Mirror suggestions - layout for narrower driving width

jasong222 · Post by **jasong222** » Wed May 10, 2017 2:02 am

Hey all,

I've a Buddy 50 with the OEM mirrors, and I notice that those are the widest part of the bike. And once or twice when I tried to snake in between something, I knocked a mirror loose.

Any suggestions for either:

Placement of these mirrors so that I can still see but they're angled back 'behind' the plane of the handlebars? Or-

Third party mirrors that work well but are more narrow.

And actually- third bonus question. I notice the mirrors rotate on the ball joint attachment of the stem. Does anyone know what the 'starting position' is for the mirrors? The ball joins the mirror not quite in the center, it's off a little bit. What's the stock 'intention' for the position of the mirror, vis the placement of that ball joint?

Thanks!

sc00ter · Post by **sc00ter** » Wed May 10, 2017 2:15 am

Note: right side (throttle) is reverse thread. Just throwing that out there. Any stock Yamaha Zuma 50cc mirrors will work (03-08 years). Narrower than the Buddy, basic black, right side is reverse thread also, durable. Yamaha C3 mirrors also work if the Zuma mirrors are too narrow. There is a thread all about mirrors on here to.

jasong222 · Post by **jasong222** » Wed May 10, 2017 2:38 am

Oh yeah? (On the thread....) I searched... or thought I searched... I'll check again. Different focus maybe... or I missed it. You know, one or the other, lol...

Thanks!

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed May 10, 2017 1:24 pm

jasong222 wrote:Oh yeah? (On the thread....) I searched... or thought I searched... I'll check again. Different focus maybe... or I missed it. You know, one or the other, lol...

Thanks!

Good point on the right side threads.

The right mirror on many scooters and MCs are reverse thread. This is done in the event that the mirror hits something while riding.

If right handed thread the hung up mirror would snap off or drag the bike down, with left handed it will simply rotate or "unscrew" towards the rider.

There are tons of replacement mirrors available. If you want to keep "stock" look find a pair of 06 Buddy mirrors. The stalk is a bit shorter but I never had a problem with them. I may have a left 06 hanging around but my right broke a few years ago and I replaced with the wider and do like them better.

jasong222 · Post by **jasong222** » Wed Jul 26, 2017 2:16 am

[/quote]

Good point on the right side threads.

The right mirror on many scooters and MCs are reverse thread. This is done in the event that the mirror hits something while riding.

If right handed thread the hung up mirror would snap off or drag the bike down, with left handed it will simply rotate or "unscrew" towards the rider.

There are tons of replacement mirrors available. If you want to keep "stock" look find a pair of 06 Buddy mirrors. The stalk is a bit shorter but I never had a problem with them. I may have a left 06 hanging around but my right broke a few years ago and I replaced with the wider and do like them better.[/quote]

Never thanked you for this message- I'll check out the '06 model mirrors.

Thanks!

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Jul 26, 2017 4:45 am

Many serious lane splitters seem to prefer bar end mirrors as a way to enhance clearance.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Wed Jul 26, 2017 4:54 am

Dooglas wrote:Many serious lane splitters seem to prefer bar end mirrors as a way to enhance clearance.

Wut? That makes it worse.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Wed Jul 26, 2017 6:57 am

These BEMs are tucked in pretty tight...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-7-8-Motor ... 7L&vxp=mtr

dckick · Post by **dckick** » Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:40 pm

Tagging

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Jul 26, 2017 7:52 pm

dckick wrote:Tagging

dckick · Post by **dckick** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 1:30 am

Syd wrote:
dckick wrote:Tagging

I meant tagging as in following - I'm interested in this post.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 2:48 am

dckick wrote:
Syd wrote:
dckick wrote:Tagging

I meant tagging as in following - I'm interested in this post.

Just below the last post, look for this link: "Watch this topic for replies". I think that should send you and email when a new reply appears.

GregsBuddy · Post by **GregsBuddy** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:01 pm

I used a length of Ace Hardware provided, 1/4" x 1" aluminum material to offset the mirror in about 3" on each side. I see my shoulders very well now and with a little movement, a clear view behind me.
This enhances assurance when a share lanes with other vehicles.

jasong222 · Post by **jasong222** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:02 pm

Dooglas wrote:Many serious lane splitters seem to prefer bar end mirrors as a way to enhance clearance.

Yeah, I have to agree with others- The idea is to decrease my total width. Putting mirrors out of the ends of the handlebars seems to increase that width.

Although I did look at the link and the actual mirror assembly looks like it does not stick out past the length of the (now slightly longer) handlebar. That might help, because it's easier to judge distance from a point right where my hands are, as opposed to a mirrors that's kinda floating out there in space.

Also, having them on the extreme ends of the bars... they'd 'flail around' more as I'm jiggling/adjusting through a narrow space compared to mirrors that are more centered. But not much, and when navigating a narrow space I'm looking at the handlebars for clearance, not behind me....

And then I'd have to open screw holes where the mirrors are supposed to go. I could cap them with something probably... But ideally I'd find mirrors that go in the designed hole for them... and also not stick out beyond the max-width part of the bike, which is for the buddy the handlebars.

Hm... something to consider... thanks!

jasong222 · Post by **jasong222** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:44 pm

GregsBuddy wrote:I used a length of Ace Hardware provided, 1/4" x 1" aluminum material to offset the mirror in about 3" on each side. I see my shoulders very well now and with a little movement, a clear view behind me.
This enhances assurance when a share lanes with other vehicles.

Can you describe what you mean? I can't picture your solution.....

jasong222 · Post by **jasong222** » Thu Aug 03, 2017 6:35 pm

babblefish wrote:These BEMs are tucked in pretty tight...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-7-8-Motor ... 7L&vxp=mtr

So I checked my buddy and it doesn't have screw holes on the ends of the handles. Meaning either find handles that are open on the end and change (assuming the inside mechanics will accommodate something screwed in to the ends, something I think is likely they will...) or just cut the ends of the existing handles (assuming the inside mechanics.....) Something to consider maybe...

On the plus side, it does look like these mirrors, if the photo is accurate, would jut out a couple inches less than the current stock mirrors. I'd say 1-3 inches by eyeing it.

GregsBuddy · Post by **GregsBuddy** » Fri Aug 04, 2017 3:57 am

Use the aluminum bar to locate the mirrors closer to the center of the scooter. Use the existing mounting holes and the existing mirrors with a new bolts in the mounting holes and nuts on the mirrors.
I hope this is descriptive enough.
This works very well as my mirrors are now just outside of the windscreen and are no wider than the handle bars. Very narrow.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Fri Aug 04, 2017 8:09 am

jasong222 wrote:
babblefish wrote:These BEMs are tucked in pretty tight...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-7-8-Motor ... 7L&vxp=mtr
So I checked my buddy and it doesn't have screw holes on the ends of the handles. Meaning either find handles that are open on the end and change (assuming the inside mechanics will accommodate something screwed in to the ends, something I think is likely they will...) or just cut the ends of the existing handles (assuming the inside mechanics.....) Something to consider maybe...

On the plus side, it does look like these mirrors, if the photo is accurate, would jut out a couple inches less than the current stock mirrors. I'd say 1-3 inches by eyeing it.

Most BEM have a wedge type contraption that slides into the hollow end of the handlebar and lock in place when a screw on the end is tightened. I replaced the grips on my Buddy with some aftermarket grips that already had openings on their ends. The stock plastic throttle tube is closed on it's end so has to be cut open in order to allow the BEM to slide in.

I plugged the original mirror holes in mine with plastic automotive panel fasteners that I bought at a local auto parts store. They look like metal screws, but are actually plastic and they don't screw in, rather they wedge themselves in place.

Yeah, my mirrors stick out a bit, but so far, I haven't had any problems squeezing between cars. I've seen some BEMs' that are narrower and may give them a try in the future.

jasong222 · Post by **jasong222** » Fri Aug 04, 2017 1:56 pm

babblefish wrote:
jasong222 wrote:
babblefish wrote:These BEMs are tucked in pretty tight...

BEM?

Dage'sVew · Post by **Dage'sVew** » Fri Aug 04, 2017 2:11 pm

Bar End Mirrors

jasong222 · Post by **jasong222** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 5:41 pm

Dage'sVew wrote:Bar End Mirrors

ah yes... quite right, thanks-

-J

keltick · Post by **keltick** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 8:01 pm

k1dude wrote:
Dooglas wrote:Many serious lane splitters seem to prefer bar end mirrors as a way to enhance clearance.
Wut? That makes it worse.

It makes it so if you get too close the mirror takes the brunt instead of your hand. I run foldable bar-ends for that very purpose. Worse case they fold away and I only lose an inch or so of clearance... and I shouldn't be getting into that tight of a squeeze.