Mirror Refurb

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Paulrs
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Mirror Refurb

#1 Post by Paulrs » Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:38 pm

Here's one for the DIY enthusiasts among us ........ mirror repair and refinish.

As we all appreciate the Yamaha mirrors are NLA or those that come up are a silly price (unless you are really lucky). I have tried the pattern mirrors and they self adjust with wind, have flat glass and no Yamaha logo on the back.

I noticed on a couple of old mirrors I have that the conical joint in the middle splits along its length and the joint goes loose, making the mirror useless.
Image

So here is a quick guide on how to strip the mirror and repair it, possibly building one good mirror from two knackered ones.

Step 1. Remove the glass
This is easier than it sounds as the glass is clipped in. But you need some sort of sucker pad to grip the glass and to thoroughly warm the mirror shell until it becomes nice and flexible. The suction pad I used was the base of a knife sharpener (stolen from Kitchen). Gradually ease the glass out, flexing the shell outwards to help the minimize the strain on the glass, but make sure you keep the shell nice and warm. Move the sucker round to different position as the glass gradually comes out. Stop trying to remove the glass as soon as the shell starts to cool and stiffen, reheat. Wear some gloves in case the glass does break. Also handy as the plastic at the right temperature its a little to hot to handle!

Image

Image

Step 2. Repair and refinish
Fortunately the only bits of the mirror that are handed are the shell and the glass. For my mirror I remade the broken conical seat, rubbed down and repainted the black bits, including the plastic shell. To rub the shells down I used Norton Expert fine wet and dry sanding sponge, a bit of care and we have nice smooth scratch free shells ready for painting. Fortunately the Yamaha logo was undamaged so this was left alone. Paint for the shell was Eastwood stuff for plastic.

Image

Step 3. Reassembly
The various springs and bits all go back the same as they came out, along with the new conical joint (made from black Acetyl). The glass pops back in easily if the shell is heated until flexible again. Out of sympathy to the Eastwood plastic paint the heat was applied to the inside of the shell with the hot air gun, .

This is what we have for our efforts:
Image

Happy days :grin:
Paul

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tacky1
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#2 Post by tacky1 » Mon Oct 09, 2017 7:32 pm

Nice one Paul, I have a few lying around and I must give this a try..
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
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1984 GPZ750 Turbo

rd84
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#3 Post by rd84 » Mon Oct 09, 2017 8:42 pm

Brilliant ! - a big thanks for sharing this.

Cheers
Paul

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jackson.40
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#4 Post by jackson.40 » Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:05 am

Great work!, thanks for sharing :cool:

Steve

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Rick Lance
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#5 Post by Rick Lance » Tue Oct 10, 2017 5:12 pm

Excellent work, Paul. Thank you!
If I disagree with everyone, that doesn't make me right. If I take the side of only one, it doesn't end the fight. If my position's strong enough from exposure to the light, you may see things my way when we share the same highway.

hyperduc
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#6 Post by hyperduc » Tue Oct 10, 2017 7:43 pm

Impressive work!
I can now stop looking for replacements and get started on rehabbing my stock ones.
Thanks!
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rd84
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#7 Post by rd84 » Wed Oct 11, 2017 7:58 am

What's the chance of getting some of the conical joints made for sale ?

Thanks.

Cheers
Paul

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tacky1
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#8 Post by tacky1 » Wed Oct 11, 2017 11:12 am

rd84 wrote:What's the chance of getting some of the conical joints made for sale ?

Thanks.

Cheers
Paul
LOL, I was thinking the same.. :smt003
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 GPZ750 Turbo

Paulrs
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Location: Royston, UK

Re: Mirror Refurb

#9 Post by Paulrs » Wed Oct 11, 2017 3:57 pm

Thanks for the encouraging words guys.

Yes, I had thought of getting the conical joints made. I am lucky enough to have a lathe in the garage, but the internal radius that forms part of the ball joint is time consuming to produce on my rather basic machine and really lends itself to being CNC produced.

If there is enough interest I will talk to a local machine shop and get a price.

I did try using parts from a pattern mirror, but unfortunately that joint in particular is rather badly/cheaply copied and basically rubbish!

Paul

podman
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#10 Post by podman » Wed Oct 11, 2017 6:10 pm

tacky1 wrote:
rd84 wrote:What's the chance of getting some of the conical joints made for sale ?

Thanks.

Cheers
Paul
LOL, I was thinking the same.. :smt003

...and me!

Great work anyway mate.

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Re: Mirror Refurb

#11 Post by Vin » Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:14 am

I would be in for 4 conical joints if available?

Paulrs
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#12 Post by Paulrs » Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:59 pm

I have drawn up the conical joint and was planning to get a price for a small batch from a local machine shop I use. I was going to get them produced in black Acetal as its tough, finishes well, is self colored and the one I made myself matches the original part really well, but will also check out 3D printing to see how it compares.

I know Vin has asked for 4, is anybody else interested?

No commitment at this stage, just trying to get an idea of quantity as this will heavily influence the price.

Regards
Paul

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Re: Mirror Refurb

#13 Post by Vin » Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:43 am

Come on guy's Paul needs numbers.

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jackson.40
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#14 Post by jackson.40 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:50 pm

Put me down for two :cool:

Steve

podman
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Re: Mirror Refurb

#15 Post by podman » Mon Dec 18, 2017 5:18 pm

I don't need them at this moment in time but ill have 2 as well as insurance if it helps get an order off the ground Paul.

Cheers.

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