Different take on reflectors

[dorkburger]

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

[Phred]

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.

[jabcb]

Is the tape as bright or brighter when lit from an angle?

[Redman]

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.

[Phred]

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.

[jabcb]

Found this website some time ago. Has lots of types & colors of reflective tape. Haven’t purchased anything from them so I don’t know how good they are.

http://www.reflectivelyyours.com

[bonanzadave]

Up here in 3M country its called Scotchlite.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All-3M-Products/Personal-Protective-Equipment/Reflective-Material/Safety/Worker-Health-Safety/?N=5002385+8709322+8711017+8711405+8720539+8720552+3294857497&rt=r3

[dorkburger]

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.

[Steve]

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.

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.





This was the previous helmet:





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[Allie]

I stick it on helmets, jackets, backpacks, etc. It's mmm mmm good.

[Steve]

No reflectors on the muffins?

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

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[gsrick]

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

[Allie]

No reflectors on the muffins?

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

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

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.

[Downs]

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.

[Steve]

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.

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

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