This page describes a series of modifications I've done to my 2003 Yamaha FJR1300 Supersport Touring bike. It also describes some mods I made that didn't work out. Some of the stuff I did was complex enough that it has its own Web page, but in those cases there's a link here to get there. Contents:

I installed three BMW-style power sockets (from Jastek Engineering). I only needed two, but I ended up with three because I made a mistake.

I mounted the first power outlet in panel "D", which I use to power my tankbag (which contains a Valentine One, Garmin III+, and other stuff requiring power that I don't want to leave unattended on the bike). Jastek Engineering also now offers a specific kit to put a power outlet in this location.

The photo above shows where I installed the 2nd power socket (with the power cord inserted).   Note: this location doesn't work well!   I used the top-of-the-line model (metal) power socket, and one of Jastek's "generic" mounting kits, which consists of all the bits and pieces necessary for installation (it even has a spiffy waterproof fuse holder).

It is easy to mount the plug here, but in practice it has problems. Even if you are not tall, your knee will interfere with the plug, and the cord sticks out to the side too far. I've since added another plugin which is mounted just behind the upper part of the left footpeg bracket. I did leave this one in place, just in case I carry a passenger (unlikely) who will want to plug in too...

Here is a much better location for the power outlet, right behind the left footpeg hanger. For this I used the "FJR1300 kit" from Jastek Engineering. It comes with wires of the correct length, bracket, spacers, bolts, etc. -- everything you need to add the power outlet in this location.

Panel "A", showing where I plan to mount the two Heat-Troller control knobs for my Gerbings heated jacket liner and heated grips. The washers mark the approximate spots where I will install the knobs and their tiny LEDs.

 

I also bought a small plastic document wallet to hold the bike's papers, it fits neatly in the tool tray under the driver's seat.

From this photo you can see that the inner fender and its rubber extender covers everything down to the bottom of the swingarm. It doesn't appear that a rear fender hugger would offer much additional protection, other than to keep the underside of the fender cleaner.

WARNING: you might want to put some clear plastic over these panels on your FJR before you ride it the first time. Your boots or clothing may mar the paint, as my boots did on my FJR. Notice the paint abrasion inside the highlighted circle.

Here's what the side panel looks like after I polished and waxed it, which removed the scuffing. Then I applied some transparent Contact™ paper to protect it. I'm not sure the Contact brand clear film will be the answer though, it isn't really clear (it's kind of frosted) and it is very thin. NOTE: this turned out to be a bust -- the Contact paper isn't durable enough and starts to come off after just a few days of use. I've since removed it completely.

I also made some temporary pieces to protect the gastank. I didn't worry about the wrinkles as I need to put a few hundred miles on the bike to see if this is even going to work. If I were to do this semi-permanently, I'd cut multiple pieces and let them overlap, so as to prevent the wrinkles.

The photo above shows a "poor man's" helmet lock. I took an old cable-style helmet lock (a 10" or so cable with a loop at each end, vinyl-coated) and looped it over a frame member under the seat.

I pulled the free end down behind the bodywork and cable tied it to the passenger footpeg mount, so it wouldn't flop over and hit the tire. It seems out of the way enough to not interfere with the passenger's footing.

I may not even leave it mounted, though, as I almost never leave the helmet locked to the bike. I prefer to carry it with me, or since it fits in the saddlebag, leave it locked up in there out of sight.

Copyright © 2002, by H. Marc Lewis. All rights reserved.