DIY R1 mirrors on a 250

[choneofakind]

So I was reading on faq.ninja250.org on how to get better looking mirrors for my bike, because I really hate that dumb elbow joint in the oem mirrors, but they really don't give much info on it, so I figured a DIY was necessary. My original plan was to modify the bracket to get it to work, but once I finally saw the mirrors, I realized that was not happening, so I did it the way they suggested, and illustrated it for you all. This is my first DIY, so bear with me, and pardon the mess; I was doing other stuff that day as well.

NOTE: nothing done to the bike in this DIY is permanent. If you decide to do this, and don't like the result, you can easily take your ninja back to the way it was before. Also, the method I used for mounting these mirrors is also how you'll want to install other universal fairing-mounted mirrors if you find another style you like better; the only difference will be possibly the nut you need, and the wrench to tighten said nut.

What you'll need:

• R1 mirrors
• two 10mm nuts
• 10mm wrench
• about a half hour of time

These are basic R1 aftermarket mirrors from D2 moto. $20, not a bad deal. They also come in carbon if that's what you're into. The oem mirrors are on the top, R1 mirrors are on bottom:



First step: take off the windscreen, removing the fairing is optional.

The next thing you'll want to do is take off those dumb rubber seals that the oem mirrors are mounted on. They pull right out, without any damage. It will look like this:



Test fit the mirrors, you'll notice that they fit in the existing holes, but the posts on the R1 mirrors are skinnier than the holes in the frame. This leaves wiggle room. You'll also notice that it's going to be a b***h to get a nut on the lowest post. I forgot to take a picture, but my solution was simple. I wrapped the lower post in teflon tape so that it wouldn't wiggle in the hole. Then I used a nut to tighten on the top post. This keeps the mirror on solidly, without wiggling

here's the technique that I found easiest to get the nut started. It really helps to have small hands



Now it's time for your 10mm wrench. You're going to have to tighten the nut one partial-turn at a time. Kind of annoying, but really doesn't take too long.



Congrats! now you have one mirror secured onto the bike. Repeat this for the other mirror, and then re-install the windscreen, and you're done. It should look like this when you're done with both mirrors:



Note on re-installing the windscreen: Make sure to start, but not tighten all screws so that all the holes can be aligned without putting stress on the screen. Then tighten them lightly, starting with the center-most screws, working your way outward.

So far, the visibility doesn't seem to be any better than the oem mirrors (just from sitting on it in my garage ) but hopefully I'll have a better gauge on that later this week after some test-riding.

EDIT: The view of the rear is about the same as the oem mirrors. The shape of the mirror is a little different though, so it takes some getting used to initially, but I have no gripes with these mirrors. They don't vibrate, they look good, and they aren't expensive at all.

[zCasanova]

Can we get pics of the aftermath?

[choneofakind]

@zCasanova, the last picture has the finished product I'll get some more pictures hopefully next time I'm out. I don't feel like more garage pictures.

Compare the R1 mirrors on the bike with the oem mirrors on the bike seen in this picture:


They're more round and slender, without those dumb looking elbow joints built into the stalks

[gilmorec61]

Dont see any after picture?

[C L]

I see no pictures

[choneofakind]

Any better? Album was private. Now it's public in an attempt to get these pictures to show up. I've seen my own pictures the whole time

EDIT: Anyone? pictures working?

[C L]

still no pics show up for me

[choneofakind]

Well I just uploaded the pictures to ninjette today, so maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe @Alex can help diagnose the picture problem if they still aren't visible tomorrow. They still look good to me

[C L]

They're up now

[Alex]

Pictures seem fine to me.

[choneofakind]

darn those random picture gremlins

[alex.s]

not bad, chodeofakind

[CZroe]

Can we get a good front shot of them fully installed?

[choneofakind]

yes. tomorrow. If it warms up. If not tomorrow, then Wednesday.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

yes. tomorrow. If it warms up. If not tomorrow, then Wednesday.

It is Thursday! What the hell choneofakind. I want to see a quality pic of these mirrors. NOW.

[choneofakind]

Hang on!! I got them Wednesday in my ride!!

...I just might have forgotten a little bit to put them up because I went straight from working on the bike to going to dinner with my girlfriend.


EDIT: here's the pictures of the final result. They're stable and don't move up to speeds of about 90











I think they look loads better than the stock mirrors. very happy with my work

[CZroe]

Wow! What a difference. I see you already have Asian Cycle flush mounts, integrated rear signals, ZG double-bubble, and fairing mesh. Now you just need to get a green cowl-line seat cover, black out the exhaust, polish the rims, de-sticker the bike (once rims no longer match), and paint over the outer bubble of that double-bubble!

OK, I guess that's a lot, but I WANT TO SEE IT! :P

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by CZroe

Wow! What a difference. I see you already have Asian Cycle flush mounts, integrated rear signals, ZG double-bubble, and fairing mesh. Now you just need to get a green cowl-line seat cover, black out the exhaust, polish the rims, de-sticker the bike (once rims no longer match), and paint over the outer bubble of that double-bubble!

OK, I guess that's a lot, but I WANT TO SEE IT! :P

no. the green doesn't match. no. I like the polished aluminum on my slip-ons, no. I like the purple. no. ditto. plus that would leave me with a random purple chin fairing that matches nothing. no. I've seen some pictures of that, and it looks goofy.

hahaha any more suggestions?

[MikeBudd]

Definitely looks better, and is obviously much more functional than the stock mirrors!

Good job

[choneofakind]

I appreciate that MikeBudd, but they really aren't anything fancy in the functional department. They're the same view of my elbows

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

...I've seen some pictures of that, and it looks goofy.

hahaha any more suggestions?

You sure about that? Then try painting the stock windscreen.



You can make a custom-shaped headlight that doesn't look "goofy"

[Jono]

Thank you!!! The mirrors look GREAT!

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by CZroe

You can make a custom-shaped headlight that doesn't look "goofy"

eh, more money than I want to spend... I like making mods that look like they came from the factory that way, and once you start into custom headlight shapes and cutting into fairing and whatnot, that adds up quick. Not to mention, if I had that kind of money, I would be doing the new-gen suspension and newgen woodcraft bars swap instead of a new headlight. Likely an EFI conversion kit with the UK TB as well

(I still think that looks kinda goofy and I use my camera through my windscreen, so that would kinda kill my video ability)

I really can't see the headlight when I'm riding.

Originally Posted by Jono

Thank you!!! The mirrors look GREAT!

I like them too. Definite improvement when you get rid of those elbow joints
Notice how clean and pretty she is also

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

...
I really can't see the headlight when I'm riding.

I understand, but don't tell me you wouldn't want to turn a few more heads while you're at it!

[choneofakind]

Hey don't forget that I'm with the bike also whenever it's out and about. Trust me; heads turn

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Hey don't forget that I'm with the bike also whenever it's out and about. Trust me; heads turn

I bet they do! "What was that hideous beast doing to that pretty green Belle?!"

[choneofakind]

no. They definitely wonder who the sexy beast on that FIIIIINE lime green Kawi is

EDIT: awwwwwwh! you called my green bike pretty!! isn't yours blue?? Color traitor!

[choneofakind]

Bump on this thread. I just looked at the link I have for mirrors in this DIY. It looks like D2Moto is constantly changing their stock and no longer has those R1 mirrors

[lolibater]

As it looks like D2 has discontinued those mirrors, based on your install, do you think these would fit well?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-04-05-06...cd22d1&vxp=mtr

[choneofakind]

Yeah, those should work! They're just basic R1 mirrors. I think '05 was the year mine were for. Give them a try. I like the look on mine a ton better.

[lolibater]

Thanks for the write up! Made my installation real simple

[choneofakind]

Good! Post your pics here if you want.

[lolibater]

Will do. I'll go snap one when I go pick up lunch.

[lolibater]

[choneofakind]

nice

[csmith12]

hmmm.... I don't use my R6 mirrors anymore, wonder if they will fit. I bet they will. Will update.

[iplante]

Any cool aftermarket R1/6 that would be awesome on a Ninjette?

[choneofakind]

Idk, I'm sure the aftermarket ones will work fine, but I chose the stock R1 ones because I liked the look.