Why can't I tighten my mirrors - am I just thick?

Okay - I have some aftermarket mirrors to replace the stockers that the PO broke (one clean off and the other just the glass).

I thought I had them tight, but after a week they seem to be loose again. They are billet aluminum so I am afraid to really wrench them down.

On the same topic - how EXACTLY is the stupid lock nut supposed to work?

I tighten the base down (which has the lock nut on it) then thread the mirror onto the base. Turning the lock nut to the right (to lock the mirror angle) loosens the stupid base piece!

Now I know it's been years since I wrenched at all, but what am I missing here - anyone have any tips or tricks?

 

Okay - It's official - I'm an idiot.

1) Screw the bolt into the mirror (with loctite?)
2) Screw the assembly into the bar - stopping close to position.
3) Tighten lock nut.
4) Send apology to XJbikes forum for stupidity

;')

 

Appology accepted. But do you know how many XJbikes.com members owe us the same? Me included! Would you like to know how long it tok me to figure out one of the mirrors was reverse threaded? Hint: not minutes but hours! Actually no appology is needed. I even wired my battery in backwards once. That took 3 days to figure out. No , I didn't igure it out on my own!

 

No offense jp, we're all guilty of missing the obvious from time to time (myself included). Lessons learned and shared.

 

Loctite 271, the red stuff. Will come loose with a little hot air if you need to remove them.

 

I just tried the blue stuff - I'll report back when it finally shakes free...
;')

 

This thread adresses aft mkt mirrors.

How or can the stock ones be tightenned? They constantly move around on me. :evil:

 

Count me in on the obvious stupidity thing,
I am GUILTY too

 

Sorry, can the stock ones be tightened to keep from moving and constantly needing repositioning?

 

that depends martin: are they moving from where the lock nut locks them in place or from the ball where the mirror swivels? if it is from where the mirror swivels I think you are out of luck.

 

Its at the swivel, and your reply is what I was afraid of.

 

wait and see if anyone else knows different but I ran out and looked at my bike before I responded the first time and I see no set screw or adjustment. unless you can literally turn them to the right (spin them to tighten them on the swivel.

 

I didnt either...

I thought maybe there was some magic spell or something..

 

if the swivel is moving for ya a little drop of wood glue on it work it around a few times and set it where you want it
not enough to run down the stem
that should do it till you bump it, then do it again

 

Cool, thanks Polock.

Name cracks me up!!lol