Mirrors Broke Off

[jijifer]

So today I have getting stuff done on my scooter and one thing required my mirrors being removed and BOTH mirrors broke off into the back part of the switch in which it screws.!! They said that the two different kinds of metal (the mirror and the part that it screws into) rusted together because I didn't treat it prior to installing my replacement mirrors (in July my mirrors were replaced when one spun off). I guess I was supposed to clean it, put alcohol in it to dry it out then but some sort of goo on the stem to avoid this. WHO KNEW? so that cost me additional $80 I wasn't expecting I guess replacing your mirrors is not just a matter of screwing them in when you live near the ocean!

[jasondavis48108]

That totaly sucks Did you have to drill the old posts out or were you able to get them out without drilling? Maybe you should look into barend mirrors, they are super freaking awesome looking although I'm not sure that they would work as well as the regular style of mirrors.

[jmkjr72]

well ti shouldnt be too hard to extract what is left as where the mirrors screw in should be a brass insert
just remeber that the right hand mirrior is a reverse thread

spary whats left with penetraiting oil a few times and let them sit

how much of the mirror stem is left maybe you can cut a notch in it and use a screw driver to get it out

our you may have to get some easy outs and back them out

post up a pic of whats left and maybe we can give you an idea on how best to extract whats left

[bigbropgo]

I really like how bar end mirrors look. But I don't use my mirrors a lot. If you do, you might not like them.

[jijifer]

the stems broke off right where it goes into the back half of the switches on either side of the handlebar (both mirrors broke!) I was told my only option was buying new back halves of the switches and new mirrors. They said that because it was 2 different kinds of metal it rusted together irreparably. That I must have had debris or water in the hole or on the stem when i screwed them on and that got trapped and thus began to rust together. The stem itself wasn't rusted. the part twisted into the hole was so when they tried to unscrew the mirror it just snapped off.

SOOOO if you take off your mirrors, make sure it's surgically clean and dry when you put them back on to avoid this problem.

[Lostmycage]

the stems broke off right where it goes into the back half of the switches on either side of the handlebar (both mirrors broke!) I was told my only option was buying new back halves of the switches and new mirrors. They said that because it was 2 different kinds of metal it rusted together irreparably. That I must have had debris or water in the hole or on the stem when i screwed them on and that got trapped and thus began to rust together. The stem itself wasn't rusted. the part twisted into the hole was so when they tried to unscrew the mirror it just snapped off.

SOOOO if you take off your mirrors, make sure it's surgically clean and dry when you put them back on to avoid this problem.

Lol, NO! The Buddy stock mirrors are pretty chintzy. I had my original mirrors replaced by the warranty. One wouldn't lock down, the other fell off during a group ride while the owner of the shop was right next to me (we exchanged a "WTF" look, I bent over, grabbed the mirror, stuffed it in the glove tray and we kept going). The fault is in the mirrors, your switch housings are fine. Get a backout bit/kit for the left side and a drill and metal screw for the right hand side (see bottom of post). If your shop is so determined not to make any effort for you, surely you've got a tool savvy friend who can help?

If you replace them with original mirrors (which, by the way should be no more than $50 for a pair) put some clear silicone sealant around the base of them and on top of the locking nut. What happens is that water gets into the threads at the locking nuts and sits. From there it rusts. The part that's still in the turn signals is likely undamaged because the metal where it broke off corroded and broke is at the locknut.

You might want to seriously consider finding a new shop, or at least getting a second opinion.

OK, for the right hand side (the reverse thread side) take an 1/8th drill bit and bore down into the sheered bolt about 1/8-3/16" at the center. Take a self-tapping metal screw and some cutting pliers and cut off the head of the screw. Take the shaft and lock it into the drill chuck. Now use that in the forward setting to remove the reverse threaded bolt core. Low speed/high torque setting will work best.

[mattgordon]

the stems broke off right where it goes into the back half of the switches on either side of the handlebar (both mirrors broke!) I was told my only option was buying new back halves of the switches and new mirrors. They said that because it was 2 different kinds of metal it rusted together irreparably. That I must have had debris or water in the hole or on the stem when i screwed them on and that got trapped and thus began to rust together. The stem itself wasn't rusted. the part twisted into the hole was so when they tried to unscrew the mirror it just snapped off.

SOOOO if you take off your mirrors, make sure it's surgically clean and dry when you put them back on to avoid this problem.

Pre-emptively pick up a little packet of anti-seize compound at any auto-parts store (about 2 bucks in a foil pack) and remove the mirrors, apply this goo to threads and re-assemble. No more galling (adverse reaction between two dissimilar metals) and no more broken mirror stems.

[Skootz Kabootz]

Man of all the freakish things. That totally sucks Jijifer. I think you must hold the MB record for most mirrors used by a margin of at least a few mirrors

[Milktown]

haha i dunno about that. i got my scooter in spring of 07 and have gone through 5 mirrors. im actually getting quite sick of it even tho i end up getting most of them for free. i just want ones that work and stay in place!!!

[rajron]

Sorry to hear about your mirrors; never really thought about them until I read your post – salt water/air can be brutal, gotta wonder about the other parts of the scooter, cables and bearings in particular, in that kind of environment. Hope you get replacements soon; weather is getting better and better by the day. Have you checked after market mirrors

[bluebuddygirl]

There didn't have to be any water in there. Basically a chemical reaction does happen between different metals, especially ferric versus non-ferric (iron based versus not). This is why you should always use screws/nails of similar metals when attaching things like siding or gutter, or it will corrode very quickly. Most people don't know this, I just watch too much "This Old House".

[jijifer]

There didn't have to be any water in there. Basically a chemical reaction does happen between different metals, especially ferric versus non-ferric (iron based versus not). This is why you should always use screws/nails of similar metals when attaching things like siding or gutter, or it will corrode very quickly. Most people don't know this, I just watch too much "This Old House".

it'd be cool if the mirror stems and that piece they screw into were the same metal. The anti-seizing thing would be a good idea. I don't know if shops prep the mirrors with it. The shop knew exactly what happened and I installed those mirrors myself in August. By installing them I mean, I pulled them out of the box and screwed them in. Funny thing is I admired how they didn't budge a bit after a few pairs that wouldn't tighten it. I had no idea they were rusted in place

[Dooglas]

Pre-emptively pick up a little packet of anti-seize compound at any auto-parts store

Always an excellent idea whenever you are putting steel fasteners into aluminum castings.

[malakai]

Someone here or there replaced the right mirror with Vino 125's. They are sturdier and stay in place. Mine also get loose with riding, apparently they cannot withstand the vibration and it is a hassle to be screwing them back all the time. I would gladly replace them is also the left one from the Vino fits as well.

[Dooglas]

I do like the teardrop shape of the Vino mirrors. Both functional and good looking. (and, yes, they fit the Bud)

[Vic]

I was loading my Bud into a minivan with the help of a guy from The-Shop-That-Shall-Remain-Nameless and he bumped it and snapped the mirror right off, same as how it sounds happened in the OP. They had already closed and we were all in a hurry to get out of there so they just swapped out the whole piece from one of their in stock bikes.

I have used LocTite Blue on my mirrors in order to keep them in place, this has worked beautifully, as of last fall (my Buddy is in storage right now) and I hope that it is okay.

I do find it frustrating that this is something that should be obvious to anyone that has taken a high school chem class (the issue with different metals in constant contact causing corrosion problems) and it is not something that is taken care of with just making sure the metals are compatible... A lost mirror is a safety issue, come on Genuine!

-v

[rsrider]

I don't like the mirrors on the Buddy. They stick out too far and always come loose. You can put some "loctite" to keep them from coming out. Blue 242 is medium and red is high strength.

[malakai]

I do like the teardrop shape of the Vino mirrors. Both functional and good looking. (and, yes, they fit the Bud)

So I can replace both????? I really don't like those Buddy mirrors, they look and behave as cheap metal.

[wifiducky]

the stems broke off right where it goes into the back half of the switches on either side of the handlebar (both mirrors broke!) I was told my only option was buying new back halves of the switches and new mirrors. They said that because it was 2 different kinds of metal it rusted together irreparably. That I must have had debris or water in the hole or on the stem when i screwed them on and that got trapped and thus began to rust together. The stem itself wasn't rusted. the part twisted into the hole was so when they tried to unscrew the mirror it just snapped off.

SOOOO if you take off your mirrors, make sure it's surgically clean and dry when you put them back on to avoid this problem.

i need the back half of my right hand switch where did you get yours ?? the little peg on mine is broken off and my hole right side slides off and on luck for me i have a windshield to keep it on HAHAHA but really need the part

[Dooglas]

Pre-emptively pick up a little packet of anti-seize compound at any auto-parts store (about 2 bucks in a foil pack) and remove the mirrors, apply this goo to threads and re-assemble.

This is really good advice for use on all fasteners on a scooter or motorcycle. Any time you put steel fasteners into alloy castings corrosion will occur to one dgree or another. (here note that your engine and transmission castings are alloy as well)

[Dooglas]

So I can replace both?????

Ah, sure. Just be sure the replacements you pick out have the same size threaded stud and a reverse thread on the right side. (as I said, the Vino mirrors are a direct replacement)

[HowHH]

The teardrop style mirror does look nice and fits with the Buddy style. Wider mirrors do give a better rearward and side view than do the small round Buddy mirrors. Does anyone have an online source for those Vino mirrors? Did a Google search but only turn up basically generic mirrors.

[jmer1234]

What is happening is galvanic corrosion. All metals will oxidize/corrode at varying rates. However, when you put two metals together, the one that will normally corrode faster, will take on the corrosion of the other metal, causing to to corrode faster still, while the slower corroding metal greatly slows down its rate. Ocean going ships take advantage of this by attaching sacrificial plates to the outside of their hull so that they will corrode instead of the steel hull. In this case, especially in a coastal environment, the metal in the mirror is acting as the sacrificial metal. Anti-sieze and loctite work by creating a thin film between the two metals which minimizes their physical contact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion

[Skootz Kabootz]

Galvanic corrosion??? Huh? I swear, the collective knowledge base around here is really quite astounding...

Everything I know I learned from Modern Buddy

[ericalm]

Everything I know I learned from Modern Buddy

How did you survive for so long without it?

Everything I learned, I learned on ModernVespa. Then I came here and started acting like I already knew everything.

[Skootz Kabootz]

Everything I know I learned from Modern Buddy

How did you survive for so long without it?

Everything I learned, I learned on ModernVespa. Then I came here and started acting like I already knew everything.

It's all in the delivery.

[Stormswift]

I have taken the mirrors out for the winter last week so that they would not break off from the weight of the snow (if we get any). What kind of grease can I dump in the holes and slather on other metal parts so that the bike lives through the winter but does not need a major bath in the spring (namely I want to make sure the wheels do not pick up any grease). I mean I can always spray W-40 or whatever that anti-rust stuff is called but if there is something better that is used I would appreciate suggestions.
PS. When I first put the mirrors on I quickly realised that at least one would be facing wrong way or get overtightened if I do I screw then in all the way by hand. So I went part of the way with both then used a whatever wrench I had to tighten the bolt and get the mirror positioned just right. They seem to hold very well this way. Since spring I did not have to make any adjustments at all. When taking them out I loosened the bolts first then unscrewed them . I just do not trust those thin long stems

[TVB]

I have taken the mirrors out for the winter last week so that they would not break off from the weight of the snow (if we get any).

I wouldn't worry about that. Even if the mirrors were laid out flat to catch the most possible snow and not allow it to slide off, and it was a really wet and heavy snow, they still couldn't accumulate enough of it to put a strain on the metal. There just isn't enough surface area. If you want to be double sure, tilt them vertically, and I guarantee that they will not be damaged by the weight of snow.

[Stormswift]

I have taken the mirrors out for the winter last week so that they would not break off from the weight of the snow (if we get any).

I wouldn't worry about that. Even if the mirrors were laid out flat to catch the most possible snow and not allow it to slide off, and it was a really wet and heavy snow, they still couldn't accumulate enough of it to put a strain on the metal. There just isn't enough surface area. If you want to be double sure, tilt them vertically, and I guarantee that they will not be damaged by the weight of snow.

It is not the snow on the mirrors directly. Its the now on the bike cover that will hang off the mirrors. That part right in between with any accumulation can gather quite a lot of snow. If I get shorter Vino mirrors at some point as a replacement I would not worry. Those long thin stems however, with enough pressure on them in cold temperatures (I don't know how temps may be effecting the metal or not) - those stems might snap off inside the bike if bent. They do recommend removing mirrors when transporting the bikes so I just follow along those lines when winterizing. What I am now worried about it the holes that are left exposed to the air. I think I am just going to spray a bit of anti rust compound inside. It can't hurt. When we installed steel soap dishes in the remodeled bathroom to match the rest of the steel handles and shower within a month I noticed rust on the nail heads. We replaced the nail heads but this time I sprayed everything with WD-40. Wiped around the area to prevent oily stuff from running and re-apply WD-40 maybe once a year if I remember. Everything is still holding3 years later. So If it works in the shower I assume it will work even better on the top of the bike that is always covered when not ridden.

[peabody99]

I have a slipstreamer 66 windshield which had its own bolts to go into the console. Well I hit a HUGE pothole and pretty much went airborn, when I landed the right one side stem snapped off in the console. I have duct tape holding it together now (b/c there is a windscreen is mostly stablized. It would be costly to screw the broken bolt out...)

I think I would like to remove the windscreen which means I would lose stablization of the broken right side. Which leads me to the question ...where can I get a bar end mirror for the right side of the Buddy? is there an idiot proof installation method?

edit: here is a thread viewtopic.php?t=4495&highlight=barend+mirror

I would only do the right side though. Just to be difficult I will need to look at this thread closely and see if it is DYS (for non skilled peeps)

edit 2: crap! it looks like surgery needed to be done on the right side to make this work. no can do

[TVB]

It is not the snow on the mirrors directly. Its the now on the bike cover that will hang off the mirrors.

Ah, I understand. Even so, I wouldn't worry too much about the mirror stems breaking. Snowfall usually consists mostly of air, and the snowfall that's dense enough to include a lot of ice also tends to "avalanche" and slide off.

[JHScoot]

buddy mirrors are fairly poopty imo

[malakai]

I do like the teardrop shape of the Vino mirrors. Both functional and good looking. (and, yes, they fit the Bud)

Do both of them fit on a 2009 Buddy? Is that covered by warranty?

[That Scooter Guy]

Everything I learned, I learned on ModernVespa. Then I came here and started acting like I already knew everything.

So that explains the striking similarity between the websites....

well, except this one is better

[Dooglas]

I do like the teardrop shape of the Vino mirrors. Both functional and good looking. (and, yes, they fit the Bud)

Do both of them fit on a 2009 Buddy? Is that covered by warranty?

Yes, they both fit. No, I don't imagine that Genuine pays to replace stock Buddy mirrors with Yamaha mirrors under warranty.