Bar-End Mirrors

[mikea]

A few years ago I attempted to install Napoleon bar-end mirrors on my R100R. These are the type that have an expanding rubber piece that expands inside the handlebar.

To save my life, I could not get the stem inside the handlebar. I assumed it was due to the 22mm BMW bar being smaller than the 7/8" bar that the mirrors are designed for. I tried to shave down one mirror; ended up ruining it.

Since then, while surfing the net, I have seen a lot of BMW's with the Napoleon mirrors. Since the chrome on my factory mirrors is beginning to flake, I am thinking of trying bar-ends again.

Question (finally): What the heck did I do wrong? Any help will be much appreciated.
mike

[Mika]

I am not certain you did anything wrong.

When I had my R100 I put bar end mirrors on it. It took two attempts. The first was frustrating and resulted in shipping the mirrors back to the company I purchased them from. A period of time passed and a box came with mirrors, a letter apologizing for sending the wrong mirrors originally and a refund. Just because you ordered the right part doesn’t mean they shipped the right part.

[cjack]

A few years ago I attempted to install Napoleon bar-end mirrors on my R100R. These are the type that have an expanding rubber piece that expands inside the handlebar.

To save my life, I could not get the stem inside the handlebar. I assumed it was due to the 22mm BMW bar being smaller than the 7/8" bar that the mirrors are designed for. I tried to shave down one mirror; ended up ruining it.

Since then, while surfing the net, I have seen a lot of BMW's with the Napoleon mirrors. Since the chrome on my factory mirrors is beginning to flake, I am thinking of trying bar-ends again.

Question (finally): What the heck did I do wrong? Any help will be much appreciated.
mike

I've seen a variation in the thickness of the bar material by BMW. Some bars for some models are thicker material than for other models. So the inside is smaller even though the outside is 22 mm.

[ebeeby]

I have had to modify bar end mirrors by replacing the 2 piece metal expanding section or if it is rubber/plastic, with a new piece of vacuum hose. I make my own "expander" out of large german vacuum hose (left over from a Porsche project from the past). The hose has a braided fabric over rubber. But you can easily find hose at your local auto parts store. Tightening the bolt causes the rubber hose to bunch up within the bar making a very secure mounting. I do use a split style lock washer with the nut that is at the end of the clinching bolt inside the bar as this keeps the nut from spinning as I tighten the clinching bolt from the outside.

Eric

[mikea]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

ebeeby,
I think I still have the trimmed (ruined) mirror. I will try your hose suggestion.

thanks, mike

[12bswayed]

I bought a Flander's R90S low bar for my bike (cuz it had a high bar on it when I bought it) along with the Napolean mirrors. I took my handle bars to a machine shop, along with the mirror, and had them machine out some of the thinkness of the bar. Mirrors went in without a problem.

[Boxerkuh]

Before my RS was a S, I had the napoleon bar end mirrors on them. I did not have any problems mounting them. I did use a piece of "chim" on the throttle side, so that throttle would still function properly. You will need to change your grips and have open grips. Also, make sure you get the napoleon mirrors and not any cheaper kind, they vibrate and you can't see out of them...