Removing the sub fender from 72' (and similar models)
#1
10-04-2012, 11:05 AM
Removing the sub fender from 72' (and similar models)
I'm looking to remove that sub fender on the rear of my bike(The one holding the reflectors). Any tips or suggestions, links or specs would be helpful before I dig in. Thanks in advance.
What is the sub fender for exactly? Can I still ride 2 up?
What is the sub fender for exactly? Can I still ride 2 up?
Last edited by $eventy2T; 10-04-2012 at 11:25 AM.
#2
10-04-2012, 11:39 AM
#3
10-04-2012, 12:15 PM
thanks. Yes, I'm aware of the gap and would like to remove the entire sub fender ONLY if I can still ride 2 up safely. If the sub fender is for cosmetic/fuctional apllications like Filling gaps, plate mount, wire cover etc.... Id like to remove it. If it is for foundation, structure, reinforcememt for 2 up, than no, I dont want to remove it.
Removing it and chopping the relectors is a great idea. Im still curious on what the removal requires. cheers
Removing it and chopping the relectors is a great idea. Im still curious on what the removal requires. cheers
#4
10-04-2012, 12:41 PM
Road Captain
I've been planning the same thing. I think I found a thread here where someone did it with a 48. I think my search query had something to do with license plate removal. I just want mine out so I can get rid of the license plate bracket. Was gonna just cut it off but I'd like to be able to go back to it if I get hassled by the curved bracket I'm putting on
#5
10-04-2012, 12:52 PM
I've removed mine from my 48 and have ridden 2 up on numerous occasions with zero issues. Once you remove it you'll see that it provides little, if any, structural support to the rear fender. You will ended up with a small gap like mentioned but I'm ok with that.
It's fairly simple to do. First plan on relocating your plate mount. I'm guessing you could remove it and modify it to still use the factory swinging plate mount but I just chose to buy a $30 plate bracket and moved it down to my axle.
It's been almost 2 years since I've done mine so excuse me if I'm a bit fuzzy in my step by step. It's all fairly self explanatory. I did mine in an afternoon.
First, having a jack to pick the bike up makes this so much easier. What I did was set the bike on a jack, removed the upper shock bolts(both sides) and jacked the bike up as high as I could. Doing so lets the swing arm drop out and gives you plenty of room to work under the fender.
If I remember correctly you can do one side at a time. I believe I did the right side first. You'll see where you'll have to unbolt the fender from the fender struts as well as (I believe) the signal light. The wiring for the signal light is routed through some little holders on the piece that you'll be removing. All I did was take the wires and zip tied them to the inner side of the fender strut. Keeps them out of harms way and they can't be seen. If I remember correctly the piece you're wanting to removed is rivetted to the actual fender(4 rivets total I think). I took a drimel tool and ground off the underside of the rivets and was able to pop them right out using a screw driver with little to no effort. That should allow the reflector to come right out. Bolt everything back in place and repeat the process for the left side. It's pretty self explanatory and fairly easy to do.
Also a note, if you move your plate to your axle you'll need to have some sort of light source on the plate, or atleast legally you're supposed to. There is 2 wires that run to the factory plate mount that power a light for it. All I did was snipped this wire and rerouted it. You should have plenty enough slack to reroute it down through the battery box area an down the swing arm. I did this and wired in 2 small white LED bolts to light up my plate.
Oh and don't do like I did and throw the factory plate mount away. Apparently they're an aftermarket part from HD that sells for about $170 new. apparently I shorted myself some beer money because Ive seen a few sell here for about $80 or so.
It's fairly simple to do. First plan on relocating your plate mount. I'm guessing you could remove it and modify it to still use the factory swinging plate mount but I just chose to buy a $30 plate bracket and moved it down to my axle.
It's been almost 2 years since I've done mine so excuse me if I'm a bit fuzzy in my step by step. It's all fairly self explanatory. I did mine in an afternoon.
First, having a jack to pick the bike up makes this so much easier. What I did was set the bike on a jack, removed the upper shock bolts(both sides) and jacked the bike up as high as I could. Doing so lets the swing arm drop out and gives you plenty of room to work under the fender.
If I remember correctly you can do one side at a time. I believe I did the right side first. You'll see where you'll have to unbolt the fender from the fender struts as well as (I believe) the signal light. The wiring for the signal light is routed through some little holders on the piece that you'll be removing. All I did was take the wires and zip tied them to the inner side of the fender strut. Keeps them out of harms way and they can't be seen. If I remember correctly the piece you're wanting to removed is rivetted to the actual fender(4 rivets total I think). I took a drimel tool and ground off the underside of the rivets and was able to pop them right out using a screw driver with little to no effort. That should allow the reflector to come right out. Bolt everything back in place and repeat the process for the left side. It's pretty self explanatory and fairly easy to do.
Also a note, if you move your plate to your axle you'll need to have some sort of light source on the plate, or atleast legally you're supposed to. There is 2 wires that run to the factory plate mount that power a light for it. All I did was snipped this wire and rerouted it. You should have plenty enough slack to reroute it down through the battery box area an down the swing arm. I did this and wired in 2 small white LED bolts to light up my plate.
Oh and don't do like I did and throw the factory plate mount away. Apparently they're an aftermarket part from HD that sells for about $170 new. apparently I shorted myself some beer money because Ive seen a few sell here for about $80 or so.
#7
10-04-2012, 07:20 PM
I've removed mine from my 48 and have ridden 2 up on numerous occasions with zero issues. Once you remove it you'll see that it provides little, if any, structural support to the rear fender. You will ended up with a small gap like mentioned but I'm ok with that.
It's fairly simple to do. First plan on relocating your plate mount. I'm guessing you could remove it and modify it to still use the factory swinging plate mount but I just chose to buy a $30 plate bracket and moved it down to my axle.
It's been almost 2 years since I've done mine so excuse me if I'm a bit fuzzy in my step by step. It's all fairly self explanatory. I did mine in an afternoon.
First, having a jack to pick the bike up makes this so much easier. What I did was set the bike on a jack, removed the upper shock bolts(both sides) and jacked the bike up as high as I could. Doing so lets the swing arm drop out and gives you plenty of room to work under the fender.
If I remember correctly you can do one side at a time. I believe I did the right side first. You'll see where you'll have to unbolt the fender from the fender struts as well as (I believe) the signal light. The wiring for the signal light is routed through some little holders on the piece that you'll be removing. All I did was take the wires and zip tied them to the inner side of the fender strut. Keeps them out of harms way and they can't be seen. If I remember correctly the piece you're wanting to removed is rivetted to the actual fender(4 rivets total I think). I took a drimel tool and ground off the underside of the rivets and was able to pop them right out using a screw driver with little to no effort. That should allow the reflector to come right out. Bolt everything back in place and repeat the process for the left side. It's pretty self explanatory and fairly easy to do.
Also a note, if you move your plate to your axle you'll need to have some sort of light source on the plate, or atleast legally you're supposed to. There is 2 wires that run to the factory plate mount that power a light for it. All I did was snipped this wire and rerouted it. You should have plenty enough slack to reroute it down through the battery box area an down the swing arm. I did this and wired in 2 small white LED bolts to light up my plate.
Oh and don't do like I did and throw the factory plate mount away. Apparently they're an aftermarket part from HD that sells forout $170 new. apparently I shorted myself some beer money because Ive seen a few sell here for about $80 or so.
It's fairly simple to do. First plan on relocating your plate mount. I'm guessing you could remove it and modify it to still use the factory swinging plate mount but I just chose to buy a $30 plate bracket and moved it down to my axle.
It's been almost 2 years since I've done mine so excuse me if I'm a bit fuzzy in my step by step. It's all fairly self explanatory. I did mine in an afternoon.
First, having a jack to pick the bike up makes this so much easier. What I did was set the bike on a jack, removed the upper shock bolts(both sides) and jacked the bike up as high as I could. Doing so lets the swing arm drop out and gives you plenty of room to work under the fender.
If I remember correctly you can do one side at a time. I believe I did the right side first. You'll see where you'll have to unbolt the fender from the fender struts as well as (I believe) the signal light. The wiring for the signal light is routed through some little holders on the piece that you'll be removing. All I did was take the wires and zip tied them to the inner side of the fender strut. Keeps them out of harms way and they can't be seen. If I remember correctly the piece you're wanting to removed is rivetted to the actual fender(4 rivets total I think). I took a drimel tool and ground off the underside of the rivets and was able to pop them right out using a screw driver with little to no effort. That should allow the reflector to come right out. Bolt everything back in place and repeat the process for the left side. It's pretty self explanatory and fairly easy to do.
Also a note, if you move your plate to your axle you'll need to have some sort of light source on the plate, or atleast legally you're supposed to. There is 2 wires that run to the factory plate mount that power a light for it. All I did was snipped this wire and rerouted it. You should have plenty enough slack to reroute it down through the battery box area an down the swing arm. I did this and wired in 2 small white LED bolts to light up my plate.
Oh and don't do like I did and throw the factory plate mount away. Apparently they're an aftermarket part from HD that sells forout $170 new. apparently I shorted myself some beer money because Ive seen a few sell here for about $80 or so.
your bike looks great btw. Nice work.
