Rear Fender project - need some advice
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
Rear Fender project - need some advice
So I've got the FXD/C/L fender mounted.
The Wide Glide fender I removed measured 9 1/4" rear, 9 1/8" front at the mounting holes and used I believe 1/8" spacers at the front holes to make it 9 1/4".
The FXD/C/L fender measures 8 3/8" front and rear taken at the outside bottom of fender, I believe 8 1/4" at the mounting holes as the fender tapers a bit toward the top from bottom. That means it's 1" thinner than the WG fender at both locations.
Fat Bob struts were measured having a width of 9 6/8" front, 9 3/8" rear. The way I'm approaching this is to use spacers to make the FXD/C/L fender the same width as the Wide Glide fender I took off figuring it can stretch the same amount to meet the struts. The spacers I used for the mock up are 1/2" thick and are sized to fit over the threaded portion of the mounting bracket that slides through the fender and into the struts. One spacer on each side equals 1" width added to the fender effectively. Added an additional washer approximately 0.08" thick to spread out the pressure of the 1/2" spacer pushing on the fender. Would like to eliminate those since it doesn't seem to be evenly touching the fender when everythings tightened down.
My concern right now is that adding the spacers also removes a portion of the fender mounting bracket that can go inside the struts. As far as I can tell, the only thing holding the fender in place and providing support is the mounting bracket sitting inside the struts. If I use too thick of a spacer, not much of the mounting bracket threaded portion is able to go into the strut. I added 1/4" spacers the same O.D. as the mounting bracket threaded portion to extend the mounting bracket 1/4". The 1/4" spacers are sitting inside the struts. When the bolts are tightened down it's as if the 1/4" spacer and mounting bracket are one piece. Is there a better way to go about this than what I've come up with? I'd consider splitting and widening the fender if I knew someone who felt they can do that properly for me, plenty of wrecked donor fenders on eBay. The tail light cutout area seems like it would be difficult to work with.
See pics HERE.
The Wide Glide fender I removed measured 9 1/4" rear, 9 1/8" front at the mounting holes and used I believe 1/8" spacers at the front holes to make it 9 1/4".
The FXD/C/L fender measures 8 3/8" front and rear taken at the outside bottom of fender, I believe 8 1/4" at the mounting holes as the fender tapers a bit toward the top from bottom. That means it's 1" thinner than the WG fender at both locations.
Fat Bob struts were measured having a width of 9 6/8" front, 9 3/8" rear. The way I'm approaching this is to use spacers to make the FXD/C/L fender the same width as the Wide Glide fender I took off figuring it can stretch the same amount to meet the struts. The spacers I used for the mock up are 1/2" thick and are sized to fit over the threaded portion of the mounting bracket that slides through the fender and into the struts. One spacer on each side equals 1" width added to the fender effectively. Added an additional washer approximately 0.08" thick to spread out the pressure of the 1/2" spacer pushing on the fender. Would like to eliminate those since it doesn't seem to be evenly touching the fender when everythings tightened down.
My concern right now is that adding the spacers also removes a portion of the fender mounting bracket that can go inside the struts. As far as I can tell, the only thing holding the fender in place and providing support is the mounting bracket sitting inside the struts. If I use too thick of a spacer, not much of the mounting bracket threaded portion is able to go into the strut. I added 1/4" spacers the same O.D. as the mounting bracket threaded portion to extend the mounting bracket 1/4". The 1/4" spacers are sitting inside the struts. When the bolts are tightened down it's as if the 1/4" spacer and mounting bracket are one piece. Is there a better way to go about this than what I've come up with? I'd consider splitting and widening the fender if I knew someone who felt they can do that properly for me, plenty of wrecked donor fenders on eBay. The tail light cutout area seems like it would be difficult to work with.
See pics HERE.
Matt
Your best option is to widen the fender. Over time I think spacers would destroy the fender.
I could probably turn that fender around for you in a week if you ship it to me, or ship me an el cheapo off ebay. I could also weld in the seat nuts while I am at it if you want.
Your best option is to widen the fender. Over time I think spacers would destroy the fender.
I could probably turn that fender around for you in a week if you ship it to me, or ship me an el cheapo off ebay. I could also weld in the seat nuts while I am at it if you want.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mattVA
Dyna Glide Models
1
Oct 28, 2012 07:44 PM
