choneofakind
March 3rd, 2012, 10:36 PM
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 (http://www.d2moto.com/p-4901-2000-2001-yamaha-yzf-r1-jet-black-racing-mirrors.aspx). $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:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7789
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:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7787
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
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7786
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.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7784
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:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7783
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 :o ) 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.
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 (http://www.d2moto.com/p-4901-2000-2001-yamaha-yzf-r1-jet-black-racing-mirrors.aspx). $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:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7789
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:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7787
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
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7786
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.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7784
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:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=893&pictureid=7783
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 :o ) 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.