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11-20-2011, 12:00 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Warsaw, Indiana
Posts: 371
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Vaquero bag reflectors, removal?
Anyone tried this? Any chance they are held on with 3M tape? If they are mounted by screws I won't go there as don't want to have to deal with bag repair / paint.... unless could stick something else there that would look good and hide the holes. Can't think what that could be though, hmmm
If they didn't stick out so far I wouldn't even be thinking about them.
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2011 Vaquero, The pretty red kind (and fastest!) 1989 Yamaha FJ1200 VBA #01898 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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11-20-2011, 06:09 PM | #2 |
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I can hear my heartbeat in here. You might have to be the first. Let us know how you make out.
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Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email] |
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11-20-2011, 07:12 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis)
Posts: 1,601
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It was the first thing I did to my new Vaquero, after I got it home!!! I removed my OE reflectors and replaced them with a 3D reflective sticker for now. Ultimately, I plan on installing a turn signal in that location. I've already bought the lights, you may recognize them as front fender signals on popular BMWs. ;) I need to confirm some fitments, but that's the plan so far.
To remove the first reflector, I cut up the reflector itself, hoping the screws that installed it were short enough to fall back into the saddle bag door. They are not . . . With a good pair of snips, you may be able to cut them short enough to fall. However, I decided I would want access to this area to install lights anyhow, so I cut a small portion of the inside of the door. On the Left side, I decided this would be my plan from the start. I removed 1 of the rivets holding the mesh bag in place, and cut the inside of the door, then unscrewed the reflector in one piece. My bags are off the bike, and I ran out to take pictures after reading this thread. Pardon the dust, but notice the marring of the paint from the original reflectors. This may be easily hidden with a coat of wax, but I haven't applied any product yet to see. My bags only had 20 miles on them when I did this. Would higher mileage have worse marring? |
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11-20-2011, 09:22 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
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That will look GOOD!! How about a pic just holding it up in place on the bag?
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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11-20-2011, 09:20 PM | #5 |
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I've never looked that closely at the doors, but isn't there some way to separate the inner and outer doors? Must be something if the reflectors are screwed in from the inside? Or are they bonded together? Only suggesting as I hate cutting on my bike if I can take a bit of extra time and take something apart.
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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11-20-2011, 09:29 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis)
Posts: 1,601
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Definitely BONDED. :(
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11-20-2011, 10:19 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
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Oh. That seriously sucks. I saw a screw in a pic and hoped it was otherwise. Once you install the new lights, you could cut a piece of black plastic just a hair larger than the hole and use something strong but NOT permanent (thinking silicone?) to affix it the hole. Might help keep dust/dirt/moisture out.
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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11-21-2011, 05:27 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Warsaw, Indiana
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Yea, I was afraid it would be a little deeper than I wanted to dig. Thinking I will be living with the reflectors. Thanks much for the info jestephens
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2011 Vaquero, The pretty red kind (and fastest!) 1989 Yamaha FJ1200 VBA #01898 |
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11-21-2011, 07:26 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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So let me get this straight. MaKaw screwed the reflectors in place THEN bonded the inner and outer doors? How did they expect someone would replace the reflector in case it bumped something? Buy a whole new door?
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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11-22-2011, 09:36 AM | #10 |
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That sounds about right. They probably hope you would replace the entire saddlebag.
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Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08|Custer '09|Cortez '10|Crescent City '11|Kanab '12|Antlers '12|Estes Park '13|Antlers '13|Orofino '14|The Dalles '17 |
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06-04-2012, 06:00 PM | #11 | |
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Location: Oklahoma City
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Quote:
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmot...8661#sch704922 |
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03-23-2013, 09:25 PM | #12 | |
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 227
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Quote:
The part number per the parts diagram at the Kawasaki web site for the bag reflectors is listed on the diagram for REFLECTORS; reference # 2810 part # 28012-0010
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My friends call me KC!! Wichita, KS VBA #02089 Previous Bikes: 75 Yamaha 175 09 Vulcan 900 Classic 11 Vulcan Vaquero Harleys: 75 Sportster XLCH 84 Sportster 1000 85 FXRT 79 Low Rider |
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03-24-2013, 02:38 PM | #13 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 98
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I went ahead and removed the ugly saddlebag reflectors... But the question remained, what to do about the holes it leaves... Well I found a way to fill them, and it is super simple and cheap. I have attached some photos to show what I used...
First, use a 3/8 drill bit to make the holes on the interior of the bag when removing the factory screws. At Lowes you can buy plastic snap it hole fillers in black that fit perfect and blend right in. I added some silicone glue, and they look like factory, as much as it can. As for the exterior holes. Also at Lowes, I bought some black automotive push in style fasteners. I have attached a picture so you know exactly what to buy. They are 80 cents a pair! I then snipped off the point, and lathered both the hole and plug with glue. Press them in and then wipe the excess glue off with alcohol. They look pretty clean in my opinion, and unless you are looking for it, they could have come this way from the factory. I have a total of $7 in this mod! Here are my pictures. The one with the entire bike is a work a work in progress... Still blacking out more chrome, but you can see where I am going with the project... |
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11-21-2011, 07:57 AM | #14 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Montreal QC
Posts: 12,034
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Jestephens,
Perhaps as you have already opened up yours, you could make a template of the exact location of the screws and post it for future reference. Others that wished to replace or remove the reflectors would then need only to drill a couple of 1/2 holes with a hole saw to get at the screws.
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Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136 |
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11-21-2011, 09:41 PM | #15 |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis)
Posts: 1,601
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I will definitely see what I can come up with!
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