Lowering front fender
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
I have discussed this with several forum members. I wish I could do the same, I don't like how high the fender sits over the tire. The only real way to do it is to cut the supports down and then reweld them and repaint. It's almost better to just buy another type fender and have it painted.
I thought I might be able to just extend the mounting holes upward but in order to get the fender as close to the wheel as I would like without it moving up into the slanted part that slants in above the mounting holes.
I thought I might be able to just extend the mounting holes upward but in order to get the fender as close to the wheel as I would like without it moving up into the slanted part that slants in above the mounting holes.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,882
Likes: 5
From: So California
His bike already has a 21" and I doubt a 23" would fit under the stock fender.
He could possibly go for a higher profile tire though.
I elongated the holes to raise my fender when I went from a 19" to the 21".
I fabbed up stainless brackets to use instead of the stock washers. They hide the slots from the inner side and are hardly noticeable from the outside.
Welding the holes up and re-drilling would be the perfect way, but then a repaint would also be needed.
He could possibly go for a higher profile tire though.
I elongated the holes to raise my fender when I went from a 19" to the 21".
I fabbed up stainless brackets to use instead of the stock washers. They hide the slots from the inner side and are hardly noticeable from the outside.
Welding the holes up and re-drilling would be the perfect way, but then a repaint would also be needed.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Yea, I went from a 21" 90/100 tire (stock Dunlop) to a 21" 80/90 Commander II... I didn't think about how the fender would sit even higher with the smaller tire. UGH. I didn't realize it until it was done. It's not a huge difference but I did notice it... and I didn't like the way the stock tire fit under the fender either. I wish there was a solution ... or should I say, a cheap solution. lol
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
We had a big discussion about this a couple of years ago when the 08's came out with a fender that was mounted closer to the tire.
But in the end it was decided that the best/easiest way to get a stock fender closer to the tire was to get one of the new ones and have it painted to match your bike.
The problem is that if you just remount the fender you have, no matter how you do it, the fender is going to end up looking a little 'off'.
This is because just moving the center of the fender down (closer to the tire where the bracket is) will not change the actual shape or radius of the fender.
What you'll end up with is a fender that is closer to the tire in the middle where the mounting bracket is than it is at the ends.
An easy way to visualize it is to take a penny and center it on top of a quarter.
Imagine that the penny is the tire and the quarter is the fender.
Centered like that their outer radius look even and symmetrical.
But if you move the penny up closer to the quarters upper edge you can see that the 'fenders' outer curve gradually goes from close to the 'tire' in the middle to farther away at the sides.
The same thing is going to happen with the bikes fender/tire look, just not as pronounced.
If your good with it, fine, its your bike, have at it.
But to a lot of people it will always look a little off.
They may not be able to put their finger on exactly what's wrong with what they are seeing, but they will notice it.
But in the end it was decided that the best/easiest way to get a stock fender closer to the tire was to get one of the new ones and have it painted to match your bike.
The problem is that if you just remount the fender you have, no matter how you do it, the fender is going to end up looking a little 'off'.
This is because just moving the center of the fender down (closer to the tire where the bracket is) will not change the actual shape or radius of the fender.
What you'll end up with is a fender that is closer to the tire in the middle where the mounting bracket is than it is at the ends.
An easy way to visualize it is to take a penny and center it on top of a quarter.
Imagine that the penny is the tire and the quarter is the fender.
Centered like that their outer radius look even and symmetrical.
But if you move the penny up closer to the quarters upper edge you can see that the 'fenders' outer curve gradually goes from close to the 'tire' in the middle to farther away at the sides.
The same thing is going to happen with the bikes fender/tire look, just not as pronounced.
If your good with it, fine, its your bike, have at it.
But to a lot of people it will always look a little off.
They may not be able to put their finger on exactly what's wrong with what they are seeing, but they will notice it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
One thing to consider when mounting a fender really close to the tire is how much the tire will grow in diameter if you have a flat. If it rubs hard against the fender, it's like putting the brake on hard. Might make the difference between riding through it and losing it.
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
One thing to consider when mounting a fender really close to the tire is how much the tire will grow in diameter if you have a flat. If it rubs hard against the fender, it's like putting the brake on hard. Might make the difference between riding through it and losing it.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post