Removing pannier reflector

[stk0308]

Seems for the American market Kawasaki had to bolt on some reflectors to make it legal. Fortunately, they didn't make them permanent. I'm sure the Versys, and Ninja 1000 lists have probably done this, but I figured I'd document what I found for those interested H2 SX riders.

Here's the external reflector.

[stk0308]

This is the backside cover inside the pannier. The cap can be pried up easily with a straight blade screwdriver. Handy that the cover has a teather that goes around the nut it's covering.

[stk0308]

I didn't get to happy prying at the teather, so with a normal pliers I was able to remove the nut from the threaded stud from the back of the reflector. Leaving behind a rubber grommet. The grommet just pulled off with a few twists.

[stk0308]

Next up was the scary bit. I found you could slide the long edge of a knife between the reflector base and the pannier lid, and break it's adhesive ring loose.

[stk0308]

Here's what your left with. A slightly bigger than 5mm hole in the pannier lid. And a handful of parts.

[stk0308]

I've only just done this, so, unfortunately I haven't quite landed on a plug solution. But, I thought I'd share what I've found so far.

[UFO]

Reflectorless panniers shipped to me from the EU after I determined the U.S. bags had their reflectors bolted on. I returned the bags to the dealer (unused).

These arrived in about a week and are a couple hundred cheaper than U.S. MSRP viewtopic.php?f=8&t=287

[stk0308]

I forgot to follow up on this. I found a perfect rubber grommet at my local hardware store. Works perfectly.

[kenward]

Here's another option for us poor souls in the U.S. who have a government "looking out for our safety". Buy a set of the H2 rivermarks and mount them in place of the reflectors. Looks factory and covers up the unsightly hole.

[Champ87]

Buy a set of the H2 rivermarks and mount them in place of the reflectors. Looks factory and covers up the unsightly hole.

Yes, I like that idea; it looks so right.

My panniers were thrown into the deal at no extra cost so the option of returning and ordering EU spec bags doesn't work for me.