During the bike overhaul last month I decided to install a cigarette lighter socket on my PC800. The most logical place to me to install it was in the “glove box” compartment on the left side of the dash. While buying some antifreeze at the local auto parts store I found the cheapest aftermarket cigarette socket they had and bought it.
Installation was pretty easy. I found a drill bit that was the right size and popped a hole in the front side of the “glove box.” The cigarette lighter socket slid right into place and screwed down tight. I then proceeded to go overboard with the black silicone RTV, covering the ENTIRE length of the outside of the socket with the stuff. Better safe than a shorted out socket, right? Right?!?
I ran the wires for the socket around the front of the instrument panel and down the top frame tube on the right side. I chose to go on that side of the bike because I had another set of wires installed over there for a voltage meter in the dash and figured I might as well put both sets of wires in the same set of zip ties. Previously I had installed an auxiliary fuse block in the trunk which I wired the cigarette lighter socket into. I made sure to put a 15 amp fuse (and make everything from there to the socket rated for 15 amps) so that when I get an electrical compressor, I can use the cigarette lighter socket up front. Most of the ones I’ve seen for sale online require a 15 amp fuse.
Unfortunately I was so excited to install the socket that I didn’t take any photos of the installation process. Instead, here is a photo of it all done. The socket and the plug cap are at the top end of the “glove box.” The screwdriver is so I can pop of my radiator cap to make sure I have enough fluid (replaced the coolant recently). The two knobs at the bottom at the photo are part of my Heat Troller installation. It looks like there should be plenty of space in there to charge a cell phone or Ipod while riding. Wouldn’t recommend doing that in the rain though 😉
Enjoyed all your PC articles on your web site. At least some of your plastic rattles could be the plastic on the front wheel with only 2 bolts. I too got a PC with only 2 bolts up front and putting in 2 more made a big improvement. I bought a pile of OEM bolts from cheapcycleparts.com (I was missing a lot of bolts for the plastic!) I too had trouble getting the plastic on the front fender to all fit right, but took it all off again to do fork seals and wheel bearings and have not had time to put it back together again.
Thanks Dave!
I’m trying to document everything I do so that other people who run into the same troubles don’t have to reinvent the wheel and know what they’re getting themselves into. I just put in two extra bolts about 2000 miles ago. Also finally figured out how to get the plastics back together better. I ended up removing all of the plastic when I rebuilt my forks and upon reinstall I took the time to align and realign the center plastic. The plastic rattles are still there though. I suspect that it’s probably because some important tabs holding the left side cowling and body panel on are broken (still have them zip tied to the bike). One of these days I’ll get some Plastex and fix them. Not now though. I’m having too much fun riding!
In case you didn’t know about it already, check out http://www.pc800.net for the IPCRC listserv.
Douglas