Need some help replacing mirrors

[theflash784]

Hello all- looking for some help. I have a 09 Genuine Buddy 125 with a mid size windscreen. I cracked my left mirror the other week and ordered a new set to replace it. My problem is- I can't get the old one off. I can only get the bolt holding it in place to loosen part way. I had problem with the mirrors coming loose before and my dealer put Locktite on them to keep them in place. I don't know if that is the problem- I will admit to be mechanically challenged. Do I have to take the windscreen off to change the mirrors? I will be grateful for any helpful suggestions. Thank you

[az_slynch]

It really matters which version of Loctite they used.

Loctite 242 is a blue anaerobic threadlocker and can usually be loosened without too much trouble unless they bathed the whole thread in it. A little dab will do ya.

Loctite 271 is a red anaerobic threadlocker and is for lack of better words, a lot more tenacious than the blue stuff. To remove fasteners secured with red Loctite, a heat source usually needs to be applied to the fasteners to soften the threadlocker.

If it's red, it's problematic. You'd have to take the plastic covers off so they don't melt and then heat the mirror mount with a torch or a heat gun. Before proceeding, I would inquire with your dealer about the threadlocker used to secure the mirrors. It might be worth having them as the mirror mount is part of the hand control assembly and breaking it could be costly.

[theflash784]

Thanks. I have no idea which Locktite they used. Maybe I will have to make a trip to the dealer with the mirrors and have them change them

[TVB]

Standard mirror disclaimer/reminder: Make sure you're twisting the mirror stems in the correct direction; the right-side (or is it left-side?) mirror turns the "wrong" way.

I'd definitely recommend removing the windshield first, just to get it out of the way.

The purpose of the bolt around the mirror stems is to provide some additional tension to keep the mirror from rotating once it's in place, so loosening it may be all that you need to do with it. Once it's no longer pressing up against the handlebars, lock onto the stem itself (right at the base if you can reach it), and use whatever leverage you need to turn that... short of breaking it, that is. If it's just a little rusty, pliers might work; if it's more rusty or overly locktited, vice-grip pliers might be needed.

[theflash784]

Thanks Todd. I will give that a try

[Neurotic-Hapi-Snak]

Some WD-40 or other penetrating oil might help. Also there's products, one is called "Freeze Your Nuts Off", that consist of a refrigerant and penetrating oil. They freeze the bolt or nut. Any temperature change can help loosen a stuck fastener because different materials expand and contract at different rates according to temperature. That's why heating stuck bolts works so well.
FYI, red Loctite needs to be heated to 500*F to "break" it.

[Whimscootie]

Hello all- looking for some help. I have a 09 Genuine Buddy 125 with a mid size windscreen. I cracked my left mirror the other week and ordered a new set to replace it. My problem is- I can't get the old one off. I can only get the bolt holding it in place to loosen part way. I had problem with the mirrors coming loose before and my dealer put Locktite on them to keep them in place. I don't know if that is the problem- I will admit to be mechanically challenged. Do I have to take the windscreen off to change the mirrors? I will be grateful for any helpful suggestions. Thank you

Went through this myself when I wanted to replace my stock mirrors with C3 ones.

It is probably the weird rotation of these mirrors. It's not "lefty loose, righty tighty" here.

If you like, I will "test out" my rotation later today and tell you which is clockwise/counterclockwise to remove/install.

Otherwise you'll strip your threads out and you sure don't want to do that!

[BuddyRaton]

The right mirror mount is a left handed thread.

[agrogod]

The right mirror mount is a left handed thread.

In laymans speak, lefty-tighty, righty-loosey.

[theflash784]

I was working on the left mirror because that was the one that is broke. I know about the reverse threading. I did get the bolt at the bottum of the stem loosened- I just couldn't make any head way from there. The mirror stem moves back and forth pretty easily. I was just wondering if the windscreen was holding it down, the locktite or something else I was missing. I will admit to being mechanically challenged but I had hoped I could change out the mirrors without the 20 mile ride to the dealership with a broken mirror.

[Whimscootie]

I was working on the left mirror because that was the one that is broke. I know about the reverse threading. I did get the bolt at the bottum of the stem loosened- I just couldn't make any head way from there. The mirror stem moves back and forth pretty easily. I was just wondering if the windscreen was holding it down, the locktite or something else I was missing. I will admit to being mechanically challenged but I had hoped I could change out the mirrors without the 20 mile ride to the dealership with a broken mirror.

The swivel nut twirls independently and once you back them off as high up as they will go then you rotate the mirror stem out of the threaded hole.

Does that make sense?

Anyway, I had a hell of a time with mine until, "wa la!" it started backing out of the thread hole. It's like it had to be perfectly upright to move out and up!