On my `07 the rear bumper appeared to be supporting the fender.
Does the bumper support the fender on this `12 or can it just be
removed? I don't mind the chrome rail,but I hate the rubber.Can
the rubber be removed & leave the bumper?I've got to do either
one I can.That rubber has got to go.

 

On my 11 ETC I just removed it. There's a bracket that runs behind the fender that the bag supports bolt to. Just take it off. It'll look way better. IMO

 

I did the same thing when I had my 2013 Limited, and it does look a lot better with out it.

 

On your '07 that bumper was attached to the saddlebag mounts and only had a single bolt through the fender. You can see the details for your current bike on-line here, which may help you remove your bumper. The rubber part was detachable from your '07, leaving the chrome tubes behind.

 

I pulled the rubber portion out of mine, looks much better.

 

Thanks for all the help.Guess I
got more little projects today
besides what the ol' lady has
already assigned me.

 

After laying my old butt in the floor I saw how it all
went together.Found out the rubber just pushes out.
I didn't like the look so I cleaned it real good & put it
back in.What I hated the most were those ugly torx
galvanized bolts.I bought some SS button heads & some
SS trim washers.Polished them up & put them in.Looks
better now so I guess I can live with the bumper for a
while longer.I hate galvanized bolts

 

I removed front and rear bumper within 48 hrs of ownership.



Then I decided I didn't like the chrome fender tip light.



I'm kinda obsessive when it comes to vehicle mods. I was just gonna get bag fillers, then it turned into what you see above. Oh well. I worked a ton of overtime and felt I deserved something nice.

 

You guys removing your bumper need to buy the hidden brace. It ties together both bags and the rear fender and is pretty invisible. I researched this and read posts on other forums about guys that messed up their bags and bag mounts because they didn't install the brace. It was pretty cheap, under $50 I believe. Sorry I don't remember how I found the part number, picked it up in a post somewhere.

 

I believe that applies to the pre-09 bikes. My 11 already had a bracket that runs behind the fender and ties the bag supports together. The bumper attached to that bracket.

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....DER%20-%20REAR

#33 saddlebag support to fender bracket. Comes stock.