Topic: Stock mirror question

[Scott S]

 It's always bugged me that the stock style mirrors are lower on the LH/clutch perch side than the RH side.
 Now, granted, I think I've only had aftermarket replacements, but were they like this from the factory? When I look at period ads the mirrors appear even from side to side.

 Here's a pic I posted the other day. 400F bars on a '76 CB550F. I'm 99% sure these are aftermarket mirrors.



 Someone said that the LH control was rotated forward slightly, so I fixed that and the mirror is still too low.



 I had the same situation on my CB500 and on my '78 CB550.



 You'll notice that those are a little more even....it's because I put an extender/adapter under the mirror.



 Were the genuine mirrors longer on the LH side? I see that Honda still offers the mirrors for ~$55/pr. I'd pay that for genuine Honda quality IF the stalks were such that the mirrors were even when mounted on the bike.

[thep1pe]

Stock mirrors on my 550 is lower on left. Just the way they are on them all.

[Scott S]

Stock mirrors on my 550 is lower on left. Just the way they are on them all.

 Argh! My OCD just kicked in! I guess if that's stock, then I'll live with it.

[Gordon]

It's never bothered me much because I always replace the stock mirrors with bar end mirrors, but there has to be a good reason they decided to make the mount for the right side mirror taller than the left side.  Honda engineers didn't do much of anything if there wasn't a specific reason for it.  I just can't figure out what that reason is, though. 

[bjatwood]

I never realized this till this post. But my K3's is the same way. I bet it is because you have to look "over" your shoulder with the right side mirror to see behind you into the driving lane, and on the left side you don't. My guess at it.

[Mr. Mike]

Well I just hadta take a look at mine. Same thing on the 78. The mounting stay on the right side is well higher than the left due to the master cylinder casting vs. the clutch perch collar pushing the R/H mirror up nearly 1.25'' higher. Dang!

[LesterPiglet]

Must be a US thing, I've never noticed it before. If your deduction is correct then for the UK the right would be lower.

[Dream750]

I could never figure out why the mirrors were different heights, unless Honda was cutting costs by using as many as possible on other models.

Using the 750 K2 mirrors as an example, they all share the same part numbers when used with the stock (53100-341-000) K2 handlebars. Looks like it doesn’t matter which side of the road your riding on. 

USA Market:
RH: 88110-074-000
LH: 88120-074-000

Japanese Market:
RH: 88110-074-000
LH: 88120-074-000

European Market:
RH: 88110-074-000
LH: 88120-074-000

[Dave Voss]

Always kinda bothered me too, partly because of the visual left-right difference, but also because I would occasionally hit the left mirror with my bulkier winter glove, so I added a spacer, which solved both issues for me.