BonesinMass Mirror Farkle

[Bones]

I've had some requests for details of my mirror farkle.

I'm 5' 7" and the stock mirrors give me a good view of my hands. With camping gear loaded I can see nothing behind me. Friends who ride BMW RT's had the same problem and solved it by putting accessory mirrors in the threaded holes which are machined into the handlebars. The ST had no such holes so I went about designing an alternative.



My idea was to have an aluminum post machined with a threaded hole and mounted piggyback on the C-clamp of each master cylinder. I submitted my design concept to Larry Sieminski (www.motorcycleradar.com (http://www.motorcycleradar.com/)) who makes all kinds of mounting hardware for bike gadgets. He sent back a prototype, which was perfect. The final version was black anodized. His mounting kit included longer-than-stock bolts (stainless) and black anodize spacers. Installation took about 5 minutes per side.



There are dozens of mirror options. I went with K. Sean/Engo Mark II's. I chose them because they blend well with the bike's design and have a slightly convex surface (less convex than Multivex) which provides a wide view that isn't distorted. They screw into the posts and I mounted them so they just miss contact with the fully-down shield at full lock.



Now I can see behind me. PM me with questions.



Bones

[GRN]

Bones,

what was the cost of this most nicely executed idea?
hard to believe your not winning in farkledom with an idea like this...

[Bones]

The machine shop charge (materials and labor) was $80. That included all the mounting hardware. Larry told me he made up a bunch at the time so if you like the idea you can check to see if he has some left.

SJL Products, Inc.
PO Box 189
Jefferson, MA 01522 USA
9:00AM-6:00PM EST
508-829-3339
sjlproducts@ix.netcom.com (sjlproducts@ix.netcom.com)

I ordered my mirrors through my local accessories shop...Mark has more catalogs that you can imagine. You could try your local shop, JCWhitney, ridegear, cyclestuffusa, etc., or Google "motorcycle mirror -chrome" for a pared down list.

Mirrors cost $22, so total farkle cost was $102.

[George]

Kuul farkle. When did this happen, I've never seen it before. I was thinking of turning the stock mirror housing into holders fro the running lights. Need to fab. some turn signals, tho. ;^)

[crazykz]

I like them a lot but I already used up that space so I guess I'll have to wait on them.

Curt

[AZST]

Why do you have traffic obstacles in your garage?

Inquiring minds....

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

[Byron]

Bones,

Very Nice! :D

[DHTracker]

Do they shake?

[M&M Take2]

With a bit of work you'll be able to get the ST to look like the Mod scooters from Quadraphenia. All joking aside though it looks good! Unless you've installed a throttlemeister wouldn't the vintage bar-end mirrors work just as well? Just a thought. Marty

[Bones]

George, I thought this through two winters ago.

DHTracker, zero shake. They work great.

Byron, muchas gracias.

Curt, you've used up more space than I knew existed! BTW, how'd that tank bag work out?

Bryan, you can tell the inquiring minds that the cone is a parking aid for my lovely wife. With some careful packaging, we manage to get a Highlander, a Tundra, and an ST in the garage with the door down and room to walk around.

M&M, I do have the Throttlemeister but that's not the issue. The stock mirrors are too low to provide a view behind when I have my camping gear loaded. The bar-end mirrors don't add height so the view behind is still the gear. There's a bar-end design with an elbow that lets you point them up a couple inches, but it doesn't solve the problem.

One item worth noting. When I replaced the stock shield with a Clearview, the distance between the auxiliary mirror post and the trailing edge of the shield got closer at full lock because the new shield is swept back a bit more. Short-term fix was loosening the nut, repositioning the mirror, and retightening the nut. Longer-term fix will be finding a mirror stem with a wider angle.

[motomac]

Bones, for quite a while now, I have been looking for a way to mount another set of mirrors. When I put my camping bags on the back seat and rack, I cannot see behind me in the stock mirrors. You have shown the way, thanks. Mac

[Snoweyowl]

Excellent! You found a great solution to a safety problem.

[Earache]

I made some mounts like this for a forum member a while back.

$80??!?!? I think I did it for about $20 - very easy to make. I had made them for a GPS mount, but he wanted them tapped for mirrors. See http://www.earachemotorsports.com/mirrorbig.gif

Here are the other original mounts: http://www.earachemotorsports.com/perchbig.gif
I had made these for attaching a RAM ball to the top.

[Bones]

If only I were a machinist...

[motomac]

If only I had a lathe!!!

[Earache]

I can make up a few of these if anyone wants them - buy the aluminum and shipping and I'll do the rest.

[DataHawk]

I can make up a few of these if anyone wants them - buy the aluminum and shipping and I'll do the rest.

How much, shipping and everything and how do you want to be paid (pay pal, check, money order etc)?

[Earache]

Let me make a couple for you and then see if that's what you want. I have enough stock aluminum about to make a couple, so I'll whip them out and send them to you. If they're accpetable, you just pay the postage.

Sound okay?

[Earache]

Also, I need to know what size the threads are on whatever it is you want to screw into the mount. Most mirrors are 10mm X1.25 pitch or 1.50 pitch ("pitch" is the metric equivalent of "threads per inch"). RAM balls are typically 1/4" -20 threads.

If you don't know, I could make one of each and make another one when you decide what you want.

[Bones]

I can make up a few of these if anyone wants them - buy the aluminum and shipping and I'll do the rest.

That's a great offer. Wish I'd known about you in January '05.

[DataHawk]

Also, I need to know what size the threads are on whatever it is you want to screw into the mount. Most mirrors are 10mm X1.25 pitch or 1.50 pitch ("pitch" is the metric equivalent of "threads per inch"). RAM balls are typically 1/4" -20 threads.

If you don't know, I could make one of each and make another one when you decide what you want.

I already have ram mounts, I would be looking just for the mirror mounts.
thank you

[seiseman]

Let me make a couple for you and then see if that's what you want. I have enough stock aluminum about to make a couple, so I'll whip them out and send them to you. If they're accpetable, you just pay the postage.

Sound okay?

If you are feeling in a generous mood I'd like to see about a little modification on your design to work with my dash shelf. I have a Ron Smith shelf on my '03 and have been scratching my head on the best way to mount mirrors off of the shelf-going out right and left horizontal, not vertical. It seems to me this location would be in a great sight line, requiring less head movement for checking. It wouldn’t interfere with the windshield movement either. I am going to be in Indy (Avon, actually) right before Easter, and for the F1 race and then I see you will also be at Moonshine. If you are true to your tag line I am sure we can work something out…:D
Steve E :03biker:

[Bones]

It's interesting how this thread had four posts almost two years ago and then yesterday it started a second life. We really have a great resource in ST-Owners.com.

Joe, do you know what the very first thread was for the site?

[Mellow]

It's interesting how this thread had four posts almost two years ago and then yesterday it started a second life. We really have a great resource in ST-Owners.com.

Joe, do you know what the very first thread was for the site?

I think it was this one...

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1906

Announcing the conversion from the old phpbb software to this one.

[Bones]

So not only do we have a resource, we have history.
:07biker: :06biker: :biker: :04biker: :03biker:

[Mellow]

Yes.. and it's jaded.. LOL

[Earache]

Steve E - sure we can figure something out that'll work the way you want it to.

I'm in Effingham and Champaign several times a month for work - are you anywhere near either place?

[seiseman]

Earache,

I'm in Galesburg- It is still a 2+ hour run to Champaign. My "real job" keeps me from getting out much during the week- particularly in the March-April time frame. I could send some pictures or meet up with you at Moonshine.
Steve E :03biker:

[Earache]

Okay, done with this set as far as machining goes. Will powdercoat them black (I just assumed DataHwak wanted them black - if not, let me know) on Monday and toss'em in the mail to you.

Threaded holes are 10mm X 1.25 pitch -make sure your mirrors are the same thread size.

Let me know how they work out.

Eric

[Earache]

Earache,

I'm in Galesburg- It is still a 2+ hour run to Champaign. My "real job" keeps me from getting out much during the week- particularly in the March-April time frame. I could send some pictures or meet up with you at Moonshine.
Steve E :03biker:

Just email me some pictures amd draw on them what you're after. We'll see if we can come up with something.

[STreaker]

I use Multivex mirrors, they fit perfectly over stock and probably double the view. I hesitate to add another wind catching item to the front, which from my sport bike taste, already has too much front "footprint".

IMHO, Jon:03biker:

[Bones]

I use Multivex mirrors, they fit perfectly over stock and probably double the view. I hesitate to add another wind catching item to the front, which from my sport bike taste, already has too much front "footprint".

IMHO, Jon:03biker:
Those apparently do a lot to show you the blind spot, but the view directly behind is still lost for me when camping gear is packed. To show what's back there, the mirrors need to be placed higher, hence the design I chose. Whatever works for you.

[BlaSTr]

Has anyone considered the Saeng Quick_scan shield mirrors?

http://www.saeng.com/scanners.htm

I saw a couple pair at the IBA dinner and they got excellent reviews.

[Earache]

Powdered Datahawk's mounts today and they'll go out in today's mail. He shoudl have them by the weekend.

Eric

[Bones]

Has anyone considered the Saeng Quick_scan shield mirrors?

http://www.saeng.com/scanners.htm

I saw a couple pair at the IBA dinner and they got excellent reviews.

GRN's got them, EddieMack had them.

[DataHawk]

Okay, done with this set as far as machining goes. Will powdercoat them black (I just assumed DataHwak wanted them black - if not, let me know) on Monday and toss'em in the mail to you.

Threaded holes are 10mm X 1.25 pitch -make sure your mirrors are the same thread size.

Let me know how they work out.

Eric

I just received them today. After taking them out of the envelope I was amazed in the quality!! Immediately got on the net and ordered a set of black mirrors to match the bike. I'll send you a picture when they come in.
Easy way to have more visability of what is going on behind.
Thanks
Kim

[Bones]

I just received them today. After taking them out of the envelope I was amazed in the quality!! Immediately got on the net and ordered a set of black mirrors to match the bike. I'll send you a picture when they come in.
Easy way to have more visability of what is going on behind.
Thanks
Kim

Kim, which mirrors did you order?

[Earache]

I just received them today. After taking them out of the envelope I was amazed in the quality!


What didja expect? Chisel and hammer marks all over the aluminum? :D

I get lucky sometimes and the parts come out as I planned.
Glad they got there in good shape.

Eric

[ligito]

K. Sean/Engo Mark II's?

Where can they be found?

[Earache]

K. Sean/Engo Mark II's?

Where can they be found?

Just about any bike shop can order these. Emgo is carried by either Tucker Rocky Distrbution or Parts Unlimited...I can't remember which. But they are widely available.

edit: Have your local shop order from Parts Unlimited: http://street.parts-unlimited.com/28/387/4091393?q=mirrors

[ligito]

Any stud mount should be fairly easy to mount on a dash, if you make a nut to fit on the bottom of the dash, right?

[Earache]

Any stud mount should be fairly easy to mount on a dash, if you make a nut to fit on the bottom of the dash, right?

You meanm just drill a hole in your dash and then bolt the mirror to that?
Then yeah, a 10mm X 1.25 picth nut should do the trick. I think the mirror studs are completely threaded, if not, might have to use a spacer or a stack of washers.

The mirrors might vibrate a bit as the dash material isn't all that thick - just have to try it and find out.

[DataHawk]

Powdered Datahawk's mounts today and they'll go out in today's mail. He shoudl have them by the weekend.

Eric

Got the mirrors today. These are the cheapest black mirrors Dennis Kirk had available made by Emgo. http://www.victoriatx.net/sigs/mirrors-1.jpg http://www.victoriatx.net/sigs/mirrors-2.jpg
I think I am going to like this setup and not having to look down to see the mirrors. The cheap mirrors are flat not convex so everything behind me looks closer than the other mirrors and I belive I have a wider view with them. Workmanship on the mounts was very good! Thank you!!

[PizzaHog]

This mirror mod actually interests me, because:

I like to see behind me
I like to keep my eyes up and forward when lane splitting
I have large shoulders, and when wearing my CyclePort jacket, sometimes it's tough to use stock mirrors
Any updates on how the mods are working?

Thanks!

PH

[Bones]

PizzaHog, I use the mirrors when I'm packed for camping. They screw in easily so it's not big deal to put them on and take them off as needed. I got some black caps (meant to cover the legs of a small table) from the hardware store so when I'm not using the mirrors the inside of the posts stays clean and dry. There are dozens of mirror options out there so you should be able to find something of the length and angle that lets you see over your shoulders.

[Orange Power]

You meanm just drill a hole in your dash and then bolt the mirror to that?
Then yeah, a 10mm X 1.25 picth nut should do the trick. I think the mirror studs are completely threaded, if not, might have to use a spacer or a stack of washers.

The mirrors might vibrate a bit as the dash material isn't all that thick - just have to try it and find out.

Earache, I've gone to your web site and sent you email (just before our email server crashed due to span attack) but I can't see how to order these perches online. I would like to get a set. Please let me know how I can make this happen. You can send me a PM.

Thanks,
Tom

[PizzaHog]

EarAche - If your offer to make the mounting points is still open, I'd like a pair.

What do I have to do, who do I pay, etc.

Let me know!

PH

[Papa Bear]

Me too!

PB

[Orange Power]

You may want to contact EarAche via email: earachems@gmail.com

He told me that he does not visit this site too often anymore.

Tom