Reflectors - argh! What to do?

So it just dawned on me that the previous owner of my wife's new '02 VFR had performed some cosmetic work on the bike and removed all the stock reflectors from the front and rear fenders, which is going to screw me when I go to get it inspected.  Massachusetts is being all anal now about this stuff, and last year I got dinged for not having front fender reflectors on my ZZR, which I have never had and had never been a problem for the prior 8 years, so I know this is going to be a problem on the VFR.

I'm hoping some of you VFR guys have some advice.

It also looks like the previous owner of the VFR had done some sort of surgery on the rear fender, as there is nothing much of it left other than that plate holder and light, so I don't know what I can even attach reflectors to.  Replacing all the missing stuff with OEM parts is gonna cost me a small fortune.  Dammit, why can't people just leave the bikes the way their creator made them, or at least save what was removed for the next owner?   :angry: :mad:

Here's what the tail currently looks like.  What the heck am I supposed to do with that?

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• [image: VFR_tail.jpg]

The rear fender looks fine to me.. doesn't look like there's been any surgery, I think it just looks that way because of the aftermarket exhaust.

The OEM exhaust sits a bit higher.. here's a pic of mine.

[image: Posted Image]


(Edit, I realized the rear does have a reflector so removed all my misleading information)

I would make a simple u-shaped bracket out of some aluminum stock.  Use the lower license plate holes to bolt it on.  Bend it around on both sides and attach a cheap Walmart bicycle reflector to each side.

You can get self adhesive reflectors in all shapes & sizes. I have a set that came from an El cheapo shop. White, red, yellow & blue. Some are less than an inch round, while some are strips about 3/4 inch wide & 4 inches long.
Mine does have a red reflector at the back & the fender on mine looks like its extended from the factory so it can go there (for compliance here)

You can see from this picture that the side reflectors are attached to the rear fender.  There is also supposed to be a reflector below the license plate on the back.  The fender on the OP's bike has been modified.

[image: Posted Image]

Great info guys, thanks!  That photo posted above from conedodger is apparently the stock fender, all of which has obviously been chopped off on our bike (and Jay-d's black VFR as well).

I like the idea of just bending a piece of aluminum stock, attaching it to the license plate bolts and using stick-on reflectors.  Might just order the OEM reflectors and brackets for the fork.

Oh, and my rant about not modifying bikes obviously does not apply to that Staintune exhaust that we inherited with the bike.  OMG does that sound amazing.   :wub:

I made a simple plate bracket fender eliminator out of aluminum angle for my 2004.  When I went on long trips with the hard bags, I always put the OEM fender back on.  It gave a little more support to the luggage which I usually had jam packed, and obviously helped with wheel spray in bad weather.

I still have my OEM fender and I would send it to you.  However, I'm in the market for another 6th gen and I don't know whether or not I'll be in the same boat as you regarding what may or may not be missing.  I hope to have one in my garage within a month or so.  If you haven't come up with a solution by then and my next bike still has its complete OEM tail, I'll send my old one to you.  In the mean time, you can always slap some reflectors on like the guys mentioned and give it a shot.  I'd hate for your wife to have to sit in anticipation waiting on me to find a bike.

[image: View Post]tbzep, on 18 April 2012 - 07:37 AM, said:

I made a simple plate bracket fender eliminator out of aluminum angle for my 2004.  When I went on long trips with the hard bags, I always put the OEM fender back on.  It gave a little more support to the luggage which I usually had jam packed, and obviously helped with wheel spray in bad weather.

I still have my OEM fender and I would send it to you.  However, I'm in the market for another 6th gen and I don't know whether or not I'll be in the same boat as you regarding what may or may not be missing.  I hope to have one in my garage within a month or so.  If you haven't come up with a solution by then and my next bike still has its complete OEM tail, I'll send my old one to you.  In the mean time, you can always slap some reflectors on like the guys mentioned and give it a shot.  I'd hate for your wife to have to sit in anticipation waiting on me to find a bike.

Thanks TB!  I appreciate the generous offer.  I've got to slap something together quick for inspection anyway so she can ride, so no real biggie.  Damn gubmint!

[image: View Post]zzrider, on 18 April 2012 - 07:12 AM, said:

Great info guys, thanks!  That photo posted above from conedodger is apparently the stock fender, all of which has obviously been chopped off on our bike (and Jay-d's black VFR as well).
Sorry, you're right!  I'm half asleep here, for whatever reason, I was assuming you were talking about the rear tail fairing.. why?  I haven't a clue!

Must get more sleep. :sad:

Coincidentally I saw a rear fender assembly on eBay last night. Can't say how much or where the seller is located, but it looked like what you need.

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The 1st pic shows what the tape looks like without flash, and the 2nd with.

I don't know if it's a fix for your state inspection or not, you'd have to ask someone(best at the place that does the inspection).