Looking for foldable mirrors

[octopuss]

Hi.
I'm looking for replacement for stock mirrors.
The single thing I'm missing on my ST so far after Kawasaki is easy foldable mirrors clicking back into position. Super useful in traffic filtering and in parking in small garage between wall and wife's car.

Can anybody suggest such an alternative for our beloved F800?

I found one mentioning of that in this thread https://f800riders.org/forum/showthr...irrors-on-F800 back in 2006 by Custard:

I like the way the mirrors fold away easily, then click back into position,

Is it happens that early F800 were coming with such mirrors?

Slight corvex is very welcome as well.

[[email protected]]

Have these on order...
emgo mirrors
...type

[notacop]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKXQGRil1a4

In the first few seconds of the video the mirrors come into view and there seems to be a pivot bolt near the mount. If memory serves it was a fold point.

[octopuss]

My search for folding mirrors failed and I got an idea of autofolding mirrors using arduino and servomotors! Woohoo!
Thanks to you responses now I have a backup plan if my autofolding idea won't take of.

notacop, looks like F800 ST 2008 actually had mirrors i'm looking for, it a shame that they stopped using them. On my 2009's mirrors there is only a tightening bolt and mounting looks a little smaller.

[FrankV]

I doubt if the F800S(T) had folding mirrors with a "click" point. The stems can be adjusted to adjust the rear view, which may be different for rider to rider. As far as I know the mirrors have not changed in years, they are even the same for the F800GT.

[octopuss]

First prototype
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...RQNHkxcXB1S0hR

[Benne]

First prototype
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...RQNHkxcXB1S0hR

Yeez, that is some dedication, really cool though!

[notacop]

Dr. Frankenstein, I suppose?


"I doubt if the F800S(T) had folding mirrors with a "click" point. "

https://www.google.com/search?q=were...r+mirrors+on+f

I thought I remembered the bike I had. It's been 6 years so memory was weak but not completely rotted.

[Daboo]

Now that's cool! It brought a big smile to my face.

Chris

[octopuss]

ok. I'm back after waiting for specific parts, reordering parts, crash, recovery, recovering parts from written off motorcycle, buying another motorcycle, finishing assembly and programming.

Just got back from test ride, folding and unfolding on the move at speed up to 100km/h. and it WORKS perfectly.

Video:


Photos:








It's a working version, manual mode (automatic disabled for test).
Still thinking how to protect whole system from the rain.

Mirrors vibration is noticeable - too many connections and moving parts, servo motor can't hold it steady, so I had to make it lean on fixed parts. Though vibration is not as bad as on Honda cb125.

Happy to answer questions, suggestions are welcome.

I tried to use cover made from heavy duty gloves, but it looks ugly and stucks between parts which makes servos work harder and consume 500mah+.

[WildWilly]

WOW!!!! That is some cool system. Well done.

[octopuss]

Thank you. It is like a small silly dream came true )

Today's filtering and parking in tight place was easy like never before, plus I felt like a rock star while folding\unfolding mirrors with a button.

Vibration is a small concern still, weather protection even bigger one. I going to explore option of hydraulic actuators now. I reckon it must be steadier and less prone for water damage.

[[email protected]]

Great ingenuity Octopus! You should patent this and bring it to market. Interested to know how much did it cost you to make these foldable mirrors?

[octopuss]

I got most parts from ebay, some from local stores to save time. Total about $100-120.

Most expensive parts are 2x Servos with holders $25

I can list all parts if you interested

[WildWilly]

octopuss, some people think outside of the box, you don't even have a box. The world needs more thinkers like you.

[[email protected]]

Wanted to see your video, but can't seem to get it to play on any format.

[octopuss]

Uploaded to youtube

[[email protected]]

I see the video now... Even more impressive when seen in action! 👍

[octopuss]

Looking for affordable alloy or titanium prototyping with shipping to Australia, hopefully accepting SketchUp (*.skp) files. Any suggestions?

[MGD109]

Looking for affordable alloy or titanium prototyping with shipping to Australia, hopefully accepting SketchUp (*.skp) files. Any suggestions?

Titanium is a bugger to machine it would add cost over alloy well above the additional cost of the material. As it's a relativity complex form I'd be tempted to investigate 3D printing, there are a couple of members that have posted projects on here. I've had simple bit's made I think you'll need to use a conventional CAD file. This was my very simple "dxf" file for voltmeter and oil pressure gauges:-



And the result on the bike. Nice feeling when it comes together.

[The Mariner]

affordable alloy or titanium prototyping

Unfortunately affordable, alloy/titanium & prototyping tend to be mutually exclusive terms. People like Metal3D in Melbourne might help directly or you could use a service like Shapeways.com, but the price might be more than you'd consider acceptable.

In any case, please consider going the plastic 3d-printing route as a first step just to validate your design before you jump to having it made in metal. You don't want to spend a bucket-load only to find you've made a simple error & have to have it re-made.

[octopuss]

Thank you for responses.
Well, I was quite illusional about titanium: quoted up to 4x price of alloy.
Got few quotes for alloy, cheapest is $300 USD + shipping.
I was hoping to get straight to metal for under $50.

I guess I need to start with plastic model first.

[MGD109]

I was hoping to get straight to metal for under $50.

I guess I need to start with plastic model first.

$50 is about £25. Varies massively but that buys you about half an hour of a mechanics time a machine shop must charge even more. As a completely out the box idea you can investment cast aluminium. If you are prepared/able to make the wax model first there may be somebody prepare to cast from it.

[octopuss]

After some experiments, hits and misses, here what it looks like. Currently drying at home and waiting for final assembly.

[octopuss]

I'm already thinking about my next project: solar trickle charger under the windshield.
Here in Australia we have plenty of free sunlight (also, my wife likes leaving lights in garage). Windshield is almost a decorative part on the motorcycle, some even replace it with black glass - transparency is not important at all. Then why not to use it it to gather solar energy? Even if it produces 100mAh, during several hours under the sun it can top up the battery.
If done neat - solar cells may look very cool under the wind shield.

[WildWilly]

Like the finished product on the mirrors. Well done.

[octopuss]

Final result with automatic mode

[WildWilly]

Suweeet!!!

[Buzzz]

Super concept. Only wish it would be a bit more "stealth" looking.

[octopuss]

Me too )
Initially I was after some of-the-shelf solution. Found 0. So had to make something myself. "stealth" enough for enthusiast) Exposed wires and plugs are for mechanics to be able to service my motorcycle.
If I ever decide to replace plastic enclosure with aluminium, I'll redesign it more smooth and round.

[WildWilly]

Stealth Schmealth. I respect anyone who thinks outside of the box. You don't even have a box. Keep us posted if you decide to go aluminum.

[Oldman11]

Hi Octopuss - a man after my own heart - and in Brissie too (like Me). I think what you've done is brilliant and very marketable if the pricing can be contained
I also have a problem with my mirrors, though not because of traffic filtering, getting a bit too old for that to be important to me
It's that garaging thing - my bike ends up close to my work bench and it is always the mirrors that take the punishment
As a man in the same town, I would love to see your work first hand if you are agreeable, I could send you my contact details by PM
Well done!

[octopuss]

Hi Octopuss - a man after my own heart - and in Brissie too (like Me). I think what you've done is brilliant and very marketable if the pricing can be contained
I also have a problem with my mirrors, though not because of traffic filtering, getting a bit too old for that to be important to me
It's that garaging thing - my bike ends up close to my work bench and it is always the mirrors that take the punishment
As a man in the same town, I would love to see your work first hand if you are agreeable, I could send you my contact details by PM
Well done!

Hi

My phone is in PM.

Heads up on skills, tools and parts required: basic electronics and soldering, Arduino, 3d printing, 2x servo motors with brackets, various parts from ebay and jaycar.

[octopuss]

Parts:

• 2x servos with brackets ~$40
• ATmega controller ~$4
• 2x 12v to 7.5v power regulators ~$8
• 12v to 5v power regulator to power controller (cigarette lighter usb adapter can be used) $0..$2
• Handlebar Waterproof Switch or button ~$8
• 2x 3pin weatherproof connectors (to unplug/remove mirrors) ~$4
• 12v relay $3.95
• On Board 12v plug ~$10 similar in jaycar ($7-8)
• 45-50mm bolts to replace stock mirror bolts (m4 i guess, same hex head as stock bolts)
• 20-25mm m4-m6 bolts and nuts to mount mirrors on the folding mechanism
• 4x 50mm, 8x 30mm m3 bolts, nuts and washers to assemble 3d printed parts
• ~5m of 12v wires

to make it really nice

• small breadboard ~$1
• case $3.45
• 2 wire connectors ~$2
• can of spray paint ($5+ in super cheap auto)
• glue gun $8 or cheaper

about $100 for everything + patience to wait for everything to be delivered

What else required:

• 3d printer with filament (PLA works for me fine) for ~20-30 hours, PM me for STL files.
  You may have another idea of how to mount all together, i started with simple metal frame but it was too wobbly.
• Computer with Arduino, PM me for controller program.
  
  .stl and .ino are not acceptable as attachments here

[DJ123]

Did you use standard mirrors and try to create a mount with a 'click' point to keep the mirrors in the right position? Then they can be out when needed, and easily folded in when filtering.

[octopuss]

I started with this idea, but realized that i don't have tools and there is not enough room in mirror "joint" to put sturdy enough ratchet mechanism there.
I didn't find any suitable aftermarket mirrors with ratchet.
Another good option maybe to replace stock mirrors with mirrors from another manufacture (eg Kawasaki). I think this is the easiest way - custom steel\metal adapter with plastic enclosure for aesthetic can be easily manufactured using something like connector plates from bunnings (or plastic adapter reinforced with steel plates). Imho boring and expensive (mirrors are $150+)