Ram Tank Mount Question

I'm probably going to be picking up a Zumo 550 soon and would like to mount it forward of the tank using the tank bolts and a RAM 231 mount.

I've read several posts that say you need to get longer tank bolts if you do that, but the reference to the bolts is generally kind of vague.

I've spent the last hour searching the forums using different combinations of keywords and have come up empty.

Can anyone tell me specifically what to look for? Is this something I should be able to find at Home Depot/Lowe's, or is there some better style of store to go to?

Excuse my naive questions, I'm really not very mechanically inclined and would like to prevent running all over town for something that should be a simple purchase.

Thanks.

I think this is where I ordered mine from. I ordered some bolts for other things at the same time though, so it wasn't just 2 bolts. I also went with the allen head bolts, but you could do traditional hex head if you wanted.

I had a hard time finding the right size (diameter and length) locally in the material I wanted (so they wouldn't rust).

http://www.boltdepot...t-products.aspx

I took the bolt/s to the local hardware store and got two that were 1/2" longer and plated, so they won't rust. Easy peasy.

When I originally had my RAM mount there I just drilled two holes in the base of the mount and was able to use my stock tank bolts with no problems...

To make your life easier you can remove one of the bolts and go to the local hardware store and find the size relatively quickly and then just order a longer version of that based on the thickness of your RAM mount.

I got my bolts so long ago, I don't remember the specs. I took the stock bolts to Home Depot/Lowes and matched up the threads. Then I got bolts that were longer so that they would include the thickness of the RAM mount.

[image: View Post]Snafu, on May 28 2009, 08:45 AM, said:

I got my bolts so long ago, I don't remember the specs. I took the stock bolts to Home Depot/Lowes and matched up the threads. Then I got bolts that were longer so that they would include the thickness of the RAM mount.
Thanks. Sounds like a place like Home Depot would at least carry them, so I'll start there.

[image: View Post]FJ12Ryder, on May 28 2009, 10:40 AM, said:

I took the bolt/s to the local hardware store and got two that were 1/2" longer and plated, so they won't rust. Easy peasy.

My local HD or Lowes didn't have them. So I did the above as well. Took the one I had to a bolt supply place, and they matched the threads. :fing02: Should've got the SS ones...mine are starting to rust. :angry:

Not sure, where I got my bolts for the RAM mount but I have been to specialty bolt places for subequent farkle add ons for my bikes. Just take the OEM bolt with you and match the threads. I have to be retrained every time on how to spec them ie nomenclature. I also keep all the bolts that I have taken off all the bikes in a jar for later use on another project or to restore back to OEM condition.

Not sure how thick the mount is. I made mine from 1/4" plexiglass, and the original bolts are long enough, plus I like the small heads. Otherwise all the rest are correct in their suggestions.

[image: View Post]SpiralGray, on May 28 2009, 10:33 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Snafu, on May 28 2009, 08:45 AM, said:

I got my bolts so long ago, I don't remember the specs. I took the stock bolts to Home Depot/Lowes and matched up the threads. Then I got bolts that were longer so that they would include the thickness of the RAM mount.
Thanks. Sounds like a place like Home Depot would at least carry them, so I'll start there.
If you have an Ace Hardware check them. They've got a pretty extensive selection of metric sizes and head types. I think they're M4, about 40mm, but don't quote me. I just pulled mine out since I moved the RAM mount to the bar, if I wasn't so lazy I'd walk out to the garage and check for you. :laugh:

edit: Actually M6 x 1.0, 40mm in length. You could probably use anything between 35-45mm length. Mine is 5th gen but I assume 6g is the same.

the stock tank bolts fit fine with my ram mount on 5th gen, didn't need longer ones...

I think my post is in Bonus VFR's Thread on the Zumo. I used the standard tank bold and have had no problems with my set up. I think I posted everything I ordered in there.

Why not try the Fork stem mount instead...? Much easier.

http://www.ram-mount...85/Default.aspx

I tried using the stock bolts and they only threaded in about two turns and I didn't feel comfortable with that so I got some longer ones.

The following was what I ordered:

The resivoir mount came with the Zumo 550 GPS.

93-01-881-104D90-02-906-120 B,SUB-1UZ-BOLT W/1in. BALL BLACK RAM-B-231ZU 1 33.59 33.59T (Mounted to front of tank with existing front tanks bolts)

90-02-906-158 B,ARM-DBL SCKT - BLACK (3.0in.) RAM-B-201U 1 0.00 0.00T (Medium RAM Arm)90-02-906-108 B,SUB-2.5in.

RND W/1in. BALL 1/4in. #20 STUD RAM-B-202AU B,KIT-2.5" W/#20 STUD TOP TO U-BOLT #RAM-B-149Z-C1U (Used for mounting a camera)Hope this helps... I need to take some better picture of the set up....

I think this mount I used is a little thiner and thats why it worked.

Ordered from these people. www.e-mount.com

GL

[image: View Post]FJ12Ryder, on May 28 2009, 09:16 PM, said:

I tried using the stock bolts and they only threaded in about two turns and I didn't feel comfortable with that so I got some longer ones.


Same here. I wanted a little more "bite" than the OEM bolt provided.

:+1:

I think I went with about 1/4 inch longer than the oem (to account for the thickness of the RAM plate). :beer:

[image: View Post]crazybrother, on May 28 2009, 07:07 PM, said:

Why not try the Fork stem mount instead...? Much easier.

http://www.ram-mount...85/Default.aspx
Because then I wouldn't be able to put the Powerlet stem socket kit in there. I'm not sure it's that much easier than buying two new bolts, unscrewing the existing ones, and screwing the new ones into place.