Seat removal

[bigrnm]

Good morning to all,
First of all, I would like to thank all of you that have helped me in the past with useful information about how to go about fixing stuff on my GL1800. I have had a lot of help here and I thank you all.
My new dilemna this time is that I just bought a new Deltran Battery tender plus for my 2008 GL1800 and I would like to connect the permanent wires to the battery and run it underneath the seat (heated seat) so that I can easily connect it to the battery tender whenever I need it. I have seen some goldwings with the wire harness at one end of the bike, easily accessable for plug in. I am not too mechanically inclined, and I imagine I would have to take off the seat to do this, so my question is:
How do I take off the seat so that I can run the wire harness from the battery to the side of the bike, and do I have to do anything special because it is a heated seat?
Thanks again,
Bigrnm

[Bouvier1]

There is no need to remove the seat to fit the wires for your battery tender. Simply remove the side panel covering the battery and connect it that way (the battery in on the same side as the gear leaver). There is a small 'open' area on the side panel and with mine I have simply put the connection plug in there. It sits neatly in place and does not fall out on journeys. However if you do want to remove the seat simply unfasten the bolts holding the grab handles on and remove them along with the handles (be careful as there are four heavy duty spacers that have a tendancy to fall out when you take the seat off - don't lose them). Pull the rear of the seat - you will see that it seperates from the passenger backrest - forward and upward, you may have to jiggle the side 'wings' out but it is not difficult. Once this has been done then pull the seat backward which releases the locking grip at the front of the seat. Once that has been accomplished gently turn the seat on its side and you will notice the connecting wires a the rear of the seat. Simply unplug - like all the connectors it has a locking mechanism on one side. The seat is then free to put to one side. The reverse order simply puts it back.

Bouvier1

[bigrnm]

Thanks Bouvier1,
I will look for the side opennning. If that is the case with my 2008 GL1800, that is the way to go instead of taking the seat off. I will let you know.

[GreenDragon]

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumb ... =snapfish/
This is what I did. No need to remove the seat, use a connector from Electrical Connection, plug in the battery tender when possible and unplug before you leave.

[bigrnm]

Thanks greendragon, but I could not view the photos. It sent me to snap something and I could view the photos. I was able to see one but was unsure of where the plug in was coming from. The website wanted me to pay a fee for viewing the next photos. But it did seem to show what I wanted to do with my 2008.

[WingAdmin]

I pulled the photos from the site in question so you can see them. It's a neat idea - instead of using the proprietary Battery Tender connector, using a standard 12 volt one. You'll have to make sure that the male end that plugs into it doesn't short out by resting against anything metal when it's not plugged into the bike, of course.

[GreenDragon]

Glad some one was able to pull down the photos. It is an easy install and has worked well for me since I installed it 4 years ago. You just have to make sure you center the hole so the back side of the female plug clears the inner workings when the tupperware is installed. I have never had a problem with the male end shorting out on anything. But then I am careful where I let it lay when it is not plugged in.

[bigrnm]

Yes, thank you for downloading those photos. You can really see the workings of it now. Very interesting. It's like a cigarette lighter sort of concept, huh? Can you buy those connections anywhere, and is there any drilling involved for the device to attach to the bike? I would really hate to drill anything on the bike.

[GreenDragon]

Yes, you have to drill a hole in the small side panel that goes over the battery. You can buy the plug from "Electrical Connection" on line. Just google "Electrical Connection" and it will take you to a menu of web sites, click on Electrical Connection" motorcycle parts or something like that. I will go there, get the URL and post it here. Very easy to do and takes only a couple minutes with drilling the hole. You have to be very specific which size bit to use to drill the hole. The directions came with the receptacle.

[GreenDragon]

Here is the URL for the "Universal" type adapter or cigarette style adapter. I believe it is a 1-1/8 inch hole, but check to make sure. You also want to make sure and order the one with the spring loaded cap to keep the water out. I think they all have that, but it never hurts to be sure.
Good luck.


<http://www.electricalconnection.com/pow ... /pplug.htm>

[fohman1]

another idea would be to remove alligator type clamps from small 2 amp dc charger and solder a 12vdc male cigarette type plug on wires and use for charging then when finished just unplug charger to avoid shorting male plug

[bigrnm]

Thank you guys. I plan to check it out this weekend. All are good ideas. I will have to see which one I can tackle given my limited experience.
On that cigarette style concept, when I drill the hole, does the unit screw on tightly? Would it be wise to put some of that lock tight stuff on there?

[GreenDragon]

I see no need for lock tite. Mine has been on for 4-1/2 years, no problems.

[dragon2000]

That is a great idea for hooking up a battery tender.

Thanks for posting this. I will probably hook one up for the winter months.

[bigrnm]

Thanks to you all who responded. I will let you know how it turned out.

[GreenDragon]

Yes, please do and with photos.

[bigrnm]

Ok. Will do. Don't be surprised if I just decide to hook up the wires with the harness that comes with the tender. (haha)

[GreenDragon]

Wouldn't surprise me. It is the easiest thing to do and the pig tail just sticks out the opening in the side panel.

[GreenDragon]

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/slide ... =snapfish/
Thought this might help!

[WingAdmin]

Here you go (Greendragon's snapfish photo) - click for full size:

[Terry D]

Thanks Bouvier1,
I will look for the side opennning. If that is the case with my 2008 GL1800, that is the way to go instead of taking the seat off. I will let you know.

I did it that way on my 05. The pig tail sticks out just a bit and I. I actually have two pigtails and I ran another from that same location up under the seat and into the trunk and created another accessory plug-in. When I hook up my bike to the tender, I just unplug one and plug the other in. Do the opposite when I go on a ride. But when creating the acc plug-in, it is imperative you get the plus & negative wires correct.