For the guys running no front fender
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
For the guys running no front fender
Just pulled the front fender off and put on my 14" apes. Notice that when i get up to high speeds I get a ton of wobbling. Anyone else have this problem? Is that what people run the superbrace for?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 369
Likes: 100
From: Katy, TX
Yep, you loose a lot high speed stability with no front fender b/c now your front forks don't move in conjunction, but rather independently. I would suggest you get the brace at least and restore the stability. I love the no front fender look on the the sporties by the way.
.......or a buddy just told me you could probably replace the triple trees with some much more sturdy ones. Not same bike.......but on his Vrod, he runs no front fender and ended up replacing the trees. One expensive as mod to run no fender, but if that is the look you want, you have to pay the piper.
.......or a buddy just told me you could probably replace the triple trees with some much more sturdy ones. Not same bike.......but on his Vrod, he runs no front fender and ended up replacing the trees. One expensive as mod to run no fender, but if that is the look you want, you have to pay the piper.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
RAL
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 521
From: USA
Yes, get a Superbrace.
Here's my .02.
Looking at the structure/ mounting of the front fender on a Nightster, the fender appears to act as a fork brace.
As a test, face the bike and place the front edges of the front rim between your knees. Then apply pressure, turning left and right to the handle bars. Feel any flex?
If yes flex... superbrace
If no flex... alignment, bent rim, steering head bearing, wheel balance, other.
Here's my .02.
Looking at the structure/ mounting of the front fender on a Nightster, the fender appears to act as a fork brace.
As a test, face the bike and place the front edges of the front rim between your knees. Then apply pressure, turning left and right to the handle bars. Feel any flex?
If yes flex... superbrace
If no flex... alignment, bent rim, steering head bearing, wheel balance, other.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY
It could be wobbling from any number of issues. I had the same prblem and I never removed my fender....my tire pressure was low. Its much better now but sometimes it still can get loose. If I take pressure off the bars it straightens out.
make sure your tire pressure is right, see if the wobble goes away, then try the fender back on, it could even been the bars. It could be the fall away too I am told. Or a combination of all of the above.
make sure your tire pressure is right, see if the wobble goes away, then try the fender back on, it could even been the bars. It could be the fall away too I am told. Or a combination of all of the above.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,112
Likes: 39
From: Boise Idaho
I would doubt the fender has anything to do with your wobble. The factory fender is so flimsy you can bend it by hand.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Thats exactly what I was told and why I was comfortable with removing mine. Have yet to have an issue.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
It shouldn't be real hard to figure out the problem.
Put the fender back on and see if the problem goes away. If it does, get a brace.
If it doesn't fix it, look elsewhere, particularly the new apes as the length magnifies vibrations.
Put the fender back on and see if the problem goes away. If it does, get a brace.
If it doesn't fix it, look elsewhere, particularly the new apes as the length magnifies vibrations.