Thinking of a new gadget...

[Csory_imp]

This will be a multi-part post to show installation steps on an '18 EX. It should be about the same on most bikes, the only difference being the source of switched 12V. For this, I went with the OEM Honda grip heater installation manual. It utilizes the fused/switched rear light circuit, and found it "good enough" to be used for a USB charger and this gadget too. On earlier models ('16 and before I guess?) there should be a brown connector in the headlight assembly for the same purpose, making installation easier.

The general outlook is unassuming and reserved, just what I hoped for. Used 2-sided outdoor tape to fix the gadget above the Honda-logo and installed the wiring from there working towards the rear of the bike.




Step1: Disconnect battery. Remove seat and the tank bolt. Lift the rear end of the tank as much as wiring/fuel lines allow, about 2". Support with a piece of wood (that white thingy I used is turned to size from a teflon rod, just because I could )



Step2: Remove right side cover. Pull the plastic boot up from the right-topmost connector. Disconnect the connector - the brown wire is where +12V will be sourced from (Note: I have already "hard-sliced" a USB charger there, that's the red wire). Honda's installation manual recommended splicing blocks, but I much prefer soldering...




Step 3: It might be easier to have someone with small hands to help with getting to narrow spaces



Thread the wiring loom, along with the oil temp sensor behind the headlight. No hard rules here: just follow all the other wires, exiting on the right side (as looking from driving position). This will help us later in getting to the right side cover where power and earth will be connected. Let the oil temp sensor branch of the loom dangle just behind the right oil cooler tube (that is the forward side, with warmer oil). There is a section of flexible pipe of about 4" used to compensate for thermal expansion and vibrations. We'll use that to fix the sensor to. It is barely visible from the outside, and black (as opposed to the piping itself, being shiny chrome) which further helps to blend cabling in.



Step 4: Put on two medium-sized zip ties around the pipes on the right side of the cooler, but leave them loose. Slide them down along the tube all the way down to the black tubing and secure the oil temp sensor in place with them. Thighten as good as you can and clip ends short.