Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Stephen.G.Fiddes on January 09, 2014, 01:25:32 PM
-
I wanted to mount my GoPro on my bike. I had tried it on the helmet before and hated it. Too much drag or weight pulling to the side, and I'm too tall to have it on top.
Requirements:
Clean install. Must me somewhat un-noticed when GP isn't attached.
Must be able to reach it while riding.
Must be able to rotate it 360 degrees.
Must not interfere with any normal operation of the bike (IE, windscreen, mirrors, controls)
No permanent modification to the bike - Use factory screw/ bolt points.
Able to charge while riding (I'm already installing 2 USB Charging points into the glove box using the power taps forward of it)
Solid Mount, as little shake as possible at highway speeds.
No sticky-mounts with 3M tape on the paint. (Yeah, I've already got scratches on both sides from learning how heavy this bike actually is before my MCE Cages came in, but still... Those GP mounts look stupid when not in use IMO. Also not as stable as bolted on)
Keep in mind, this is still in development, and will not be painted or trimmed any further until I'm happy with the results. Final color will be matte black.
Attached are photos of what I came up with. Took a piece of 1/8" flat bar that I had scrap from another project, and bent it as needed to not interfere with the mirror or windscreen. Used a Nylon spacer and a longer 5MM bolt to secure it to the factory mounting point for the plastics. (That may change to a threaded coupler with a piece of 5mm all-thread sticking out one end, red lock-tite'd in, and a separate 5mm bolt to mount the camera too. I think it'll be more stable.)
The camera is currently mounted with a 1/4-20 (standard camera mount) bolt going through a hole with a rubber washer on the bottom, and a flat washer on the top. That has a ny-lock nut securing it, then the GP Tripod-mount attaches to that.
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan0981621.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan0981621.jpg.html)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan09110010.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan09110010.jpg.html)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan09110018.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan09110018.jpg.html)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan09110024.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan09110024.jpg.html)
I'm thinking about cutting a piece of metal to weld to the existing bracket, that goes down to the factory bolt below as well. That'd help a lot with the stability. There isn't a whole lot of movement, but I have a feeling that once I get above 20 MPH it'll shake. Another issue I'm having is my rotator method... I need to come up with a much more solid method for that... I wish there was a mini-rotator like the one I have for doing panoramic's with my DSLR.
(Here: (http://i.ebayimg.com/t/SUNWAY-Indexing-Rotator-DDP-64SX-Tripod-Head-for-QTVR-Panoramic-panorama-/00/s/MTA2N1gxNjAw/z/mEsAAOxyIYhSU00e/%24T2eC16Z,!wsE9suwyQVdBSU00eWkC!~~60_35.JPG))
-
Well, I replaced the bottom rubber washer with a flat washer, and put marine grease on both of them. That did the trick. I now have exactly how much resistance I wanted.
Now the next challenge is to figure out a way to have the charge cable plugged in, and maintain waterproofness of the case. Thinking about modifying a USB mini cable, feeding it through a side of the case, to where it can run inside the case over to the USB port on the camera. The hole then gets filled with JB weld to seal it.
-
im currently playing around with my gopro and trying to solve the waterproof charging issue.
ive took a mini usb cable, first i dremelled the connector shorter so it went into the go pro further. then i cut all the black plastic off the plug. then bent the plug over to a 45 deg angle so when its in the gopro its as tight as possible to the body of the gopro. i jammed the cable into the seal of the door of the gopro but removed the outer sheath of the cable so just the coloured wires actually need to be in the seal. you actually only need the red and black wire for charging so you could actually remove the others.
-
Careful with that mount location. The mount that screw goes into is not meant for any type of weight, and the plastic can break. I managed to break both side on my 2011 by over tightening when installing some handwings.
-
Careful with that mount location. The mount that screw goes into is not meant for any type of weight, and the plastic can break. I managed to break both side on my 2011 by over tightening when installing some handwings.
hmmm.... Ill keep that in mind... Cause this has potential for quite a bit of force on that point... Will remove when I go out tomorrow until further proper planning can be done. Thanks!!!
-
Ok, went back to the drawing board and came up with this. Much-o moar sturdier!!! Had to forego my original plan of "no permanent mods to the bike" by trimming a bit of plastic, but it looks clean, and I only modified a super easy to replace piece so worst case I can just replace it.
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan13132616.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan13132616.jpg.html)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan13132623.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan13132623.jpg.html)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan13132630.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan13132630.jpg.html)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan13133132.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan13133132.jpg.html)
There's a slight bit of vibrations while riding, but nothing I'm too worried about. It's just as a safety/ insurance thing seeing as I'm on the road on a regular basis. (This is my DD)
Tomorrow I'm gunna pull it off, clean it up, and paint it black. Next thing to do will be get a new housing for the GP so I can make it able to charge on the go.
EDIT: Video being uploaded meow.
-
Here's the test vid from today
Concours 14 Gopro Mount Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3lKb9xvmBE#ws)
-
I wish I could see your speed and RPMs. It looks like you're always driving a gear lower than I would, but it might just been the audio... or my driving style ;D
BTW: nice job on the mount!
-
I wish I could see your speed and RPMs. It looks like you're always driving a gear lower than I would, but it might just been the audio... or my driving style ;D
BTW: nice job on the mount!
Thanks!!!
I agree. But with my GPS Mounted where I want it, it's hard to put the GP back there and still be able to see the gauges with my eyes lol. Also, I may be a gear lower than you would be. I came from a Ninja 650 and this thing has GOBS more power (Almost triple!) and with it being my daily driver, I tend to operate it more like a car, unless I'm tearing up the twisties, which I don't do much of due to lack of time or money... I'm a 22YO Old fart! hahahahahahaha :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :chugbeer:
There is no 2 without 3.
http://youtu.be/eLw6Gw_9vaA (http://youtu.be/eLw6Gw_9vaA)
MGvalerio. ;D
MG, I love your mounts! Eventually I would like to do some electric servo's like you did, with a auto-leveling gimbal. It's only money. lol. But I did look at how you mounted your GP's to get ideas of how to mount mine.
-
I got a Gopro for Christmas. It came with a bunch of different mounts. I stuck one of the adhesive mounts in the middle of my windshield. Works great but the windshield has to be down all the way.
-
I got a Gopro for Christmas. It came with a bunch of different mounts. I stuck one of the adhesive mounts in the middle of my windshield. Works great but the windshield has to be down all the way.
Another thing I wanted to avoid. I hate stuff in my line of sight... If you've ever driven a military vehicle of any kind, you'll know what I'm talking about. One of the reason's for me riding a motorcycle every day regardless of weather, is me hating blind-spots. lol
-
Another thing I wanted to avoid. I hate stuff in my line of sight... If you've ever driven a military vehicle of any kind, you'll know what I'm talking about. One of the reason's for me riding a motorcycle every day regardless of weather, is me hating blind-spots. lol
I put it low enough that it is totally out of my line of sight, just high enough that I can reach the button. I put a mount on one of my helmets also but I have not tried it yet. I wanted the camera to be centered but I notice in your vid that you can't really tell that it is off center.
-
I wanted to mount my GoPro on my bike. I had tried it on the helmet before and hated it. Too much drag or weight pulling to the side, and I'm too tall to have it on top.
The new Hero 3+ black is so light I don't really notice it on the lid.
-
I put it low enough that it is totally out of my line of sight, just high enough that I can reach the button. I put a mount on one of my helmets also but I have not tried it yet. I wanted the camera to be centered but I notice in your vid that you can't really tell that it is off center.
Mostly because you can't see the bike lol.
If I had money to do it, I'd have done the dashboard from KAS, with the gopro up there, as I also wanna do a radar detector eventually. but this is a cheap $4 fix. (if that...)
The new Hero 3+ black is so light I don't really notice it on the lid.
The one I tried on my helmet was a Hero 3, and I hated it. Hanging off the side there was way too much pull from wind. My neck was sore after about 10 miles of freeway from the drag.
-
http://youtu.be/PeBqA5RdQcU (http://youtu.be/PeBqA5RdQcU)
;)MGvalerio.
-
http://youtu.be/dkMAV-yPCa4 (http://youtu.be/dkMAV-yPCa4)
;)MGvalerio.
How do you know what way the camera is pointing? Do you have an indicator where your controls are?
-
How do you know what way the camera is pointing? Do you have an indicator where your controls are?
The mirror you can see the GoPro, you see the GoPro.
(http://i43.tinypic.com/2qibjhf.jpg)
MGvalerio ;)
-
.... Wow i feel dumb..... Hahahahaha
-
.... Wow i feel dumb..... Hahahahaha
No friend GTRista, x know? must be tried!
MGvalerio. :)
-
Got it all painted up the other day. Doesn't look bad! I greased both sides of the top and bottom washers to help prevent the paint from wearing too bad underneath. Should work well!
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan16105955.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan16105955.jpg.html)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan16110017.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan16110017.jpg.html)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/stephen_g_fiddes2/Concours%2014/PhotoJan16110027.jpg) (http://s1009.photobucket.com/user/stephen_g_fiddes2/media/Concours%2014/PhotoJan16110027.jpg.html)
-
Un'idea resa perfetta,2"manifattura fatta per il sostegno della Gopro HD motorizzata.
http://youtu.be/EJYFfdH45nk (http://youtu.be/EJYFfdH45nk)
La prova su strada della 2"manifattura fatta la farò tempo meteorologico permettendo.
Con detta impostazione con la 2" manifattura fatta agli antipodi avevo già fatto un video, ma l'immagini erano un po traballanti,sempre questo in certe circostanze di strada disconnessa!,ma perfezionando il manufatto nell'eliminazione dei giochi fra i componenti l'ho reso immune da traballamenti dell'immagine su strada dissestata,questa certezza è data per come ora ho assemblato il manufatto,vedere per credere.
MGvalerio. ;D
-
MG,
I had read somewhere that in some circumstances, the gopro images or video can be shaky due to too much light. This forces the shutter speed way up which shows up as a wobbly image (remember, no mechanical shutter, it records pixel by pixel, line by line) or jumpy video. Conversely, if theres not enough light, the shutter speed is slower, thus inducing blur.
I can go into more detail if you want, but id rather not type that all up on my phone, nor while im trying to fall asleep lol. (Photography is my living)
-
MG,
I had read somewhere that in some circumstances, the gopro images or video can be shaky due to too much light. This forces the shutter speed way up which shows up as a wobbly image (remember, no mechanical shutter, it records pixel by pixel, line by line) or jumpy video. Conversely, if theres not enough light, the shutter speed is slower, thus inducing blur.
I can go into more detail if you want, but id rather not type that all up on my phone, nor while im trying to fall asleep lol. (Photography is my living)
Thanks for the information on how to react in the GoPro HD video recording in such predicaments.
I like to see me in the video with my Kawasaki GTR 400, but photography is a nullity.
MGvalerio. ;)
-
I just take a screenshot of the video usually, as it's only for internet purposes. :)
-
Not splendid day for shooting video,to you the result with the new motorized stand.
http://youtu.be/UYhT05ng5PU (http://youtu.be/UYhT05ng5PU)
MGvalerio. :D
-
Me Likey! :goodpost:
-
Hey Stephen, any feedback on how your GoPro mount is holding up? Anything you would have done differently?
Also, a tip of the helmet to MGValeri and his quirky tinkering. :'(
-
Hey Stephen, any feedback on how your GoPro mount is holding up? Anything you would have done differently?
Also, a tip of the helmet to MGValeri and his quirky tinkering. :'(
GP Mount is holding up Great!! Only issue I've had so far is I didn't trim enough of the plastic where it comes out, so there was some slight rubbing in a couple spots that rubbed through the paint and there's a couple rust spots... Eventually I'll sand and re-paint that part, but I'm not that concerned about it. It serves it's purpose quite well!
-
A word to the wise: If the GoPro is mounted somewhere out of sight on the bike, dummy cord it. Or else, you end up looking like a dummy. Had my Hero 3 Black mounted on one of the adhesive mounts just above and between the headlights. Didn't have the little white rubber plug installed, and didn't have the mount otherwise dummy-corded. Arrived at work and the camera wasn't there. >:( yeah, that was a $400 'oops'. Of course if the camera is mounted where you can see it, at least you can limit your search to something more specific than the 'somewhere in the 17 miles between the house and the office'...
On the upside, I had a legit reason to upgrade to the Hero 3+ Black.
-
A word to the wise: If the GoPro is mounted somewhere out of sight on the bike, dummy cord it. Or else, you end up looking like a dummy. Had my Hero 3 Black mounted on one of the adhesive mounts just above and between the headlights. Didn't have the little white rubber plug installed, and didn't have the mount otherwise dummy-corded. Arrived at work and the camera wasn't there. >:( yeah, that was a $400 'oops'. Of course if the camera is mounted where you can see it, at least you can limit your search to something more specific than the 'somewhere in the 17 miles between the house and the office'...
On the upside, I had a legit reason to upgrade to the Hero 3+ Black.
Ouch! :( That was one of my stipulations for wanting it where i could reach it... I can see if its loose and fix it right away. (And i do have to sometimes... I think billet pieces are on my get-list). Currently working on coming up with a couple different ways of mounting it tho for the longer rides, to get a different angle.
-
Always tether mine using the kit they sell. So far, using the suction cup mount, I've never had an issue. By saying that, I've just guaranteed it'll fall off next time I use it, hopefully the tether will work.
http://gopro.com/camera-accessories/camera-tethers (http://gopro.com/camera-accessories/camera-tethers)
-
I teathered mine when I was using their mounts too. Since this mount tho, I feel no need to. Its in my plain sight, and I check it every so often when im riding. (The camera sometimes tilts with the wind force... Plastic gopro mount issue tho, not my mount issue.)
-
...this is a neat mount I made for filming some ZX10R fun. Granted, that's a dinosaur GoPro original camera, so the sound is a little bit on the awful side. I can start/stop it on the move, but I imagine a short person would not be able to.
Still, it has absolutely killer sensetion of speed and lean angles; it looks like it's flat on the ground in left handers. :)
First pull 4th gear 7psi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yiud9XUWVs#ws)
-
Ive thought about rigging something up down there too. Well done!
-
It's pretty easy to make the mount, and it's really secure (I've had it up to about 180mph so far and not a bit of movement).
You take a piece of 1" aluminum stock and turn a 45 degree or so angle on it, face/grind the point flat, and thread that face for 1/4"-20.... cut two slots for the case in the other end of the stock for the GoPro case to sit in, then drill/thread a hole through that end (M5-.8 is what my GoPro stuff uses). I used about 10 inches of 1/4"-20 allthread to run through the axle, and then turned another 45 degree tapered piece of aluminum with a 1/4" hold drilled through it for the other side and just tightened it down with nylon lock nut.... it's so strong/secure that I can stand on it, and it's easy to clock up and down that way. :)
-
...this is a neat mount I made for filming some ZX10R fun. Granted, that's a dinosaur GoPro original camera, so the sound is a little bit on the awful side. I can start/stop it on the move, but I imagine a short person would not be able to.
Still, it has absolutely killer sensation of speed and lean angles; it looks like it's flat on the ground in left handers. :)
Damn Spaz, you must have a wingspan to reach that.
-
Eh, about 6'1", give or take a missing disc. The ZX has a much closer seat-to-axle distance than the C14, that's for sure though. With the advent of the new GoPro remotes, though, I wouldn't worry about getting to it on the move anymore. :)
-
The axle-mounted video may be even more interesting if you are tailing a skilled bike rider. As it stands, I find myself counting the tar snakes.... ;D
-
You count fast.
-
Another one i want to do is off of the saddlebag guard, up and out a bit to get a vid including myself. Similar to MGVs spot, but a bit farther out looking in. Shouldnt be too hard.
-
I've been getting into this a lot. Now I need to expand my server space to manage all of the new videos. These really take the blues out of the rainy days that I cannot ride..
However, I really want to get rid of the vibration oscillation in the footage. I know that this is part of the problem of recording video on a high-vibration device, but I know there is a way of managing this. Is there an image stabilization control on the cam that I am not setting right? Are there better places to mount this???
My current setup is: Mounted via Ram Mount to my front break control and linked with the 8" (larger) arm. Usually it's angled to shoot either through the windshield as a center shot, or, adjusted so that the camera is just above my throttle.
I really like the mod that started this thread. I may build one; however, Stephen mentioned he has a vibration as well.
Suggestions??
Snype
-
Unfortunately it does have a viberation. There are ways to get rid of that, but none of them would look very clean, or be small. I saw one guy mount a gimbal on his tail section and the video looked MotoGP style. But like i said, its not small lol.
Long story short, i havent found a way to get rid of the viberation that im happy with. I usually dont do anythigg with the video anyways tho. Its just there just in case.
-
Here is a short clip showing the view from my GoPro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODL6gZAcDhI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODL6gZAcDhI)
I have the camera mounted on my canyon cages. I have power running down to it as well so it can run all day.
(http://i.imgur.com/pYmlcNy.jpg)
-
Here is a short clip showing the view from my GoPro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODL6gZAcDhI (http://)
Couldn't watch your video, appears that this is a invalid address!
Much vibration being mounted there?
-
Couldn't watch your video, appears that this is a invalid address!
Much vibration being mounted there?
Fixed the link.
-
Fixed the link.
Thanks.
Looks good
-
I,m looking at mounting my Hero 4 Silver on my Connie. I have a mount on my helmet(side) but as there is a foot of snow and - 20c so a test ride is out . One thing I have done is install the Gopro app on my Windows phone, Its a Nokia so I use Nokia's DRIVE GPS so the phone already has a mount on my handle bars. The App has a Remote function and the camera view is also shown on the Phones screen so we shall see how it all works out.
-
I,m looking at mounting my Hero 4 Silver on my Connie. I have a mount on my helmet(side) but as there is a foot of snow and - 20c so a test ride is out . One thing I have done is install the Gopro app on my Windows phone, Its a Nokia so I use Nokia's DRIVE GPS so the phone already has a mount on my handle bars. The App has a Remote function and the camera view is also shown on the Phones screen so we shall see how it all works out.
Be advised, that app will suck the life out of both of your batteries. It may be better with the bluetooth function instead of wifi, but still...