MIGSEL SHELF GOODIES INSTALLATION, R1200RT

[markgoodrich]

I asked some questions the other day regarding how to mount stuff using the Migsel and promised to describe the final result.

 

I got lucky and learned the ONLY authorized RAM dealer in Texas is right here in Austin. He (Barry Jucha, pronounced "Yooka")let me go to his house today, and he spent about an hour with me, trying various ram attachments, to get the Valentine just right. GREAT guy, i highly recommend him as a source for RAM parts: www.mountinginnovations.com.

 

The parts I finally chose for mounting the Valentine include:

 

RAP-300-1U MAGNETIC PLATE FOR RADAR DETECTOR

 

RAM-B-201U 3" ARM

 

RAM-202U RAM 2.5" DIAMETER BASE WITH 1.5" BALL

 

1" RAM BALL

 

The RAM installation was dirt simple, of course. I wanted to run power from a fused power block under my seat to the Valentine, and also run an ipod audio cord from the radio cubby back to the Autocom, which is under my seat. I keep the ipod attached to the side of the radio cubby with velcro, using a radio frequency remote control (Radio Shack, about ten bucks) attached to the handlebar. The ipod stays out of the weather and out of sight.

 

I didn't want to take off all the plastic unless I had to, so I rooted around in the garage and uncovered some plastic "loom" or "conduit" available at any auto parts store. It's the stuff used to run groups of wires across hot areas like engine compartments. It's corrugated, stiff but just flexible enough to be snaked up under the fairing parts...with several do-overs....

 

These are the steps I took:

 

1. Snaked the Valentine power cord down through the windhsield mechanism hole, IN FRONT OF THE HINGE to keep it from pinching. Just took a couple of tries to get it to dangle down far enough to pull from below.

 

2. Snaked the loom up under the plastic, from the right side of the seat, above the right cylinder and air intake, to the front shock area.

 

3. Inserted the Valentine cord, which makes a nice tight fit with the telephone jack end (the loom is slit along its length, so it's easy to insert stuff) and then pulled the whole thing back out through the fairing. Now I was able to pull all the excess power cord up under the seat.

 

4. I inserted the power cord again, and also the ipod audio out cord, into the loom, and snaked it back up to the front again.

 

5. I reached down into the radio cubby and struggled with the rubber flap in the bottom, until it finally came out. I cut an "X" in the rubber with some scissors, and fed the ipod cord through it. Note to self: next time, get the rubber WET before trying to put it back in place. The rubber grips the cord tightly; the compartment is still weather proof.

 

6. I used the included hard wire "kit" that came with the Valentine to power it with the power block (I had to change out the spade connectors, but that was no big deal).

 

7. Once I ascertained that the power was working, and the ipod could be heard through the Autocom, I simply trimmed off the excess loom, and put the seat back on.

 

Total time was about an hour, including the do-overs. Only tools used were the scissors and a wire crimper for the spade connectors, all done a safe distance from the plastic, and a few zip ties.

 

The Valentine is rock solid on the RAM mounting, and comes off instantly with a simple twist. A little foam in the bottom of the stupid radio cubby, and I'll be able to toss it in and lock it up at stops.

 

[i have a question: how does one get rid of that STUPID flashlight holder arm scratcher thing? Who uses a AA flashlight these days? I have hundreds of little tiny LED flashlights all over the place]

 

Whenever I decide which GPS unit I want to buy, I'll get the holder and ram bits from Barry, and run a little more loom, and be good to go. Ditto the XM radio.

 

The Migsel shelf seems to be plenty solid for the toys.

 

The photos are out of sequence, but are clickable. I called the ipod cord a "power" cord, but it's the audio cord.

 

Hope this is of some benefit to someone.

 

[Crazy_Canuck]

Thanks for the info. I just recieved my Migsel bracker yesterday.

[skyking44]

Great write up and photos. I will also be installig the Migsel, Garmin, and Valentine.

You did not use the Valentine remote control that allows you to have audio to the Autocom. Why not? Where did you put the power supply for the Valentine and do you have photos of AutoCom, and fuse box? Would appreciate PM or email if you have time and photos.

Thanks

[markgoodrich]

 

Great write up and photos. I will also be installig the Migsel, Garmin, and Valentine.

You did not use the Valentine remote control that allows you to have audio to the Autocom. Why not? Where did you put the power supply for the Valentine and do you have photos of AutoCom, and fuse box? Would appreciate PM or email if you have time and photos.

Thanks

 

I am thinking the practically eye-level location of the Valentine will eliminate the need to hear...the same concept as those helmet-mounted lights. If not, I can always add the noise unit later.

 

The Valentine comes with a hard-wire adapter, which is plugged into the fused power block under the seat. I have a Touratech block, but I'm sure any brand works great. I've actually made one before, with a few bucks' worth of bits from Radio Shack, following some very clear instructions from another rider:

http://www.fjrtech.com/getdbitem.cfm?item=25. I added a little plastic box from the Shack, and enclosed mine in it. I was just lazy this time around, and sprang for the Touratech unit, which has a built-in relay.

 

I'll attach a blurry photo showing the current state of affairs lit up, including location of the Roady...a three dollar solution. I'll post a different thread if anyone is insterested in how to do it. I simply used the cigarette lighter plug that came with the XM...popped the case open, soldered wires to the positive and negative terminals (obvious once you open it) and ran the wires (I only had some green wire) out to the power block. Works great. Looks funny...see the photo of the under-seat arrangement you asked for.

 

[markgoodrich]

Here's a post describing the final XM installation. Three bucks.

[Crazy_Canuck]

Here's a post describing the final XM installation. Three bucks.

 

Where?

[markgoodrich]

Here's a post describing the final XM installation. Three bucks.

 

D'OH!

 

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/sh...&PHPSESSID=

[flyingreg]

Great write up and photos. I will also be installig the Migsel, Garmin, and Valentine.

You did not use the Valentine remote control that allows you to have audio to the Autocom. Why not? Where did you put the power supply for the Valentine and do you have photos of AutoCom, and fuse box? Would appreciate PM or email if you have time and photos.

Thanks

 

I am thinking the practically eye-level location of the Valentine will eliminate the need to hear...the same concept as those helmet-mounted lights. If not, I can always add the noise unit later.

You won't miss the noise from the alarm until you are lit up from front or behind for the first time and you look at the V1 to see it glaring at you in full alert mode. DAMHIK!

[markgoodrich]

Great write up and photos. I will also be installig the Migsel, Garmin, and Valentine.

You did not use the Valentine remote control that allows you to have audio to the Autocom. Why not? Where did you put the power supply for the Valentine and do you have photos of AutoCom, and fuse box? Would appreciate PM or email if you have time and photos.

Thanks

 

I am thinking the practically eye-level location of the Valentine will eliminate the need to hear...the same concept as those helmet-mounted lights. If not, I can always add the noise unit later.

You won't miss the noise from the alarm until you are lit up from front or behind for the first time and you look at the V1 to see it glaring at you in full alert mode. DAMHIK!

 

You're right. The location of the V1 will definitely be all I need so long as I only ride at night. I rode 300 miles today in the Texas hill country twisty, hilly roads. Never once would have noticed the lights come on in the daytime, in time to react. I'll have to order the $50 audio adapter for the Autocom. Seems like an AWFUL lot of money, but I'm getting it. Jeez, I better check and see if my Autocom has enough inputs for another jack.

[markgoodrich]

Update: remote volume control for the Valentine works fine through the Autocom, but needed to also add a noise suppressor, which did the trick, another expensive Autocom part.

 

The BAD NEWS is that the RAM magnetic radar mount failed TWICE. The mount itself is rock solid, but the sticky-back metal plate that attaches to the Valentine does NOT stick more than a few hours. I got a second one, and it failed immediately, too. So I dug out the JB Weld and that plate is now part of the Valentine. Problem solved, but I shouldn't have had to solve it. The Migsel shelf has several thousand miles on it now, with lots of rough pavement, GPS and Valentine mounted, it's rock solid.