BMW Bumm-style headlamp mirrors on an Ambo? What say ye?

[TodkaVonic]

Here's the problem: riding without mirrors makes me uncomfortable and it's illegal to boot. I've tried Napolean bar ends mounted up (don't like the look), mounted out (crazy wide), and mounted under (bump into tank and could hardly see past my own wrist) and I've tried traditional mirror-on-a-stick Halcyon clamp-on mirrors (didn't care for the antennaesque look). I'm currently using a very small sport bike bar end mirror which WORKS fine, but it's not the most elegant solution.

Here's the situation: I'm planning on a fairly thorough electrical system overhaul in the coming months. This will include installation of a Motogadget M-unit, some switches, and a pair of bar-end Motogadget turn signals. These will do double duty as both front and rear signals and will be clean as all get out since all the wiring will be hidden. It's a really nice set up.

But you see how the situation exacerbates the problem. Bar end signals mean I can't use my strange little sport bike bar end mirror.

So I'm cruising the interwebs tonight and was reminded of the beautiful (but questionably functional) BMW headlamp-mount mirrors. I guess there's aftermarket versions of the original Bumm mirrors. They're threaded at 8mm 1.25 (same as my Ambo, just checked). But I can't find a single photo of an ambassador or an eldorado with Bumm-style mirrors to help me with the decision. I think it'll look nice...

I've read that their functionality is lacking and that people get around that by contorting their bodies and by attaching those small stick-on convex automotive mirrors. I'm happy doing either, and, really, I ride this bike purely for fun on quiet sunny days.

Something like this


But on this


So, Learned Guzzistas, what say ye? Try it? Not in a million years?

[RinkRat II]

 I say YES! Try it and see..or you could do this and have no blind spots at all!!

         


image uploader
   


    Paul B

[twowings]

That bike must be a real joy to ride at sunrise/sunset...You could get a tan!! 

[TodkaVonic]

I love the Learners tab on that cat's scooter. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I have Hella copy bar-end signals with CRG copy bar-end mirrors on my '69 Ambo. It all fits, no problem. Never rode a BMW with those Bumm mirrors, so no input on how they work.




adult photo sharing
 

[TodkaVonic]

I have Hella copy bar-end signals with CRG copy bar-end mirrors on my '69 Ambo. It all fits, no problem. Never rode a BMW with those Bumm mirrors, so no input on how they work.

Yes, this is an option. I have a pair of Oberon clamp-on bar-end type mirrors on order for my Ducati. I'll see how they looks both outside and inside the grips (there's a ton of room between grip and lever) and could conceivably go that route. With just the last 12 hours of research, I'm learning that the vintage BMW folks aren't exactly keen on Bumms either: they're fussy and often result in only a clear view of ones legs. And I guess I was incorrect: They're Albert-style mirrors made by Bumm.
 

[Curtis Harper]

No idea how well they would work, but I think they would look badass!

[TodkaVonic]

I installed the Bumm headlamp-mount (i.e. BMW-style) mirrors and was pleasantly surprised how well they work, both functionally and aesthetically. They installed in minutes, are nicely adjustable, and are very well-made. A little bonus too: they're slightly convex so the field of view is completely adequate.





I also made a few changes to the handlebar arrangement to try and tidy things up. I began with a new LSL Superbike steel bar from Revival Cycles. It's a little bit lower (and much, much nicer) than my previous handlebar from Steadfast. But being lower and less quick to sweep back, the new bars also bumped into my tank, so I propped up the risers as much as the chrome gauge surround would allow. It still wasn't quite enough so I lengthened the turn-stop with a 6mm tap and a stainless bolt. Perfect...and adjustable should I change things up in the future.

The OEM Guzzi horn/light switch was changed to a Motogadget M-Switch. I wired one button to the horn and the other to a Mo-Door garage door opener which is resting comfortably (albeit snugly) in the headlamp housing. It works like a charm, by the way. The switch change (try explaining that phrase to a non-English speaker  ) meant that I've lost the ability to go from high beam to low beam or vise versa. I had to pick one or the other, so the high beam turns on with the ignition. The lack of flash-ability is a drawback.



Next I took out the choke lever/cable from the right lever and threaded my two VHB29 carbs to a choke mounted under the rearmost part of the tank. I would have preferred carb-mounted levers, but, as luck would have it, I have the old-style 29 carbs (without the o-ring) and there simple isn't a carb-mount option.



And last, I'm not really sure how this precipitated...I guess maybe I vaguely remembered La Franconis had that red cyclone thing...and I may have been staring at some of my wife's nicer heals...no idea. It's ultra high temperature paint though, so there's that.



And that's it for now.

[RinkRat II]

 Those go outstandingly well with the headlight visor
  Nice work!!

  Paul B

[TodkaVonic]

Chris: I didn't reply to your comment, but I should have because your opinion greatly influenced my decision to buy the mirrors. And for what it's worth, you were correct 

Paul, thank you. We agree. It's strange, I had taken that off but it seemed to look appropriate with the mirrors. And back at cha 

[chuck peterson]

 

Blasphemy...a Guzzi disguised as a brick?  how can you do that to the poor ambo, how can she sleep at night?

 

Looks great, too!

[TodkaVonic]

Blasphemy...a Guzzi disguised as a brick?  how can you do that to the poor ambo, how can she sleep at night?

 

Looks great, too!

It's unorthodox and strange and may be bordering on blasphemous, but, wait, where was I? Oh yeah, if it's a disguise, it's a pretty lame one given the beautiful 90 degree twin resting just behind those weird Bavarian mirrors. I may go back to the single bar-end unobtrusive and thoroughly uninteresting mirror in the future, not really sure. I feel like I'm simplifying one aspect (the bars) while muddling another.

[Devildog]

You didn't mention the tail light....from Revival? Is it bright enough?

[TodkaVonic]

You didn't mention the tail light....from Revival? Is it bright enough?

oh that's because I installed it last year. Old news.  And yes, it's LED and it's very bright. It's a Bates-style light and I do believe that they have similar at Revival. I ordered mine from a British company through eBay because I wanted it to match the headlamp (black body and chrome ring). Simple install. No complaints whatsoever.

[TodkaVonic]

Alright. Two things: 1) I'm certain that my wife is tired of me talking about it and 2) this may be the only place in the world where maybe, just maybe, a few people may find this just a little bit helpful (if not amusing)...

I was initially uncomfortable with busy-ness of the Bumm mirrors. They pulled my strange naked bobberesque Ambo in a different direction: a direction where sweeping fenders and chrome engine guards and riders wearing puffy tweed pants would work, which is fine, I guess. I was willing to overlook that, though, because they seemed to work well, are well-made, and look nice. Then I decided to replace my original "white" and black grips with new all-black ones with sealed ends, and suddenly she was looking just a hair more bad-ass, and, then, oh crap, the headlamp cap/brim thing began to look out-of-place. That was the last straw---the Bumms had to go.

But with what? I'm on Plan E here. I didn't want to cut the Beston grips and install a bar-end mirror, heck, that was Plan C and it wasn't my fave: the bars were too wide and I'd have to cut them both to even things out with a bar-end weight on the right and, well, then I could go back to the "white" and black grips, and changing those is what started this whole cascade. I tried an Oberon clamp-on from my other bike...no, not right. How about under the grip? Can't see diddly. Hmmmm.

This is getting long, sorry. Here's what I did.

8mm threaded hole through bar and an OD 11/16 brass bushing.



Dropped a grub screw down to hold the mirror bracket in place. Made sure I liked where it was positioned, etc.



Put the grip back on; threading the bracket through the wee hole at the end.


And mounted the mirror.




Clean.

So...anyone know anyone who may want to pick up a pair of Bumm mirrors? 

[thomas]

A very neat solution!

cheers,
Thomas

[EldoMike]

I have them on my /2 Conversion....still haven't decided if I like them...