

Secure with a piece of builders string for peace of mind.

Mate, yer doing it wrong. [This won't be the first or last time I have done something wrong]

Is your cradle and mount like this? [Yes identical]


Turns it round, fits better. [It is mounted as shown below, the lever is up as shown to engage the suction]



Secure with a piece of builders string for peace of mind. [That is the one thing I though about but did not do, if it keeps falling, the mount is wrong for the application]

I think the curve of the screen is part of the problem. If the screen has scratches, even very fine ones it will allow air in through the scratches and the suction will fail faster. Glass is super smooth compared to plastic, even when neither is new. I also think that putting it on in the morning when it is cooler is part of the issue. Some air is still trapped in the suction cup. As the day gets warmer and sun hits it, the air warms and expands reducing the suction. Vibration and hitting bumps finish the job of knocking it off. Even in my truck on clean glass it falls off every one or two weeks. Perhaps the suction cup it self is faulty. A proper bracket on the bike is the only option for me at this time. 

Thanks for the input.