My 2012 UC will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. Let me start by saying I am extremely particular about all of my vehicles and a perfectionist when it comes to modifications. My first project was to add fairing mounted mirrors with the covers for LED signal lights. I ordered OEM mirrors and covers directly from HD. I know they are the right ones. I AM SO PISSED! First they were back ordered but I can live with that. They arrived today and I was as prepared as I could be for my task. Thanks to the many suggestions on this forum I put socks on the spot lights and a nice soft towel over the front fender. I even purchased a new set of drill bits so I knew I would have the correct sizes.

I get the fairing off and secure it on the sofa. I read, read and read again the instructions before I do anything. I use the supplied template, measure twice and use a spring loaded punch so the drill bit doesn't walk. I carefully drill two 1/8" pilot holes following the instructions line by line. When I go to mount the first mirror, it won't sit flush against the inner fairing because its hitting the outer edge of the speaker housing. I end up doing some extensive "creative dremelling" to the edge of the mirror mount in order to get it to sit flush.

Now I'm faced with a decision. Adjust my measurements on the other side which would make them appear uneven to the operator or follow the template and dremel the other mirror the same way. I choose to make them match. The next issue is when I drill the hole for the grommet for the LED signal light wire. The directions state to measure down 1" from the larger mirror stud hole. I do. Now I go to re-mount the mirror and the bottom of the mount hits the metal insert for the wire. I'm MORE PISSED! I end up drilling another hole below that one and I'm back in business. Granted its just a small (1/4") hole that cannot be seen and only I (and readers of this post) know it's there but after the small fortune I spent on this bike the last thing I wanted to do is hack it up. The last straw was when I laid out the parts and found that I had two spacers labeled "L" and none labeled "R". The electrical connections were the easiest part.

When all is done, they came out nice. I would like to stiffen them up a little as they seem to adjust a little too easy. The quality is good but I am very disappointed in the fit and finish. I hope my Rinehart Slip-on project goes better.

 

Yikes, I hate drilling. You are good to go though.

Buy you a fender cover and tank cover. If you have them in the garage you will use them and they are cheaper than I thought they'd be.
It's better than forgetting the towel and saying I don't need to go back in the house, I'll be carefu -l then YIKES you drop something.

 

This story reminds me of a time when I installed chrome fender tips on a previous bike. I used the temp plate that was provided and made sure everything was right before I put the drill to it. Everything looked good so I put the fender tip on and wouldn't you know it doesn't fit quite right. I was pissed and end up having to slot the holes and then use some epoxy to secure it. After it was all said and done it looked good but it was frustrating having a temp plate that was off slightly. Since that experience I really try to avoid drilling holes in any of my bikes if possible.

 

Very frustrating!

 

Dont feel bad Larry, just did mine as well. The template leaves alot to be desired. I had the same issue with the mirror base over-lapping the the speaker housing contour. I slotted holes and then fit the base to match the inner fairing. Turned out fine. I too would like to tighten up the mirror swivels but dont know of a way to do that. The mirrors stay but everytime wiping the bike down I have to re-adjust for the next tide. If anyone knows a trick - I'm all ears.

 

I for one, I would like to see some pictures. It is not my next modification but would like to do something with the mirrors.

 

I tried to use the template when drilling 3 holes in my brand new saddle bag lids for the Air Wing rails. Had the bags sitting secure on a bench and couldn't get every thing adjusted just right. I drilled the holes on the left side exactly where the template showed and the rail wouldn't fit. Had to Dremel the holes a fuzz....Grrrrr!
On the right side I put tape on the lid and cut the heads off three scrap screws and placed the stubs in the lid rail. I then could set the rail on the lid and do all adjustments until it was perfect. Marked around the screws and drilled. Perfect fit!
Screw the templates and do your own engineering.

 

I'm installing a new painted inner fairing on my 2012 Street Glide, the new inner fairing did not come per-drilled for the fairing mirrors...don't think I'm going to install them anyway...don't want to hide the painted surface I just paid for...plus putting on Khrome Werks + 2 Sweeper handlebars and my hands /arms would block the mirrors anyway....
Should finish today...will post pictures, so far looking good....

 

Glad you like them.
I ditched mine as soon as I could and replaced them by Kuryakyn Blind Spot mirrors with LEDs. They're 100% chrome metal, they don't require a 2nd hole because the wires run through the stud, and more importantly, they're fully adjustable.
You can't stiffen up the HD plastic mirrors, there's no adjustment for the swivel. Once they're loose, there's nothing you can do about it.

 

I used some blue loctite where it swivels on some mirrors before, works good.