Anyone on here have any recommendations for a good bang for buck bar end mirror compatiple with the FJ's stock clip-ons? All the ones I've seen are designed to be inserted inside of a 7/8 inch tubular handle bar. Are there bar end mirrors compatible with clip-ons? :unknown:
When I bought my FJ it had aftermarket bar end mirrors that replaced the bar weights. It was pretty terrible, as they are light and do not dampen vibration like weights.
I have a set of seemingly good quality (Barber?), that were on my '87 when I bought it. The OEM bar end weights' ends were drilled and tapped to accept a fastener to hold the mirrors on, and do their job well.
Although the mirrors look good (my opinion) on the bike, they pose the risk of snagging on something, since they add about a foot's width to the handlebars. I'm not a fan of them. For me, I'd rather look straight ahead to check what's in my mirrors (OEM ones), than to have to momentarily take my eyes off the road, to glance downwards, and see what's behind me with the bar-end type mirrors.
To each their own...
Unfortunately my FJ never had it's stock mirrors, at least since I purchased it. My son dropped it the other day in the garage, bending the stalk of the right side mirror, and also it bent the mounting. I took the mirror off and could not put it back on. Holes no longer line up. Both sets of after market mirrors I've had on it to date show nothing but my elbows. I have not had a decent set since I've owned this otherwise amazing motorcycle. The stock mirrors are available but are amazingly expensive. I don't think I will ever be able to mount a mirror on the right side again due to my son dropping the bike and bending the receiving threads. Anyone have any ideas?......Help!
P.S. How do I apply an avatar photo to my account?
Avatar- Go to your profile and on the left it says "modify profile" click on "Forum profile information"
If you have a pic that is resized to somewhere around 100 x100 pix on a site like photobucket choose "I have my own pic:"
If you want this site to resize a pic automatically choose "I will upload my own picture:" You'll end up with an avatar with a scroll bar.
It wasn't doing that till about a month ago. Look at my avatar scroll bar. I'll be resizing my own soon. Another thing is that if you want the site to upload the pic, you may have to try a couple of times as it will upload it when it wants too.
Good luck! Joe
Quote from: midnightblue on June 29, 2014, 11:49:43 PM
Anyone on here have any recommendations for a good bang for buck bar end mirror compatiple with the FJ's stock clip-ons? All the ones I've seen are designed to be inserted inside of a 7/8 inch tubular handle bar. Are there bar end mirrors compatible with clip-ons? :unknown:
I discarded the stock bar-end weights and replaced them with mirrors. The grips that I use (old Brit bike style from "Norton Bits") are all that I need for vibration control. IMHO they are vastly superior to the stock grips/weights.
To mount the mirrors I bought two bolts with the same threads as the weights/cut them to the proper length and "turned" them down with an angle grinder so they could be used as stems for the bar end mirrors.
The total width w/mirrors is about the same as the stock bars with the weights and it looks a LOT nicer. Bye-Bye blind spots.
Costs: under 20 bucks for the mirrors and about 25 for the grips.
p.s. I've used this type of grip on a lot of motorcycles over the years*, simply because they WORK. Admittedly sometimes the styling leaves something to be desired (e.g. they looked stupid on my SV650). But they look great on the FJ. **
* my favorite, which was Italian, is no longer available but the English ones are nearly as good.
** I'll get a photo of the grips/mirrors once I finish making a rack for an upcoming 3 day camp/ride through the mountains of WA with my Triumph-riding son; well after that too I guess.
Michael, I'd like to see a pic of your mirrors and grips. I used those style grips for years on my Nortons, /2 B.M.W, and Guzzis and love them! I also have a set of bar ends lying around...I never thought of useing either of those on my 84 FJ, but now I'm curious. (popcorn) Charley.
Burns, can't wait to see the pic of those grips / bar end mirrors! Have a great trip with your son and don't forget to post the pic when you get back. ;-)
Quote from: charleygofast on June 30, 2014, 08:16:21 PM
Michael, I'd like to see a pic of your mirrors and grips. I used those style grips for years on my Nortons, /2 B.M.W, and Guzzis and love them! I also have a set of bar ends lying around...I never thought of useing either of those on my 84 FJ, but now I'm curious. (popcorn) Charley.
Haha, the only thing that would dampen vibrations on a Norton are a couple pillows wrapped around the handgrips.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on July 01, 2014, 06:13:44 AM
Quote from: charleygofast on June 30, 2014, 08:16:21 PM
Michael, I'd like to see a pic of your mirrors and grips. I used those style grips for years on my Nortons, /2 B.M.W, and Guzzis and love them! I also have a set of bar ends lying around...I never thought of useing either of those on my 84 FJ, but now I'm curious. (popcorn) Charley.
Haha, the only thing that would dampen vibrations on a Norton are a couple pillows wrapped around the handgrips
True enough for the Atlas /featherbed-framed Nortons, but the Commando/Isolastic-framed ones weren't so bad.
that's why those grips were so popular with the Brit/Euro (e.g. Guzzi) old-schoolers
Quote from: charleygofast on June 30, 2014, 08:16:21 PM
Michael, I'd like to see a pic of your mirrors and grips. I used those style grips for years on my Nortons, /2 B.M.W, and Guzzis and love them! I also have a set of bar ends lying around...I never thought of useing either of those on my 84 FJ, but now I'm curious. (popcorn) Charley.
I'm sure you'll dig 'em. They are form AND function - gotta luv 'em.
I'll post some pics in a couple of weeks.
Quote from: Burns on July 01, 2014, 05:39:34 PM
I'll post some pics in a couple of weeks.
Old-school camera too, huh? :biggrin:
A thought just hit me that I'll share with you all before I forget it (I'm old).
If you use the bar-weight threads in the bars to mount your mirrors using a bolt/stud for the stem it would be very simple to fashion a throttle stop on the right side stem.
Simply put a nut (e.g knurled, wing-nut, flanged, etc.) on the stem between the mirror and the grip. Finger tight will be plenty for "cruise control".
You might have to cut your own threads on some bar stock - most nut & bolt shops won't have a bolt of that length with threads cut the full length.
Easy-peasy
Quote from: not a lib on July 01, 2014, 05:50:10 PM
Quote from: Burns on July 01, 2014, 05:39:34 PM
I'll post some pics in a couple of weeks.
Old-school camera too, huh? :biggrin:
Gee, I don't know. It's 16.4 mega-pixel. Is it obsolete already?
Yes, isolastics! Miss my Nortons vibration was never an issue, at least I never thought it was...but that was almost 20 years ago. In 1995 I had 4 Commandos, one had Dunstall bits and a T.C.Christionson built motor...then I had to sell due to divorce...now I've got the FJs,a better motorcycle in so many ways! Charley.
Quote from: Burns on July 01, 2014, 06:10:25 PM
Quote from: not a lib on July 01, 2014, 05:50:10 PM
Quote from: Burns on July 01, 2014, 05:39:34 PM
I'll post some pics in a couple of weeks.
Old-school camera too, huh? :biggrin:
Gee, I don't know. It's 16.4 mega-pixel. Is it obsolete already?
I just figured if it takes two weeks to post the pics, you must be waiting on the film to be developed... :scratch_one-s_head:
I can't wait either as bar ends are one of the few mods I want to do to my 84. Little streamlining imho.
I just figured if it takes two weeks to post the pics, you must be waiting on the film to be developed... :scratch_one-s_head:
Ok, Ok. I'll do a "how to" later with some options and a report on any "buzz" from my ride, but here's a couple of photos. Hope they come out ok.
I like them, if you leave the originals on you will have to rename your bike General Grievous haha.
The onesI have are the rectangular folding type, but I think they'll work. I'm gonna check it out tonight. Charley.
I don't know about soft grips, I got heated ones. I can tell you that from my perspective having weights in the bars makes a huge difference in vibration.
As luck would have it, today I was looking for something else, and happened to find a bar end mirror on eBay that purports to clamp on over the standard bar weight. I might actually give this a try myself, sounds like it might be a best of both worlds kinda thing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200999283496?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/200999283496?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
Quote from: JPaganel on July 02, 2014, 10:19:05 AM
I don't know about soft grips, I got heated ones. I can tell you that from my perspective having weights in the bars makes a huge difference in vibration.
As luck would have it, today I was looking for something else, and happened to find a bar end mirror on eBay that purports to clamp on over the standard bar weight. I might actually give this a try myself, sounds like it might be a best of both worlds kinda thing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200999283496?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/200999283496?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
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Foam grips are often softer, but the shape of the "GP" type conforms better to the hand and the "balloon" design isolates them from vibration better.
Of course if you are comfortable with what you have there is no reason to change. "Don't quit a winner" is always a good strategy.
Quote from: Burns on July 02, 2014, 11:18:29 AM
Foam grips are often softer, but the shape of the "GP" type conforms better to the hand and the "balloon" design isolates them from vibration better.
Of course if you are comfortable with what you have there is no reason to change. "Don't quit a winner" is always a good strategy.
My grips are the heated Bikemasters. They only come in one shape, and heat is kinda important to me. This is Minnesota. ;)
Quote from: charleygofast on July 02, 2014, 05:44:56 AM
The onesI have are the rectangular folding type, but I think they'll work.
Do they look like this?
(http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/rocklucas9/e06400232_zpscdb8de08.jpg)
If so, remove the mounting bolt and the rubber expansion sleeve, then drill and tap the bar-end weight to accept the bolt. Toss the rubber bits or save 'em for another use. They swivel and tilt up, down, and sideways - fold 'em in for normal use; fold 'em out for a wider view. Dennis Kirk, $23.99 (more for phony graphite finish).
rossi
Quote from: rlucas on July 02, 2014, 12:57:41 PM
Quote from: charleygofast on July 02, 2014, 05:44:56 AM
The onesI have are the rectangular folding type, but I think they'll work.
Yes, mine are black. Do you have these on your bike Rossi? Id like to see em if you do, I also have em on my XS650 with low bars. Charley
Do they look like this?
(http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/rocklucas9/e06400232_zpscdb8de08.jpg)
If so, remove the mounting bolt and the rubber expansion sleeve, then drill and tap the bar-end weight to accept the bolt. Toss the rubber bits or save 'em for another use. They swivel and tilt up, down, and sideways - fold 'em in for normal use; fold 'em out for a wider view. Dennis Kirk, $23.99 (more for phony graphite finish).
rossi
Yes Rossi, cept theyre black. are you useing these on your bike? I'd like to see how they look...I have em on my
Opps,sorry Rossi my computer shut down mid post...you'll figure it out! Charley
Quote from: JPaganel on July 02, 2014, 11:55:13 AM
Quote from: Burns on July 02, 2014, 11:18:29 AM
Foam grips are often softer, but the shape of the "GP" type conforms better to the hand and the "balloon" design isolates them from vibration better.
Of course if you are comfortable with what you have there is no reason to change. "Don't quit a winner" is always a good strategy.
My grips are the heated Bikemasters. They only come in one shape, and heat is kinda important to me. This is Minnesota. ;)
Frost bite capitol of the lower 48!
Quote from: charleygofast on July 02, 2014, 05:48:01 PM
Opps,sorry Rossi my computer shut down mid post...you'll figure it out! Charley
Mine are solid black as well, I just grabbed the photo from the Dennis Kirk website. I'll take some fresh pix of mine tonight. May take me a couple of days to get back to you...just moved, no home Internet yet, and the local library's closed tomorrow...
rossi
I was wrong, I have two chrome ones and only one black one...not a big fan of chrome on FJ's but I'm gonna mock 'em up and see if I like the look. My '74 Norton had a Vesco Rapid transit fairing I had chrome ones on that and it looked pretty cool, we'll see. Charley.
Quote from: rlucas on July 03, 2014, 02:50:16 PM
Quote from: charleygofast on July 02, 2014, 05:48:01 PM
Opps,sorry Rossi my computer shut down mid post...you'll figure it out! Charley
Mine are solid black as well, I just grabbed the photo from the Dennis Kirk website. I'll take some fresh pix of mine tonight. May take me a couple of days to get back to you...just moved, no home Internet yet, and the local library's closed tomorrow...
rossi
Rossi, saw your bike in the lower fairing post ...and theres the bar end mirrors! I like em...Ilike em alot!!! Nice bike Dude. I cant wait to get my other fairing painted then I'm gonna look into some lowers. Again, very nicely done FJ!...what kind of grips are those, and are those stock weights? Charley.