How the heck do I mount my Zumo 550 GPS?

Red Barchetta · 03-16-2008

Hey guys, I bought a Zumo 550 like 6 months ago, but sadly haven't used it since the damn mount won't work on my 900 Custom. So now I have the world's most expensive paper weight.

Now I'm not very mechanically inclined, so I had my father (who's very mechanically inclined) give it a try, but to no avail. While it technically fits on the handlebar (after much fiddling), it's too loose to be used comfortably -- even with added padding. We could tell imideatly the thing would just fall forward at the slightest vibration. Plus the mount was huge and hideous -- why does it have to be on that arm thing anyway, why not just mount it as close to the handlebars as possible?

What other options do I have? I don't want to use their mount, since it's a total POS and is too big. Is there anything else I can do?

RichLockyer · 03-16-2008

I use RAM mounts for all of my GPS units.
Garmin zumo 550 mounts by RAM Mount
I use the "U-bolt" mount on the lower left:
RAM alternative mounting options for the garmin zumo 550

Alf · 03-16-2008

Carefully LMAO. Alf has been up way to late.

Red Barchetta · 03-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

I use RAM mounts for all of my GPS units.
Garmin zumo 550 mounts by RAM Mount
I use the "U-bolt" mount on the lower left:
RAM alternative mounting options for the garmin zumo 550

Thanks for the reply -- The GPS actually came with a RAM Mount, but the U-Bolt is different from the one you purchased, and sadly doesn't fit my 900 Custom. Do you think yours might?

*pitchinguy* · 03-16-2008

Haven't heard of this I don't think. Are your bars smaller than 1"? I put 11/4" apes on my bike but my zumo mount is too small for 11/4" so I had to put it between the risers where the bars are only 1". No problem, works great & plenty tight.

Red Barchetta · 03-16-2008

^ I'm not sure how big the bars are to be honest. But I do know the bolts don't hold it on tightly enough, sadly.

Are there no other methods? Is there any other way I might be able to carry my GPS?

V2KCruiser · 03-16-2008

I don't have the Garmin Zumo, but there's a forum just for the Zumo:

ZumoForums

If you post over there I'm sure you'll get answers on every possible way to mount it on a bike.

RichLockyer · 03-16-2008

The u-bolt mount is designed for 1" bars... should work on the Custom.
My apes are 1-1/4... I bought a bigger u-bolt.

BTW: Don't overtighten... the base is case aluminum and it's not hard to torque the u-bolt enough to crack an ear off.

Red Barchetta · 03-16-2008

^ Thanks, but it doesn't fit on mine. Rather, it fits, but not well enough to support the GPS. I even tried adding rubber for extra cushioning, but it either got too tight to get the U-Bolt on at all, or it still wasn't tight enough -- there seemed to be no happy medium.

brent4a · 03-16-2008

I have the u bolt with the ball for mine. I wish the ball off the u bolt would just go into the cradle itself, but looks like you have to use the arm that holds the balls together as the only way. The u bolt fit my bars just fine.

RichLockyer · 03-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Barchetta

^ Thanks, but it doesn't fit on mine. Rather, it fits, but not well enough to support the GPS. I even tried adding rubber for extra cushioning, but it either got too tight to get the U-Bolt on at all, or it still wasn't tight enough -- there seemed to be no happy medium.

With the stock bars? They should be 1". The provided u-bolt should work fine on 7/8" or 1" bars.

Red Barchetta · 03-16-2008

Well, I'm not sure why then, but they sadly aren't. The thing flops all over the place, and won't hold the GPS steady,

yooper cruiser · 03-16-2008

Is there a way to measure the U-bolt to make sure they sent you the right one?

mkelley · 03-17-2008

I put a single layer of plastic electrical tape on the U-bolts on my Zumo RAM mounts for my Meanie. That gives it a bit more friction. I've got 2 of those mounts, one for my Zumo, one for a camera.

If for some reason the U-bolt isn't threaded far enough, you could put a washer or two behind the nut. Like Rich said, be careful not to torque the nuts too tight. The cast aluminum is easy to break. I cracked one of my mounts right between the two bolts, but it still works OK.

Mercury · 03-17-2008

i have the zumo 550 on my bike, I like the mount that came with it, I can take pics but email me and i will send them - merc45@gmail.com

kenny

03-16-2008	#1 (permalink)
Red Barchetta Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 111	How the heck do I mount my Zumo 550 GPS? Hey guys, I bought a Zumo 550 like 6 months ago, but sadly haven't used it since the damn mount won't work on my 900 Custom. So now I have the world's most expensive paper weight. Now I'm not very mechanically inclined, so I had my father (who's very mechanically inclined) give it a try, but to no avail. While it technically fits on the handlebar (after much fiddling), it's too loose to be used comfortably -- even with added padding. We could tell imideatly the thing would just fall forward at the slightest vibration. Plus the mount was huge and hideous -- why does it have to be on that arm thing anyway, why not just mount it as close to the handlebars as possible? What other options do I have? I don't want to use their mount, since it's a total POS and is too big. Is there anything else I can do?

03-16-2008	#2 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 28,016	I use RAM mounts for all of my GPS units. Garmin zumo 550 mounts by RAM Mount I use the "U-bolt" mount on the lower left: RAM alternative mounting options for the garmin zumo 550 __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Ultra-Classic Patriot Guard Rider *Please put your bike year/model in your sig line or fill in your profile before asking for help.*

03-16-2008	#3 (permalink)
Alf Alf not Elf BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,260	Carefully LMAO. Alf has been up way to late. __________________ When arguing with a idiot make sure he isn't... My bike 900 LT Red/Black.

03-16-2008	#5 (permalink)
pitchinguy I miss Deron. Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 8,733	Haven't heard of this I don't think. Are your bars smaller than 1"? I put 11/4" apes on my bike but my zumo mount is too small for 11/4" so I had to put it between the risers where the bars are only 1". No problem, works great & plenty tight. __________________ *LIGHT ENGINEER Todd's Body Paint Team* *Black 1600w/apes* aka Scooter

03-16-2008	#7 (permalink)
V2KCruiser * V2K Rocks!!! * Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,498	I don't have the Garmin Zumo, but there's a forum just for the Zumo: ZumoForums If you post over there I'm sure you'll get answers on every possible way to mount it on a bike. __________________ 2006 Vulcan 2000 Classic

03-16-2008	#6 (permalink)
Red Barchetta Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 111	^ I'm not sure how big the bars are to be honest. But I do know the bolts don't hold it on tightly enough, sadly. Are there no other methods? Is there any other way I might be able to carry my GPS?

03-16-2008	#8 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 28,016	The u-bolt mount is designed for 1" bars... should work on the Custom. My apes are 1-1/4... I bought a bigger u-bolt. BTW: Don't overtighten... the base is case aluminum and it's not hard to torque the u-bolt enough to crack an ear off. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Ultra-Classic Patriot Guard Rider *Please put your bike year/model in your sig line or fill in your profile before asking for help.*

03-16-2008	#9 (permalink)
Red Barchetta Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 111	^ Thanks, but it doesn't fit on mine. Rather, it fits, but not well enough to support the GPS. I even tried adding rubber for extra cushioning, but it either got too tight to get the U-Bolt on at all, or it still wasn't tight enough -- there seemed to be no happy medium.

03-16-2008	#10 (permalink)
brent4a Life Saver BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Port Republic, Southern Maryland Posts: 435	I have the u bolt with the ball for mine. I wish the ball off the u bolt would just go into the cradle itself, but looks like you have to use the arm that holds the balls together as the only way. The u bolt fit my bars just fine. __________________ 2004 1600 classic http://s100.photobucket.com/albums/m...4a/Motorcycle/

03-16-2008	#12 (permalink)
Red Barchetta Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 111	Well, I'm not sure why then, but they sadly aren't. The thing flops all over the place, and won't hold the GPS steady,

03-16-2008	#13 (permalink)
yooper cruiser Recycled Rider BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.P. of Michigan Posts: 494	Is there a way to measure the U-bolt to make sure they sent you the right one?

03-17-2008	#14 (permalink)
mkelley Extreme Gizmologist Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Berwyn Heights, Maryland Posts: 2,074	I put a single layer of plastic electrical tape on the U-bolts on my Zumo RAM mounts for my Meanie. That gives it a bit more friction. I've got 2 of those mounts, one for my Zumo, one for a camera. If for some reason the U-bolt isn't threaded far enough, you could put a washer or two behind the nut. Like Rich said, be careful not to torque the nuts too tight. The cast aluminum is easy to break. I cracked one of my mounts right between the two bolts, but it still works OK. __________________ -Mike Chapter President, Maryland VRA my bikes my Meetup Group

03-17-2008	#15 (permalink)
Mercury Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 2,777	i have the zumo 550 on my bike, I like the mount that came with it, I can take pics but email me and i will send them - merc45@gmail.com kenny __________________ 2000 drifter 800 - lightly modded 2003 360 4x4 atv

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Concours GPS Mount	Charlie Gary	Projects and "How To" Write Ups	1	09-14-2009 02:41 AM
How the heck do I mount my GPS to my bike? (Zumo 550 / 900 Vulcan)	Red Barchetta	Kawasaki Cruisers	21	08-18-2007 12:42 PM
who has a GPS - Garmin zumo 550	Mercury	Riding Gear	3	06-25-2007 10:37 PM