Rear Fender Mount

bpd106

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I'm in the process of figuring out a way to mount my rear fender on my 81. It's kinda in between a brat and a bobber, and I'm using rear shocks. I've cut the seat rails and all that good stuff, figured out a battery/electronics box, and now I'm trying to figure out a way to mount the rear fender and still be able to remove it if necessary. Anyone got any pics of how they did theirs, while still using rear shocks. I started making some small fender struts which were gonna be welded to the upper shock mounts and then bolted to the fender using some spacers, but I don't have a whole lot of clearance between the tire and the bolt. I was also gonna bolt it to a strap that was gonna be welded just in front of the rear wheel, going left to right across the upright frame tubes.
Any pics and ideas from others is definitely welcomed!

Thanks,
bpd106
 
I welded a 1.5" strap from side to side between the top rails just behind the flat sheet metal. My frame is altered as I shortened the rear loop and took out the flip up. I'm going to bolt my 5" flat fender to the strap and then turn out some spacers of proper length and fab up tabs from the 3 inner fender mounts to the fender and weld them on. If the weather ever lets up around here I am going to finish the fender mounting and seat mounting and post a couple of pics before the whole works comes down for paint and detailing.
 
I guess I shoulda added thay I'm trying to use the stock fender. I cut 3" off the front of the fender and shortened it up. I was trying to use the original holes that I think were the turn signal holes that have the rubber grommets on both sides of it. Everything lines up, its just that once a bolt is run through the holes, I don't think theres enough room for the tire to move up and down without hitting the bolt heads.
 
Zip ties?

IMG_09401.jpg


Gives my PO a whole new WTF title...
 
Hey Phyber LMFAO!!!! That is some funny shit. There even painted to match!!
 
Don't laugh, but it worked so I could pass inspection. It actually worked very well and was tight. I'm sure it could be made to look pretty. I used a crappy, creased fender.
The inner fender is attached as well. It also fit into the sockets.
This is the only picture I have of when it was on. It basically fits like the original.
 

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Use a carraige bolt with the head on the inside of the fender. You can square up the hole in the fender to keep it from turning, and then put the nut on the outside. You could even mount the turn signals on the remaining bolt?
-=PO
 
I'm with ya on the carriage bolt. I was thinkin that myself. I'm headin out to the garage to stare at it some more and hope that maybe an idea will pop into my pea brain
 
Hey Waco,

I'm assuming that theres no problems with the up and down movement of the fender is there? Since its basically mounted to the swingarm I would think it would be okay.
 
Well I'm starting to come to the conclusion that I might not be able to use the stock fender after all. I want it to sit kinda low on the wheel, and it doesn't look like there's a way that the tire will fit in it without the chance of the tire moving and hitting the mounting hardware. I'll keep working on it and see if I can devise something. After all, I'm trying to get away with a very low budget on this bike.
 
I have 10.5 inch shocks and with my stock rear fender mounted as I had it, it didn't rub. I had to cut the signal screw very close to the fender so as to not rub the tire. I only did this for inspection purposes, so it was a "ride around the block to check, then traliered to the DMV".
New Delware rules I found out. Must have low/high beams, 2 amber reflectors front, 3 red rear, and 4 inches of illuminated area on the turn signals. Damn.
 
4 inches of turn signal? Thats like a car! You have any pics of your fender mount? I'm gonna try some button head bolts which will give me some more clearance, probably a smaller bolt as well. I was going to use 1/2" but I think that is part of the problems right there.
 
Mounted my fender like this one.
tx001_3.jpg

This is how it came out with the modified stock fender.
LosD1.jpgLosD2.jpg
 
I have 10.5 inch shocks and with my stock rear fender mounted as I had it, it didn't rub. I had to cut the signal screw very close to the fender so as to not rub the tire. I only did this for inspection purposes, so it was a "ride around the block to check, then traliered to the DMV".
New Delware rules I found out. Must have low/high beams, 2 amber reflectors front, 3 red rear, and 4 inches of illuminated area on the turn signals. Damn.

For once, I am glad to live in INDIANA.... no helmet laws, and if the bike is 25+ years old, you can strip it of turn signals and etc. My 75 XS650 is lit only with headlights and an LEd tail/brake light.
 
Not to hijack the thread or anything, but personally i would like to see pics of how everyone mounts their fender. Im looking to build a bratstyle myself and there's nothing i hate worse than a huge gap between the fender and tire.

I like how RUGBURN did his in this thread. http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5828

But i plan to to run a short sissy bar or no bar at all.

And how exactly are you guys doing the forward mount?
 
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