The joys of modifying your Yamaha on your own.

[glockman39]

So I had all the parts for my FZ8 laid out except for my Jardine exhaust (more on that in a minute).

I attached the frame slider and new signals front and back with no problems (removed that ugly factory tail). Then I moved on to the mirrors. I purchased some very nice mirrors that I saw on someone's bike on this forum. Clutch side mirror came off without a hitch, and the new mirror was on in a snap. Throttle side mirror, however, had other ideas. The locking nut at the base of the factory mirror stem was torqued down so tight that I snapped a Craftsman ratchet trying to get it off. No deal. It was there to stay, so I have to grind down the post on the original mirror stem because part of the threads were stripped off when I removed the factory nut. Then I had no choice but to reinstall the factory mirrors on both sides. So I have these nice aftermarket mirrors just sitting on my workbench.

Now for the Jardine. I ordered an RT-5 on sale from MotorCycle Superstore, but received an RT-1 for an FZ1 a week later. So I called them. They said send the old one back, and if you want a new one, you'll have to order another one because the charge back for the first one won't post for a few weeks, so I ordered another RT-5 for an FZ8. And promptly received another RT-1 for an FZ1. So I called them again, and it turns out that the part number was listed incorrectly in their catalogue. Then they say they do the RT-5 for an FZ8, but it's $200 more, and they can't give it to me for the listed sale price of the mis-listed RT-5. I say no thanks, and you'll get nary another dollar of my business.

But at least the bike is still a blast to ride.

 

[lothodon]

welcome to the world of "it's just like an fz1" that a lot of parts sellers are living in.

as for the mirror on the throttle side, are you aware that it's reverse/anti-clockwise/left hand threaded? i use all three terms as everyone seems to say it differently.

 

[glockman39]

welcome to the world of "it's just like an fz1" that a lot of parts sellers are living in.

as for the mirror on the throttle side, are you aware that it's reverse/anti-clockwise/left hand threaded? i use all three terms as everyone seems to say it differently.

Yeah. The damn thing just wouldn't come off. I tried everything imaginable.

 

[lothodon]

if your interested and can get the mirror itself off, down to the handlebar post, kiwav makes a nice cheap simple set of adapters that are only about 3/4" high, black and create two "normal" 10mm threaded sockets for mirrors. i got them to mount a set of aftermarket mirrors that didn't provide a reverse threaded bolt and found them to be even more than meets the eye as they also provide an extension to bring my too short mirrors a little higher up. found them on ebay, fast (really fast) shipping from taiwan and cheap, as in $6 with shipping.

 

[Deleted member 438]

I would of thought that you were tightening the right mirror. It could've been cross threaded by the dealership or the factory(not sure who's job it is to put 'em on).

 

[glockman39]

if your interested and can get the mirror itself off, down to the handlebar post, kiwav makes a nice cheap simple set of adapters that are only about 3/4" high, black and create two "normal" 10mm threaded sockets for mirrors. i got them to mount a set of aftermarket mirrors that didn't provide a reverse threaded bolt and found them to be even more than meets the eye as they also provide an extension to bring my too short mirrors a little higher up. found them on ebay, fast (really fast) shipping from taiwan and cheap, as in $6 with shipping.

The throttle side mirror is mounted to the throttle assembly itself, though. How is that problem remedied?

 

[glockman39]

welcome to the world of "it's just like an fz1" that a lot of parts sellers are living in.

as for the mirror on the throttle side, are you aware that it's reverse/anti-clockwise/left hand threaded? i use all three terms as everyone seems to say it differently.

I wasn't sure if it was right threaded, so I checked into before starting. It seems as though it was simply torqued beyond the proper specs.

 

[lothodon]

i'm a little confused as there are two "stems" on the factory mirrors. there is the actual stem coming from the mirror head and a "stem" that actually threads into the handlebar "nut".

what are you left with at this time? any chance of a pic?

 

[FZ8Hawaii]

Aloha Glockman

Hi, was just wondering why you picked that slipon for your fz8, I have a new 2012 fz8 comming next week and was trying to decide what pipe to go with.
Also, I own three Glocks!!

 

[glockman39]

Hi, was just wondering why you picked that slipon for your fz8, I have a new 2012 fz8 comming next week and was trying to decide what pipe to go with.
Also, I own three Glocks!!

I had chosen the Jardine because I've owned them in the past, and I always liked the sound.

But I actually ended up going with the polished aluminum Two Brothers. Great sound and great look.

I own, and have owned, several Glocks. I'm a factory certified armorer for the police department I work for.

 

[glockman39]

I would of thought that you were tightening the right mirror. It could've been cross threaded by the dealership or the factory(not sure who's job it is to put 'em on).

I took it to Barney's St. Pete where I purchased the bike and they were able to loosen it for me. They were also surprised at how tight the nut was.

 

[FZER]

Welcome to the world of peed Japanese factory workers....I got a new oil pan, because of some jerk going crazy with his wrench. The install cost me $275, and no bike for a week.