Question -- Safely Drilling Mirror Housing

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Greetings all .... getting ready for my next "farkle" and have decided to add a strip of amber LEDs to the bottom and inside edge of the mirror (the red line in the attached pic). I've chosen this orientation as I think it will offer better side visibility and because the outside edge has less mounting space on it. I have two questions, for those of you especially that have been INSIDE the mirror housing (I'd rather not take them apart):

1. Is it "safe" to drill through the mirror housing in the turquoise oval, just above the end of the red line? Note that his appears close to the center of the upper hole where the mirror hangs as one puts it back on. :hun:
2. If I do drill in this location, will I still be able to fish the wires through to the center hole without much difficulty? :hun:

Here is a pic: This is the right side mirror and I've blocked out some of the reflection; hopefully this is better.

Thanks for your input ... Ann

 

[spydercowboy]

Okay this picture needs some help. That is the right hand mirror photographed from the right side with some of the white of the bike reflected in the mirror. Maybe that will help orient you. Wife is going to try for a better shot.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

New Picture

Okay this picture needs some help. That is the right hand mirror photographed from the right side with some of the white of the bike reflected in the mirror. Maybe that will help orient you. Wife is going to try for a better shot.

Well ... it made sense to me (but, then again, I took the picture)! :roflblack: I've uploaded another and updated the original post -- seems a bit easier to understand (at least hubby seems to think so).

Thanks .... Ann

 

[Farmbanker]

IMHO I would take the mirror off and read the threads about taking them apart. If you are patient they are not bad at all, and you will not need to drill any holes. There is already a hole behind the mirror that you can use....my two cents.

 

[captblack]

I would put the LED strip more towards the outer edge of the mirror. You can drill into the black area but be sure to only go through the first part, only. You can then use a small wire to fish the the wires our the same hole that the turn signal wires come out of. Splice into the turn signal wires on the bike side of the the plug so you have a simple disconnect when the mirror is removed.

I'm sure it sounds more complicated than it is. You may need to test the LED strip for polarity and a 9 volt battery works well for that. See post 29 under this thread ... http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...rror-Arrow-Lights/page2&highlight=turn+signal

 

[bobbobtar]

I have done this on my 2011 RT-S there is no reason to drill anything on the mirror housing, if you take the mirror apart the glass moves back into the housing and you can run the LED strip on the mold line which is about 1" in from your red line. There is a hole inside to run the wires through and Posi-Tap onto the OEM blinker light wire. Also consider using side firing LED strips.

 

[DR Buck]

Splice into the turn signal wires on the bike side of the the plug so you have a simple disconnect when the mirror is removed.

Why would you want to do this? If you splice inside the mirror to the existing turn signal light wiring then you only have the regular plug to disconnect when you pull the mirror.

And like others said, take the mirror apart and do it. You'll have a better installation. Directions can be found here: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...irror-housings&p=475127&viewfull=1#post475127

 

[captblack]

Right you are ... My bad. I did hook up on the mirror side. For my money, this is still better than taking the mirror apart - it's that Murphy thing ... pps:

Why would you want to do this? If you splice inside the mirror to the existing turn signal light wiring then you only have the regular plug to disconnect when you pull the mirror.

And like others said, take the mirror apart and do it. You'll have a better installation. Directions can be found here: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...irror-housings&p=475127&viewfull=1#post475127

 

[bmwlarry]

Here is a link to a photo album of my install.

http://s808.photobucket.com/user/lkniess/library/Mirror light install

 

[my3gs]

I drilled a small hole an got the wier in an had no prob. Hope u can see the pic. My hole is in the lower part about an inch from the bottom. Hope this helps.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

It Is Done -- New LEDs on the Mirror Housing

Well .... I decided to take the mirrors apart so all connections would be internal. Right one went fine, but the left was a real tough one and I ended up breaking TWO tabs off the lower shell :yikes: :banghead: !! Velcro to the rescue :roflblack:! Oh well, guess I'll see if anyone has a "spare" they are willing to part with for something less than what BRP wants for a replacement.

Here's a short video:
[video]http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/am57_smith/media/SpyderLedsMirror_zpsf8f36a08.mp4.html[/video]

I think it came our rather nice! Pleased with the extra visibility and also with being able to clearly see if the signals are on / off! nojoke

Excuse me while I pat myself on the back (a little, mad that I broke some tabs). :2excited: Be safe .... Ann

 

[spydercowboy]

Hmmm, video link isn't working. Try this one...

 

[cbell1]

Looks good, thanks! How does the brightness affect your vision at night?

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Night Driving

Looks good, thanks! How does the brightness affect your vision at night?

Don't know at this point. However, by "mistake" :gaah: I managed to install the LEDs along the top and inside edge of the mirror housing (my intention had been to do bottom and inside edge). This means that the LEDs are actually facing "away" from me a bit instead of pointing up "at" me. They are also 120 degree emitters, so not all the light is focused straight out -- could not find amber side emitting LEDs (red, yes, amber, no).

First I was mad about the "mistake" but then once I put the mirrors back on, I realized it was probably for the best anyway.

Be safe .... Ann

 

[Sarge707]

They look fine.:clap:And in case your rear blinker bulb quits you have a signal that people can see !:clap:

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Rear Blinker

They look fine.:clap:And in case your rear blinker bulb quits you have a signal that people can see !:clap:

True .... as I also have the Custom Dynamics Integrated High Mount light (which is running / braking AND turn signal), I've still got a rear blinker even if the bulb goes. :thumbup:

Ryde safe .... Ann

 

[spydercowboy]

You need to update your Farkel List then.:lecturef_smilie: