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Different take on reflectors

dorkburger

dorkburger

Forum Guru
Past Site Supporter
During my fork work, my reflectors and brackets were removed during the cleaning process. I consider them to be an unsightly but necessary safety item, as any / all added visibility helps. One of the reflectors has been broken in half since the early 2000s though.
I got the bright idea (pun intended) to remove the reflectors and stick 3M conspicuity tape to the brackets in lieu of the reflectors - that is the reflective tape used on tractor trailers and is quite bright. They are smaller, at least as bright, and less ugly.
http://Untitled by Glen Brenner, on Flickr
 
I did that with mine as well. Bought a small roll of red and silver. Shows up in the light a lot better than the plastic reflectors.
 
If the photo is a good indication, sure seems effective.

Might I find such in , say, autoparts store? maybe near stuff for trailers.
I Wonder if such is available in yellow (what we have come accustom to for side markers) since I have a bike that is missing the side reflectors.
 
I would say mine is brighter as I installed a long strip on the fork. Shines up when I drive my truck into the driveway. You should be able to get it from Harbour Freight. Here we have Princess Auto which is similar. There must be another word for it, other than reflective, and this is going to drive me up the wall for a while, but it catches the light at different angles due to the way it is designed. The original reflectors were installed with hose clamps and I think that the reflective tape came out sometime later. The tape would seem to be a much more cost- effective way of installing a reflector rather than having to install it with a hose clamp, which does the job but tends to look a little unsightly, as well as adding an ounce or two of weight to the bike.
 
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I messed around a bit and hit it from different angles with the phone camera. I?d say that up to a bit less then a 45 degree angle from straight on it still reflects pretty good. If I put a strip around the fork leg as opposed to the flat surface it?s on now coverage would be pretty complete.
i got it from Dads cabinet. Not sure where he got it from.
Ages ago I made a bunch of "dots? from it using a notebook paper holepuncher and stuck them on my helmet. My friend says that my helmet looks like a constellation at night.
 
dorkburger said:
Ages ago I made a bunch of "dots” from it using a notebook paper holepuncher and stuck them on my helmet. My friend says that my helmet looks like a constellation at night.
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I had some tape left over from reflectorizing my mailbox, so I added some to my helmet. Brightens up the black helmet a bit in daytime, but REALLY brightens it up at night.

IMG_7238_zps568300dd.jpg


IMG_7239_zps77ee90fe.jpg


This was the previous helmet:

IMG_0321.jpg


IMG_0322.jpg


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No reflectors on the muffins? :-k

Welcome back, Allie, haven't seen you for a while. :encouragement:

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Ummmm reflective muffins. Ok I know, but it's the best I could come up with on short notice.:o

il_340x270.1417326043_pqwj.jpg
 
Steve said:
No reflectors on the muffins? :-k

Welcome back, Allie, haven't seen you for a while. :encouragement:

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gsrick said:
Ummmm reflective muffins. Ok I know, but it's the best I could come up with on short notice.:o

il_340x270.1417326043_pqwj.jpg
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No you got it Rick. Muffin Grade Reflective Material, AKA sprinkles.

Thank you Mr. Steve. I still hang out here, I peek on a semi regular basis but comment seldom.
 
Depending on where you are at anything other than yellow on the front and red on the rear may not pass inspection if the station wants to be aholes about it.
 
Downs said:
Depending on where you are at anything other than yellow on the front and red on the rear may not pass inspection if the station wants to be aholes about it.
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Very true, but that assumes that your state actually has an inspection program. I wonder how many do/don't. :-k

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Downs said:
Depending on where you are at anything other than yellow on the front and red on the rear may not pass inspection if the station wants to be aholes about it.
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What are these 'inspections' you speak of? I try to not live in places that feel the need to interfere in my life.


Steve said:
Very true, but that assumes that your state actually has an inspection program. I wonder how many do/don't. :-k

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Nothing in Alberta for equipment or emissions and hopefully there never will be.


Mark
 
I think Downs is thinking about the turn signal and brake lights being red and amber. The reflectors are to catch the light from a vehicle that is coming at the rider from a right or left angle and are mounted on the front forks. I know there are regulations on the brake and turn signal lights, but I don't think there are any on the side reflectors. Another thing that I came across a year or so ago, it might have been on this forum, is a reflective sign on the vest or jacket of the rider. In large capital letter"s it spells out the word POLITE in fluorescent yellow. At first glance from a car driver's drivers point of view they would think POLICE. I looked it up at the time, and I think the vests are sold in England but it wouldn't take much to fabricate one with fluorescent tape.
 
We haven't had inspections in central Florida since the early 80's. They had them for a long time after that down in Tampa, but I don't think they still do now. I think MD still has them.
 
Phred said:
I know there are regulations on the brake and turn signal lights, but I don't think there are any on the side reflectors.
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I have only managed to read the Motor Vehicle Code book in two states, Illinois and California. In those two states, there are (or at least there were when I read the books many years ago) regulations on reflectors, as well as lighting. Reflectors (and lights) on the sides must be yellow, unless they are within two feet of the rear of the vehicle, where they must be red. Reflectors (and lights) facing the rear must be red. Reverse lights may be white, but must only be activated when Reverse gear is activated. Turn signals on the rear may be red or yellow. Reflectors (and lights) facing the front must be white, but turn signals on vehicles built after 01/01/1963 must be yellow (amber).

Are these always followed? No. There is a LOT of "creativity" on the part of many customizers, but the general theme usually remains somewhat intact.

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