Well-kept secret to mounting to a 12mm accessory bar

[neilbarnwell]

When I bought the Tumbler, the previous owner had installed the Touratech adjustable windscreen bracket (https://shop.touratech.co.uk/windscreen-adjuster-with-gps-mounting-bar-for-yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-up-to-2013.html) and upon it, the Touratech locking GPS mount for the Garmin Zumo 660 (https://shop.touratech.co.uk/handlebar-mount-motorbike-for-zumo-660-v2-0-lockable-anodised-black.html).

I'm getting rid of the Zumo bracket (I use my phone with Google Maps which is amazing when combined with my Scala headset), but want to find a suitable way to mount my phone in it's place.

I have two requirements:

1) Waterproof (well, it won't be submerged, but let's compromise on "downpour-resistant").
2) Charges the phone.

I've found a superb case that might solve these two problems, and it supports the RAM mounting system: http://shop.twistyride.com/suction-cup-waterproof-phone-holder/. The only thing is...

How on earth do I securely mount a RAM ball to the accessory bar? It's 12mm according to my el-cheapo vernier calipers, but I can't find anywhere a simple, elegant solution. There's loads of ways to fit a 12mm accessory bar to your bike, but very little on WHAT TO FIT TO THE DAMN THING.

Ahem.

I've found this: https://shop.touratech.co.uk/ram-adapter-mount-for-12mm-handlebar-crossbar.html which feels like it could be combined with something (albeit it'd make a bulky solution). I'd prefer a direct way to mount the case to the bar, though. I don't really even want the RAM stuff involved (more pieces means more vibration).

Please help...

 

[verboten1]

12 mm is about 0.028" shy of 1/2" 0.472...."

Anything with 0.5" clamps, and a wrap or 2 of tape/shim stock/ rubber should work pretty well.

 

[diehli]

http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-B-408-37-62U

Hopefully RAM will actually release these soon. Waiting on 2 of them from GPS City & the release date keeps getting pushed back.

 

[tomatocity]

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/14464093290826728153?q=RAM-B-408-37-62U&oq=RAM-B-408-37-62U&ie=UTF-8&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60.2388j0j7&sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.125596728,d.cGc&biw=1366&bih=681&dpr=1&tch=1&ech=1&psi=9gFyV-jaBM-ijwPIv5PIDg.1467089412075.3&prds=hsecnline&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwisi8L09cnNAhVI1WMKHV0eA1gQviQIYQ

Someone wants $12.30 to ship this item. I ordered mine from GPS City and shipping was Zero Dollars.

 

[Ron Earp]

My bike came with a RAM mount and it is on the stock Yamaha accessory bar. No slippage or worries, but I've only ridden it about 800 miles thus far.

 

[neilbarnwell]

At the moment I'm in touch with RAM via email. The idea is to skip the ball entirely, and mount the "diamond" style fitting directly to the accessory bar and that will allow the case I've bought to mount directly to it with the quick-release mechanism. If I can get this to work, I'm sorted. Might have to make something to get it 100% but I know some people who might be able to help me with that.

I'll post back once I've got a solution; it doesn't seem like it's a generally solved problem. Maybe it'll encourage RAM to actually invent something for those where the adjustability of the two-balls-with-connecting-bar system isn't as important as a more compact implementation.

 

[Bryce]

My bike came with a RAM mount and it is on the stock Yamaha accessory bar. No slippage or worries, but I've only ridden it about 800 miles thus far.

the normal 1" balls with the U-Mounts work just fine if you use the plastic insert. I've got 2 of these on my accessory bar

https://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Coated-U-Bolt-Mounting-Base/dp/B0012TWRAO/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1467130477&sr=8-16&keywords=ram+mount+1-inch+ball+u

 

[Bryce]

At the moment I'm in touch with RAM via email. The idea is to skip the ball entirely, and mount the "diamond" style fitting directly to the accessory bar and that will allow the case I've bought to mount directly to it with the quick-release mechanism. If I can get this to work, I'm sorted. Might have to make something to get it 100% but I know some people who might be able to help me with that.

I'll post back once I've got a solution; it doesn't seem like it's a generally solved problem. Maybe it'll encourage RAM to actually invent something for those where the adjustability of the two-balls-with-connecting-bar system isn't as important as a more compact implementation.

Something like this that's not $100 would be nice. Plastic like the rest of the RAM stuff would work just fine for me.

http://www.gadgetguy.net/Catalog/11/BasePlateII.html

 

[spinalator]

I have used 4 different types, and currently am using Techmount for the phone, and RAM for the zumo.

They are not cheap, the balls are not compatible with RAM, but they look a little more refined, and 3000 miles on the gripper and my iPhone 6s in a variety of cases was secure.

http://www.techmounts.com/products/index.php?page_function=detail&product_id=319

 

[neilbarnwell]

I don't know if anyone found anything, but UltimateAddons make something to go on a mirror stem, which is 12mm and so perfect for the accessory bar. Worked a treat for me along with their phone-specific waterproof case.

Ball mount for accessory bar: https://ultimateaddons.com/collections/attachments/products/mirror-stem-mount-attachment
Phone case with quick-release mount: https://ultimateaddons.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s7-tough-mount-case

Hope that helps!

 

[Cycledude]

I used to use a clamp mount, it worked but eventually it would get out of position and it didn’t fit in what I thought was the ideal position.

so I switched to one of these in place of one of the left handlebar bolts, for me the GPS is in a much better position and it never moves, it’s cheap and easy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ram-Mount-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Clamp-Base-with-M8-Screws-/263443921712?hash=item3d567b3b30

 

[Scrogs10]

I bolted a Ram mount directly through the centre of my Madstad crossbar.
It's been on there about a year now supporting my TomTom rider very well.