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Cops get so bored not catching real criminals that they're certainly looking for excuses. I'm good at getting pulled over, but I've been pulled over so much (for things I got ticketed for and not) that I'm used to dealing with the police. I'm carrying all NY laws applicable to my mods on a piece of paper. I haven't been stopped for mods... YET. I know it will happen. I've seen all those "don't talk to the police, whatever you do" videos on youtube, and although that is useful information everyone should know, I don't think it's really necessary if you absolutely know you're in the right. You don't have to suck up to whomever pulls you over, but don't be gruff either - it doesn't do anything. As much as I hate cops, I suppose they're people too, and aren't going to respond well to someone who is hostile before they even speak to them. Yes, pulling someone over for no reason or a bad reason could be taken as hostile, but be the better person, and calmly ask what they want and explain concisely. If they are obviously just looking for something and wasting your time, this is unreasonable search and seizure, and you are most definitely allowed to ask "are you going to detain me/issue a ticket, officer? Because I'd like to be on my way."
About the side mirror thing (especially in New York State) - I know I'm not going to be doing anything else to get police attention except driving slowly, and I've been stopped for that before and came out legally and otherwise unscathed. If I were to be stopped SOLELY for the side mirror, I've got that piece of paper to cite from, and also that there are two cars that I can name off the top of my head (Metro XFi, older VW bugs) that came stock with one side view mirror. I think I could win that argument with any cop. I've considered keeping a little voice recorder in the car for occasions like this to keep smokey honest, but I haven't personally run into too many horrific cops - 1 in 6 maybe.
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