Drill struts
LOSER
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 4
From: Williamston, NC
I based my OPINION on the fact that the struts themselves are very hefty. I know since I cut mine off. There are other holes drilled in them elsewhere. A hole small enough for wires to pass through I do not think will end in disaster unless you are riding a substantial weight over the rated total limit of the bike. The top and bottom of my struts were shaped somewhat like an I beam, which provides the overall strength. Maybe the OP can get a structural engineer to do a study on it....
LOSER
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 4
From: Williamston, NC
Another good option...
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From:
Im running the burly slammer kit and it doesnt rub the fender just the conduit that the wires run through. So i figured that i would just get the wire and conduit out of the way.And ill check the settings for the stiffest setting.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 42
From: Bossier City, LA
I used the inner fender brackets to hide the wires. Basically just loosen the fender bolts until you have some space between them and the inside of the fender, then tuck the wires in the gap. Tighten the fender bolts. I drilled two small holes in the fender near the hole that the wires run through into the compartment under the seat and used a zip tie to hold the wires out of the way. Not sure if you have any experience trying to drill small holes in chunks of metal, but I think it'd be a nightmare and you would break a bunch of bits.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From:
I used the inner fender brackets to hide the wires. Basically just loosen the fender bolts until you have some space between them and the inside of the fender, then tuck the wires in the gap. Tighten the fender bolts. I drilled two small holes in the fender near the hole that the wires run through into the compartment under the seat and used a zip tie to hold the wires out of the way. Not sure if you have any experience trying to drill small holes in chunks of metal, but I think it'd be a nightmare and you would break a bunch of bits.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
I used the inner fender brackets to hide the wires. Basically just loosen the fender bolts until you have some space between them and the inside of the fender, then tuck the wires in the gap. Tighten the fender bolts. I drilled two small holes in the fender near the hole that the wires run through into the compartment under the seat and used a zip tie to hold the wires out of the way. Not sure if you have any experience trying to drill small holes in chunks of metal, but I think it'd be a nightmare and you would break a bunch of bits.
Not a bad idea, but you should be able to avoid going through the fender completely, on mine I have enough room I could run them from under the seat directly to the space between the fender and strut if I wanted to.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: fallbrook, socal
hmmm - i drilled holes all the way down my struts like they do on I beam axles on hot rods - someone gonna tell me that the drilled I beam axles are somehow weaker /less structural than a solid i beam axle? im not an engineer but do understand stress principles and the 'I' beam formation in the cast piece is where the strut gets its strength from, not the 'indented' portion within the form
my stupid *** opinion but certainly a hole the diameter to chase wire through will not impede any structural support
my stupid *** opinion but certainly a hole the diameter to chase wire through will not impede any structural support
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
hmmm - i drilled holes all the way down my struts like they do on I beam axles on hot rods - someone gonna tell me that the drilled I beam axles are somehow weaker /less structural than a solid i beam axle? im not an engineer but do understand stress principles and the 'I' beam formation in the cast piece is where the strut gets its strength from, not the 'indented' portion within the form
my stupid *** opinion but certainly a hole the diameter to chase wire through will not impede any structural support
my stupid *** opinion but certainly a hole the diameter to chase wire through will not impede any structural support
It is the extreme fibers which do most of the work, which they can do only as long as there is a sufficient web between them. IIUK the struts are even forged to achieve sufficient strength to do the job for which they are designed: support the weight and loads imposed by passenger and payload, not just fender, license plate and lights.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: fallbrook, socal
Like you said: you're not an engineer. Otherwise you would not have drilled lightening holes down its length. This is something you'll be tempted to hide from a prospective buyer because it has ruined an integral part of the bike's frame.
It is the extreme fibers which do most of the work, which they can do only as long as there is a sufficient web between them. IIUK the struts are even forged to achieve sufficient strength to do the job for which they are designed: support the weight and loads imposed by passenger and payload, not just fender, license plate and lights.
It is the extreme fibers which do most of the work, which they can do only as long as there is a sufficient web between them. IIUK the struts are even forged to achieve sufficient strength to do the job for which they are designed: support the weight and loads imposed by passenger and payload, not just fender, license plate and lights.
And so we wont be arguing the overall design/intended possible uses of that portion of the bike (read fully loaded saddle bags, and a 300lbs passenger) you seem to have that nailed.
But in my actual use - that is over built - by a long shot - no saddle bags to overload with the weeks whatever and no 300 lb OL - but yea man I get ya!
so finally back to the point i still just gotta believe that the thread OP is fine with a single wire hole drilled in - regardless of why he wants to do it - and i illustrated that point with the fact I drilled mine - and have had no (knock on wood) issue with structural integrity whatsoever - unlike a few areas of the bike that I have had issue with - that remain structurally stock.