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Message started by george on 08/16/05 at 16:34:01

Title: mirrors
Post by george on 08/16/05 at 16:34:01

I bought a set of aftermarket mirrors and installed them on my bike(look really cool). so here is the the problem they vibrate really bad can not really see anything. I tried shock absorders but they just made it worse. Any ideas would be great! thanks 8)

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by babbalou on 08/16/05 at 17:05:49

Here's a few ideas, though I haven't tried these myself. A barsnake supposedly reduces vibration in the handlebars. http://www.barsnake.com/ Also, I've heard of people filling the handlebars with either BBs or lead shot. Maybe heavier bar end weights could help.

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by WD on 08/16/05 at 20:19:09

Try adding a set of bar weights. You can't use the end cap type on the stock bars though, the slugs are welded in. If you have HD or similar aftermarket bars, VS800 bar weights should work well. For the stock bars, you have to drill a hole in the bar where it can be covered bt a riser cap. Fill the hole with a birdshot/epoxy mix, let cure, add the bar cap, and off you go. It really is simpler to do than to type out.
-WD

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Munson_kl279 on 08/17/05 at 06:51:03

I've got this same problem, and after looking at the bar snake thing I wasn't sure what would be better. I have Drag bars with chrome grips (no end caps). Has anyone used the liquid version? How well does it work?

~Munson

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Richard Amirault on 08/17/05 at 12:46:47

WD wrote:

Try adding a set of bar weights. You can't use the end cap type on the stock bars though, the slugs are welded in.

Not sure what you mean by "slugs". On my 04 the end caps are plastic and I don't think they are "welded in" ... actually, one is missing.

Happened when the bike was rear ended with it's first owner. I bought a replacement, but couldn't figure out how to attach it (on the throttle side) until I noticed that I could push the throttle assembly "up" (away from the bar end) and, darn, there was space to fit it .. but it fell off after a few minutes :-(

Richard in Boston, MA, USA

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by WD on 08/17/05 at 20:40:30

Pop the cap off the bar and stick a pencil in the resulting hole. There is a steel slug welded in a couple inches from the end. That slug is the stock vibration dampener. The end caps are just cheesy decorative bits. Those welded in slugs are why bar snakes don't work on a Savage.
-WD

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Reelthing on 08/17/05 at 21:25:45

george wrote:

Well, did you think about giving them back? Several aftermarket mirrors here and none (that I kept - if they rattle in the store they don't come home) vibrate like you describe - the stock ones rattle like he77 on the '95 and the reflect rotted off here and there, replaced those with aftermarket.

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/18/05 at 05:58:36

Reelthing wrote:

My stock mirrors are working just fine. However, can you list the brand/model of the ones you've got that work well? It could help some folks here now (or me later, if I decide to get better-looking mirrors).

Rob

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by george on 08/20/05 at 18:30:31

I have given some thought to new bars all together. anyone with insight would be great. how and were do you get the size of the bars from. ???

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by WD on 08/20/05 at 20:49:38

Any non-dimpled Harley Davidson handlebar WILL fit and work fine. Find a bend you like and go from there. I'd get some better grips as well, without the silly little bar plugs. The stock ones on my old 98 have curled to the point that the kid doesn't want to ride it much. I can order in intersting new ones for as low as $11.99...so, I guess he'll be dropping by the new shop soon.
-WD

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Munson_kl279 on 08/22/05 at 08:05:12

I have a set of drag bars I ordered from Drag Specialties (along with chrome grips) and I actually think it made the vibration in my mirrors worse. ??? But it could also be the dog bone risers I'm using too.

~Munson

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by mikedasavage on 08/22/05 at 08:07:28

man i really gotta see some pics of these bars. My mirrors vibrate alot and they are stock. I just hold them with my hand when i need to focus 8)

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Reelthing on 08/22/05 at 08:09:41

Savage_Rob wrote:

Rob, they were cheapies - bikemaster if I remember correct - I did discard a couple of sets where the glass rattled in the frame while still in package -

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by WD on 08/22/05 at 09:37:55

Doesn't matter how good a name brand they are, bike mirrors are fairly poor quality. I've used and sold Emgo, Drag Specialties, CCI, Ness, Bikemaster(repackaged Emgo by the way). USA made Ness mirrors are pretty good. The Ness Alternatives (authorized Taiwanese knock-offs) aren't worth the packaging they are shipped in.

I've ridden everything from Honda Sprees to full dress Goldwings on the road. Know what, except for the Spree, they all had "buzzy" mirrors. Motorcycle mirrors serve but one purpose, keeping the fuzz happy, since most states require at least one mirror. It isn't like you can actually see much in them.
-WD

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/22/05 at 11:40:29

Reelthing wrote:

Rob, they were cheapies - bikemaster if I remember correct - I did discard a couple of sets where the glass rattled in the frame while still in package -

Thanks. I guess I'll probably keep using my stock set since they work pretty well. No impetus to change...

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Paladin on 08/22/05 at 18:30:48

WD wrote:

....all had "buzzy" mirrors. Motorcycle mirrors serve but one purpose, keeping the fuzz happy, since most states require at least one mirror. It isn't like you can actually see much in them.
-WD

Don't need to see much, just track what's behind you. I check the mirrors about every three seconds in normal riding -- a bit less if interesting things are happening foreward; or on a limited access highway. I find the stock mirrors to be quite satisfactory.

Mirrors can tell you if something is there.
Mirrors cannot tell you nothing is there.

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Reelthing on 08/22/05 at 19:32:06

Savage_Rob wrote:

Thanks. I guess I'll probably keep using my stock set since they work pretty well. No impetus to change...

Oh you'll know when it's time to change them- the stock ones picked up a rattle that finally got so loud I could of thrown a rod and it wouldn't have sounded much different

there's some kind of very heavy stuff inside the stock mirrors 1/2 lb worth anyway - that stuff broken lose and dang... anyway you'll know it if it happens

Title: Re: mirrors
Post by Karen627 on 08/23/05 at 01:49:20

WD wrote:

USA made Ness mirrors are pretty good. The Ness Alternatives (authorized Taiwanese knock-offs) aren't worth the packaging they are shipped in.

I had the Ness Alternative Big Eye mirrors. Looked okay on the bike, but there was vibration and distortion. I mean, the visibility was perfectly adequate, but I think that was more because of the sheer size of the things.

Then one day while riding, the left mirror vibrated loose on the stem and started twisting. Got home, Locktited the mirrors, and went back out. An hour later the right mirror vibrated loose, and nothing would fix it. Took 'em off, put the stock mirrors back on.

I had a hell of a time trying to find decent mirrors. I wanted something that would look good, offer decent visibility, and not have any quality issues. Nobody I asked could recommend a mirror that met all three criteria. :P