GPS unit mount adapter

[PixMan]

Last week I fitted the (optional) Triumph tall windscreen and the adjusters. I find it to be only marginally better than the OE stock windscreen for reduction of buffeting, but I'm satisfied. After the installation was complete, I noticed a lot more space between the instruments/gauges/clocks than what the OE windscreen offered. With that space there I decided to move my Garmin Zumo 550 from the post I'd made which stirred so much controversy about my gonads safety. Plus, the angle of the GPS unit's screen was hard to read or shade as it was facing up too much.

I removed and disassembled the post and bracket that was attached to the smaller socket head cap screws on the handlebar clamps. Then I cutoff about an inch from the length to make it a squared-off end. On my Bridgeport milling machine I milled off half the diameter for a 1-1/2" (38.1mm) long, then drilled and tapped two M6x1.0 threads through. Then I made a rectangular block to bolt onto the modified post, with counterbored holes for two M6x1.0 x 16 stainless steel socket head cap screws. Bolted it on with an .008" (0.2mm) shim between the two pieces, then bored a .4724" (12mm) bore between the two pieces. Finally, I turned the assembled block and post in in my lathe to make a uniform diameter.

I was able to mount the post on the little bar that supports the windscreen, and didn't have to remove the windscreen to tighten it up. You can perhaps see in the photos how the factory-made support bar is made with just a little window of space along the bar.

Now the Garmin unit sits at very nearly the same plane as the gauges, the protective rubber cover for the RAM mount electrical contacts is usable, and it's all working perfect. I had looked at a special mounting plate that Twisted Throttle has to do essentially the same job, but for the $1.30 I spent on this one I didn't have to remove the cover from the back of the gauges to fasten it.

This seems so much better, even if a longer reach to the Garmin's controls.