Saddlebag Reflector

[El Cajone]

I need to take the red reflector off my banged-up saddlebag and move it to a new lid. How do I do that? Is it glued on or attached from the inside of the outer wall?

 

[Canadian FJR]

They came with a peel & stick tape on them when new. Any type of two sided detail tape will work. Stop in and see your local auto body man.

Canadian FJR

 

[RossKean]

The unit is taped on as Canadian FJR said. The reflector sort of screws into the base (you have to flex it a bit). If the base is good, you may be able to just change out the reflector. I discovered this when I found out that the FJR is REALLY wide while backing out of a tight space in my garage.

 

[DennisJ]

The unit is taped on as Canadian FJR said. The reflector sort of screws into the base (you have to flex it a bit). If the base is good, you may be able to just change out the reflector. I discovered this when I found out that the FJR is REALLY wide while backing out of a tight space in my garage.

I made the same discovery while backing in. Surprised me is putting it mildly. I was looking around for the car that tried to pull out while I was pulling in when I reaized the garage really is more of a one motorcycle garage. You can get a car in there but it is tough squeezing between the door frame and the side of the car when you need to.

 

[puppychow]

The way Feeger removes it is to take a rubber mallet preferably a white one so as not to accidentally mark the paint, but still cover the area with a microfiber cloth, then take the rubber mallet and hit the top of the saddlebag reflector with a quick sharp blow. It comes right off. Has worked for him 4 times (2 on each side) over 2 FJR's. I saw him getting ready to do it and thought he was crazy, then I saw it work like a charm..

 

[El Cajone]

The way Feeger removes it is to take a rubber mallet preferably a white one so as not to accidentally mark the paint, but still cover the area with a microfiber cloth, then take the rubber mallet and hit the top of the saddlebag reflector with a quick sharp blow. It comes right off. Has worked for him 4 times (2 on each side) over 2 FJR's. I saw him getting ready to do it and thought he was crazy, then I saw it work like a charm..

Does that remove the base and reflector.... or just the reflector?

 

[ahchiu]

Use a hair drier to heat up the front and back side of the saddle bag behind the reflector and then pull off.

 

[mcatrophy]

Use a hair drier to heat up the front and back side of the saddle bag behind the reflector and then pull off.

I'd suggest the back side won't do much good since it's double skinned.

 

[ahchiu]

Use a hair drier to heat up the front and back side of the saddle bag behind the reflector and then pull off.

I'd suggest the back side won't do much good since it's double skinned.

When you get the reflector off the bag you can heat the reflector and get the rest off the reflector, it works that's how I got mine off.

 

[ionbeam]

Use a hair drier to heat up the front and back side of the saddle bag behind the reflector and then pull off.

I'd suggest the back side won't do much good since it's double skinned.

When you get the reflector off the bag you can heat the reflector and get the rest off the reflector, it works that's how I got mine off.

I believe mcatrophy is telling you that the lid of the bag has an inner wall and an outer color shell. There is a gap between the inside of the lid and the outside color shell so heat transfer will be poor. If someone goes the heat gun route just warm the outer color shell around the reflector. From there it's your choice to use a rubber mallet, pull it off or slide dental floss between the reflector base and the color shell.

So, what does the heat do to the adhesive that holds the lid together? I've seen a few pictures where the color shell came unbonded and fell off. Edited to add: The color shell coming off was independent of removing the reflector with heat, it simply fell off.

 

[ahchiu]

Use a hair drier to heat up the front and back side of the saddle bag behind the reflector and then pull off.

I'd suggest the back side won't do much good since it's double skinned.

When you get the reflector off the bag you can heat the reflector and get the rest off the reflector, it works that's how I got mine off.

I believe mcatrophy is telling you that the lid of the bag has an inner wall and an outer color shell. There is a gap between the inside of the lid and the outside color shell so heat transfer will be poor. If someone goes the heat gun route just warm the outer color shell around the reflector. From there it's your choice to use a rubber mallet, pull it off or slide dental floss between the reflector base and the color shell.

So, what does the heat do to the adhesive that holds the lid together? I've seen a few pictures where the color shell came unbonded and fell off. Edited to add: The color shell coming off was independent of removing the reflector with heat, it simply fell off.

Got it, I did mine before I knew this and forgot about it, I thought he was talking about the tape being double skined. sorry.

 

[El Cajone]

Thanks, guys. Now I've got some ideas to work with. Luv this forum!

 

[puppychow]

The way Feeger removes it is to take a rubber mallet preferably a white one so as not to accidentally mark the paint, but still cover the area with a microfiber cloth, then take the rubber mallet and hit the top of the saddlebag reflector with a quick sharp blow. It comes right off. Has worked for him 4 times (2 on each side) over 2 FJR's. I saw him getting ready to do it and thought he was crazy, then I saw it work like a charm..

Does that remove the base and reflector.... or just the reflector?

That removes the base (matte black plastic) and the reflector in one go.