Mario77746
Active Member
Coming from a Ridgeback that gap in the rear fender is killing me. Has anyone changed the rear fender to minimize the gap? Thanks.
Anyone ever change the rear fender on their chopper?
- Thread starter Mario77746
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antvalentin
Member
You could always mount the fender to the swingarm to get the fender to articulate with the wheel/swingarm. Im not sure how tough that would be to do but I would imagine a some welding skills and paint would be necessary.
Mario77746
Active Member
2004 Chopper. The fender sits over 2.5 inches off of the tire. I was thinking on getting lower shocks but don't want the front of the bike to look higher. I've seen a few softails with rigid fender mounted on the swing arm but I haven't seen one that I like the way the seat looks. Kind of looks like a HD Rocker which imo is just fugly.
Staffy
Active Member
Hummm....sounds like a plan
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Mario77746
Active Member
How much does it drop the rear? Got a part number or where to get one?
gearsmithy
Active Member
The wrong way would be to cheat it by tiliting it toward the rear. This creates the appearance of a tighter fitting fender but it really isn't. custom builders do this all the time, especially if they're concerned about tire swell at speed. Since you have a rear suspension, this could damage your fender, lowering your bike presents the same risk. IF you hit a bump, your fender will rub. If it rubs long enough, kiss your paint, tires, and potentially your own ass goodbye.
The best option for you is to mount the fender to the swingarm, that way you can have your fender ride about 3/8" off your tire (i wouldn't go any lower) while keeping your necessary clearance for tire swell. This will obviously require some fabrication and probably new paint on your swingarm and fender but it is the prefered way to go.
Another thing to consider is your seat. If you lower your fender (Which ever way you choose) you may have to install a new seat (or not), depending on how funky you think your existing seat looks hanging above your fender. Most guys opt for a potato chip seat in these setups, i'd stay away from springs though, because a sprung seat plus suspension screams "PUSSY"
The best option for you is to mount the fender to the swingarm, that way you can have your fender ride about 3/8" off your tire (i wouldn't go any lower) while keeping your necessary clearance for tire swell. This will obviously require some fabrication and probably new paint on your swingarm and fender but it is the prefered way to go.
Another thing to consider is your seat. If you lower your fender (Which ever way you choose) you may have to install a new seat (or not), depending on how funky you think your existing seat looks hanging above your fender. Most guys opt for a potato chip seat in these setups, i'd stay away from springs though, because a sprung seat plus suspension screams "PUSSY"
also keep in mind that, by getting the fender closer to the tire, you are running the risk of the tire rubbing the wires to the tail lights or the stem from the housing cutting into the tire. just sayin'.
antvalentin
Member
I agree with Gear... But looking at your fender, you have a bunch of metal on the profile (sides). Even if you mount it to the swingarm, you will need to lose some of the sheet metal on the sides of the fender. You may be better off buying a new fender with a slim side profile and mounting it to the swingarm. By the time you take a grinder and welder to your OEM fender, the time and money spent may be enough to buy a new one with a slimmer profile.
gearsmithy
Active Member
or you could be a billy bad ass and just ducktail it.
Mario77746
Active Member
Ok. Here are a few questions then:
Are there any stiffer shocks that would lower the bike about 1"? I could offset it with 3 or 5 degree trees up front. This based on .2 of an inch drop per degree. I would probably stick with 3 degree trees as to not totally kill the handling of the bike.
If I can't lower the bike I may look at replacing the fender. If I mount it lower on the struts what is an acceptable amount of clearance between the fender and tire? I don't think the full 2.5 inches is really needed.
Thanks.
Are there any stiffer shocks that would lower the bike about 1"? I could offset it with 3 or 5 degree trees up front. This based on .2 of an inch drop per degree. I would probably stick with 3 degree trees as to not totally kill the handling of the bike.
If I can't lower the bike I may look at replacing the fender. If I mount it lower on the struts what is an acceptable amount of clearance between the fender and tire? I don't think the full 2.5 inches is really needed.
Thanks.
antvalentin
Member
If you are gonna get a new fender, why mount it to the struts? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of what you're trying to accomplish? To eliminate the gap you are talking about, you need the fender to move with the swingarm and wheel. Mounting the fender to the struts will keep the fender in one place. Whether it's the OEM fender or a new fender, you still need the 2.5 inches to account for the wheel travel if you mount to the struts.
Mount that bitch to the swing arm and like Gear said, keep the clearance just tight enough to allow the tire to swell at higher speeds.
Mount that bitch to the swing arm and like Gear said, keep the clearance just tight enough to allow the tire to swell at higher speeds.
gearsmithy
Active Member
So you want stiffer shocks, tighter fender, and lower stance? Why not just go back to hardtails?
Mario77746
Active Member
Well....I sold my Road King to buy another Dog. I have always had 300 tire rigids but plan on using this bike for trips and figured it to be the more practical choice over the Ridgeback I had. Plus my wife didn't care for riding on that bike much. The chopper is taking a little getting use to but the ride is great and the 250 tire imo handles better than the 300 tire bikes. I'm just trying to see what my options are to make this bike fit me and my style.