The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: jgp1854 on September 25, 2011, 08:57:29 PM
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Greetings,
Any recommendations on bar end mirrors? I thinking I may like to try them. Any issues when installing I should be made aware of?
thanks
jgp
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Most folks use Napoleons.
This review (http://www.canyonchasers.net/reviews/accessories/napoleon.php) says "...that Napoleon is no longer manufacturing this product and all existing stocks have been depleted."
Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Napoleon-Bar-End-Mirror/dp/B004WPP3YW) has them for $50 ea. or $90 a pair, which makes one think that the above is true.
But I found two other sources that seem to have them at a reasonable price and don't mention lack of availability. There could be other sources, as well (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=pfwc&cp=13&gs_id=1m&xhr=t&q=napoleon+bar+end+mirrors&qe=bmFwb2xlb24gYmFyIA&qesig=4Un4jYri-yiCbwOUA2V_LA&pkc=AFgZ2tl6a9n4Ibi-xupbDTcLE60LEQReqFRPQvxcnhYDoc5dQ6T7Y4UMWlcPXFSysekN74Fq_CD0ECpCG3mYYSNAEQ7bvJqILQ&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&safe=off&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=napoleon+bar+&aq=0&aqi=g4&aql=f&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=c7e5b3799a5d75c2&biw=1024&bih=617) (Google link).
$32/ea - http://newbonneville.com/html/napoleon_barend_mirrors.html
$39/ea - http://www.oldbritts.com/ob_7020.htm
I don't know if there are other brands other than Napoleon. I've never seen Napoleons myself, but back in the '80s I had a pair of Albert brand, and they were not very user friendly. If you happen to find a pair, I would recommend saving yourself the trouble.
There are these CRG brand (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/68/15727/ITEM/CRG-Hindsight-Bar-End-Mirror.aspx), but they look expensive at $68/ea, which doesn't include the $18 adapter to fit inside the handlebar.
Google for more (http://www.google.com/#pq=napoleon+bar+end+mirrors&hl=en&sugexp=pfwc&cp=0&gs_id=5&xhr=t&q=bar+end+mirrors&qe=YmFyIGVuZCBtaXJyb3Jz&qesig=XEDaYdKTOKLMB0hQGjkWsA&pkc=AFgZ2tmSohRU_rug1gqvnrNYz0KQcR6uQ3-ko9gezVJ4b66Pr_TlB8bU08GUjVQG0fncprx4RjPfAoQM2Rigg32bYTNQbEOYQQ&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&safe=off&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=bar+end+mirrors&aq=0&aqi=g1g-c3&aql=f&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=c7e5b3799a5d75c2&biw=1024&bih=617).
At $13.50, you might not go wrong with these Emgos, even if they are not the best: http://www.bikebandit.com/emgo-bar-end-mirror?WT.mc_id=1484958&CAWELAID=338440117
Or go overseas: http://classicpartsltd.com/classic-motorcycle-products/classic-motorcycle-mirrors.html
But if you have BMW heated grips, don't bother. You have to cut a hole in the end of the grip for the expanding insert (on most types) and the wires for the heating elements are right there at the end of the grip.
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The expanding inserts are usually pretty flimsy, you can get a better result by substituting an expansion anchor from your local hardware store. I had good results with a solid rubber 'Rawlplug' anchor. It has a brass insert and comes in 5/16 th" thread which is the imperial equivalent of the 8mm bolt usually supplied.
I had bar end mirrors for years, I liked the look but broke heaps of them as they hang out there pretty exposed. They were the same style as the emgo or napolean one on Rob's links.
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I did install Napoleon Bar Ends on my R65... notice a big enhancement on my visibility with them... although as Bruce said, the anchor piece on the throttle grip gets stuck a little bit, so throttle gets stuck, which is something you have to be careful with!!!
I did a hole a little bit bigger on mine and it works perfectly...
Here´s some of the suggestions and pics from the guys at the forum when I installed them!!
http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1310604126/0#0
Have fun!