[VinnieZX12R]

Well, got the M-stand mounted and the Escort 8500 wired. Now just need to figure the best way to hear the damn thing. Anyone bought a speaker (screemer??), or just use an earphone?



Also, I wired into the accessory slot in the junction box, which has a 10 amp fuse. Should I replace the fuse with one of smaller capacity (say 3 amp) for better protection? I can't imagine that detector pulls much amperage.



My biggest complaint on the mount is that I can't see the the odo., clock, temp, gas gauge, or right turn indicator without doing a head bob. Just hope that I don't forget to "bob" for the gas gauge on occasion! Otherwise, it's a pretty clean and simple installation.

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[Guest]

Vinnie, do you have any pics to post of the install? I may be looking at doing something like this next spring.

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[VinnieZX12R]

Don't have any pics, but I could probably take some if I could figure out how to post them (I do have a digital camera, and SHOULDA been thinking when I had the bike apart).



The installation is really simple. Just unbolt the right mirror, back out the front mounting stud on the mirror (the M-stand provides a bolt to go into the hole), and bolt the thing on.



The wiring was equally simple, once I figured out what to tie into. If you look at the junction box (you'll have to take off the whole tank cover, because you can't see everything with just the ashtray off), you'll see two large wiring plugs coming into the box from the front of the bike. As you are sitting on the bike, you'll be concerned with the left plug. The open accessory slot is the lower right hole of the plug. Unhook the plug and you'll see the type of connector you'll need. You can get them at any Radio Shack, or probably auto parts store, or hardware store for probably 10 for $.59. I hooked the ground wire into the ground screw on the left side of the tank (as you sit on the bike). Then I just followed the wiring bundle to the front of the bike, past the instrument cluster, to the M-stand. The fuse for the accessory slot is clearly marked ACC on the fuse cover.



For the power to the radar, I bought cigarette lighter "extension" with a 10' cord from Radio Shack ($6), and cut off the male end. I connected the female end to the bottom of the M-stand with heavy duty double stick tape, then wired it up.



OK, too much info, I know. Let me know if you have specific questions or want specific pics.



Later

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[easyrider]

If you have good pics of any installations (especially the Aux power source mods and locations, many people will need this) just email them to me at [email protected] with the instructions and I will post them.

Or better yet (to save my website space) try www.imagestation.com I think there is another site that will allow you to store the pics as well. Once stored you then link to them on the forum to display the pics.



Thanks,



Easyrider

[email protected]
 
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[ZX12eR]

Vinnie---send pics. And give a full report on the Passport---I need some help in the ticket avoidance dept. Need to know if that thing works.Thanks (and have a great New Year!)

TB

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[ZX12eR]

quote:

"I havent tried this yet but someone told me he gets a small electric buzzer from radio shack etc. and mounts it in the seat under his thigh, wires it up to the radar detector and presto when it goes off he can feel it."



I heard that guy's girlfriend stole his bike and hasn't been seen since heheh...

TB

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[VinnieZX12R]

"I heard that guy's girlfriend stole his bike and hasn't been seen since heheh...

TB"



You crack me up! OK, I'll get the pics in ASAP, definitely this week.



As for the Escort 8500, not sure what to think. I was a little disappointed at first (been using it in my truck for several months now). Not a whole lot of notice on some of the newest radar guns. You pretty much have to shut it down right when you get the signal. On the older radar guns (county sherrifs, small town cops), you get tons of warning. I have heard that the 8500 is the best for the newest radar guns, but don't know for sure.







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[Guest]

The "newer" guns are instant on - meaning no signal to detect until they pull the trigger, if you are the only one on the road, your toast, if there is some traffic in front of you, you should get a nice warning...

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[VinnieZX12R]

Actually, I think the newer guns put out a lot weaker signal so they're harder to detect. The incidences I've experienced have been in heavy traffic, where everyone was going the same speed (so I don't think they weren't targeting any specific vehicle). I got a couple of weak blips just before the cop was right on me, then the signal really came through.



Maybe I'm wrong, but it still seems like you'd pick up "instant on" radar from a long way off if there is heavy traffic. Any radar experts out there?





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[BozzyZX12]

I like the looks of the m-stand as a radar mount but dont want the gauges blocked either. i did a quicky mount coming of the mirros bolts out of sheet metal and 3/8 steel rod but still couldn't get the depth to mount it and still see the gauges. So I did what I had done for the last 20 years and mounted off the exterior of the mirror base. Just used a peice of stainless sheet metal. It aint pretty and will re do it soon. Held it on with a d-ring strechy peice of one inch elsatic with velcro. Ive had it up to about 160mph with it on and no problem. For faster I take it off as i 'clear the path' before doing such things in a country with no extradition treaty with Canada of course.

Used a similar mount on un faired bikes for years used to mount on brake reseviour(sp). Only had it come off once but that was due to my carlessness in putting it on.

Rain doesnt bother it out there as i take it of in the rain as i dont speed when its wet out-not often anyway.

Maybe the mount could be fiited to the exterior some how.

Happy New Year.





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[BozzyZX12]

P.S.

I havent tried this yet but someone told me he gets a small electric buzzer from radio shack etc. and mounts it in the seat under his thigh, wires it up to the radar detector and presto when it goes off he can feel it. Works in light dark, fast and noisey.

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[Guest]

The traditional "X" and "K" radar will provide long range detection due to their power output, where-as "KA" and Laser is significantly lower. Especially KA used on the photo radar vans, they are aimed horizontal to the vehicle, thus you cant get a good warning from a distance.



Something that people forget about radar is that in order to detect it, the detector needs a clear / unobstructed view, placing them in a tank bag or blocking the rear radar with your body can significantly reduce the warning time you will receive. My personal favorite are the people who place them directly behind a windshield wiper and or tinted glass and wonder why it never works...

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