Rectangular or Round Rear View Mirror?

[franklin]

Fellow KMP owners,
I have seen both rectangular and round rear view mirrors on Kirkham cars and I am trying to decide which to go with?

I would like to hear from those who have had both or either, I would like to hear the pros and cons of each?
Thank you,
Todd

[Jamo]

I have the round Raydyot...but is a slightly tinted convex one which gives me the field of view of the rectangular.

[4pipes]

I have the round Raydyot on the left, center and right side. The right side is convex which gives a great field of view. The center only "sees" directly behind, but that's ok because the roll bar interferes anyway. I drive my car like it was a motorcycle, I turn my head and look in all directions before I change lanes or make a turn. I really don't rely on my mirrors, as I do in my Vette. Oh yes, the main reason for the center mirror is to monitor for the CHP.

[FatBoy]

I have a rectangular centre mirror which works well, gives a decent field of vision and is surprisingly free from vibration, even well into illegal speeds.
I also have a round Raydyot mirror with flat mirror mounted on the driver's side windscreen post and that is totally useless. ....it looks good though.

I may need to change the flat mirror for a convex one.

Paul

[Igofastr]

I have Raydyot mirrors on each side (both utterly useless), and one rectangular mirror in the center...quite functional. I agree that it is essentially vibration free well into highly illegal speeds. But, no matter how hard I seem to tighten it down, it always slowly droops and needs adjustment. Viagra, perhaps?

[vector1]

mine has a flat square, and will prob change to a convex square for field of view.

[Ronbo]

There's a third option. Installing the windshield rod and locating the rectangular mirror up high on the rod. This will be worse for vibration though.

Finishline has a complete kit:

http://www.finishlineaccessories.com...eea73ad80c7aff

Or just the rod and mount and use your existing mirror (ret.).

[1985 CCX]

Rectangle style is OEM equipment....

[RodKnock]

Any thoughts on the following placement for an additional rear view mirror?

On the driver's door of my Kirkham near the windshield, there's a ferrule (I think that's what they call it) that's not being used. As are all of them. Has anyone used this spot for a rear view mirror. I finally drove my car yesterday and while I've always "used my head" to look around for cars, having an additional would be nice, although they're certainly not for beauty enhancement of the vehicle. Any pics?

I don't really want to mount one or even two on the windshield since the wing windows would be impacted and I definietly don;t want to have drill a new hole in the fender.

In the end, I may just go without any, except for the one in the center.

[bnewell]

I think either one looks good. My car came with both types and I decided on the Raydot style............






Brian

[franklin]

Rod Knock,
I think the ferrul location would be just as useless as the fender mounted side view mirror, due to they both are blocked by the wider rear and height of the rear of the car. While the side view mirror isn't perfect it does come in handy for quick glances. I know Kirkhams make a bracket that will work on both sides of the windshield, which I plan on getting and using. The driver side is much more handy though than the passenger side, but like I said before they are not perfect. Turning of the head is always better.

In regards to my earlier question I may try the rectangular rear view mirror at first and see how it works. I may then try the raydot for comparison. Kirkhams bracket for the rear view mirror I found out has the same bolt spacing as the OEM rectangular mirror. So the comparison & switch over should be pretty easy.

Just a follow up to my earlier question. Thank you to everyone who responded. I think I am finally done (not that you are ever done) with the polishing and I'm going to get my stripes brushed in. Pictures are in my link below...

Thanks again,
Todd
KMP488

[RalphSchmalph]

I think the rectangular mirror on the dash looks better. If mount a convex raydot on each side you'll see that you will use them every time you make a move. Without the convex, all you'll see is the rear fender.

[rokndad]

Rodney,

Glad to hear you're on the road!! Finally!

I have two Raydyots, soon to be three using the windshield frame for mounting. No holes to drill. The bracket and mirror with the Raydyot "Made in England" stamp comes from Bill Kemper in Illinois.



Here's the installation and I can see perfectly to the rear and on my side without moving my head. The bracket comes pre-drilled and countersunk and is chrome to match the windshield. The four finger aluminum knob comes from MSC Direct. 1/4-20. $ 3.00. You have to get slightly longer screws to hold the bracket and have to be careful they're not too long for fear of breaking the windshield. I used slotted stainless machine screws. My mirrors only vibrate slightly at idle. At speed, they're both fairly steady and useful.



I am adding a third Raydyot on the pass side, and am having Bill make me a special matching reverse bracket out of brass that I will get plated that has a slight 20 degree bend to the outside so the mirror can be seen through the windwing. I'll also have to use an extension on the base bolt to make sure it peeks around the windshield pillar.

Here's the little devil.



Call me if you need more.

Tom

[RodKnock]

Thanks Tom. I don't have my car yet, but I drove it last Tuesday. Down to a few last details plus the Brake & Light and CHP is next week. Hopefully, BAR will reopen soon.

[RodKnock]

I opted to buy a pair of the Raydots and mount them on the windshield. Eh, we'll see if they'll be useful. Just not sure if the brushed back surface will look alright with the polished aluminum body.

[franklin]

Rodknock,
Did you know they make a polished mirror, just like the brushed ones? I have a brushed left over from my last FFR build and I was going to use it, but like you I don't know if the brushed mirror would look as good as the polished one with my polished body. I saw them both on Finishline's web site, and it looks like they are 10% off if you buy 2.
http://www.finishlineaccessories.com...roducts_id=428

Todd

[RodKnock]

Poop! I didn't know that. Bummer, I've already committed to a pair in the brushed finish. I'll see how they look, and they look like poop, then I'll get the chrome ones. Any ideas on the level of chrome quality you would get for $39?

[franklin]

I haven't ordered them yet, so I can't answer the quality question. Perhaps someone else that has them could chime in???

It is sounding like the convex is best for both side view mirrors and the rear view mirror? Correct?

Thanks in advance for the imput...

[Lew Ledyard]

The cars that have the round mirrors with the flat lenses are generally much faster.

[big-boss]

"Whatsa behind you don't matta"