Front Fender Removal Shortcut?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
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Front Fender Removal Shortcut?
I'm bummed, I got a nasty 3 inch ding on the top of the front fender of my RKC. I was wondering if anyone has ever removed the front fender without removing the front wheel? The manual dierctions seem a bit convoluted and after looking at the set-up it looks fairly doable with out tire removal. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
RE: Front Fender Removal Shortcut?
The big front fender on a bagger will not come out (easily) without removing the front wheel. I've tried it and damaged my fender trying to get it out. Even worse, you can damage your new fender trying to get it back on.
Removing the front wheel is easy and can be done by one person with the bike on a lift. It is important to follow the directions in the manual when reinstalling the front wheel (especially the part with the 7/16" drill bit in the axle) so that your rotors and brakes line up properly.
Take your time and do it right. I've done it many times without a problem.
Removing the front wheel is easy and can be done by one person with the bike on a lift. It is important to follow the directions in the manual when reinstalling the front wheel (especially the part with the 7/16" drill bit in the axle) so that your rotors and brakes line up properly.
Take your time and do it right. I've done it many times without a problem.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
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RE: Front Fender Removal Shortcut?
I just went throught his on my Ultra. Following the service manual directions, it took less than 30 minutes to get the front fender off. Lucklily did not have to remove inner fairing to get to the wiring harness for the light. Everything worked exactly as it was suppossed to. I spent a little longer, about an hour, putting everything back together. Some of that time was playing with my new torq wrench. I had a friend helping (highly recommended because you have to apply significant pressure a couple of times and I didn't feel confortable yanking the bike around on my jack) and we found the most intricate part was holding the fender and tire in place while aligning the caliper bolts. You have to hold the tire/fender and slide them into place.
Just a note, the service manual stated to add an anti sieze lubricant to the axle. Not the bearings, because they are sealed, but the axle. When I questioned my local harly service guy, he said that this was not needed but it could serve as an anti corrosive if any moisture every got in there. He gave me a little tube of HD high temp lube that I applied just to be cautious.
This is a fairly simple process, secure your bike and follow the directions in the service manual and you won't have any trouble.
Just a note, the service manual stated to add an anti sieze lubricant to the axle. Not the bearings, because they are sealed, but the axle. When I questioned my local harly service guy, he said that this was not needed but it could serve as an anti corrosive if any moisture every got in there. He gave me a little tube of HD high temp lube that I applied just to be cautious.
This is a fairly simple process, secure your bike and follow the directions in the service manual and you won't have any trouble.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 655
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RE: Front Fender Removal Shortcut?
to get it off ?
logg chain ? tractor ?
just kidding !!
weet
logg chain ? tractor ?
just kidding !!
weet
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
RE: Front Fender Removal Shortcut?
I've done it both ways.
With the wheel on, before I got a lift. It can be done but it really is easier to remove the wheel. Not a complicated process really. Just follow the service manual and it's a snap.
After I had the wheel off for the first time, I did catch myself looking at the front axle quite often.
With the wheel on, before I got a lift. It can be done but it really is easier to remove the wheel. Not a complicated process really. Just follow the service manual and it's a snap.
After I had the wheel off for the first time, I did catch myself looking at the front axle quite often.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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RE: Front Fender Removal Shortcut?
Removing the front wheel is the safest way to get the front fender off.
However, you can get it off w/o taking the wheel off. You'll need 2 people.
1) Get the bike a good couple of feet off the ground.
2) Remove both brake calipers and zip-tie them to the frame downtubes to keep them out of the way.
3) Remove fender bolts.
4) Have your buddy hold the bars fully lock to the right. There is a little more room taking it out on the shift lever side than on the brake pedal side.
5) Gently slide the rear fender out. You may have to rotate it down a little. Watch the ground and the lower triple clamp.
BZ
However, you can get it off w/o taking the wheel off. You'll need 2 people.
1) Get the bike a good couple of feet off the ground.
2) Remove both brake calipers and zip-tie them to the frame downtubes to keep them out of the way.
3) Remove fender bolts.
4) Have your buddy hold the bars fully lock to the right. There is a little more room taking it out on the shift lever side than on the brake pedal side.
5) Gently slide the rear fender out. You may have to rotate it down a little. Watch the ground and the lower triple clamp.
BZ
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 892
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From: Central, IN
RE: Front Fender Removal Shortcut?
You may be getting ahead of yourself. You can remove a fairly large dent without removing the fender. As long as it's not creased, you, or someone, should be able to do it. Example, I was unloading some lumber from my truck. The bike was parked behind the truck. Yup, I pulled a couple of 2X4s out and hit the fender. About a 3" dent. I'm an old auto body instructor, I took my time and picked it out. There is no evidence that there was ever a dent. Check your body shops or the Yellow Pages for Paintless Dent Repair.