This is my first attempt at a step-by-step, photos included, on how to do a mod on a VN750.

I have an '89 VN750 that I just got back a couple of weeks ago from Lance (the Super Georgia Mechanic, here on the boards). Since I have kids, and can't afford the time to get lost, I wanted a GPS. My search is documented in this thread: https://www.vn750.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14324

I soon discovered I'd need a 12 vlt Cigarette Outlet to power said GPS. That thread is here: https://www.vn750.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14377

I've completed this mod, and it works great. I figured there might be someone else out there who could benefit from what I did...so I thought to photograph it step by step, and will post it here, now.

1. Buying the parts needed. Firstly...buy your GPS. I selected a refurb Garmin nuvi 255W for only $99 at Tiger Direct. Looked brand new, out of the box, and I was able to update it to the latest (2010) maps. Next, get a motorcycle mount for it. I suggest RAM Mounts. Here's a link to the one I got (2 parts, the GPS mount and the Handlebar mount):

http://www.ram-mount.com/SearchResul...d/Default.aspx

PHOTO: The Garmin nuvi 255W:


PHOTO: Ram Mount for Kawasaki Vulcan 800 (they don't list 750, but it is the same):


2. Buy the 12vlt Cigarette Outlet (all weather), SAE-2 extension cable, heat shrink tubing, and black zip ties. If you do not already have a battery tender with the pigtail attached to your battery, you will need to buy that too (it is what connects to the battery, has a fuse on one of the wires, and has an SAE-2 connector at the other end).

PHOTO: Parts needed


2a. If you don't already have a Battery Tender Pigtail installed on your bike, you can get one here for about $10:

http://www.shop.roadcaptainusa.com/p...3&categoryId=4



3. Open the packages and lay out the Cigarette Outlet and the SAE-2 extension cable. Note the SAE-2 cable has a connector on both ends...so if you bugger one up, you can use the other.

PHOTO: Cables laid out


4. Using wire cutters, cut the SAE-2 cable in half, and strip the ends off the wires.

PHOTO: SAE-2 Cable prepped


5. Strip the ends off the Cigarette Outlet wires.

PHOTO: Cigarette Outlet prepped


6. Slip on the heat shrink tubing for the wires. I put the small diameter tubes with one on each wire, and the bigger diameter one over both wires, one on each end. Then the biggest diameter tube at the ends to prevent water from getting into the connectors on either end.

Then, connect the wires to the correct colour, and twist them together. Then, using a soldering iron, you solder them together to make a good, permanent connection.

PHOTO: Wiring harness soldered


7. Take a voltmeter and set it to check for continuity. Make sure everything is working right before you shrink the tubing.

PHOTO: Testing with voltmeter


8. Using a hairdryer, heat gun, or torch (I used a cigar lighter / torch), shrink the heat shrink tubing after sliding them over the soldered points. First the individual wires, then the bigger ones over that. This will prevent moisture from getting in there, will keep them connected, and won't come apart like electrical tape.

PHOTO: Finished wiring harness


.
.
.

*EDIT* (4/24/2013): Another user found a cigarette adapter already connected to the SAE-2 "pigtail" connector on Amazon. Link is here:

CLICK THIS LINK

.
.
.
(DUE TO LIMIT OF 10 PHOTOS PER POST, CONTINUED IN NEXT MESSAGE)

PART II (CONTINUED FROM ABOVE):

9. Now we mount the Cigarette Outlet wiring harness to the bike, as well as running the adapter cable for the GPS. I mounted it on the left side of the bike, next to the fuse box, and secured it with the black zip ties. This puts it close to the battery, and easy to get to. I ran the cable for the GPS adapter along the left side of the bike, just under the gas tank, using the zip ties to hold it in place, and then up along where the other wiring goes to the handle bars.

PHOTOS: Cigarette Outlet wiring harness and GPS adapter






10. Put the cover back on to protect the Cigarette Outlet harness / GPS adapter:



11. Run Cigarette Outlet wiring harness up to just behind the battery. Connect the SAE-2 to your Battery Tender Pigtail's SAE-2 connector.

PHOTO: Hooking up to battery tender pigtail


12. Attach the RAM Mount to the left handle bar, just past where it bends. Run the GPS cable up behind it and secure with Zip ties.

PHOTO: RAM Mount




13. Attach GPS to cradle and plug adapter cable into the backside of it and it should turn on since it has power!

PHOTO: End Result



If anyone has questions, or thinks I should have done something different...please don't hesitate to chip in...!

And...for those who want to know where I got the parts...

The 12vlt All Weather Cigarette Outlet I got at Wal-Mart in the automotive section. About $9. Got the zip ties & heat shrink tubing there too...about $4 each.

The SAE-2 extension cable I found at AutoZone for about $2.50.

pretty slick,but remember that the outlet is only waterproof when closed,would it work better pointing down so no water will run down into it? P.S. thanks for the heads up on the gps price at TD

I thought about that...but was concerned with water splashing up from the road more than water getting through me and the seat to get down to it.

You could mount it either direction.

Gotcha drift there, maybe roll an o-ring on the gps adapter before plugging it in and letting it stop a lot of the excess and rub some petroleum jelly around the point where the o ring contacts the plug ,old trick to get t-tops to quit leaking it should stop any water from getting in at all.I get your reason for mounting it in that direction though.

to quote Larry David...
"pretty... pretty... pretty... good!"

Thanks! I guess I don't have to pay though the nose for a GPS afterall.
I'd be curious about the sunlight factor and how well it works, but it looks great on there.

That particular GPS (Garmin nuvi 255W) is fairly readable in direct sunlight. Not perfect, but good enough to make out.

Would it increase readability at all to make a shade with a short section of mc inner tube, or something similar, stretched around the circumference of the GPS unit, and extending back an inch or so from the screen?

Ok this maybe a real stupid question, the SAE-2 extension cable, what does that plug into?
In step #11, you said "Connect the SAE-2 to your Battery Tender Pigtail's SAE-2 connector."

I don't think i have a Battery Tender Pigtail?? Anyway, i don't have any mating part that the SAE-2 would go into.
I have a battery tender, but i have never used it on my bike's battery...yet.. i just use it on my 4wheeler batteries.