Rostra regrets?

[Rhino]

Thanks, everyone.  Installed it over the weekend with no major issues (although it's amazing how much better it works if you actually connect the ground wire).  I'm quite pleased with it so far.

Glad to hear it. I am very happy with mine as well. This is the most powerful vehicle I have ever had electronic cruise control on. As a result it keeps the speed with ease up or down hill.

[Flienlow]

Thanks, everyone.  Installed it over the weekend with no major issues (although it's amazing how much better it works if you actually connect the ground wire).  I'm quite pleased with it so far.

Which Rostra did you install, the electrionic one or the vaccum? Is the tupperware pretty intutive to remove? (I havent quite looked into it.) I am waiting for mine to arrive from Murphs.

[Rhino]

Which Rostra did you install, the electrionic one or the vaccum? Is the tupperware pretty intutive to remove? (I havent quite looked into it.) I am waiting for mine to arrive from Murphs.

The Rostra is electronic. The Audiovox is vacuum. Tupperware is pretty easy to remove. Just take your time and be careful not to break any of the fasteners or tabs. Depending on where you put your actuator you only really need the left side and the black top panels removed. I've done it twice now and each time took 6-8 hours. Brian's write up is excellent except you will have to use a different location on the Gen 2 bike. I put my actuator under the top right panel routed the cable along the front of the tack and down the left side.

[Flienlow]

How did you mount it, is there a certain bolt you removed to do so or was a zip tie thing? I put an audiovox on an FJR and one on a Versys. both of those I mounted under the seat. This will be the first time with the new unit (and a Conours.) Any other thoughts or reflections are more than welcome!

[GMan]

Which Rostra did you install, the electrionic one or the vaccum? Is the tupperware pretty intutive to remove? (I havent quite looked into it.) I am waiting for mine to arrive from Murphs.

Like Rhino said, it's pretty easy to remove the plastic.  As a former Pacific Coast owner, it's a piece of cake.  The owners manual gives instructions on removing most of it.  The service manual fills in the rest.  It helps to read those first because it's hard to know where some of the tabs are otherwise and you really don't want to break them off.

[Rhino]

How did you mount it, is there a certain bolt you removed to do so or was a zip tie thing? I put an audiovox on an FJR and one on a Versys. both of those I mounted under the seat. This will be the first time with the new unit (and a Conours.) Any other thoughts or reflections are more than welcome!

Just some cable ties. Been 3 years and 30,000 miles with no problems what so ever.

[Flienlow]

Thanks for the Pictures Rhino.

Where can I get the service manual? Not looking forward to breaking any tabs

[maxtog]

Where can I get the service manual?

You order it from your local dealer or from http://www.ronayers.com/

[Flienlow]

You order it from your local dealer or from http://www.ronayers.com/

Too late. I started removing the fairing tonight. Not impressed with the design of it. But its what we have. This install may be a bit more than I barganed for.

[maxtog]

Too late.

Well, it is never too late.  It is a good thing to have, regardless.  I always buy the factory manual for every vehicle I buy, even though I am certainly no mechanic.

I started removing the fairing tonight. Not impressed with the design of it. But its what we have. This install may be a bit more than I bargained for.

Oh, you are not alone.  I think the plastics are incredibly difficult to deal with.  It is even worse once you install the necessary Canyon Cages.  It does get better with practice, but it is a hell of a lot more work than my naked ZRX was.

[Flienlow]

Well, it is never too late.  It is a good thing to have, regardless.  I always buy the factory manual for every vehicle I buy, even though I am certainly no mechanic.

Agreed. I will pick one up when a moment to do so.

Oh, you are not alone.  I think the plastics are incredibly difficult to deal with.  It is even worse once you install the necessary Canyon Cages.  It does get better with practice, but it is a hell of a lot more work than my naked ZRX was.

Last night when I was trying to remove the one of the heated grip connector wires, I had to pull hard and then it finally gave way. my arm end up smacking one of the little tabs off the lower fairing and snapped it off So I pulled out my adjectives and it was all better.    Well, not really. Hopefully there will not be a noticeable difference, if anything the top black piece will just fit a little  looser.

[Flienlow]

Just some cable ties. Been 3 years and 30,000 miles with no problems what so ever.

Rhino-

I am debating on how to install the servo unit. I really like what you have done as the access would be a lot easier in case of failure/troubleshooting.

I am also looking at this mod too:
http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/docs/Rostra%20Cruise%20Control%20to%20my%202011%20GTR1400.pdf

Do you recall how you fashioned the servo cable to the throttle? there has to be an easier way than compound bending as shown in the pdf above? Perhaps that is the best way though.

[Rhino]

I drilled the throttle arm and tapped it. I then used red locktite to secure it. Its important to put it as far out as possible to get smooth operation.

As to the bracket for the cable I was reluctant to drill that brace to attach the bracket. You can see from my photo I used the bolt holding the coolent tank. Many here advised me not to do that because the stress was at a right angle and I intended to change it but it has been working well for 30,000 miles. I think if I had it to do over I would do it like in the PDF.

[Flienlow]

Thanks Rhino. I got my servo installed tonight. I put it in the same place you did with the exception that I decided to punish myself and use the bracket to bolt it to the frame. I am glad I decided to put the plastic on to check because I had to completely redo it and play blacksmith for another hour

I fashioned the silver bracket into an "L" shape and cut the little tab off. I also removed the cable-tie harness holding the grey wire bundle. For me that is just too good of a spot to mount the cable harness as it is directly infront.  I figure I will drill out the brace and put 2 bolts and a spacer in there in there. It will also be easy to adjust up and down and that should give me at least 1/2 to 3/4.  What I dont  know is will I need more throw in the throttle? If I route the cable back to the left side of the throttle mechanism ( mounting below so I get more throw on throttle) will the kink the cable too much. and be in the way of the fluid reservoir?

Thoughts?

[Rhino]

You don't need much throw. 1/2" or so is it.

[Flienlow]

You don't need much throw. 1/2" or so is it.

That is what I was thinking too.

Thanks

[Rhino]

The little plastic dohicky that threads onto the cable end and snaps into the square hole of the bracket gives you plenty of adjustment. I didn't leave a whole lot of slack on mine but the actuator will pick up a lot of slack naturally. The first time you use it, it will start taking up slack until it senses the speed coming back to the set point. Then when you turn it off and go to closed throttle it will pull the cable out as far as it needs and that's it. As long as WOT and closed throttle are within the couple of inches of throw in the unit.

[Flienlow]

Thanks Rhino. I have been taking cheesy cell phone video of the project as I go. I may post to youtube after ward.

[xsv]

My only regret was that I tried two control switches before switching to a toggle.  Toggle is a nice waterproof switch.  Zero problems with toggle and it is barely noticeable mounted in the plastic just in front of my left grip.

[maxtog]

My only regret was that I tried two control switches before switching to a toggle.  Toggle is a nice waterproof switch.  Zero problems with toggle and it is barely noticeable mounted in the plastic just in front of my left grip.

Pictures!!!