5th Gen Iphone Installation

For all of us who have iPhones, here's how I integrated mine into my bike so that I can use the phone without having to dig it out of a pocket, or worry about draining the batt on long hauls. Especially handy using the MotionX GPS App! (<-- FTW!)

Needed:
- RAM iPhone Cradle (PN: RAM-HOL-AP6U/$10.75)
- RAM Mount (PN: RAM-B-174U $27.24)
- Illuminated 2 pole toggle switch (Autozone/$8.34)
- USB Extender Cable ($6.57)
- Black & Decker Slim 100W Inverter w/USB (PN: VEC415/$27.85)


Mounted the Inverter right under the Seat support bracket and padded with a little foam to prevent virabration rubbing... and wired to switch




Installed illuminated toggle to control on/off juice to Inverter



Nicely, the whole iPhone RAM Mount setup bolts right to the front Tank bolts... no mod necessary... Schweet.


(Self explanatory)



All done...

 

Very cool. Thanks for this write up. I recently got the 3G iPhone and a 1998 VFR, so this is exactly what I was looking for. This answers two of my questions:

1) How do I mount the iPhone on my bike?
2) How do I charge the iPhone if I am on the road and the battery dies?

Kelly

 

Now I have another question... the earbuds that come with the iPhone suck.

People have trouble hearing me with the inline mic.
The earbuds don't stay in my ears.
The plug pulls out of the iPhone very easily.

I bought some "Marshmellow" earbuds yesterday and I really like them for listening to music, but there is no mic.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a better set of earbuds with a mic?

 

These work great.

Sennheiser MM50 iP Headset for iPhone - Apple Store (Canada)

A bit pricy, but worth every penny.

 

Hi Kelly,

I would use the RAM Mount I used and the power Inverter also... Here is the parts list:

Needed:
- RAM iPhone Cradle (PN: RAM-HOL-AP6U/$10.75)
- RAM Mount (PN: RAM-B-174U $27.24)
- Illuminated 2 pole toggle switch (Autozone/$8.34)
- USB Extender Cable ($6.57)
- Black & Decker Slim 100W Inverter w/USB (PN: VEC415/$27.85)

By having the Iphone plugged into the Inverter, as illustrated, it charges it when the switch is turned on. Just be careful to NOT leave the switch on when the bikes off... it WILL drain the batt Learned that from experience... LOL

 

just ordered all the parts. Thanks for the write up on this. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

I wonder if the mount can take an iphone with an Incase hard shell.

 

I have the same setup.
I have a Zumo so I wasn't too interested in mounting the iphone.
I just leave it in the tank bag while it charges.
But, it would be nice to mount it and see who is interrupting me while I ride. :tongue:

 

I stumbled across this. It is a little more money, but it is more compact. I like your switch that allows you to turn it off so I would still use that.

Apple 3G, 3Gs and iTouch Battery Harness (second item down) $42.95
Buy Now: 3G iPod & 2G iPhone Wire Adapters Powerlet Products | Pashnit Moto

 

Don't you worry about breaking the accelerometers inside your iPhone? They are pretty sensitive and I don't think they can handle all this vibration and bumps.

Only time will tell but be aware that mounting it on a bike is not the same as in a car...

 

I didn't know they could be broken.

 

Personnaly, I would consider a rubber shim (gasket) to put between the IPhone mount and the bike frame to reduce vibration. The key here is to NOT let and metal-metal contact between the mount and the frame.

So, put 1 shim between the mount and the frame and another one between the head of the bolt and the mount. You need something soft enough to dampen vibration but hard enough to have enough rigidity.

You can do it pretty cheap and of course, a LOT cheaper than a broken IPhone!

Just google "iphone broken accelerometers" and you'll be convinced to install rubber shims!!!

BTW: very clean job!!! :thumbsup:

 

Buy a zumo__ sat nav your way with in ear directions and bluetooth phone and mp3 ,with the phone in your pocket???

 

Well I got everything in. I didn't want to put a switch in that I needed to keep turning on and off so I put the hot wire in line with the tail light so when the key is turned on the power is turned on. That way I don't have to hit a switch or kill the battery.

 

well i dont have a i phone yet wrong service but next year my service will have them verzion wireless then i will have one whats the link to the mounts

 

That's the way to go. In pocket or in tank bag.

 

You guys talk on a cell phone while on the bike??!! I thought, on the whole, bike guys were smarter than that. Haven't you noticed how badly car drivers drive while using their cell phones? Why should you be different? And you have a lot less sheet metal surrounding you when you wander into someone's space. Dumb idea.

 

I don't talk on the phone while riding. But I do like having incoming calls pop up on my GPS screen so I know when someone calls and, if important, I can pull over and return the call. As for bike guys being smarter than that, have you seen what some of them do while riding?

 

LOL, yeah I guess you're right there. I guess I'm just thinking of the majority of members of the VFR forums. Most of them do seem to smarter than a lot of riders out there.

You're right though, some people seem to put their brains on hold no matter what they're driving/riding.