Super Velcro for battery access?

[Floridave]

Now that I'm a wise and experienced owner of an FJR, (I've put 1400 miles on it and yesterday I accessed the battery for the first time to attach a battery tender pigtail), and I don't know if this has been done or not, maybe everyone already does it, and I' not sure if there's a reason NOT to do this, so I thought I'd ask.

I'm wondering why on panel A to access the battery, I can't replace the interior plastic push/click connector with a piece of that super hold velcro. Don't know the actual name, but I've used it to hold garage door openers on to of my clutch or brake resevior. Heavy plastic with pinhead type dots that interlock, not actual fabric velcro.

The little connectors are pretty easy to deal with, but I can see dropping them/breaking them, etc. Especially if doing something at night or on the road to replace a fuse or get to the battery for some reason.

When I took mine out, one of the little arms was sticking straight out, like it was installed incorrectly at some point. Made it a little tricky to hold it all together to fit back in the plastic.

Just seems like for quicker and easier access to the battery/fuses that particular connector could be done away with. Anyone done that? Might could be done in a few other areas.

I removed all the the rear last weekend, to install hyperlights and a top case that I built an adapter for. Next I'll be installing Freeway Blaster Horns with Randy's wiring harness, a LED voltage meter, and a powerlet. I don't have a kit for the powerlet, so I'll have to build those wires. I'm going to try to fit it on the right side above where the fuses are, not sure if that's deep enough to fit though.

 

[meosborn]

Sounds like a pretty nice idea. I don't have much of a problem with the connectors myself and I also have spares but it isn't like that is a structural point mainly just needs to not rattle around. Of course that one connector holds down both sides so that would be something to fiddle with, trying to figure out how to secure both sides without having two layers of velcro. I guess you could cut the tab off of one of them.

 

[Floridave]

I'm not having a problem with the connectors, but like I said, that one is already damaged from someone else so wasn't as easy to put back as it should have been. I also know what a pain it is to drop something like that and not be able to find it, so I figure if I can make that panel stay in place without having to deal with an additional connector, that's a good thing.

I know I'll be in and out of that area quite a bit over the next few weeks as I get this bike set up like I want, and that's just one thing I won't have to do.

Then I can just have a 4mm allen in the glove box which gives quick assess to the battery area. (I don't plan to run a fuse box back under the seat.)

I didn't realize that connector held more than one panel together, (which is why I asked here, I figured I'd get some good information like that). Maybe next time I'm in there, I'll put the connector back in BEFORE in put A back on, then do the velcro right beside it.

that does remind me of another issue I noticed. I was just poking around, learning about the bike and was going to remove the next black panel, with the headlight adjustment on it. That top right bolt has something wrong. It is tight, but when I try to loosen it, I can tell that the nut behind(or whatever it's screwed into) is spinning. It's not coming out, just stiffly turning. I left it at that and didn't do any more, but any ideas of what I'll need to do to try to get that guy out? Any way to reach up in there and see what's going on? I'm going to need to remove it when I install the horns, and I think i want to disconnect the windshield auto return, which I think is in there.

Sounds like a pretty nice idea. I don't have much of a problem with the connectors myself and I also have spares but it isn't like that is a structural point mainly just needs to not rattle around. Of course that one connector holds down both sides so that would be something to fiddle with, trying to figure out how to secure both sides without having two layers of velcro. I guess you could cut the tab off of one of them.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I like the heavy-duty Velcro idea for that middle fastener. I'll save it for the next time I break or lose the one that's in there now, and you're right, that stuff is very strong. I used it to stick some spot mirrors on the outside corners of my stock ones. Matter of fact, if I could think of a way to Velcro all the damn panels on I'd do it. If you come up with a way to do that, post it quick. I can't imagine why they made it so damn hard to get to the battery and the fuses or do any of the maintenance you have to get in there to do.

 

[wfooshee]

The middle fastener was missing on my bike when I bought, it, I've never missed it.

Maybe if yours "accidently" fell into the storm drain you'd be as advanced as I am.

Being an '03, mine doesn't have the "glove box," so there's no fasteners on my inner panels there, either. Just the allen-head bolts. Lucky me.

 

[Mooseonagoose]

Nice idea in theory, my only thought is whether you can overcome the thickness of the velcro system in getting a good fit, in other words flush where it needs to be and lined up with the outer edge screw holes? Give it a whirl, & see what you come up with, post some pics...