I picked up some chrome inserts for the saddlebags to replace the reflectors. Does anyone have any hints on how to get the reflectors out without scratching the paint on the latches? I was out there with a hair dryer earlier today, but they didn't budge. It doesn't help that it's in the 30's here.

 

Haven't done that with saddlebag reflectors just all the other ones...

But I'm thinking the hair dryer to warm stuff up,get a little WD 40 in there
then I'd get some thin carboard like from a cereal box to protect the paint in the area you're working then try something like the tip of a plastic butter knife to start prying the reflector up a bit then get some fishing line behind it to pull across behind the reflector to break the adhesive seal.

 

Let me ride it. Both of my reflectors have fallen off.

 

I dont know how to get the reflectors off, but I would love to know where you got the inserts.

 

Blow dryer and a popsicle stick. Start at one end and pry. The tape is pretty strong, you might even be better off using the popsicle stick to pry against while using a flat blade screwdriver. It will go eventually, just be patient and use the heat.

 

Heat up the latches with a heat gun or propane torch. The reflectors will almost fall off. It probably wouldn't hurt to take the latches off first.

 

I blew mine off at a car wash in Missoula!

Mike

 

I used a blow dryer and dental floss. Hard to get the dental floss in behind the reflector, but once I did - piece of cake. Personally, I like the inserts better than chrome latches.

 

I didn't like the chrome latches either, the looked oversized. This is a subtle update.

 

I found them on phatperformanceparts.com, the price is pretty much the same everywhere else I found them, but the shipping was cheaper there. They also offered a slight discount on Black Friday.