How to install a 12 Volt outlet or USB on a vintage bike without it looking tacky?
I’m sure this has been asked before but I figured I’d ask here because I couldn’t really find what I wanted anywhere. I’m looking at either a vintage Honda CA77 Dream, either that or a CB450 Black Bomber. Yes, I know they are old bikes from the 60’s but these are fun weekend bikes, not my main mode of transportation.
That being said, I would like at least the option to mount my phone on the handlebars so I can use it for turn by turn navigation and media playback (since these 60’s bike doesn’t have a radio and I’m not getting a Goldwing from the 90’s).
The problem I have is a charging solution. How the heck am I supposed to hide the wiring for those “12 Volt Outlet” or “USB Hub” things I see on the internet. I get that I have to connect to the battery terminals, but I want to hide this thing so the bike doesn’t look like it’s got technology tacked on. I want it at least still look like a 60’s bike.
I guess I’ll have to live with a charging cable dangling unless I can hide that two. I just want the cleanest setup. I guess this question could apply to any bike from the 60’s to the 80’s. The “traditional” looking bikes.
I’ve done a massive amount of research and I still have not been able to come up with a solution. So I really am hoping people have advice. Because I want this to be as painless as possible.
Or, I get a Garmin Drive smart and route the charging to a saddle bag in the back of the bike. But then I’d have to charge the Garmin. And it would still look ugly.
Or I could get a Beeline Moto II just for directions, and then put my phone in a saddle bag and stop at a parking lot if I want to change from podcasts to YouTube music, and listen through one of those Bluetooth helmet intercom things. If you can’t tell, I’m still kind of new to motorcycles.
Before anyone says, “You want a Bike from the 60’s Honda?!?!? You should get this instead!”, I’m aware of the hassles and situations that will come with nearly 60 year old motorcycles. Again, just a fun thing for me, not my main mode of transportation, so if anyone would like to chime in with how they did it, especially if you got a 60’s Honda, Suzuki, or Yamaha I’d really love to know what you did.