Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Iron Barrel => Topic started by: Mr.Mazza on April 26, 2014, 05:24:52 am
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Hey guys, it's a rainy weekend down under I'm bored and got thinking.
What is the general opinion of bar end mirrors? Best looking ones and what your rig is?
I'm thinking of installing chrome bar ends, like these ones http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/accessory-frame-handlebars (Scroll a little)
Also how hard is it to install these?
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I have a cheap one from Hitchcocks. It works well but the chrome blistered pretty quickly. Also the expanding wotsit that secures it in the bar end is made out of thin steel and works loose sometimes - not so bad that the mirror falls off though.
That said, it proves the concept and gives a great view astern. The stock, stalk mounted mirrors were hopeless. All I could see in them was my own shoulders.
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I have the round made in England all stainless Halcyon's from Hitchcocks. Top quality, a year later they still look new. And the view when riding is vibration free, they stay where you adjust them to. They cost a bit more than others, but you do get what you pay for. All bar ends require is for you to cut a hole in the end of the grips, you may have to file the inside weld seam in the handlebars so you can insert the bar ends, some not. A small exacto (hobby) knife works pretty good for cutting the hole in the grip, or some just cut off the very end of the grip.
(http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/pictures/category4315/large/92529.jpg)
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Sounds good cafeman! I was thinking those aswell, got any pictures to gimme an idea of the look? Thanks.
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Here ya go 8)
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I used a pair similar to the ones you can get on ebay or Amazon for around $12. They make a chrome version as well.
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/OneDayPic2.jpg) (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/azcatfan/media/OneDayPic2.jpg.html)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/BarEnds1.jpg) (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/azcatfan/media/BarEnds1.jpg.html)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/RE5k.jpg) (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/azcatfan/media/RE5k.jpg.html)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/AprilRE2.jpg) (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/azcatfan/media/AprilRE2.jpg.html)
Pros:
-Cleaned up look and profile. The REs I've seen using the bar ends simply look like they are lower. Even give the illusion of a time before bike had mirrors because they kind of disappear in the profile. I like the way mine aren't very noticeable, which is why I chose black.
-They don't vibrate. The stock lolly pops I had before were pretty much useless because of the vibrations.
-The ones I have are so cheap, if you break them, you can easily replace them and still be under $25
Cons
-Have to alter my view slightly to see them. Not usually a problem for me, my riding style is to look several times by turning my head rather than rely on mirrors anyway. They mostly get used when I'm at a stop watching the bozos behind me for signs that they're going to stop.
-Have to cut/modify the ends of the hand grips. The Iron Barrels didn't come with bar end weights that can just be screwed into or have mirrors attached to. You end up having to cut part of your hand grips off. The passenger side is easy, but the right side has to be done in a way that the throttle still has free movement. The result is a slightly shorter hand grip, and less surface area to rest your hand, but you get used to it and don't even notice after a while.
-These particular ones don't 'break away' so if they get bumped hard and are synched down tight, they may break. The flip side would be bar end mirrors that do break away, which sometimes means a joint in there that make them slightly more bulky.
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I would suggest using a bar end that uses a rubber piece (Napoleon Bar End Japanese ) that expands inside the bar instead of the metal type shown in the picture. I have used both and the rubber mounts are the best.
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Here ya go 8)
those are awesome controls & levers cafeman. Very clean look! Where did you get them? Does that break lever still operate the brake lite.
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i recently bought oval short stem mirrors from hitchcocks for minda. they look cool but useless to see behind you. like i've read, cant see past your elbows. i wish i had gotten the end mirrors.
so tell me, where do you get that canister filter.
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i recently bought oval short stem mirrors from hitchcocks for minda. they look cool but useless to see behind you. like i've read, cant see past your elbows. i wish i had gotten the end mirrors.
so tell me, where do you get that canister filter.
Its the air ace canister, a fabled item.
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those are awesome controls & levers cafeman. Very clean look! Where did you get them? Does that break lever still operate the brake lite.
The levers are nos Doherty 200 Series Racing levers, and the throttle is an nos Tommaselli Super Pratic B. Got 'em off Ebay of all places. Left switch is a replica Lucas Wipac for lo/hi and horn. No brake light on the front, have to use an inline cable switch contraption which requires cutting the cable to insert. I just adjusted the rear brake switch so the slightest nudge activates the brake light.
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The Halcyon's I have came with this style mounting, not the stamped metal setup in the other picture. Not sure if they still offer them like this on all their mirrors or not.
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I got these from eBay for less than 20.
(http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/gallery/thumb_12026-270414221518.jpeg) (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=4448)
The eBay link is here: http://r.ebay.com/S42JMV (http://r.ebay.com/S42JMV). Note - I have Electra bars which have inserts in the bars and didnt need to rely on the rubber inserts; just screwed them in.
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Hi all
Just fitted a round Halcyon Stainless steel bar end mirror bought from Gordon May at Stafford classic show on Saturday. Great quality far superior to the chrome one it replaced.
Cafeman, great looking bike thought mine was polished. 8)
My profile picture shows me outside a cafe at Port Errin on the Isle of man with the Royal Enfield 24 years on from when an exact picture was taken with me on a Suzuki GSXR 750 J progress ;)
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My Fiona proudly wears a pair of 3" Halcyons. Fabulous mirors, yep...
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eBay. $11.95 Free shipping
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eBay. $11.95 Free shipping
Yup, those look like mine, only mine are black. 8)