Feels good to be back! Bought a new gen 4 in 1997, sold due to unfortunate circumstances in ‘99, but I got a gen 5 in the garage over the weekend, yea! QUESTION! There is a black cap on the headstock of the handlebars, it swings open and “VOILA” there is a plug connector of sort. Not something I’m familiar with….Anybody know what this mates to? A specific GPS or adaptor for power source?
GPS plug under black cap headstock?
7 posts Started 9 Sep 2021 Last recovered post 14 Sep 2021 Wayback Machine snapshot 1 Dec 2021
Most likely an older 12v power socket. I don't remember exactly what they are called unfortunately.
Probably a a Powerlet. I have one. I believe it's NLA.
Powerlet sockets, plugs and items are still available, at least on eBay. I've got one on my RWB bike that the previous owner installed in the stem. I use it for a little voltmeter that plugs straight into it.
If it looks like this with 21mm wide deep cavity, it’s cigarette lighter socket.
[image: 12V_Power_Outlet_Receptacle_11012_f.png]
You can plug in any number of accessories such as radar detectors, USB chargers, GPS units, fans, heaters, grills, vacuum cleaners, etc.
One of my favorites: https://www.ebay.com/itm/233138561217
If it is indeed smaller-diameter Powerlet socket (aka Hella aka Merit), you should rip it out and replace with more sensible cigarette lighter socket. There’s easily 1000x if not 10000x more accessories for cigarette lighter socket than Powerlet. Not sure how BMW let themselves get swindled into using such non-standard equipment.
https://www.solomotoparts.com/Powerlet-Rigid-Cigarette-Socket-Adapter/
This is what I've got - I'm fairly certain Powerlet. It's not switched - takes off the battery with an in-line fuse. Downside is that if leaving the bike a while it must be unplugged to not run down the battery. The pigtail on the plugin also powers my tire pump. Being unswitched I use it in reverse to plug in my battery tender (shown) - no nipple hanging out under the seat.
[image: image.thumb.png.259f817b355e57f725e4682a126189fa.png]
Cogswell, 9/9/2021 at 8:19 PMThis is what I've got - I'm fairly certain Powerlet. It's not switched - takes off the battery with an in-line fuse. Downside is that if leaving the bike a while it must be unplugged to not run down the battery. The pigtail on the plugin also powers my tire pump. Being unswitched I use it in reverse to plug in my battery tender (shown) - no nipple hanging out under the seat.
<image removed>
That's a Powerlet socket. I use mine with a battery tender also. When I'm riding, it gets the little voltmeter. The RWB bike is my "putt around town" bike, so I don't need power for GPS, phone, heated gear, etc.
End of thread · 7 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 1 Dec 2021