Great video! Every video I’ve watched on how to install this device tell you to grind the hole out! I laughed then I found your video and you did it Right! I love it!
Thanks Tom!!! Yeah, this was originally going to be a five minute job. Then figured I'd sniff test to see how many other videos had been done on it, then saw how terrible they all were, based on quality and the advice they contained. The hole grinding, to me, was crazy. (I'd rather deform a $15 or $20 Amazon part). So, hours turned into days, and the rest is history LOL. Thanks for the compliment!!!@
@Tricago - we would certainly be willing to compare your new version to your old version. You can contact us at retro.grade.motorsports@gmail.com. Personally, I think pre-attaching the bullet terminals to the USB outlet would be a big feature to many of the novice riders on these bikes. Those who don't work on motorcycles often likely don't have a proper crimping tool, don't want to purchase one, and would likely pay a bit extra for that step already done. Adding a fused option might be nice as well. The tight fit can be worked with. I personally think many are unnecessarily grinding on their bikes. (Or, they should just grind at the plastic threads on the USB port instead). The back-lit feature could also go. That way, the purchaser could choose to install in the 'always on' option, without draining the battery. I use my bike at times to charge electronic devices up many times, with my key off. Especially on the 125 which does have a kick starter.
@@retro_grade @tricago6214 I just received this kit. I haven’t installed it yet, but the two things I notice: 1) the bullet connectors are pre-crimped and ready to go. 2) There is no white wire coming from the USB outlet (only red and black now), and the only wires on the harness with connectors are green and black. My concern is that due to this removal of the ignition wire the USB light is going to be always on. Let’s hope not…
@@gzahnd - that's interesting, it's definitely changed since I purchased one and made this video then. Good to hear that the bullet connectors are pre-crimped to make installation easier. But, the wiring being changed is curious. Having that charger turn on with the ignition and not be on all the time is a big feature. And, if the USB is still lit up, that would drain the battery over time as well if left on.
Thanks for the compliment Andrew! This video quickly spiraled out of control for me personally....I originally intended to take 5 minutes to install my USB, figuring there were plenty of other videos out there on it. But then when I checked, I didn't really like any of them so I figured I'd make a 'quick one' to get another video up on our drying up video list. Days later of editing and overkill with voiceover, not being happy with any of the dialogue I had done in my initial footage taken, this is what I came up with. We will keep that in mind - we are in to pretty much everything....bikes, boats, etc.....and the content lately has depended on what we are focusing on or working on at the time. Once we get some of our projects under control and dwindled down, the intention is to hopefully make more 'targeted' content and videos that we want to do (CT125 vs CT90/110 comparisons, vintage bike review/ride with good exhaust sound, etc). Our content is pretty spread out - this video you might enjoy, the next one you might absolutely hate 🤣 -Brock
@Chris Bewley - thank you! For very brief moments, we do try to be informative and helpful! LOL. Too many out there as well using the wrong tools and connectors for motorcycles and other powersports, as I'm sure you are well aware :)
Sure thing! As far as a comparable crimping tool, I'm not sure. I think they're probably not too hard to find and bet there's likely even some of them on Amazon. Vintage Connections is likely sourcing them cheaper from somewhere else and reselling them on their site anyways :)
@14:26, I commenced to hyperventilate. I’m okay now. Bet you’ve been inundated with requests to offer remarks at big shooter conferences, weddings, bar mitzvahs, retirements, etc, since the community see through their own eyes, whilst peering at your spiffy usb power point, JUST WHAT A FORCE OF RAW COOLNESS YOU ARE! We’re in awe - don’t go changin’
Ha! Yeah, we've been absolutely slammed with those type of requests - so much so, that we've just decided to pass on all of them for now. It's also been really overwhelming to decide which products we want to do give-aways and offers special discount codes on. We've had a few big channels want to do some collabs with us as well, but nobody really pisses the kind of excellence that goes on over here or stacks up to our quality level of content. We'll keep on striving to provide the ground-breaking content that we know our viewers come for!
Install videos don't get more fun to watch and easier to learn from. Will the now $30 and not $19 USB work on 2023 models? I read the harness is different from the 22' and prior years?
Thanks! Like everything, I'm not surprised they increased in price. I'm not sure - I'll have to look into that. I believe the company may have also made some improvements to that harness after this video was made.
That's awesome Jacob! They are great little bikes, although you'll find we give Honda alot of flak over omission of the dual range gearbox. I probably ride mine more around the neighborhood for short trips than any other bike in my garage
@@retro_grade a dual range would have helped immensely in some sections of that off road course. I rarely found myself out of 1st gear or above 7-9mph over that 14 mile stretch.
@Jacob Ivy it would. I've gotten mine stuck in a couple spots that a lighter CT110 or CT90 with hi lo could get out of. Also, I like the feeling of clutch at full engagement when on the trail and using engine rpm to I increase speed. With the 125, I feel like the clutch is never at full engagement when creeping along off-road. It makes it feel more like an cheap offroad toy than a properly lo geared trail bike in those circumstances.
Grounding to the Triple clamp my not be a good idea, as the current path would be through the crown bearings. Two negatives: intermittent, weak connection and possible micro erosion of the ball bearings & race due to electric arcing.
@B Harper - this is a good point! The kit came set up to ground to the triple tree, and I didn't think much about it at the time, assuming that the triple tree/forks/bars were grounded separately to the frame, as they are on some bikes. This may not be the case on the 125. If that is the situation here, then adding a ground wire from that connection back to somewhere on the frame would be a good idea and easy to do.
I am on my second charger the first one filled up with water 💧 and shorted ⚡️out! I am thinking 🤔 about drilling a hole 🕳️ in the bottom of my latest charger so the water can drain out and maybe it will last longer than the first one.
Yeah, I've heard these are pretty bad. I've not had any issues, but I also don't use my bike as much in those environments. I wonder if anyone makes a waterproof one. Did you have the cover on it?
@@retro_grade No I didn’t I was changing with it uncovered and riding around in the rain 🌧️ or I was washing the bike and forgot to put the cover on I have done both!
Ha! I'm honestly suprised that Honda doesn't offer an OEM plug and play harness sold by them. They could easliy get $50 to $75 out of the same thing plus dealer install fees!!!
Not really, as you'd have to run the wire harness underneath the down tube cover. No option to switch with ignition. And one more stack of terminals added to the battery (if you already have a battery tender terminal on there for instance). I've ran them straight to the battery on other bikes and to do it cleanly always takes time.
Kill the unnecessary bs background noise called “music”. It’s not serving anything but to annoy. There has to be some other video maker who doesn’t ruin it with music-noise. Exiting out
To someone who knows generally what they're doing, probably. (At that point, I'd argue you probably don't need to watch a How to Video on it). To someone who doesn't.....for instance, a lady who has no idea how to use wire crimpers or screw on her headlight bucket and is going to pay a dealer to do this install for her due to that, maybe not. Thanks for Watching, Make Sure to Like and Subscribe!
@@jo_arc thanks!!! The second USB video was a bit less detailed and focused on showing differences between two different upgraded/new versions of ports. You'll also have to check out the side rack video we just did for Kemimoto!
Great video!
Every video I’ve watched on how to install this device tell you to grind the hole out!
I laughed then I found your video and you did it Right!
I love it!
Thanks Tom!!! Yeah, this was originally going to be a five minute job. Then figured I'd sniff test to see how many other videos had been done on it, then saw how terrible they all were, based on quality and the advice they contained. The hole grinding, to me, was crazy. (I'd rather deform a $15 or $20 Amazon part). So, hours turned into days, and the rest is history LOL.
Thanks for the compliment!!!@
Thank you for your sharing. We have improved the USB charger kit based on your feedback.
No problem, that's great! It's a wonderful kit, what did you improve on out of curiosity?
@Tricago - we would certainly be willing to compare your new version to your old version. You can contact us at retro.grade.motorsports@gmail.com.
Personally, I think pre-attaching the bullet terminals to the USB outlet would be a big feature to many of the novice riders on these bikes. Those who don't work on motorcycles often likely don't have a proper crimping tool, don't want to purchase one, and would likely pay a bit extra for that step already done. Adding a fused option might be nice as well.
The tight fit can be worked with. I personally think many are unnecessarily grinding on their bikes. (Or, they should just grind at the plastic threads on the USB port instead).
The back-lit feature could also go. That way, the purchaser could choose to install in the 'always on' option, without draining the battery. I use my bike at times to charge electronic devices up many times, with my key off. Especially on the 125 which does have a kick starter.
@@retro_grade @tricago6214 I just received this kit. I haven’t installed it yet, but the two things I notice: 1) the bullet connectors are pre-crimped and ready to go. 2) There is no white wire coming from the USB outlet (only red and black now), and the only wires on the harness with connectors are green and black. My concern is that due to this removal of the ignition wire the USB light is going to be always on. Let’s hope not…
@@gzahnd - that's interesting, it's definitely changed since I purchased one and made this video then. Good to hear that the bullet connectors are pre-crimped to make installation easier. But, the wiring being changed is curious. Having that charger turn on with the ignition and not be on all the time is a big feature. And, if the USB is still lit up, that would drain the battery over time as well if left on.
It’s nice seeing a professional installation rather than some hacked up wiring and electrical tape job.
Thanks! Definitely don't like hacking a factory wiring harness on a nice, new motorcycle.
This is so well done and tremendously helpful. Thank you for posting this. I would like to see more of the other older vintage bike .
Thanks for the compliment Andrew! This video quickly spiraled out of control for me personally....I originally intended to take 5 minutes to install my USB, figuring there were plenty of other videos out there on it. But then when I checked, I didn't really like any of them so I figured I'd make a 'quick one' to get another video up on our drying up video list. Days later of editing and overkill with voiceover, not being happy with any of the dialogue I had done in my initial footage taken, this is what I came up with.
We will keep that in mind - we are in to pretty much everything....bikes, boats, etc.....and the content lately has depended on what we are focusing on or working on at the time. Once we get some of our projects under control and dwindled down, the intention is to hopefully make more 'targeted' content and videos that we want to do (CT125 vs CT90/110 comparisons, vintage bike review/ride with good exhaust sound, etc). Our content is pretty spread out - this video you might enjoy, the next one you might absolutely hate 🤣
-Brock
Nice work 👏 RETRO GRADE!! Prime example of the proper techniques of electrical accessories installation. 👌
@Chris Bewley - thank you! For very brief moments, we do try to be informative and helpful! LOL.
Too many out there as well using the wrong tools and connectors for motorcycles and other powersports, as I'm sure you are well aware :)
Looks like i get to re-do my USB port the right way. I just ordered the kit...and subscribed.
What did you do wrong the first time?
Thank you - brilliant explanation. I'm watching from Europe ... I wonder what a comparable crimping tool here would look like?
Sure thing!
As far as a comparable crimping tool, I'm not sure. I think they're probably not too hard to find and bet there's likely even some of them on Amazon. Vintage Connections is likely sourcing them cheaper from somewhere else and reselling them on their site anyways :)
@14:26, I commenced to hyperventilate. I’m okay now.
Bet you’ve been inundated with requests to offer remarks at big shooter conferences, weddings, bar mitzvahs, retirements, etc, since the community see through their own eyes, whilst peering at your spiffy usb power point, JUST WHAT A FORCE OF RAW COOLNESS YOU ARE!
We’re in awe - don’t go changin’
Ha! Yeah, we've been absolutely slammed with those type of requests - so much so, that we've just decided to pass on all of them for now. It's also been really overwhelming to decide which products we want to do give-aways and offers special discount codes on. We've had a few big channels want to do some collabs with us as well, but nobody really pisses the kind of excellence that goes on over here or stacks up to our quality level of content. We'll keep on striving to provide the ground-breaking content that we know our viewers come for!
Install videos don't get more fun to watch and easier to learn from. Will the now $30 and not $19 USB work on 2023 models? I read the harness is different from the 22' and prior years?
Thanks! Like everything, I'm not surprised they increased in price.
I'm not sure - I'll have to look into that. I believe the company may have also made some improvements to that harness after this video was made.
Your back!
Holidays, too many projects, too many hours/days spent editing a nonsense video like how to do a silly USB port install = burnout 🤣
Thanks for all the detail
No problem 👍
Great instructional video! 😁
Feels like a professional video you'd see at work.
Thanks! We try to be professional sometimes 😂
@@retro_grade "sometimes" 😂
Dude. Thank you for the detailed video!
You bet! It's getting a bit old (apparently the kit has been updated) but hopefully it helped!
Such a stupid fun bike…knocked out around 100 miles on mine today with 20 of that being some very serious off road riding on an ATV trail.
That's awesome Jacob! They are great little bikes, although you'll find we give Honda alot of flak over omission of the dual range gearbox. I probably ride mine more around the neighborhood for short trips than any other bike in my garage
@@retro_grade a dual range would have helped immensely in some sections of that off road course. I rarely found myself out of 1st gear or above 7-9mph over that 14 mile stretch.
@Jacob Ivy it would. I've gotten mine stuck in a couple spots that a lighter CT110 or CT90 with hi lo could get out of.
Also, I like the feeling of clutch at full engagement when on the trail and using engine rpm to I increase speed. With the 125, I feel like the clutch is never at full engagement when creeping along off-road. It makes it feel more like an cheap offroad toy than a properly lo geared trail bike in those circumstances.
Looks great!
Thanks Andy!
Great video
Thanks, it's appreciated!
I just put one on, no ground wire just connectors, took 16 minutes start to finish
Nice! It's certainly a very easy, straighforward job. Must faster than running a wire back to the battery.
I aint doin it. If i ever find im runnin outta juice ill put a battery in my pocket
@@TheAnnoyingBoss I never run out because stuff is plugged in, the bike has a battery, why carry one?
Grounding to the Triple clamp my not be a good idea, as the current path would be through the crown bearings. Two negatives: intermittent, weak connection and possible micro erosion of the ball bearings & race due to electric arcing.
@B Harper - this is a good point! The kit came set up to ground to the triple tree, and I didn't think much about it at the time, assuming that the triple tree/forks/bars were grounded separately to the frame, as they are on some bikes. This may not be the case on the 125.
If that is the situation here, then adding a ground wire from that connection back to somewhere on the frame would be a good idea and easy to do.
I am on my second charger the first one filled up with water 💧 and shorted ⚡️out! I am thinking 🤔 about drilling a hole 🕳️ in the bottom of my latest charger so the water can drain out and maybe it will last longer than the first one.
Yeah, I've heard these are pretty bad. I've not had any issues, but I also don't use my bike as much in those environments. I wonder if anyone makes a waterproof one. Did you have the cover on it?
@@retro_grade No I didn’t I was changing with it uncovered and riding around in the rain 🌧️ or I was washing the bike and forgot to put the cover on I have done both!
Shame honda!
USB socket is a must be item.
Ha! I'm honestly suprised that Honda doesn't offer an OEM plug and play harness sold by them. They could easliy get $50 to $75 out of the same thing plus dealer install fees!!!
What a faffing on been easier & quicker to of gone straight from battery
Not really, as you'd have to run the wire harness underneath the down tube cover. No option to switch with ignition. And one more stack of terminals added to the battery (if you already have a battery tender terminal on there for instance).
I've ran them straight to the battery on other bikes and to do it cleanly always takes time.
Kill the unnecessary bs background noise called “music”. It’s not serving anything but to annoy. There has to be some other video maker who doesn’t ruin it with music-noise. Exiting out
@jaywinters2483 - but all of the cool UA-camrs do it! Hell we're paying like $15 per month to be able to use that music now that I think about it!
TOO LONG!!!!
To someone who knows generally what they're doing, probably. (At that point, I'd argue you probably don't need to watch a How to Video on it).
To someone who doesn't.....for instance, a lady who has no idea how to use wire crimpers or screw on her headlight bucket and is going to pay a dealer to do this install for her due to that, maybe not.
Thanks for Watching, Make Sure to Like and Subscribe!
@@retro_grade Exactly and I just subscribed. Thanx!
@@jo_arc thanks!!! The second USB video was a bit less detailed and focused on showing differences between two different upgraded/new versions of ports.
You'll also have to check out the side rack video we just did for Kemimoto!