[TharkunRT]

A GPS for Spydie has been on the list, I ordered it from PC Nation as I have purcahsed from them in the past and have had great service. Price was $ 643.80 and included free shipping.

Garmin Zuno 550


What is in the box :

• Zumo 550
  
• Preloaded City Navigator® NT for North America or Europe (full coverage)
  
• MapSource® City Navigator North America NT DVD or City Navigator Europe NT DVD (full unlock)
  
• Motorcycle mount with mounting hardware
  
• Vehicle suction cup mount with integrated speaker
  
• Dashboard disk
  
• Carrying case
  
• AC charger
  
• Vehicle power cable
  
• Motorcycle power cable
  
• USB cable
  
• Security screwdriver
  
• Custom caps (silver and black)
  
• Garmin stickers
  
• Owner's manual on disk
  
• Quick reference guide

As for the mounting/location of the Zumo, I had decided to do as gusmiami and mount it on the handle bar cover, so I''m not the first to do this and can not take credit for the idea. ;)

Installation

To remove the handle bar cover one meeds to remove the clutch handle/cylinder, and then loosen the throttle housing screws and slide it outwards to insure the cover is free for removal.
This is rather simple to do so no pics of this process.

This is the plastic insert that attached to the bottom side of the handle bar cover. There are 4 - M5 x 10 screws located on the uppder edge and 2 - M6 x 20 screws with washers on the lower edge.
The access to these screws can be rather limited when having the stock handle bar riser. ;)


After the plastic insert is removed, there are 2 - M6 x 16 screws that secure the handle bar cover to the steering clamp bracket, did not get a pic of this, but it is very visible and easy to locate.

Now for the fun part, the ignition switch needs to be removed, which appears to be rather simple. The cables for the trunk and seat need to be removed to gain access to the 2 - M6 x 30 screws which need to be removed.


At this time all that is keeping the ignition switch from being removed is the black bezel, this became a minor pain, and as usual the Spyder shop manul was useless. ;)
The manual shows it s simple as holding the lower part of the switch and turning the bezel counter clock wise .... WRONG.

As the pic shows, there are slots and notches.


These keep the bezel positioned and "locked" into place, to remove the two side slots need to be pulled outwards so the bezel can be rotated. There is minimal area to work in
and care needs to be taken not to scratch the finish. I found that two round toothpicks did the trick. ;)


Making a template of the Zumo base unit for the location of the holes and drilling them was a bit time consuming, but it worked well.


I choose to run the Zumo power cable thru the frame of Spydie and connect directly to the battery since the cable included a 3 amp inline fuse. I used a fish tape to pull the cable thru the frame.


I went the cheap route and because of a time issue, did use the lather and milling machine in the shop to make metal ones. I just picked up four nylon ones at the hardware store for a total of $ 1.10.
Then cut/fitted by hand using the Dremel and emery paper, then sprayed with some silver paint.


Zumo finished and working.


As for install time, it was not a quick process, but way less expensive than paying to have it installed the way I desired.

[six3nova]

How did you route the cord around the steering post? How did you secure it around the area also?

Looks excellent!

[dryheat]

I think I'll just stop for directions... or carry a map.

[TharkunRT]

six3nova, on Jun 6 2008, 09:03 AM, said:

How did you route the cord around the steering post? How did you secure it around the area also?
Looks excellent!

The cable runs under the handle bar cover and over the top of the handle bars, because of the path it takes, I seen no reason to try and secure it in that area. It is secured to
the steering clamp bracket and the cables going to the ignition switch using zip ties. If there is an issue after some mileage, will re-think the route I used. ;)

[Danimal]

I really like where that is mounted.... I wanted to do the same.... just didn't want to tear down that far to do it.

Maybe this winter.....

Nice job!!!

What did you use for the spacers???

[TharkunRT]

Danimal, on Jun 6 2008, 10:21 AM, said:

I really like where that is mounted.... I wanted to do the same.... just didn't want to tear down that far to do it.
Maybe this winter.....
Nice job!!!
What did you use for the spacers???

Used four 3/8" x 3/4" nylon stand offs, at Ace hardware $.25 ea. ;) This winter I will bake some nice metal ones, this time of year I don't spend much time in my shop, to warm.

[six3nova]

Tharkun#409, on Jun 6 2008, 11:48 AM, said:

The cable runs under the handle bar cover and over the top of the handle bars, because of the path it takes, I seen no reason to try and secure it in that area. It is secured to
the steering clamp bracket and the cables going to the ignition switch using zip ties. If there is an issue after some mileage, will re-think the route I used. ;)

Thanks for the pics...got a customer thinking of the same thing. He had no clue what he was gonna do! This will help a ton!

[2spyderman]

Tharkun#409, on Jun 6 2008, 12:48 PM, said:

The cable runs under the handle bar cover and over the top of the handle bars, because of the path it takes, I seen no reason to try and secure it in that area. It is secured to
the steering clamp bracket and the cables going to the ignition switch using zip ties. If there is an issue after some mileage, will re-think the route I used. ;)

Nice job on the install. I mounted mine to the handle bar by the throttle and just fed the wires up to the fuse box. I would say that mine took about an hour to install, plus the time that it took to go to Lowe's to get a larger U-bolt. I was going to go for a ride on Monday and installed the GPS unit only to have it not work. Turns out it was the GPS unit itself and was instructed to send it back for replacement. It comes in handy but I really need to get the bluetooth going on it so that I don't have to look at it so much. How you enter information when it is installed on the motorcycle vs. the car is different--I kind of like the motorcycle method better. Enjoy getting lost!!

[TharkunRT]

2spyderman, on Jun 6 2008, 12:14 PM, said:

Nice job on the install. I mounted mine to the handle bar by the throttle and just fed the wires up to the fuse box. I would say that mine took about an hour to install, plus the time that it took to go to Lowe's to get a larger U-bolt. I was going to go for a ride on Monday and installed the GPS unit only to have it not work. Turns out it was the GPS unit itself and was instructed to send it back for replacement. It comes in handy but I really need to get the bluetooth going on it so that I don't have to look at it so much. How you enter information when it is installed on the motorcycle vs. the car is different--I kind of like the motorcycle method better. Enjoy getting lost!!

No doubt it is faster/easier to install on the handle bars, I just don't care for the looks of it on the bars, just a personal preference, what ever works is good.

This post has been edited by Tharkun#409: 07 June 2008 - 06:28 AM

[jbob]

Very clean install. Kudos

Jim

[B1TTEN #509]

More and more it is getting harder to Spyder Owners to GET LOST. Nice install.

[Marc]

Very nice write-up. We'll move to How-To

[TharkunRT]

Marc, on Jun 8 2008, 10:29 AM, said:

Very nice write-up. We'll move to How-To

Thanks Marc

[jsuggs]

Possibly a stupid question, but do you still have to take it on/off when you leave it? Or is is attached securely enough that it isn't worth (ie easy) to just steal it?

[TharkunRT]

jsuggs, on Jul 2 2008, 11:47 AM, said:

Possibly a stupid question, but do you still have to take it on/off when you leave it? Or is is attached securely enough that it isn't worth (ie easy) to just steal it?

There is a small screw driver supplied with the Garmin, to use the "security screw" that is on the mounting bracket. With the security screw active, it prevents anyone from just flipping the release lever and removing the Garmin. This works for quick stops and when I'm not going to be away from Spydie for long, but for any occasions where Spydie will be unattended for longer periods of time, I just remove the Garmin and insert it in the storage case, then pop it in the trunk.

[SpyderGirl]

As always you've done a terrific job. Can't wait to see your masterpiece in person. I wish I had the disposable income you seem to have.

[scottmanesis]

Glad to see this post. That is the same GPS unit we are getting and I was wondering how I would attach it as I too don;t care much for it being on one side or the other. This way it seems more ergo friendly.

+ it leaves the handlebar open for the radar detector.

[Bubba]

Have you had any issues with wiring straight to the battery? I read someplace else that it'll kill your battery if you let it sit to long. What have you found? (Very nice job by the way)

[TharkunRT]

Bubba, on 08 December 2009 - 11:30 PM, said:

Have you had any issues with wiring straight to the battery? I read someplace else that it'll kill your battery if you let it sit to long. What have you found? (Very nice job by the way)

I sold #409 back in March, but I never had an issue, nor has the current owner. If the Zumo is powered off, it is not drawing any power from the battery, so it can not drain the battery, no matter what you may have read.

[Bubba]

Thanks, that's what I'll do then.

TharkunRT, on 09 December 2009 - 02:02 AM, said:

I sold #409 back in March, but I never had an issue, nor has the current owner. If the Zumo is powered off, it is not drawing any power from the battery, so it can not drain the battery, no matter what you may have read.