Chip Beck Spec Low Handlebar/Mirrors Mod.

[qmaven_imp]

Great work, Chip. That is precisely what I plan to do for my bike, something more in the cafe line. So how does the set up work for you on the road? Need a road evaluation!

[ChipBeck_imp]

Chip,

This is the most informative piece I've seen on the inner working of handlebar weights and their effects on vibration mitigation. Thanks for all the reseach, pictures, observations and explanations!!!

I'm not going to mess with my handlebars but I'm pretty sure I'm going to give those mirrors a try.

An even simpler explanation to the way these handlebar weights work is to think of some of the times you had a distorted view looking into the rear view mirror of a car or motorcycle because that mirror was vibrating. You reached up and touched it with a finger or hand and that dampened the vibration and cleared up the view. Those bar end weights are like the touch of your finger.

Chip,

Excellent write up on this mod. I too just ordered these mirrors last Friday and was searching for mirror options before I came across this thread today. Glad I can see what they look like before mounting them and I must say they look fantastic. Never was a fan of the high mounted chrome antenna looking things. Just one question. When I was looking at them at the dealer on the 2013 cb500 they appear to stick out just a tad more than the stock mirrors. Have you noticed a improvement in that area? I was also looking at installing some super race type bars but looking at yours makes me want to go that route instead. Thanks for the hard work and photos your bike looks great. Nice to stick with original Honda parts too.

Yes, they are lower and they do project just a bit more out to the side than the stock mirrors. I can see more of the road behind me and less of my arms. They do provide better rear vision.

Chip

Great work, Chip. That is precisely what I plan to do for my bike, something more in the cafe line. So how does the set up work for you on the road? Need a road evaluation!

Gmaven,

I have only ridden it with the faring on so far. I really like the feel of these bars and I'm quite comfortable on it. Around town it feels about the same to me but on the highway at 65+ MPH the combination of the lower bars and that faring are really nice. I'm not getting blasted with all of that air pressure and the slight forward lean pretty much cancels out the wind that does hit me. I'll try to take it out soon without the faring and report on that. Cheers.

Chip

[CB4ME_imp]

Chip,

I ordered the CB500F mirrors yesterday. I took your advice and asked for a discount. I ended up paying 39.58 each. I ordered 2 pair of those rubber lever end covers (in case I split one putting them on). I also picked up a 15oz spray can of Pro Honda high performance Chain Cleaner. It's the first time I've seen it and will give it a try when it stops raining.

Parts should be in on Wednesday. Can't wait to see them on the bike in person.

[Lord Popgun]

CB4ME,

Those rubber lever thingies go on pretty easy if you heat them up some with a hair dryer, or let them sit in the sun for a short while. Then lube them with something like WD-40 in them and worry them on. The WD will tack up or dry (over night in my experience) and all will be well with the world.

Edit to add: If you don't heat them up, them will most likely tear or split, according to other members' reports.

[ChipBeck_imp]

Chip,

I ordered the CB500F mirrors yesterday. I took your advice and asked for a discount. I ended up paying 39.58 each. I ordered 2 pair of those rubber lever end covers (in case I split one putting them on). I also picked up a 15oz spray can of Pro Honda high performance Chain Cleaner. It's the first time I've seen it and will give it a try when it stops raining.

Parts should be in on Wednesday. Can't wait to see them on the bike in person.

CB,

I'm having trouble picturing what you are referring to here?? Are you talking about the rubber boot at the bottom of the mirror shaft? If so, it's not a problem. When you get your mirrors you will only get the mirror with it's attached shaft. You'll need to take the mounting bolt with it's reverse threaded locknut off of the old mirrors. With that off the rubber boot will slide right off the mirrors bare shaft. Slide it on to your new mirrors before you put the mounting bolts on and there is no way you can damage it.

If that rubber boot isn't what you are referring to........never mind.

Chip

[CB4ME_imp]

Chip - yeah I was talking 2 different things.

CB4ME,

Those rubber lever thingies go on pretty easy if you heat them up some with a hair dryer, or let them sit in the sun for a short while. Then lube them with something like WD-40 in them and worry them on. The WD will tack up or dry (over night in my experience) and all will be well with the world.

Edit to add: If you don't heat them up, them will most likely tear or split, according to other members' reports.

Thanks Popgun!

[ChipBeck_imp]

Chip - yeah I was talking 2 different things.

CB4ME,

Those rubber lever thingies go on pretty easy if you heat them up some with a hair dryer, or let them sit in the sun for a short while. Then lube them with something like WD-40 in them and worry them on. The WD will tack up or dry (over night in my experience) and all will be well with the world.

Edit to add: If you don't heat them up, them will most likely tear or split, according to other members' reports.

Thanks Popgun!

Well don't leave me hanging, what were you talking about. I can't figure it out. Photo??

Chip

[Huladog_imp]

Chip - yeah I was talking 2 different things.

CB4ME,

Those rubber lever thingies go on pretty easy if you heat them up some with a hair dryer, or let them sit in the sun for a short while. Then lube them with something like WD-40 in them and worry them on. The WD will tack up or dry (over night in my experience) and all will be well with the world.

Edit to add: If you don't heat them up, them will most likely tear or split, according to other members' reports.

Thanks Popgun!

Well don't leave me hanging, what were you talking about. I can't figure it out. Photo??

Chip

Well don't leave me hanging, what were you talking about. I can't figure it out. Photo??

Chip
Think he's talking about those round rubber covers that go over the rounded ends of the control levers. Retro thing.

Aloha,
Huladog

[CB4ME_imp]

Chip - yeah I was talking 2 different things.

CB4ME,

Those rubber lever thingies go on pretty easy if you heat them up some with a hair dryer, or let them sit in the sun for a short while. Then lube them with something like WD-40 in them and worry them on. The WD will tack up or dry (over night in my experience) and all will be well with the world.

Edit to add: If you don't heat them up, them will most likely tear or split, according to other members' reports.

Thanks Popgun!

Well don't leave me hanging, what were you talking about. I can't figure it out. Photo??

Chip

Well don't leave me hanging, what were you talking about. I can't figure it out. Photo??

Chip
Think he's talking about those round rubber covers that go over the rounded ends of the control levers. Retro thing.

Aloha,
Huladog

Well don't leave me hanging, what were you talking about. I can't figure it out. Photo??

Chip
Think he's talking about those round rubber covers that go over the rounded ends of the control levers. Retro thing.

Aloha,
Huladog
Sorry Chip -

Huladog is right about the rubber covers. I should have been clearer.

[mustakoira_imp]

I bought a pair of those CB500F mirrors (also the handlebars) online and they came in this week. Today I had a chance to just try them on my bike in place of the stock mirrors. They will not work. The thread on the CB500 mirrors have an opposite direction thread on them. The stock mirrors thread on clockwise, and these CB500 mirrors have a counter-clockwise thread on both of them.

Same part numbers as what Chip reported. I bought them from gearhead.com. Not sure why this is. I'll contact the seller and ask them but thought I would share my experience for what it is worth.