Mirror Stalk Fixation

Tornado · Apr 14, 2019

Having some trouble keeping the left hand mirror stalk from working loose while riding about. Tried pretty high torque and even a lock washer (split type) under the fixing nut...but after a few hours ride the mirror is back to rotating with minor wind pressure.

What are the hot tips on keeping it snug?

Craig · Apr 14, 2019

I use a "Made in England" bar end on left bar .... installed several years ago , zero issues, easy to flip out of way for parking or storage .... nice, wide unobstructed rear ward view which is a bonus !

NortonMKIIA850 · Apr 14, 2019

Loctite? I don't have this problem, unless someone (!) has knocked the mirror on something. Then tightening the locknut fixes it completely. Until the next time.

Bob Z. · Apr 14, 2019

Tornado said:
Having some trouble keeping the left hand mirror stalk from working loose while riding about. Tried pretty high torque and even a lock washer (split type) under the fixing nut...but after a few hours ride the mirror is back to rotating with minor wind pressure.

What are the hot tips on keeping it snug?

Are you using the stock alloy switch/clutch lever perch?
Perhaps the alloy threads have wallowed out. Maybe a good candidate for a thread insert?

CanukNortonNut · Apr 14, 2019

Try a Nord-Lock washer
part No. B-10.3-1051 3/8" stainless steel bolt securing system.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cDlmbMV9ICU/maxresdefault.jpg
Cheers,
Thomas

Tornado · Apr 14, 2019

Bob Z. said:
Are you using the stock alloy switch/clutch lever perch?
Perhaps the alloy threads have wallowed out. Maybe a good candidate for a thread inset?

Yes, stock perch. Mirrors are repro of OEM, so likely not up to stock spec.
Would like to keep stalk mount for now, but may go bar ends at some point.

Tornado · Apr 14, 2019

CanukNortonNut said:
Try a Nord-Lock washer
part No. B-10.3-1051 3/8" stainless steel bolt securing system.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cDlmbMV9ICU/maxresdefault.jpg
Cheers,
Thomas

Might do the trick.
But, doesn't the nut grip a shoulder on the stalk to hold it and any spacing between nut and perch surface means less force on the stalk shoulder?

CanukNortonNut · Apr 14, 2019

The Nord-lock has radial grooves that grip the nut or bolt and the material under. The wedges between the two piece washer works against the thread of the mirror thread. There is good info and videos for these washers. https://www.nord-lock.com/nord-lock/products/washers/?campaign=328043079&content={creative}&keyword=lock%20washers&placement={Placement}&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing_Nord-Lock&utm_term=lock%20washers&utm_content=Nord-Lock%20Washers
They are expensive.

Cheer,
Thomas

Tornado · Apr 14, 2019

OK, just checked it...no shoulder on the stalk base, just a straight thread. Loaded up with blue thread lock after a degrease and returned the split lock washer to position. Will see if that does the job.

Interbak · Apr 14, 2019

The Nord-Lock washers are a great product! We used them on rail cars, which is a very high vibration application.

B

Fanfan26 · Apr 14, 2019

Craig said:
I use a "Made in England" bar end on left bar .... installed several years ago , zero issues, easy to flip out of way for parking or storage .... nice, wide unobstructed rear ward view which is a bonus !

same for me,very good security

concours · Apr 15, 2019

Does your aftermarket mirror have a jam nut on the stem? Are you backing it off a half turn from bottomed out on the stem, then using it to lock adjustment?
I’ve never had a properly tightened mirror on ANY motorbike in 42 years come loose without provocation.
The split lock will only tear up the alloy perch. Please don’t.

Tornado · Apr 15, 2019

concours said:
Does your aftermarket mirror have a jam nut on the stem? Are you backing it off a half turn from bottomed out on the stem, then using it to lock adjustment?
I’ve never had a properly tightened mirror on ANY motorbike in 42 years come loose without provocation.
The split lock will only tear up the alloy perch. Please don’t.

Yes, a jam nut on the stalk. Will take your suggestions to heart if my locktite doesn't help.

MexicoMike · Apr 15, 2019

Blue loctite never held my stock-type mirrors. Neither did red.

My feeling is that the replacement stock-type mirrors attachment threads are not a match for the OEM mirror bosses. I gave up and went to bar-end some years ago. I've had no trouble at all with them.

Tornado · Apr 15, 2019

MexicoMike said:
Blue loctite never held my stock-type mirrors. Neither did red. My feeling is that the replacement stock-type mirrors attachment threads are not a match for the OEM mirror bosses. I gave up and went to bar-end some years ago. I've had no trouble at all with them.

I am still partial to the look of stalk type classic mirrors. Were bar ends a thing back when these bikes came out?

eskasteve · Apr 15, 2019

I've used a Belleville washer that had ribs like a Nord. Found them at McMaster-Carr.

seattle##gs · Apr 15, 2019

the nord-lock works very well for the gear indicating pointer on the gearbox.

Onder · Apr 16, 2019

Problem with stalks is that they seem a bit more susceptible to vibration. Perhaps Im wrong but that is one reason I went to bar ends on all my bikes.

MexicoMike · Apr 16, 2019

Tornado said:
I am still partial to the look of stalk type classic mirrors. Were bar ends a thing back when these bikes came out?

No, they weren't and I agree, I preferred the stock-type mirrors. I went to the bar end ONLY because I couldn't get the replacement mirrors to stay in position. On my original Norton Commando back in the day, the stock mirror worked fine. It's the replacement mirrors that didn't.

NortonMKIIA850 · Apr 17, 2019

Bar-end mirrors were certainly around in the '70s, probably earlier. Stadium was one brand I think.

Mirror Stalk Fixation

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