UGH!!! One step forward, Two steps back...
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 7
From: Buffalo
Looks to me you mounted it incorrectly. Every sidemount I've seen sticks out more & is level, yours is tucked in too close to the tire and appears crooked (IMHO). It also looks (to me) as if that mount is designed to be mounted on the bottom arm of the swing arm rather than on top. In any event, while it sucks that you have some damage, it could've been worse.
Took the bike this morning to a body shop to get a quote on fixing it. This is a mom n pop shop that has a very good reputation.
They said it would be no more than $200 and they should have a candy apply red that they can shoot through their system that will be a 95% match. He said they use a water base but he said even if the rest of the bike is lacquer based, that is OK...you can mix the two. He said because of where it is (below the chrome piece), he said you won't be able to see the difference.
I have to bring him the fender and the chrome side piece so he can make sure he doesn't paint past that.
Does anyone have a good site that shows how to take off the rear fender? I know it can't be that hard but if it comes down to rewiring things (maybe the blinkers?), it could be tricky for me.
They said it would be no more than $200 and they should have a candy apply red that they can shoot through their system that will be a 95% match. He said they use a water base but he said even if the rest of the bike is lacquer based, that is OK...you can mix the two. He said because of where it is (below the chrome piece), he said you won't be able to see the difference.
I have to bring him the fender and the chrome side piece so he can make sure he doesn't paint past that.
Does anyone have a good site that shows how to take off the rear fender? I know it can't be that hard but if it comes down to rewiring things (maybe the blinkers?), it could be tricky for me.
Disassembly is fairly straightforward. If I get home at a reasonable time, Ill scan and email the page covering r&r
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Central Cali
Easiest way would be to unplug the rear wiring harness right under the sea then remove the two strut bolts on each strut that connect to frame this way the entire back fender assembly will come off in one piece and make it alot more manageable on a work bench to remove the rest of the parts. It will be alot easier to see and reach them too. The dissasembly is very easy once you get the thing on a bench and can get at the stuff. several bolts a couple light connectors the only thing that is a pain is the black rubber channel that the wireharness runs through mounted under the fender the plugs on either end wont fit through and you best bet is to leave it on the fender just tape up the ends and it should be fine.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Central Cali
Looks to me you mounted it incorrectly. Every sidemount I've seen sticks out more & is level, yours is tucked in too close to the tire and appears crooked (IMHO). It also looks (to me) as if that mount is designed to be mounted on the bottom arm of the swing arm rather than on top. In any event, while it sucks that you have some damage, it could've been worse.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Central Cali
Thanks man!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: TOAK western branch
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Central Cali
Exactly. Good find if I liked the color and wanted to change all the tins. For $200 I can get mine fixed and love my color. 
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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It's a full paint set, at a good price. I was not attempting to match his color. I just wanted to give him an idea of what the cost is to get a complete set.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
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From: TOAK western branch
No thats cool but yes the orig fire red is bad ***. Great deal too!