If you are looking for information on how to install bar end mirrors, you are in the right place. With this guide, you will learn everything there is to know about bar end mirrors – including the step by step process of installing them on your bike.
The main reason most riders like bar end mirrors is that they provide great views of the arms. If you wish to learn how to install bar end mirrors for this reason, then you might want to go straight to the ends of the bars.
To cut a nice rounded hole on the ends of your bike’s grips without making ragged edges, we would recommend that you use a small hole cutter. By so doing, your bars will still feel comfortable to the touch – even after you’ve installed the mirrors.
Install Bar End Mirrors Easily And Quickly Reviews:
Why Bar End Mirrors?
Whether you ride a café bike or you have a conventional motorcycle, learning how to install bar end mirrors will require that you use the best products the market has to offer. Although you might be tempted to reach out for cheap China-made knock-offs, your bike, as well as your image, will thank you for paying a little extra to get quality mirrors.
Ideally, the bar end mirrors you wish to invest in should be the right size – not too big or too small. You should also check the quality of the mirrors to ensure that you get the best (or something close to the best) the market has to offer.
Where possible, look for mirrors that are 100% steel. By so doing, you will escape the corrosion that tends to affect most motorcycle parts. In the same way, go for bar end mirrors that you can quickly crank around. This way, you’ll have an easy time repositioning them – which will come in handy when you need to park your bike in a tight space.
What You Will Need
So, what should you do while learning how to install bar end mirrors? What will you need to complete this project on your own? Although you might be tempted to take your motorcycle to a mechanic for the installation, we’d advise that you do it at home.
Apart from the mechanical experience you will gain, knowing how to install bar end mirrors will come in handy the next time you need to replace the mirrors due to damage or after you get bored with your current mirrors.
Here is what you will need to install the mirrors by yourself:
- Bar end mirrors
- 5mm Allen Wrench
- 3mm Allen Wrench
Step By Step Instructions
1. Buy The Mirrors
The first step, of course, would be to buy some high-quality bar end mirrors. As you shop, read the reviews posted abut each pair of mirrors so that you know what you will be getting.
A good recommendation for people with electric bikes would be the Astra Depot Universal Overall Bar End Side Mirror. Light brown in color, the mirror comes with anti-glare features, which will work superbly when you are riding straight in the shine of the sun.
2. Prepare The Handlebars
The next step would be to pull the plugs out of the ends of your bike’s handlebars.
3. Expansion Sleeve
Then, you can select the expansion sleeve that is proper for the installation. Where possible, use a smaller sleeve.
The trick to learning how to install bar end mirrors is to tighten the nut until it is held up against the bike’s expansion sleeve. This way, it will start expanding, but it won’t expand more than the handlebar’s interior.
4. Installation
Next up, you should stick in the bar end mirrors ends – with the expansion sleeve going in first – into the end of the handlebars. Then, tighten it up with your 5mm Allen Wrench.
You should already have a wrench at this point. However, if it doesn’t work quite as well as you expected, you should either buy one or get the wrench you have in your toolset.
We also recommend holding the black portion of your end cap still. This will allow it to expand as required.
At one point or the other, you won’t be able to turn the 5mm Allen Wrench. If you check, you will see black rings sticking out from the ends of your bike’s handlebars. Continue tightening the mirrors so that they attach to the rings.
Swap the 5mm Allen with the 3mm one to properly mount the rings. Then, position your mirrors before tightening evening up. All the tasks required to assemble the mirror will work better with the 3mm Allen Wrench.
Once you are done, you can remove the old mirrors so that your bike doesn’t look like a bug antenna.
Installing Bar End Mirrors On The Throttle Side
Apart from the steps above, you can also learn how to install bar end mirrors on the throttle side of your bike. This will work out perfectly once you know how to ensure that the mirrors won’t twist whenever you twist and turn the throttle. Here’s how to do it:
#1: Take Off The Grips
While cutting the grips, you should cut just enough so that the ends of the handlebars is exposed. If you end up taking off too much, there will be gaps in between the grips and the bar end.
While working on the throttle side, ensure that you are careful. Check under the grip, and you’ll find a plastic tube (which moves the throttle). In case you cut, pinch, or smash it, it might end up dragging on your handlebars. This means that your throttle is unlikely to snap back once you release it.
#2: Hacksaw
Inside the throttle tube, you will see a space between the metal threads and the tube. Use a hacksaw to cut off the excess tube.Then, cut the grip ends so that they align with the metal threads in the throttle tube.
#3: Reinstall
Next up, you should install the grip using a bit of hairspray after you’ve cleaned the black tube with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will make it easier to slip the grip on. It will also hold the grip into place.
Finally, reinstall the bar end and the mirror before tightening them.
Watch the video on how to install the last mirror of the bar:
Final Verdict
So, there you have it – the ultimate guide on how to install bar end mirrors. Use this guide the next time you are looking to either install new bar end mirrors or replace the ones you already have.