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CBR650F USB Charging

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
Not trying to be a dick, but please search a bit before asking questions. There’s a ton of info and about a dozen different ways to do it on this bike that’s already been discussed at length. We are trying hard not to clutter this place up with the same old, same old questions.

Once you look around if you have something specific you need to know, ask away.
 

snickers

2016
CBR650F
Mar 4, 2018
plano, tx
yeah, search function didn't yield results for "usb". I used google to search, and found some information from this forum. The info I'm looking for though is tips on if i need to remove body panels, tools necessary etc. .Best way to run wires would be helpful
 

Jerry

2016
CBR650F ABS
May 18, 2017
The Netherlands
Being kind of allergic to "use the search function" posts myself (no offense meant, it's just a thing I run into way too many times as a software developer when looking for solutions to a problem I have, mostly because I end up at said forum posts through search functions/Google), I thought let's be a little helpful.
Maybe this is what you're looking for?
 

snickers

2016
CBR650F
Mar 4, 2018
plano, tx
thanks both for the links. I've got most of the stuff to do the battery tender setup. neither of the threads addresses my question about best path to run the wires though... stuff under seat seemed pretty boxed in and i wasn't really seeing a path myself to run anything.
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
yeah, search function didn't yield results for "usb". I used google to search, and found some information from this forum. The info I'm looking for though is tips on if i need to remove body panels, tools necessary etc. .Best way to run wires would be helpful
Ok, that’s a bit more specific and somewhat easier to answer. Both Jerry @Jerry and Brammers @Brammers linked two good threads on the installation, I think this one has the most info in it:

https://650f.bike/threads/accessories-plug.76/

Everything you asked about depends on what you choose to do:

If you run it directly to the battery you need to have a way to disconnect it when not in use or it will discharge your battery just sitting there (several of us have experienced this). If you hook it up with a matching SAE connector, you can install a pigtail from a Battery Tender directly on your battery and have the matching side on your USB port device and now have a quick and easy way to disconnect it. I originally wired mine directly to the battery and didn’t need to remove any body panels but I’m used to fishing wires and used a fiberglass rod to run from the front of the bike, under the tank and out by the seat, though without the rod guiding, it would have been a bitch to do but look from the front using a light and there is wiring running from the front to the back you can follow.

Once I discovered a dead battery after a month off the bike when I broke my back mountain biking, I pulled the solid connection and created the pigtail I described above and only connect it when I plan to use it.

Another way is to use the accessory port under you instrument cluster that’s there to run the accessory heated grips that is a switched feed so it’s only live when the key is on, eliminating the need to unplug it. You can either tap into the wires, bypassing the “special” plug end, or buy the $25 Honda accessory harness for the heated grips that has the correct end and tap into that, your call. According to the heated grip directions, the bodywork has to come off to get to it but other have reached it with the bodywork on, it seems like a crap shoot as to if your hands can get to it or not so it’s hard to say.

A service manual will help a lot in the how to’s of getting stuff off if needed.

Now you need to decide how and where you plan to mount it, to the fairing, the handlebars or the triple tree. Whatever you choose to do, make sure the wires don’t interfere with the turning of the bars lock to lock, make sure the wires don’t get pinched under something that could move and short out and be sure they are not touching the exhaust, motor or other hot items. I have mine attached to the triple tree with two sided tape and zip ties and it works fine there, most people do there as well. But it’s up to you and the unit you buy.

Onto the unit itself, there are VERY cheap ones, cheap ones, expensive ones and overly expensive ones. There are also dual usb, single usb, some are higher amperage, done are lower amperage. I can say I had a pretty cheap Amazon one fail after my first long trip and caused my GPS to constantly reboot so I replaced it with a slightly more expensive one also off Amazon and that one has worked great for two years. No idea the brand, but it doesn’t matter as they are all coming from the same factory in China. Just look at the pics, spend around $20 and get a mid level unit sized to work with what you need.

Lastly, tools. Again, depending on what you do: Allen wrenches to remove bodywork (5mm I think), sockets to remove tank, wire strippers to strip wires, wire crimpers if you’re going to use crimp connections, solder and soldering iron if you’re going to do it right and solder the connections, heat shrink and a heat gun if you’re going to do it right and seal your connections and a cheap multimeter to determine where to wire thing up to and the proper polarity. That’s a start.

All of this should point you in the right direction, ask any specific questions once you get to doing it.
 

snickers

2016
CBR650F
Mar 4, 2018
plano, tx
Thanks much for the links, and the detailed write up. I'm not exactly handy, so this gives me a start. When I get this done, i'll report back, and include pics
 

Gabescbr650f

2014
CBR650F
Jul 9, 2018
Is there any usb that will plug right into the front plug? If so does anyone have a link on where to order?
 

Brammers

2014
CBR650F ABS
Staff
May 30, 2014
Hampshire, England
Never found any... Soldering iron required to build an adapter cable.

I recommend getting the $7 Honda cable (see previous linked threads for part number) and cutting it to attach the USB charger cable to.

J
 
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Gabescbr650f

2014
CBR650F
Jul 9, 2018
Thank mans. Will buying a usb online and cutting the 2 wires and wiring it to a sumitomo 090 hm clip right onto the factory accessories plug?
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975

Yup, TONS of accessories use the SAE connector. If you’re going to replace the factory Honda end with something, this is a good choice.

And do I need to use that fuse?

Yes, you need to fuse any electrical connection that will have things plugged in and out of it. I know the factory plug is fused, but I’m not sure that it’s the only thing on that fuse.

Edit: Brammers @Brammers is indicating it’s fused and that it’s the only thing on it so you do you. Personally I’d leave the fuse in the plug.
 

Gabescbr650f

2014
CBR650F
Jul 9, 2018
Thanks fellas. I Will be using the plug in the front by the headlight. I ordered the sumitomo connectors.
 
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