Top Case Reflectors - making them reflect

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:37 pm

I recently added a Shad SH-33 Topcase to my scooter - perfect size, I'm very pleased (many thanks to those who gave input on that). I'm now wanting to add reflective tape underneath the fake reflectors. I know that a number of people have mentioned doing this, but I can't seem to locate any of their posts. Does anyone have any tips on how to safely remove the red plastic fake reflector from a Shad case? I don't see any screws or anything holding it - looks like maybe it just snaps on. It's one big piece of plastic and I don't want to break it. Any tips?

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:51 pm

There will be small Phillips head screws on the inside of the case. Take those out and then gently remove the red plastic. Take the white paper inside and put reflective (red or white, doesn't matter- I did both to provide a "breakup pattern") to the paper and trim it to follow the shape. Reinstall the paper, then the red plastic, then start the screws with your fingers until you're sure that they're in the threads, then tighten with a screwdriver and done.

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:10 pm

FYI, there is allegedly an actual adapter of a rear light or brake light piece that is being released next month by Shad that will fit under the top-case and on top of the base that attaches to it, as I understand it.

For more clarification and to get the details on this, contact Paola at:

SHAD USA
1909S NE 4th Court
Miami, FL 33179 USA
Tel: (305) 652-6366 Fax: (305) 655-0858
Toll Free: 877 545 SHAD
www.shadusa.com

BTW, she was far better to speak with and she was more professional than someone else I had previously spoken with there who lacked product knowledge and English speaking skills.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:30 pm

lostmycage: Aha! I didn't see the screws at first, but now I see them inside of the rim of the case. I will give that a shot - thanks!

Portland_Rider: I will keep an eye out for that. I'm not sure I would want to add something underneath the topcase, though.
Two reasons:
1) It would add height to the topcase. I'm really, really short. No, really. I'm very short.

I don't want something that puts my cargo out of reach.
2) Adding something below the topcase doesn't seem like it would be of great benefit because it would be very close to the existing tail light. I like the idea of lighting up those fake reflectors because they are large and they are effectively much higher - perhaps even within the SUV sightline.
The lack of a tail light kit was a big negative to me when I was choosing between Shad and Givi, but my budget necessitated the cheaper box. I'm happy with every other aspect of it, though. It's a nice box for the price.

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:44 pm

pdxrita wrote:lostmycage: Aha! I didn't see the screws at first, but now I see them inside of the rim of the case. I will give that a shot - thanks!

Portland_Rider: I will keep an eye out for that. I'm not sure I would want to add something underneath the topcase, though.
Two reasons:
1) It would add height to the topcase. I'm really, really short. No, really. I'm very short. I don't want something that puts my cargo out of reach.
2) Adding something below the topcase doesn't seem like it would be of great benefit because it would be very close to the existing tail light. I like the idea of lighting up those fake reflectors because they are large and they are effectively much higher - perhaps even within the SUV sightline.
The lack of a tail light kit was a big negative to me when I was choosing between Shad and Givi, but my budget necessitated the cheaper box. I'm happy with every other aspect of it, though. It's a nice box for the price.

Please don't assume anything about my description of it as I can be incorrect. It could simply be a small flat piece adapter piece that is half-an-inch high and then has the actual physical lights working somewhere else on the top-case.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:49 pm

Portland_Rider wrote: Please don't assume anything about my description of it as I can be incorrect. It could simply be a small flat piece adapter piece that is half-an-inch high and then has the actual physical lights working somewhere else on the top-case.

Gotcha. I will definitely check it out if/when it becomes reality. You can't have too many lights as far as I'm concerned. I appreciate the heads up on that.

In the meantime, I'm going to do the reflector mod. It turns out that the plastic just drops right off once you remove the 4 screws. No prying required. Now I'm off to Napa auto parts to see about some reflective tape!

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:11 pm

The White is brighter than the red. I found an old pic that I took of my SH29 Case. The darker triangles are red reflective and although they are reflective, they're just not as bright as the white. Also, I made mine look like a face, lol. Kinda like a cross between an angry Chain Chomp and Venom.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:52 pm

That looks great! I wound up using red, simply because that's what they had a Napa. It's not super reflective, but it's definitely an improvement over the way it was. Thanks for all of your help!

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:06 am

I found 3M white reflective tape at Home Depot. 2 Inches wide x 1 yard was $3.88.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:36 am

No Problem at all. I'm a firm believer in being seen. I recently did the same thing to the topcase on my MC. It's one of those cheapy (but damned decent for the money) JC Whitney cases. Same deal: removable red plastic with non-reflective paper.

I use the 3M stuff that DennisD mentioned. I haven't tried the stuff with the diamond pattern to it, but I suspect it doesn't do quite as well as the regular 3M stuff.

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 2:42 am

Are you folks using reflective which disperses the light pattern or retro-reflective tape which goes right back to the light source?

takora · Post by **takora** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 5:45 pm

Lostmycage wrote:There will be small Phillips head screws on the inside of the case. Take those out and then gently remove the red plastic. Take the white paper inside and put reflective (red or white, doesn't matter- I did both to provide a "breakup pattern") to the paper and trim it to follow the shape. Reinstall the paper, then the red plastic, then start the screws with your fingers until you're sure that they're in the threads, then tighten with a screwdriver and done.

Thanks for the info! I also just got a Shad case and was starting to wonder about those "reflectors"...

Really happy with the Shad case, I love it. Much better than the s/x roll bag I had...

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 5:55 pm

Portland_Rider wrote:Are you folks using reflective which disperses the light pattern or retro-reflective tape which goes right back to the light source?

Hmm, interesting question. I'm not sure if the 3M I bought is retro reflective or something else. Honestly I just thought reflective was reflective. Oh boy!

Looking at it again, I guess mine is silver, not white. Here's a pic. Same except mine is 2" wide.

Modern Buddy

Top Case Reflectors - making them reflect

Top Case Reflectors - making them reflect

SHAD light that attaches to/under top-case being released