Steampunk mirror extensions
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:36 pm
Recently I was contemplating fabbing some mirror spacers for my '87 FZR 1000 and had settled on using some plastic like acrylic, plexiglas, or something like Corian. I went to a sign shop to score some scraps but they had recently cleaned-up and didn't have anything for free at the moment.
Contemplating what I wanted to do, I decided to look at the Big Box store for an aluminum extrusion. My goal was to use something to give me about 1" additional height (depth?) away from the fairing, so I was thinking of 1" X 1" square hollow stock. All they had was longer lengths which were > I was willing to pay, so I was wandering the fasteners aisle and I spied just what I needed. I bought four 1 1/8" long hex nuts, 3/8" i.d., thrread not important for what I was doing. They are used for all-thread when joining two pieces together for equipment suspended from a poured concrete ceiling (pre-cast), or similar. Anyway, they were about 80 cents or $1 apiece, I got four insulated flat washers (they have rubber or something bonded to one side), and four 2 1/2" X 1/4" flat-head/ Phillips-head machine screws in stainless steel, four s.s. hex nuts, and four s.s. acorn nuts.
Removing the mirrors, I used the 2 1/2" flat-head screws in the mirror-mounting holes, then the 1 1/8" long hex nut between the mirror mount and the fairing, and finally the bonded-rubber flat washer with the rubber to the fairing (to protect the paint). Inserting the mirror/spacers into the cowling holes and the cowl bracket, I used the s.s. hex nut to snug everything down, and the acorn nuts to provide a finished look. Properly-assembled and tightened, they are rock-solid and provide a view to the rear of something besides my jacket sleeves. I wish I had done this 20+ years ago when I bought the bike.
It looks kinda industrial, and for the aesthetically-inclined, you could get some solid plastic material and bandsaw the dimensions you want, using the mirror mount foot as a template. For the time being, it works great, and my total investment probably would allow you to buy a small hoagie from your favorite shop with the change you would have left-over from a $20 bill. Functionally, it is a world of difference from the limited rear vision I endured previously. I feel much-more comfortable being aware of what is going on behind and beside me. It also justifies the $ I spent on two N.O.S. Yamaha mirrors I made.
Contemplating what I wanted to do, I decided to look at the Big Box store for an aluminum extrusion. My goal was to use something to give me about 1" additional height (depth?) away from the fairing, so I was thinking of 1" X 1" square hollow stock. All they had was longer lengths which were > I was willing to pay, so I was wandering the fasteners aisle and I spied just what I needed. I bought four 1 1/8" long hex nuts, 3/8" i.d., thrread not important for what I was doing. They are used for all-thread when joining two pieces together for equipment suspended from a poured concrete ceiling (pre-cast), or similar. Anyway, they were about 80 cents or $1 apiece, I got four insulated flat washers (they have rubber or something bonded to one side), and four 2 1/2" X 1/4" flat-head/ Phillips-head machine screws in stainless steel, four s.s. hex nuts, and four s.s. acorn nuts.
Removing the mirrors, I used the 2 1/2" flat-head screws in the mirror-mounting holes, then the 1 1/8" long hex nut between the mirror mount and the fairing, and finally the bonded-rubber flat washer with the rubber to the fairing (to protect the paint). Inserting the mirror/spacers into the cowling holes and the cowl bracket, I used the s.s. hex nut to snug everything down, and the acorn nuts to provide a finished look. Properly-assembled and tightened, they are rock-solid and provide a view to the rear of something besides my jacket sleeves. I wish I had done this 20+ years ago when I bought the bike.
It looks kinda industrial, and for the aesthetically-inclined, you could get some solid plastic material and bandsaw the dimensions you want, using the mirror mount foot as a template. For the time being, it works great, and my total investment probably would allow you to buy a small hoagie from your favorite shop with the change you would have left-over from a $20 bill. Functionally, it is a world of difference from the limited rear vision I endured previously. I feel much-more comfortable being aware of what is going on behind and beside me. It also justifies the $ I spent on two N.O.S. Yamaha mirrors I made.
