Dashboard Shelf

Almost as soon as I got the bike, I started planning to install a music source. Unlike previous bikes I’d owned, the ST1100 has a plastic handlebar cover, which I initially thought would limit the installation of any accessories in this area. The curved top of the instrument panel did not really lend itself to the installation of any accessories here either, so some sort of flat surface needed to be installed.

I found a design on the internet at www.st1100.org and using some scrap sheet metal I had lying around, I made a dashboard shelf.

I made a template out of cardboard, transferred this to the sheet metal, cut the shape with a jigsaw, and then using strong glue, covered the bare metal with black vinyl sheet.

Some 50,000 miles later I think I’m going to make a new one. The existing one has had several holes drilled into it from various brackets which I attached and then removed. Also when I first made it I did not make a stiffening bar under the front edge. It certainly needs one, as there is a fair amount of vibration in the centre of the shelf. Instead of covering it with vinyl I may just paint it black this time.

I later discovered the Ram Mount system - they make all sorts of brackets. But I quite like my own dashboard shelf!

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