Reflector Removal

[MechE]

Hypothetically speaking, if one wanted to temporarily remove those gorgeous reflectors from the front forks, what's the best way that won't mar the fork tubes?

[bikebits]

Get some dental floss and use a length of it in a sawing motion against the fork tube to cut the double sided tape. This is best done wearing leather gloves. You can either simply rub the residue off the fork tubes with the gloves or use a solvent like kerosene or "Goof-Off".

[Pat H]

Yes they are just glued on with double sided tape.
A very nice member form down under went to all the trouble to send me a set for my UK F800 which doesn't come with them as std.

May be worth noting that removal of a safety feature may have implications if your involved in an accident.
Just worth thinking about.

[EJ_92606]

I believe they are required by law in the U.S., but one of those things you are unlikely to get cited for unless you really piss off a cop and he's sharp enough to notice.

I don't really mind the look of them and I think the added night time side visibility is probably a good thing, but to each their own.

I've removed other things with double sided tape and the dental floss plus some heat with a hair dryer works pretty well. Be careful with goof off as it's pretty strong stuff and I know someone that clouded the paint on their car using that stuff. IMO, better to use something mild like a citrus based product such as Goo-Gone.

[MechE]

Thanks for the info. We're moving a bit beyond the "How To", so I'll do some research on side reflector requirements and maybe continue this in the main discussion area.

[poudre]

Fishing line may be used in place of dental floss if desired.[thumb]

Mine have always "fallen off, officer"

[mr.mow]

Dental floss.. fishing wire... Shiit, I gave mine a little tug and they FELL off..!

[mkerrigan]

WD-40 does the trick too

[poudre]

The reflectors by the licence plate require a hack saw or one heck of alot of dental floss.

[decoats]

The whole idea with reflectors and reflection is that you want MORE on your bike, not less
dc

[rx35285]

Yeah, just give 'em a good tug. I doubt if they'll break. Or you can wait until the temperature hits 5 degrees F and they'll fall off - at least mine did. I was hauling the bike home from the dealer, so I can truthfully tell the officer they fell off. I used 3M automotive adhesive remover to get the residue off. I need to find something more effective from a safety perspective and more aesthetically pleasing. Who has put reflective tape on their wheels?