This week’s garage therapy was all about getting the Husqvarna FE 501s dialed in for Shorty’s Excellent Adventure next weekend. The checklist included wiring power to the Garmin Zumo XT2, adding USB power for those times I’m running OnX or jamming to tunes, installing a Throttle Tamer to tame the beast, and remounting the license plate that went missing on the last ride. The usual mix of wrenching, problem-solving, and cursing at small parts—just another day in the shop.
Wiring: Powering Up the Essentials
Wiring the Garmin was straightforward, but given my tendency to leave things turned on, I needed a setup that would cut power automatically when the engine shuts off. The Taco Moto Accessory Circuit Power Relay System was a no-brainer—it pulls power from the battery but uses the diagnostic port to detect when the engine is running. It also features tool-free, crimpless ‘strip and clamp’ connectors for easy accessory installation. Perfect.
First step: running the wires from the handlebars back to under the seat. This meant pulling the seat and gas tank—a necessary evil. Getting the big tank off wasn’t too bad, but wrestling it back into place? That’s a different story. Once the wires were neatly zip-tied along the frame, it was time to hook everything up.
The power relay system connected to the battery and diagnostic port effortlessly. The Garmin’s pre-stripped power leads slid right into the connectors, while the USB charger needed a little extra work—I clipped off the terminal connectors, stripped the wires, and tinned them with solder for peace of mind.
With everything wired, I dropped the tank back in, reconnected the fuel line, and fired up the bike. The Garmin powered on automatically, the USB charger showed 14 volts, and when I shut the bike off, both powered down as expected. Win. The final step was tidying up the wires and bolting everything back together.
All of this was done in the mountains, mid-winter storm, with the garage sitting at a crisp 30 degrees. My space heater was working overtime, but my hands were still freezing. Good times.
Throttle Tamer: Smoothing Out the Power
Next up was installing the Throttle Tamer. Simple job, but an important one—reducing the bike’s snappy throttle response should help this old man avoid heart attacks from unintended Whiskey Throttle moments.
First, I pulled off the handguard and removed the throttle housing bolts. Once the housing was off, I disconnected the throttle cables and swapped out the stock throttle tube for the new one. A quick reassembly, a few test twists, and it was good to go. I installed a fresh grip, reattached the handguard, and called it done.
Of course, no throttle mod is complete without a test ride. I opened the garage door and rolled into the snow-covered street. Snow riding always seems like a great idea until you’re actually doing it. I did a few careful runs up and down the icy road—no drama, no surprise wheelies. The Throttle Tamer worked, but there was too much free play in the throttle. So, ‘adjust throttle free play’ just got added to the ‘What’s Next’ list.
License Plate: The Battle Continues
After recovering my lost license plate from its temporary home in my rear fender bag, I decided it was time to sort out a proper mount. I wanted to DIY a Tidy Tail setup instead of buying another Taco Moto kit like the one on my FE 350s. The goal: save cash and take a few shortcuts.
Cue a few hours of test-fitting different parts. The taillight I wanted didn’t fit. The one that fit didn’t have a license plate light. And my plan for mounting turn signals? Not going to work.
Back to the drawing board. After some quality time scouring online parts catalogs, I placed another order and decided to table this part of the therapy session until next week.
Final Thoughts
Despite the license plate setback, this round of garage therapy was a win. The Garmin and USB power are fully functional, the Throttle Tamer is installed (with minor adjustments pending), and the license plate solution is… in progress. As always, wrenching in the garage is just as much about problem-solving as it is about the actual work. And sometimes, a little trial and error is all part of the fun.
