Fatboy rear fender offset. ???
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Fatboy rear fender offset. ???
Yesterday I noticed the rear fender on my 09 Fatboy is offset to the left by about 1/2-3/4 inch. Its not my eyes playing tricks on me, I measured the tire clearance on each side and a couple other people agreed when I pointed it out to them. I recently changed the turn signal mounts to put the docking hardware on for the detachable backrest. Anyone else's bike have this problem?? Is it something I should worry about or "does it just happen" ?? I tried gently pushing it to the right just a bit, but there doesn't seem to be any give in it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 385
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
I'm gonna go loom at mine right now.... I'll try it with a tape measure, although sometimes the "finger" test is more accurate.... Be right back....
EDIT: Yep, standing behind the bike: From the furthest point back on the fender (where the offset would presumably be the most accentuated), and using the widest point on the tire, the gap on the left side is 1-1/4", and the gap on the right side is 7/8". So, in my case, YES, there is 3/8" difference... hmmmmm, can't believe I didn't notice that before. Tht kinda stuff normally bothers me... oh well, a few sessions in therapy should fix me up!
Anyone else come to the same conclusion?
___________
EDIT: Yep, standing behind the bike: From the furthest point back on the fender (where the offset would presumably be the most accentuated), and using the widest point on the tire, the gap on the left side is 1-1/4", and the gap on the right side is 7/8". So, in my case, YES, there is 3/8" difference... hmmmmm, can't believe I didn't notice that before. Tht kinda stuff normally bothers me... oh well, a few sessions in therapy should fix me up!
Anyone else come to the same conclusion?
___________
Last edited by JR Ryder; May 30, 2009 at 10:59 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
my rear tire is even on both sides at the front and rear of the fender. measured from the tire to the fender.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
very interesting..... wonder if the offset is always on the same side???? mine is less than 1/8" off, with the wider gap being on the left side (standing at the rear of the bike, looking forward)
tk353 - I wouldn't have expected anything different from your bike!
tk353 - I wouldn't have expected anything different from your bike!
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
i have seen some with offset and others without. i was thinking maybe the shocks caused it. i saw one where the fender looks right but the tire seems angled. They had lowering kit. did you measure at the front, top and rear to see the 1/8 offset? did you measure to the rim and not the tire?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 385
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
I measured the tire on mine, not the rim (thanks, I'm gonna go try that too). I actually lifted the bike with a hydraulic lift from the center of the bike, so there was no weight on either wheel. I spun the rear wheel a few times, and took several measurements from several points along the rear fender. The further back on the fender I measured, the more obvious the offset was. I can apply light pressure on the left/rear of the fender and bring it in perfect alignment. Next winter when I do my planned teardown, I'll measure the rim-to-struts (with the rear fender removed) to see if it's just the stamped rear fender causing the offset, or if it's engineered and machined like that. It should be fairly easy to determine. There would be a bunch of really easy ways to fix it though. Funny thing is that when I stand behind the bike, I can't notice it, and I have a pretty keen eye for that sort of stuff. I'm gonna go tinker with it right now........ JR
Last edited by JR Ryder; May 31, 2009 at 11:04 PM.