removed the reflectors from my hard bags

I got tired of looking at those huge ugly reflectors on the sides of my factory hard bags.
After removing the reflector, there is a 3/8" hole where it was attached.
A quick trip to the hardware store yielded some 3/8" nylon plugs, but they were white.
I picked up some metallic silver hobby spray paint to take care of that.

[image: user posted image]
removed the big ugly reflector

I think it looks much better now. biggrin.gif
Also, I did the poor man's fender eliminator. I haven't seen any other pictures of this done with the bags. I retained all the original hardware. The only thing removed was the huge piece of plastic.

[image: user posted image]
Did the poor man's fender eliminator

Now, I'm free of all those 'Huffy bicycle reflectors'!
-John

Great job, not too noticeable at all. That's the reason I bought my bags from Europe. They didn't have the reflectors and they also had the nice VFR emblem not the Interceptor emblem.

Look'n pretty tight. Avatar is cool too.

SOrry about the quality of my photos, but I wanted to show the sidebag install with the COmpetition WErkes FEnder Elim kit in place.

I have not finished with the bracketry yet, but this gives you the idea. I did not want the fender and all the "appropriate" mounting hardware back on because I have been know to frequent a toll highway in Ontario that sometimes "misses" my licence plate when I enter and exit.

However, I think that the setup is visually ok, and once I've taken the cross member off, and sanded and painted it black as the other bracketry is, I think it'll look satisfactory.

[image: user posted image]

[image: user posted image]

Kanadian Ken, Nov 27 2005, 06:08 PMSOrry about the quality of my photos, but I wanted to show the sidebag install with the COmpetition WErkes FEnder Elim kit in place.

I have not finished with the bracketry yet, but this gives you the idea.  I did not want the fender and all the "appropriate" mounting hardware back on because I have been know to frequent a toll highway in Ontario that sometimes "misses" my licence plate when I enter and exit. 

However, I think that the setup is visually ok, and once I've taken the cross member off, and sanded and painted it black as the other bracketry is, I think it'll look satisfactory.

Very cool. I'm now inspired to tuck the plate up in between the cans. I've been looking around at other's fabrications to do this. All good stuff.

seadooloo, Nov 27 2005, 05:33 PMGreat job, not too noticeable at all. That's the reason I bought my bags from Europe. They didn't have the reflectors and they also had the nice VFR emblem not the Interceptor emblem.

How do you get the Euro models please. Thanks

I believe my bags originally came from DAvid Silver SPares in Great Britain? I bough tthem off ebay, and am not the original purchasor.

This is how mine ended up looking:


[image: user posted image]
brackets.jpg


I guess I thought it would be easier to modify the cw eliminator then the brackets. It works out ok, basically because of the hugger, although I do have to clean road crude occasionally especially when it's a bit wet.

I too bought the hard bags from davidsliver spares, no reflectors. I really like that mod you guys have done on that, improvement for sure. H

vfr03silver, Nov 27 2005, 10:44 PMThis is how mine ended up looking:


[image: user posted image]
brackets.jpg


I guess I thought it would be easier to modify the cw eliminator then the brackets. It works out ok, basically because of the hugger, although I do have to clean road crude occasionally especially when it's a bit wet.

I too bought the hard bags from davidsliver spares, no reflectors. I really like that mod you guys have done on that, improvement for sure. H

HAnk - thats a great look, really clean and looks OEM. VEry nice. I'd do the same if I wasn't trying to take advantage of the plate relocation. beer.gif

Call me whackey- but why would you wanna remove something that helps keep you visible to other vehicles at night? sad.gif

Me- I must be paranoid- but I like being seen. I put safety just slightly ahead of aesthetics in my book.

zw

zenwhipper, Nov 27 2005, 07:35 PMCall me whackey- but why would you wanna remove something that helps keep you visible to other vehicles at night?  sad.gif

Me- I must be paranoid- but I like being seen. I put safety just slightly ahead of aesthetics in my book.

zw

zw,
You have a point there. But, when riding in traffic in San Diego you have got to be defensive at all times. These cagers around here will change lanes on you at will and they are not looking anyway. I like to ride a little faster than traffic pace to keep 'positive control' on them - always trying to predict what the other guy is going to do. (I do not let cages follow close to me.)

Also, being military I have to ride with a reflective vest or they don't have to cover medical costs (or life insurance) in an accident. dry.gif I ride with the Icon "mil-spec" vest.

John

I removed the reflectors on my hardbags as well when I had it painted. Looks 110% better without the reflectors.

Kanadian Ken, Nov 27 2005, 08:46 PMHAnk - thats a great look, really clean and looks OEM.  VEry nice.  I'd do the same if I wasn't trying to take advantage of the plate relocation. beer.gif

Thanks Ken. I see better why you did yours that way, it too looks very nice. Also, in case some people didnt see this: do a search on "rubbermaid", there's a nice looking fender someone made out of an rubbermaid trashcan.

I think I might find the time to do something like that, but I would move the bottom of the fender to be just below my license plate. Have fun! Hank

Rivcyko, Nov 27 2005, 05:54 PMLook'n pretty tight. Avatar is cool too.

Thanks Rivcyko. The avatar pic was taken with the camera above my head and the background was replaced my a color I 'stole' from the headlight area.

vfr03silver, Nov 28 2005, 04:27 AM....do a search on "rubbermaid", there's a nice looking fender someone made out of an rubbermaid trashcan...I would move the bottom of the fender to be just below my license plate...Hank

Hank, I just checked out the rubbermaid thread.
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...7&hl=rubbermaid
The smooth texture of the trash can looks a lot better than the stock fender.
Like Ken said, your setup is very clean and oem looking. nice job. fing02.gif

I noticed in the pictures that the Euro hard bags mounting brackets do not have the 'tabs' on the tail end of the support bars that mine do. I guess a reflector is supposed to go there. (even though it would be hidden with the bags attached) These have been bugging me since I bought the bike and one of these days I'm going to cut them off.
Hmm...that may be the just excuse I need to buy that new home powdercoat system. wink.gif Wouldn't want any rust would we...?

jereeder, Nov 29 2005, 03:26 AMHank, I just checked out the rubbermaid thread.
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...7&hl=rubbermaid
The smooth texture of the trash can looks a lot better than the stock fender.
Like Ken said, your setup is very clean and oem looking.  nice job.  fing02.gif

Thanks jereeder. I did some research and I think this is the waste basket he used:

Rubbermaid RCP-2955-BLA... it's dimensions are 11 3/8w x 8 1/4d x 12 1/8h. The depth is prob measured at the top, and because it narrows at the bottom that will give the rounded corners at about the correct width at the bottom of the plate.
The price is like 4.85. I'm pretty sure that's the one but wont be sure till I take some measurements from bike.

It really looks like a simple thing to do. Now I just gotta find one of these somewhere lol.

Personally, I'd grind those tabs off smile.gif but I've been known to spend exorbitant amounts of time on things some would consider silly smile.gif Good luck and have fun, Hank