What is the closest you can put the rear fender to the rear tire on a softail? What I mean is obviously the rear swingarm will move as the suspension moves and if you mount the rear fender too close to the tire, it will hit.

There has to be enough "gap" to allow the suspension/swingarm to flex.

Is an inch too little or will I be bottoming out on the fender every time I hit a bump?

Needless to say, the closer the fender is to the tire, the cooler it will look... much like a rigid frame. But I can't have it rubbing every time I hit a bump in the road.

Anyone have any experience on what the correct gap should be? I'm down to about an 1- 1 1/4 gap.

Thanks,

Mark

 

im not to sure, being im a 1st time Harley owner. but im sure most bikes work the same. when we lowered a few sport bikes for the shorter people, there were times it was to low and it was hitting the undertail. we had to find out the MAX EXTENSION that the rear swingarm can come upwards from body weight, combined together with riding (bottoming out) we noticed no more then 3 to 4 inches was good enough, but on a Harley, i would feel safe to say no more then a 1 1/2" to 2". the rear fenders are pretty close to begin with. dont quote me on it, and hopefully someone with a little more experience can help you out.

good luck and post more pictures when you get around to it.

 

1/8" should be enough room providing you have cleared the rear fender of protruding bolts. Ijust put an 18"x3.5" wheel with a 160/70/18 Metzler on a 2001 fatboy it's tight but there is clearance, about 1/8 on the right and1/2 on the left.

 

SP,

Thanks. I've done the same. In fact, I've still got 20 some dogbones laying around I had machined to lower Honda sportbikes.

I'm going with that dimension because I was thinking the same thing and I won't be carrying a passenger. I'll see if anyone else chimes in that has had more experience on an HD.

Thanks,

Mark

 

Zoomie,

I mean the top of the tire, not the sides. Here's a few pics of the tire/fender combo.



Granted, this above pic was just the fender sitting there but here is what it looks like though it's just sitting there.




The problem is, I've decided to cut the fender REALLY short, almost a full foot off that fender. I don't want it looking stupid with too much gap.

I'm cutting the fender back because I want to show off as much of the tire as possible.

 

Why not mount the fender to the swing arm. Then you will only need 1/8" clearance (metzler tire)and the fender will go up and down with the suspension.

 

Damn you, I've been avoiding that...lol. I thought about doing that but then I'd have to deal with the gap issue behind the seat.

I'm going to the shop in a bit and gonna mess around with that idea also, it would look much better.

Thanks,

Mark

 

Sweet ride... Please drop more photo's when you are done...

 

sounds like the easiest way to go about it, but depending on the seathe uses, wouldnt it rub.? the front of the fender rubbing on the back of the seat.? i knowhe istrying to avoid the gap issue but ifhe decide to do that, and im not sure howhes positioning the seat buthe willalso with feel the movement aswell, going up and down or slightly forward and backwhen the swing arm goes up and down. not to mention leaving blemishing marks on the fender

especially if he happens to run into a nice size dip in the road, it will send a jolt right up his back to.

 

That's a tough one. The only way I can see to get the height of the fender right would be to bottom the rear end out. That wouldreally be the only way to see if it'll rub. You might call Hogpro and chat with them about it. I've discussed a lot of suspension/clearance issues with themgreat guys to talk to and always willing to help.