Side View Mirror Downsize

[cfg83]

Hello -

I am working on a side view mirror downsize. I got this bicycle handlebar mirror from REI :

Blackburn Multi Mirror


Here it is installed on my driver's side :

Front View


Here it is from inside. I have a round blind spot mirror on the inside too :

Small Mirror


Here you can see a tuft test with the normal passenger mirror. The two forward tufts are being "sucked into" the normal mirror :

Normal Mirror Tuft Test


With the small mirror, the lower forward tuft is lined up nicely. The upper forward tuft is pulled up, probably toward the front side window air deflectors. I need those to stop rain from getting into the car and to mitigate my "no AC" window crack.

Small Mirror Tuft Test


I won't install a downsized passenger side view mirror until I can solve this problem on the installation :

Mirror "triangular cover" Gap


This means rain can get into my door, .

I could remove my passenger side view mirror altogether, but I am partial to symmetry (my bad, ).

CarloSW2

[Peakster]

Very nice. I especially enjoy the tuft test images.

[SVOboy]

Nice job, Carlos!

What is causing the gap, the fact that the bike mirror has to fit in somehow?

[Chris D.]

heat gun and some silicon will take care of that gap..

[cfg83]

SVOboy -

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Nice job, Carlos!

What is causing the gap, the fact that the bike mirror has to fit in somehow?

The original triangular shape "wrapped over" that area. I am using a flat mudflap that I cut up, so there is no "over-wrap". There is also an interior volume to the traingular space. When I screw in the cover, it warps the mudflap out (concave). You can see I also have some foam in there to try to form a seal. What I would like to do is go to a pick-a-part, and find a driver's side rear-view mirror or a broken one I can salvage. Cut away the part that sticks out, make a smaller shape to cover it, and wa-la, a "clean" mod.

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

Chris D. -

Originally Posted by Chris D.

heat gun and some silicon will take care of that gap..

Do you mean a heat gun to "bend the triangle over"? If yes, I think I would want to do that with the mudflap/side view mirror cover off the car, because there's lots of rubber seals that could be damaged by the heat gun.

CarloSW2

[Who]

Love it!!! I hate modern barn door mirrors. I liked the ones that mounted at the top of the A pillar.

[Lazarus]

Carlos Nice job. What are your driving impression with it? Also what are the deflectors for?

[cfg83]

Lazarus -

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Carlos Nice job. What are your driving impression with it? Also what are the deflectors for?

They work, but they wobble a bit at freeway speeds. I think it is because the bicycle mirror stock is not designed for the higher MPH. Once the triangular cover is solid, I may beef it up and/or experiment with other mirrors at my leisure, .

In terms of impression, during the day it is fine. At night I am still getting used to it. But, here is my ace in the hole :

1970's style Convex Mirror from JC Whitney


As you can see, I can see it all coming :

ZERO Blind Spots


The deflectors were already in place before I became an Ecomodder :

When does having your windows down start to effect your mileage? Reply to Thread

Originally Posted by cfg83

Chris D. -

That's why I got them too. My Saturn was good at getting me wet on rainy days, but I liked the window open so that I could manage my window fogging up. I think they are a good compromise because they allow me to postpone the use of AC as long as possible in the summer. In the Good 'Ol Dayz, I used to drive with the windows down all the way on the freeway, but depending on my speed, I may have them open for that one inch that is covered by the vent visor, on up to 4 inches unless I am below "aerodynamic speeds", aka a traffic jam.

...

CarloSW2

[}{ead$hot Zod]

My truck still has vent windows. I have an extra set, I should drill them out and attach a small mirror to it.