DIY - $10 Newgen Mirror Extenders

NathanF · June 27th, 2011, 03:08 AM

Like many of you, I quickly found that the stock mirrors on the newgen Ninja aren't great - unless you like looking at your elbows, or contorting yourself in strange ways to get a good view.

I thought about buying the premade extenders, but a) they didn't look long enough, and b) there was no way in hell this cheapskate was going to spend $65 on a little piece of metal.

Here's what I whipped up out of the following:

1/2 x 3/4 Aluminum Bar Stock - $6.19
1/4 Aluminum Sheet Stock - (I had this lying around, common and cheap)
Misc Bolts / Washers - $4

Pic of the parts that make up the extender. Cut on a chop saw with regular finishing wood blade, rounded over on oscillating spindle sander for wood and drilled with drill press. Bolts had to be grinded down to fit perfectly without excess.

Painted and installed with nylon lock nuts and bolts:

Overall, it works perfectly (done a few long trips since, no issues) and you can make them whatever length you want. If I wanted it to be more pretty, I could try to find some hex socket bolts with smaller heads, but I probably won't bother.

Being cheap wins again!

g21-30 · June 27th, 2011, 04:25 AM

Looks good! Great job.

dubojr1 · June 27th, 2011, 05:55 AM

Wow! Nice job. Maybe some allen head bolts and some recessed nylon nuts and this could be perfect.

bob706 · June 27th, 2011, 05:59 AM

Looks good

Alex · June 27th, 2011, 06:12 AM

/linked from the main DIY sticky

CThunder-blue · June 27th, 2011, 08:34 AM

awesome DIY! Great job on those.

setasai · June 27th, 2011, 12:28 PM

That looks perfect. Fantastic job. I might need to copy that exactly. How are the vibrations? Do the bolts hold it in place well enough that it doesnt shift from the wind?

caps · June 27th, 2011, 12:53 PM

what are the chances of making these for the forum?

alex.s · June 27th, 2011, 01:29 PM

nice work! *clap clap*

NathanF · June 27th, 2011, 03:55 PM

Thanks for the kind comments everyone. To answer questions:

1) Vibrations are probably worse than stock, but I haven't noticed, and never did any detailed comparison. Suffice it to say, for my purposes, it works perfectly.

2) The bolts have held everything in the wind for two 100+ mile trips now. I've got nylon lock nuts on but no loctite, time will tell if that is needed. Of course, I usually stay at 65 mph or less, so YMMV if you cruise around at 90 mph all day long.

3) I'm afraid it's a bit too labor intensive for this unskilled craftsmen to make for the forum (not to mention bad for my spindle sander belts in the long term) but I'd be happy to answer any questions!

4) As for making it more pretty, black socket button head bolts would be the way to go, as suggested above: http://www.boltdepot.com/material.aspx?cc=13&cs=72 Not sure about the nuts though..would be pretty hard to recess them I think. Then again, my metal working skills are not great.

setasai · June 27th, 2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanF

Thanks for the kind comments everyone. To answer questions:

1) Vibrations are probably worse than stock, but I haven't noticed, and never did any detailed comparison. Suffice it to say, for my purposes, it works perfectly.

2) The bolts have held everything in the wind for two 100+ mile trips now. I've got nylon lock nuts on but no loctite, time will tell if that is needed. Of course, I usually stay at 65 mph or less, so YMMV if you cruise around at 90 mph all day long.

3) I'm afraid it's a bit too labor intensive for this unskilled craftsmen to make for the forum (not to mention bad for my spindle sander belts in the long term) but I'd be happy to answer any questions!

4) As for making it more pretty, black socket button head bolts would be the way to go, as suggested above: http://www.boltdepot.com/material.aspx?cc=13&cs=72 Not sure about the nuts though..would be pretty hard to recess them I think. Then again, my metal working skills are not great.

Cool thanks for replying so quickly. Personally, I think the hex bolts work fine and recessing isnt really necessary. Could you add some measurements to your photo? I'm wondering how long you made each part.

NathanF · June 27th, 2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setasai

Could you add some measurements to your photo? I'm wondering how long you made each part.

Already did earlier today!

(You may have to Ctrl-F5 to refresh the page.)

Live2ride · June 27th, 2011, 06:13 PM

Goodjob, u got a much better responce than my DIY did, lol. Looks good

.

setasai · June 27th, 2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanF

Already did earlier today!

(You may have to Ctrl-F5 to refresh the page.)

Oops. Yes I did. Perfect. Thanks.

Buffalony · June 27th, 2011, 11:00 PM

Good work Nate. Thank you for contributing this DIY.

Not bad work for someone not good with metal.

You may have just given me a summer project. I'm pretty good with metal, maybe I can fab some of these up for the forum.

After you removed the covers from the fairing to mirror arm bolts...did that render them useless or can they be reapplied? I'm not by the bike now but I recall they are a foam like material correct? Not sure if you just didnt put them back on or they were destroyed in the process.

NathanF · June 28th, 2011, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalony

After you removed the covers from the fairing to mirror arm bolts...did that render them useless or can they be reapplied? I'm not by the bike now but I recall they are a foam like material correct? Not sure if you just didnt put them back on or they were destroyed in the process.

If memory serves, one came off intact and the other with a small tear / wrinkling, even though I was careful. I actually forgot about them...I'll have to see where I put them.

caps · June 28th, 2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalony

You may have just given me a summer project. I'm pretty good with metal, maybe I can fab some of these up for the forum.

you can feel free to send some of these down here for my review aswell

Live2ride · June 28th, 2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalony

After you removed the covers from the fairing to mirror arm bolts...did that render them useless or can they be reapplied? I'm not by the bike now but I recall they are a foam like material correct? Not sure if you just didnt put them back on or they were destroyed in the process.

When/since I made my mirror extenders I've probably taken both of the covers off at least 20 times and reapplied them with no problems. I never used any additional adhesive to reapply them either, just pulled them off and stuck them back on. While they were off I stuck them to a clean surface to prevent dust and dirt from sticking to the adhesive; simple as that.

Buffalony · June 28th, 2011, 09:49 AM

thanks Cody.

June 27th, 2011, 05:55 AM	#3
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Wow! Nice job. Maybe some allen head bolts and some recessed nylon nuts and this could be perfect. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

June 27th, 2011, 06:12 AM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	/linked from the main DIY sticky __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

June 27th, 2011, 08:34 AM	#6
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	awesome DIY! Great job on those. __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

June 27th, 2011, 12:53 PM	#8
caps Sexy Beast Name: Mat Location: Tampa Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R, 2006 ZX-14, 2012 Ducati Monster Posts: A lot.	what are the chances of making these for the forum? __________________________________________________ 2010 Ninja 250 2006 Ninja ZX-14 ^Both Links

June 27th, 2011, 01:29 PM	#9
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	nice work! clap clap __________________________________________________

June 27th, 2011, 04:25 AM	#2
g21-30 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sam Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.	Looks good! Great job.

June 27th, 2011, 05:59 AM	#4
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	Looks good

June 27th, 2011, 12:28 PM	#7
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	That looks perfect. Fantastic job. I might need to copy that exactly. How are the vibrations? Do the bolts hold it in place well enough that it doesnt shift from the wind?

June 27th, 2011, 03:55 PM	#10
NathanF ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: Portland, Oregon Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 V-Strom 650 ABS Posts: 166	Thanks for the kind comments everyone. To answer questions: 1) Vibrations are probably worse than stock, but I haven't noticed, and never did any detailed comparison. Suffice it to say, for my purposes, it works perfectly. 2) The bolts have held everything in the wind for two 100+ mile trips now. I've got nylon lock nuts on but no loctite, time will tell if that is needed. Of course, I usually stay at 65 mph or less, so YMMV if you cruise around at 90 mph all day long. 3) I'm afraid it's a bit too labor intensive for this unskilled craftsmen to make for the forum (not to mention bad for my spindle sander belts in the long term) but I'd be happy to answer any questions! 4) As for making it more pretty, black socket button head bolts would be the way to go, as suggested above: http://www.boltdepot.com/material.aspx?cc=13&cs=72 Not sure about the nuts though..would be pretty hard to recess them I think. Then again, my metal working skills are not great.

June 27th, 2011, 06:13 PM	#13
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	Goodjob, u got a much better responce than my DIY did, lol. Looks good . __________________________________________________

June 27th, 2011, 11:00 PM	#15
Buffalony ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Joe Location: Buffalo NY Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.	Good work Nate. Thank you for contributing this DIY. Not bad work for someone not good with metal. You may have just given me a summer project. I'm pretty good with metal, maybe I can fab some of these up for the forum. After you removed the covers from the fairing to mirror arm bolts...did that render them useless or can they be reapplied? I'm not by the bike now but I recall they are a foam like material correct? Not sure if you just didnt put them back on or they were destroyed in the process. __________________________________________________

June 28th, 2011, 09:49 AM	#19
Buffalony ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Joe Location: Buffalo NY Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.	thanks Cody. __________________________________________________

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