Mirror Image!

dcj13 · September 27th, 2015, 02:18 PM

Went for a cool, crystal clear, autumn ride this morning on the KLR250 around West Seattle via Ambaum, Marine View Drive, Alki, West Marginal Way, and Burien Freeway. Lovely low-traffic ride: the baby KLR is just right for rough pavement, potholes, and urban streets.

Noticed something kind of interesting on the freeway: the image in the left-hand mirror is significantly better (less vibration) than in the right-hand mirror. Any ideas as to why? Clutch basket and exhaust system are on the LH side of bike. But any frame vibration to the mirrors is fed through the steering head bearings, wiring, and cabling.

Any thoughts? Or similar (or different) observations?

choneofakind · September 27th, 2015, 02:25 PM

Maybe the bushing/ball in the articulating joint isn't tightened down and the mirror is shaking? Is one easier to move than the other when you adjust the mirrors?

Or maybe there's something slightly different about the mounts? idk. Small differences in the base with a cantilevered weight might make just enough difference in vibration frequency that you could notice it visually in the mirror's movement.

csmith12 · September 27th, 2015, 02:52 PM

And what do you see in the mirror? Does it look like this?

dcj13 · September 27th, 2015, 03:44 PM

Only when I look at myself (in either mirror).

Motofool · September 28th, 2015, 05:37 AM

The vibration reaching the steering head is the same, but how it behaves from that point on depends basically of the mass of each side, including the handle bar half and things mounted on it.
Everything has a natural frequence regarding vibrations, the half or side that vibrates more has a natural frequence that is closer to the frequence of the vibrations reaching the steering head.
You could experiment adding some weight to the right mirror or right side of the handlebar.

dcj13 · September 28th, 2015, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

You could experiment adding some weight to the right mirror or right side of the handlebar.

Good point! In the name of science, I might try that.

But first, I will try to determine qualitatively if the two mirrors behave differently from each other at various frequencies (RPMs).

Fortunately, the vib in the baby KLR mirror is not debilitating. (K75 has no apparent mirror vib, by the way. Smooth...).

September 27th, 2015, 02:18 PM	#1
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Mirror Image! Went for a cool, crystal clear, autumn ride this morning on the KLR250 around West Seattle via Ambaum, Marine View Drive, Alki, West Marginal Way, and Burien Freeway. Lovely low-traffic ride: the baby KLR is just right for rough pavement, potholes, and urban streets. Noticed something kind of interesting on the freeway: the image in the left-hand mirror is significantly better (less vibration) than in the right-hand mirror. Any ideas as to why? Clutch basket and exhaust system are on the LH side of bike. But any frame vibration to the mirrors is fed through the steering head bearings, wiring, and cabling. Any thoughts? Or similar (or different) observations?

September 27th, 2015, 02:25 PM	#2
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Maybe the bushing/ball in the articulating joint isn't tightened down and the mirror is shaking? Is one easier to move than the other when you adjust the mirrors? Or maybe there's something slightly different about the mounts? idk. Small differences in the base with a cantilevered weight might make just enough difference in vibration frequency that you could notice it visually in the mirror's movement.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

September 27th, 2015, 02:52 PM	#3
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	And what do you see in the mirror? Does it look like this? __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

September 28th, 2015, 05:37 AM	#5
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	The vibration reaching the steering head is the same, but how it behaves from that point on depends basically of the mass of each side, including the handle bar half and things mounted on it. Everything has a natural frequence regarding vibrations, the half or side that vibrates more has a natural frequence that is closer to the frequence of the vibrations reaching the steering head. You could experiment adding some weight to the right mirror or right side of the handlebar. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

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September 27th, 2015, 03:44 PM	#4
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Only when I look at myself (in either mirror).