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Installing reflective decals or reflective tape on your motorcycle can greatly improve your chance of not being hit by a car. Following these steps can greatly improve the installation and final appearance of your project.

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EditSteps

  1. Install Reflective Tape or Reflective Decals and Graphics on a Motorcycle Step 1.jpg
    1
    Clean your motorcycle completely. Be very careful not to leave even 1 speck of dirt, grime or bug remains as they will ruin your graphics installation. A good way to do this is wiping it down with a towel wet with gas.
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  2. Install Reflective Tape or Reflective Decals and Graphics on a Motorcycle Step 2.jpg
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    Mix a solution of 1 cup of water and about 7-8 drops of Palmolive dishwashing liquid. Put this in a spray bottle and use it as an application fluid.
  3. Install Reflective Tape or Reflective Decals and Graphics on a Motorcycle Step 3.jpg
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    Spray the area to receive the reflective decal or graphics. Coat the area soaking wet. Do the same to the sticky side of the decal, pinstripe or reflective tape.
  4. Install Reflective Tape or Reflective Decals and Graphics on a Motorcycle Step 4.jpg
    4
    Apply the decal gently and wipe it down with your finger or a rubber straight edge. This action pushes the fluid from under the decal and bonds it to the motorcycle.
  5. Install Reflective Tape or Reflective Decals and Graphics on a Motorcycle Intro.jpg
    5
    Finished.
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EditTips

  • There are different grades of reflective material. Use an "engineer grade" reflective vinyl such as the LumaStripe brand of vinyl available at Streetglo Reflective decals.
  • Do not rush. If your decal is large and you are applying it to a curved object, rub in a circular motion starting in the center and work your way out. This is also a stretching technique and you'll need it to stretch the decal around the object.
  • You can try a dry installation. However, reflective decals are not forgiving if you stretch them too directly. While called reflective vinyl, it is technically reflective polyester. It does not have the same stretch characteristics as ordinary vinyl.
  • A good place to start is large and visually intense nighttime reflective decals on your helmet.
  • There is black reflective tape for sale. These are very inconspicuous in daytime, but serve as an effective safety device while driving at night. The narrowest white lines on the picture above are black when watched in regular daylight!

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Article Info

Categories: Motorcycles

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