Side View Mirror Downsize
 

Hello -

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

Blackburn Multi Mirror
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3...or01jj6.th.jpg

Here it is installed on my driver's side :

Front View
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3...or01ki4.th.jpg

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

Small Mirror
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/6...viewsl6.th.jpg

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
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7...testik9.th.jpg

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
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/2...testvo0.th.jpg

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

Mirror "triangular cover" Gap
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/3...rgapcm4.th.jpg

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, :o ).

CarloSW2

Very nice. I especially enjoy the tuft test images.

Nice job, Carlos!

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

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

SVOboy -

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

Chris D. -

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

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

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

Lazarus -

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, :D .

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
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/8...rrorba7.th.jpg

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

ZERO Blind Spots
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3...rrorci2.th.jpg

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

CarloSW2

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