Just finished chopping my rear fender (after it cracked), and relocated turn signals and installed side mount with 2 plate bolt lights from TC bros. Of course I'd like the fender to really hug the tire, but the 180
and slammer shocks helped lower it a bit. I think I can live with it. 😀 I like the look from the back
Looks better from directly behind than this

 

Nope.
That's my opinion and worth everything you paid for it.

 

I like it, however (just my opinion, PLEASE don't take offense) I think it would look better from the side if you were to cut a little more off so the angle is going similar to an exhaust til (if that makes sense). I tried to edit the pic so anything behind the line would be cut even with the fender struts, but not cutting the fender struts. I'll try to find a pic online of one that shows what I'm talking about better.

 

So so this is obviously completely different but see how the fender angles up and back? That's what I mean. Either way I think you did a hell of a job, that's just my perspective.

 

Your rear fender "cracked"? How did that happen?

 

Dude, get a piece of string and tie it around the axle and pull it tight to the high point of the fender where you cut it. Then draw a line down the sides, that is where you should cut the sides. It will look much, much better. This way the cut will be a radius line from the center of the wheel.

I did the same thing on my Sporty, I got rear ended and it was the easiest way to fix the problem, just cut off the dented part. Good luck.

 

Nickd2689:
Yea, I see what you mean. Not sure if it would've made much difference in the look though. I cut a 98 Sportster fender kinda like that, so this time I thought I'd give it a different angle. If it wears on me, I'll chop it up again!

 

It just "cracked". I guess the 2012's have quite a history of this........as I learned after doing some research. The way the fender lays back, with the tailight mounted on it, along with the license plate, and then the vibration from aftermarket exhausts, tuners, etc, the damn thing just vibrated too much and overtime they crack! Look up Dyna rear fenders and cracking issues and you'll see what I mean. I only did this job because I didnt want to have to buy another fender.........plus I look doing a little wrenching.

 

I see what you mean, but I felt like I needed to cut the entire cracked portion of the fender off. The crack actually ran up to the top of the tailight, so I had to make that cut curved upward, towards the seat, instead of working it the other way, as you've done in your pic. So I didnt really have many options unless I cut the struts also, and didnt want to do that again.

 

I would have curved it like the front end. The chop would be more subtle.