Vaquero bag reflectors, removal?

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

Could you not drill or grind of the head of the screws, rather than cut the inner door.
Or use a large screwdriver and pry them off

The head of the screw is inside the door. They are just long enought to not fall back inside on their own. Snipping a bit of length off should do it, or hold it with needle-nose pliers and grind a bit off.

Cutting the reflector off the from the front, or making a hole in the back, either way you've got your dremel tool out.

I still need to see if I can plot a couple points that someone could just drill to gain access to the screws from inside. I'll work on that, I promise

[jestephens]

Here's the Best (well . . . the first) idea I came up with to locate where to drill to access the screws holding on the reflectors.

With some tape in place to mark on, measure from the center of the screw toward the rear of the bike. The first point is 1.80 inch, the second is an even 4.00 inches.

You'll be drilling about .125-.250 from the edge of the raised panel, and this is a soft plastic, so keep your RPMs high and pressure light to maintain control. The hole locations aren't super critical, your screw driver will tolerate some mismatch just fine.

Let us all know if you use this method and how it works for you. And remember, "without pictures, it didn't happen!"

[toy4bob]

Ok, not sure when I will work up the courage to drill holes in my new toy, and come up with what to cover the holes with.

But I want to clarify, the tape sure looks like 1.80" but you typed 1.40"....just wanted to make sure wasn't a typo

[Monkeyman]

You can cover the inner holes with some plastic hole plugs. Slap some silicone on them to make sure it's all waterproof. Paint them to match the custom painted inside of the bags.

[toy4bob]

I was actually more concerned about the holes on the outside of the bags :)

[Monkeyman]

My bad. There are a million possibilities. You could mount some lights directly to the bag as jestephens is doing or maybe mount a light to the end of the "wing" (reflector extension?). Or cover it up with a sticker. Or mount a couple of LEDs in the existing holes (mount something on the back so they're flush?). Or the best idea...trade your doors for mine. :) You know you want the chrome strips.

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by toy4bob

Ok, not sure when I will work up the courage to drill holes in my new toy, and come up with what to cover the holes with.

But I want to clarify, the tape sure looks like 1.80" but you typed 1.40"....just wanted to make sure wasn't a typo

WHEW! That's why I wrote it in the picture. I just went and re-measured. 1.8 is correct, and I edited the original post to avoid confusion. Thanks for the good catch

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

My bad. There are a million possibilities. You could mount some lights directly to the bag as jestephens is doing or maybe mount a light to the end of the "wing" (reflector extension?). Or cover it up with a sticker. Or mount a couple of LEDs in the existing holes (mount something on the back so they're flush?). Or the best idea...trade your doors for mine. :) You know you want the chrome strips.

A reflective sticker seamed like the best thing to me, to get it done now. If you're still concerned about possible moisture, then seal the holes with black silicone before installing the sticker/decal.

The OE reflector itself is taped to the reflector base. In theory, you could clean it up, apply new 3M automotive foam tape and stick it directly to the bag. ??? Same reflector, but with a new, non-obtrusive look.

[caesar]

Jestephens, are those wired as running turn signals or both?

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by caesar

Jestephens, are those wired as running turn signals or both?

I ended up sticking with the reflectors and used those lights on the fairing.

[mobandy78]

Jay, we need a seperate thread just for you and all your handy work that you're doing to your Vaquero. I'm really admiring all of your mods and work that you're doing. Almost think we have about the same taste in ideas. :)

[Devin W]

Originally Posted by jestephens

Let us all know if you use this method and how it works for you. And remember, "without pictures, it didn't happen!"

Done. Measurements were basically where they needed to be. Some small adjustment necessary. Used a 3/8" bit. Taped up the holes on the inside with electrical tape - might do something more later.

Outside I'll put some black silicone in the holes and get some black 3M reflective tape and put a small strip or a couple of circles (or maybe some creative shape that only shows up in the dark!).

Some marring of the paint from the original reflectors that should polish out. Random observation: Brake side reflector had loose screws. Clutch side screws were tight.

Super happy to be rid of those outriggers.

Pics to prove it happened (note the additional hole is for the rivet for the clutch side document pocket - I just drilled it out and put a new rivet in when done since I like having that pocket for my ipad):

[jestephens]

Glad the dimensions worked! (close enough)

[Duff]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

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?

Considering there's no part number for the reflector...looks like that's the plan
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmot...8661#sch704922

[ZZVaquero]

What are you folks doing to cover or conceal the holes on the outside of the bag? I removed them today, but haven't found anything for plugging the holes just yet.