[JMoto]

I've seen several threads about people looking for good reflective stuff for their bags. I thought I'd share my recent project. I liked the look of the all black and how bright it was at night but decided I wanted something to get me seen in the day as well. A good friend of mine was rear-ended by a texting teen a few weeks ago so I figure every little bit helps!

I'm a firefighter and thought it would be fun to have the back of the bike match the back of our engines. I called up Steve Cole of the Cole Brothers and he made decals specifically for my application: http://www.colebrothers.com/chevronpanels/

I'm really happy with it and thought it might give some of you some ideas or at least a good source.

 

[pagl57]

I'm one of those who read all threads about reflective stuff. It needs some thinking before I would agree to fix something on the shining surfaces of my LT.

I like the no-nonsense part of the decals; a considerable reflective surface and a professional looking material.
Just one 2ct question. My 1st impression is that, at night, having reflective stuff on the opening lids of the bags (also) would have defined the extent of your presence in a more precise way. Is there a reason why you limited the reflective stuff to the fixed part of the side bags?
Good job.

 

[DocCarroll]

I love it! I've been looking for something like this for a while. :yeah:

 

[four12]

O. M. G. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is exactly what I have been looking for. EXACTLY. Only having the high viz on the inner portion as I plan to put black reflective on the outers!!

You said that they were able to make the decals specifically to fit - do you have a custom part number or order number we can reference to avoid having to go through the measurement/specification process again?

Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!

 

[Dominatio]

+ 1 I would love this.

 

[amarider]

My Old RT

Night

Day

 

[jzzmusician]

Wow! With my limited sense of style I would call this sort of ugly.

Any way you could get some more? These decals with a set of hyper lites and you'd be seriously visible!

Thanks for posting.

bob

ps just clicked the link. I'm getting a set.

 

[four12]

Wow! With my limited sense of style I would call this sort of ugly.

I'd rather "ugly and seen" over "pretty and rear-ended".

 

[Knife]

I'd rather "ugly and seen" over "pretty and rear-ended".

Speaking of being rear-ended, I had a colonoscopy yesterday. I feel used.

 

[DocCarroll]

I put some reflectors on mine. But, I like the chevrons much better.

 

[05Train]

Speaking of being rear-ended, I had a colonoscopy yesterday. I feel used.

<rimshot>

 

[four12]

<rimshot>

Ewww.


/nice one, though

 

[05Train]

Ewww.


/nice one, though

Wow, you went there. I wasn't going there, but damn, that's funny. You sir, are 100% OK in my book.


:histerica

 

[jzzmusician]

I'd rather "ugly and seen" over "pretty and rear-ended".

I'm not 100 percent sure, but I'm sorta sure that was exactly my point.

Like I said in my post, I'm getting some.

Sorry if my attempt at humor fell short.

-- Bob

 

[JMoto]

amarider - I like the stuff you used at night, but like I said, I wanted to be seen in the daytime too.

pagl57 - I didn't extend it out to the painted lid, thought it might be overkill. My wife drove behind me at night and thought she was gonna go blind it's so bright.

jzzmusician - I don't think it's ugly... but I'm a classical musician, style in function I guess. I love my fire engines at my station and it's like an homage to them!

four12 - they made me the decal specifically for me, I didn't say exactly to specs. They made the size I requested and I cut to fit. It's a very thick material and doesn't turn corners well so I sliced it where it bumps up for the lid and cut the corners off as well. You can only tell up close. A few feet back and it looks made for the bike.

 

[JMoto]

You said that they were able to make the decals specifically to fit - do you have a custom part number or order number we can reference to avoid having to go through the measurement/specification process again?

Call Steve, he will hook you up. They die-cut them from a computer program and said they'd save it in case anyone else called. I think the website says they're closed until wednesday but the number is: 850-934-3157

 

[four12]

Call Steve, he will hook you up.

Excellent - thanks for the info.

As an ex-FF, I like the idea of an homage as well.

 

[jzzmusician]

amarider - I like the stuff you used at night, but like I said, I wanted to be seen in the daytime too.

pagl57 - I didn't extend it out to the painted lid, thought it might be overkill. My wife drove behind me at night and thought she was gonna go blind it's so bright.

jzzmusician - I don't think it's ugly... but I'm a classical musician, style in function I guess. I love my fire engines at my station and it's like an homage to them!

four12 - they made me the decal specifically for me, I didn't say exactly to specs. They made the size I requested and I cut to fit. It's a very thick material and doesn't turn corners well so I sliced it where it bumps up for the lid and cut the corners off as well. You can only tell up close. A few feet back and it looks made for the bike.

Jmoto:

Played percussion in our symphony here in town a bunch. I'm in Walla Walla, WA, a small town with three colleges and the longest continuous running symphony west of the Mississippi. Also, for the past three yeasr we've had a Chamber Music Festival here. Incredible. Just incredible. About 20 free public performances and 10-15 evening events. It takes place in June and features musicians from across the U.S.

Here is a link to their website that unfortunately only has the winter series. The summer series is much larger: http://www.wallawallachambermusicfestival.com/Jan2012/home.html

I own a restaurant and usually have 2-3 performances during the series.

And just for sh*ts and giggles;

Favorite composer - Stravinsky
Favorite modern composer - Steve Reich

Thanks for your post.

bob

 

[four12]

Wow, you went there. I wasn't going there, but damn, that's funny. You sir, are 100% OK in my book.


:histerica

Some places are just meant to go to, regardless of consequences or the morals of polite conversation.

 

[japachap]

I can appreciate your wanting to imitate your works vehicles, though I am suprised you didnt go bolder (thicker stripes) with the pattern, and spread it right across the pannier lids aswell. The comment earlier about defining the full width of your vehicle seems seems quite important.
We have to be careful in the UK and Holland not to make our vehicles look too much like emergency services vehicles- though the general rule of "white at the front, yellow at the sides/rear, red at the rear" seems quite open to interpretation...

Heres the thread for my recent 1150RT Hi-Viz project. I should also mention I have an overjacket and trousers for bad weather with reflection along the sides of the legs and hi-vis yellow sleeves and back on the jacket-
http://65.38.186.184/forums/showthread.php?p=24705#post24705

And a couple of piccys to whet your interest (if I havent already shown it in another thread)-

Ive tried to go "bold, but sympathetic" to the bikes lines, as opposed to just bold...