Hitchcocks Forum

Does anyone know what year handlebar mirrors were introduced and also if the model G had them when coming out the redditch factory ?

Reds

I'm thinking mirrors were an optional extra or custom accessory. They did exist but even by the early 70s they weren't that common on a bike (ok scooters festooned with them), one reason being the view was so wobbly, the other being being the test required us to swivel the head and look. We didn't have the traffic density back then but there were still idiots on the road. You probably need pics from factory sales brochures.

I've looked at brochures from that period and none of them (not just RE) show any mirrors at all, no mirrors.

I suppose in those days it was more important to look where you were going not where you have been.

I think it was more a case that one was supposed to look over your shoulder like on a push bike and everyone could ride a push bike. In, when was it, 1971/72 the examiner certainly expected you to look over the shoulders and /not/ use a mirror since looking is actually better than using a mirror.



Actually the bike test was a bit of a joke, the examiner expected me to ride round the block of my granny's old house a few times, so I knew the roads inside out. No indicators, flapping arms. Then after he leapt out on me I read a number plate half way up the street for him, it was the wrong one but it was so far away he couldn't even see it, but that was ok.

And you should still look over your shoulder, mirrors or not. Mirrors have blind spots.