Ducati Monster Forum

Not sure if this is exactly a 'tech' question but..

What is the easiest way to remove the stunningly good looking reflectors from the forks of my/ our bikes? I've heard a heat gun is the best way. Any other suggestions or advice for the heat gun trick?

Heat gun or even a hair dryer, then use hair spray or goo gone to get rid of the extra tape that is left over.

What I learned from my reflectorectomy is that the fork tube metal is extremely soft.  I used a soft plastic scraper (like for applying tile grout) and was very gentle about it (I thought) and I still got a few knicks  :(

Brake cleaner does a great job at removing the sticky stuff, but be really careful about not getting it anywhere near your wheels or other painted parts.

Take it to a Duc get together and let a drunk Statler and DP near your bike.

Seriously, just twist it like a wing nut. Thumb on the top and close to you, fingers on the bottom of the far side. Twist. *snap*

Look, Ma! Nekkid forks!

Folks have had good results with waxed dental floss.  Wind it round something on either end like a garrote and slice it off.  A little goo gone will help clean it off.  And you don't have to worry about your paint if you use that over brake cleaner.

+1 on just twistin off.

+2 on Twistin'  [thumbsup]

Been ignoring them reflectors until I saw your post...

Walked out to the garage, snap and snap.  A little goo gone on a paper towel and I'm done.

Left side took two hands, but all in all not too bad.

dental floss is the #1 trick for removing badges from your car's trunk lid  ;D

but I found that after having the bike sit in the sun for a while, the twisy action works just fine [thumbsup]

"reflectorectomy" - heat gun or hair dryer should do it.  be mindful of the paint and don't set a heat gun on full tilt if that is your weapon of choice.  To get the remaining gooey bits use a bit of 3M adhesive remover (or similar solution) followed by a light wash of dishwashing liquid soap and water.  don't leave your sticky remover on the paint.

I did do mine right when I got my bike. The reflectors get harder to take off as time goes by.

+1 on mental floss, then clean up the residue with goo gone/equal or WD40.

i dont get the whole brake fluid on paint kills thing. I tried using brake fluid to strip some paint of my rims and it didnt work. :P LIES ALLL LIES!!!!!!

if you ride for a bit with a stock clutch (no slipper) this should be easy.
for those who cant handle the heavy clutch (for whatever reason) vice grips carefully applied will take care of the twist off reflectors. [thumbsup]

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

hey hey you there watch your mouth, you try holding that mother sucker in for 20 minutes without letting go. [bang]  ;D

*click*neutral?

perhaps?  ;)

not when your going 10mph one second and then 0mph, and then swerving casue some dumbass wants to turn into your lane without looking.  :(

Ha ha ha ha!  [laugh] RE: Clutch issues.

Does a slipper clutch really lighten the lever load that much? Interesting..

I must be one of the rare ones that had epoxy behind my reflectors  >:(

I've tried everything to get that shit off.  There's a couple minor scratches, but I hope to take care of them someday with powdercoating or upgraded suspension.

just grab and go. then be patient and slowly peel off any remaining adhesive. it's not like sticker adhesive, its 1/6" thick foam adhesive, like on those 3M hanging hooks.

I just ran a scalple down the middle of the glue and popped the reflector off.  the glue that was left actually rubbed off pretty easy....and what was stuck came off with the glue that was stuck to the reflector.

There's been several reflectorectomies here lately, and we've found an interesting trend after they'd been done...

If you leave them on, the cagers "never see you," but the cops will spot your reflectorless bike miles away.

never been hassled about my lack of reflectors...

or my "for off-road use only" exhaust...

or... or...  ;)

My bike was parked in the sun for a couple hours.  I grabbed the reflectors and twisted.  Popped right off, no residual anything.  I am in the desert though, and the temp was over 100 that day.  Very easy.

+1, I live in SC and its ridiculously hot and humid here... I left my bike in my driveway for about a half hour... Popped right off, thanks DMF  [thumbsup]