Motorbike tank 17mm ball mount for phone holder

On the motorbike, I was struggling to find a suitable holder for my phone which didn't involve it being mounted to already cramped clip-on handle bars and that didn't sway as I moved the bars.

Decided I would go with a tank-mounted setup, and use an off-the-shelf phone mount.

This was designed for a Suzuki SV 1000s 2004, but it should fit not only similar era sv 650 (S & N) but also other SV 1000s and any other Suzuki motorcycle with a 5-bolt fuel filler cap cover. I also think it might fit other japanese bikes like Kawasakis, so I've included a test plate to try for yourself to see if it will fit.

Been using it for a while and no issues so far, and has a bit of flex around the plate where it overhangs the tank on my bike, which isn't a bad thing at all and means the pressure of any fiddling isn't all through the posts.

This requires:

• A clamp for anything with a 17mm ball and socket joint (note the holder must be the socket side
• A printed 
• 3 additional M5 bolts (approximately 1x25mm and 2x20mm) ensure they are weatherproof and use socket-headed bolts to match the originals if you have them.
• a stainless or weatherproof screw (optional, for extra strength with the upright)

There are two designs included, one with an upright stand, and another with a gooseneck which gives it additional clearance and angle, and will allow you to open the fuel cap without much fuss, the upright one may require you to angle your phone or device to landscape.

If printed right it should be plenty strong enough, with both able to hold at least 9kg worth of weight on the upright post/gooseneck. I had to stand on one of the earlier prototypes to try and break it, which I did, so, ummmm, don't go mounting a 90+kg phone!

Printing Directions:

• Print in either PETG or ideally ASA - something which is good to be outside, slow and steady is the name of the game
• I printed with 5 walls and gyroid at 60% infill and it was plenty strong enough, BUT if your bike vibrates a lot, A higher infill to 100% is advised
• .2 layers is fine enough and no supports are needed.

For me, I printed in both PETG and ASA, and with ASA I like to print at the same speed as PETG but I have the fan set on 10% which I prefer to ease the flow with some of the overhangs from the higher temp ASA.

Instructions:

1. print the base plate test piece to see if it will suit your motorbike
2. get your clamp and bolts
3. print out the desired ball mount
4. (optional) if you want extra lateral strength you can heat treat your screw (make it hot enough to mount plastic) and then screw it through the base of the upright version ONLY) 
5. unscrew the top three bolts from the fuel filler cover - noting the longest one is for the centre top point
6. place your printed mount on the fuel filler cap and replace the bolts with your new M5 bolts
7. hand tighten
8. install your clamp
9. fin

Both upright and angled mounts are included, along with the test plate, and as always a copy of the fusion file for your remixing pleasure.

Ferz out

UPDATE: For those who don't like too much wobble and bounce, I've tweaked the design of the angled version to be much thicker (between 50-100%) and more rigid through the baseplate, while including the ability to add a reinforcing screw on the angle like the original upright. The fixing bolts now sit on 3mm not 2.5mm to give more attachment to the slightly heavier mount and not introduce a weak point. 

Printing should be the same, but could probably drop the infill slightly (to 40%).