Vibrating mirrors.

[WALKERMAN]

I use a Cateye mirror and I don't have any vibration problem but it swivels far to easily, even in a strong wind. Has anyone got any ideas as to how to make it stay put as I don't like adjusting it while I am riding?

 

[allen-uk]

Just an update for Blew, OldTimer, etc...

Old bike bars are lovely and straight, scarcely a bend on them. And only 24", as opposed to the Wisper's 25". As it's already a shoehorn job getting all the controls on, I'm going to forget that option.

Nice 18mm bit, Dave, thanks for the link. Problem there is that it's got a 13mm shank, while my trusty old Bosch drill has a 10mm chuck.

I did find an 18mm bit with a 10mm shank on the www, which was £57.

I shall stuff my Busch & Muller back into the bars and ride very slowly instead.


Allen.

 

[Blew it]

Cateye mirrors are not very good for bikes with 600 mm or less, straightish handlebars, as already mentioned, all you see is your elbow. During the winter months, when wearing a jacket, the view is even more restricted.

The Cateye BM500G shown above (the 300G is a small round mirror) is just about useable on a Synergie Mistral which has 640 mm wide bars with a slight sweep-back, but it does go out of adjustment with the slightest bump in the road.

The American made Mirrycle comes with two interchangeable spigots and will fit all standard diameter bars as well as oversize with the larger spigot fitted. I would strongly recommend, when assembling the Mirrycle, smear a little grease on the threads of the bolts. The spigot bolt screws into the usual barrel nut, both are steel and can corrode after time making removal difficult.

The threaded brass inserts for the other two screws have segmented tapered threads. Providing these screws are correctly tightened, this will allow the mirror head to be swung inboard for negotiating door and gateposts, but stay put when returned to the riding position. Steel screws into brass inserts can get a bit 'creaky' hence the need for a little grease during assembly.

 

[allen-uk]

The path of least resistance being the plastic bit that stuffs into the steel handlebars, I took a knife to that instead, slicing off bits that seemed excessive, et voila, it fitted.

Round the block, over some (aren't they all?) bumpy N London roads, and result, excellent. Top Mirror, the Blackburn. Vibration-free, good rear image, far enough out to miss your elbow. Really pleased with that, thanks Dave!

I might even do the same on the nearside, as the other advantage of that particular mirror is that you can bend it right in to 90° to stop it getting in the way in sheds, hallways, etc.

Thanks again for the tip.

Allen.

 

[WALKERMAN]

I use a Cateye mirror and I don't have any vibration problem but it swivels far to easily, even in a strong wind. Has anyone got any ideas as to how to make it stay put as I don't like adjusting it while I am riding?

I had this problem for months - having to keep adjusting the mirror as it moved too easily. Last week I decided to see if I could fit a grub screw to tighten it - and then I noticed there was already one there.
My apologies to Cateye - IT'S AN EXCELLENT MIRROR: o