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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
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Message started by justin_o_guy on 12/26/06 at 17:19:30

Title: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by justin_o_guy on 12/26/06 at 17:19:30

still haul a passenger?Don't those things support the fender?

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by steelwolf on 12/26/06 at 17:36:18

No they don't support the fender. They keep it from shaking side to side adding rigidity. Not that the Savage sheetmetal needs it. The HD softtail fender I put on was thinner than the stock fender. It shakes ALOT at an idle but smoothes out nice going down the road.

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by necropsy on 12/27/06 at 07:56:16

No way would I carry a passenger without the fender struts. They certainly do support the fender and besides that, the fender looks like cr@p without them.

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by rokrover on 12/27/06 at 08:20:25

Gotta agree with "steelwolf" - all they support are the turn signals. Just pulled 'em off my wife's bike to fit the chrome rails with backrest. They attach to the fender sheet metal by three bolts that don't connect to any structural member like the frame. So all you are doing is bolting on a heavy piece of trim that may damp vibration as suggested. Besides, the seat is supported by those rubber blocks underneath against the frame, and not the fender.

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by Greg_650 on 12/27/06 at 09:53:28

Point-Counter point.

If I was a betting man, I'd go with Necropsy. I think they COULD add support for a passenger and luggage.

The fender is double walled and pretty stout, but I'd worry about the strength over time. The front is only mounted by 4 bolts and I'd worry about a good bump that could put the passenger's butt on the rear tire.

Besides, it certainly covers some otherwise unsightly holes that often has people installing little stickers to hide them.

I got rid of mine, but I also removed the seat and backrest.

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by steelwolf on 12/27/06 at 15:01:17

I carried my wife without the rails. Granted she only weighs 100 pounds but she still rode there frequently over bumps and all. The fender rails may keep the fender from folding in the middle but you would have to put some amazing down force on it to make it buckle. That fender is stout. I honestly believe you would pull the four bolts through the fender before it would fold. That would be the case even with the rails. JMO

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by thumperclone on 12/27/06 at 15:36:50

think this thread is about the side rails...mostly they support the turn signals and are a conduit for that wiring...
on the newer one piece seat style ls 650s there SHOULD be no problems with the side rails removed..
but the older two piece seats id think twice about any passenger with the side rails removed...its not just the weight but the force created by going over a bump..my 06 has the side rails,one piece seat and with the shocks turned to their stiffest when im haulin a$$
( the wifey) our combined weight is bout 300#s.(yes we drink beer!!) we sometimes bottom out, the bottom shock bolt to the belt guard(the sticker i never removed from the top of the belt guard is getting torn)..jmo

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by justin_o_guy on 12/27/06 at 16:24:01

Well, awwright. Thanks all for the input. I think I have enough to go on & even have an idea what turn signals I want. If I pull the rails & see stuff I don't like I will put them back on. I think the rear fender is a good looking part & is cluttered with the license plate & those rails. If I can find a source for a side mount that I can afford & figure how to legally display the inspection sticker neatly I plan on trimming the rails off & geberally uncluttering the fender. The only passenger is my daughter & that won't happen much. Santa gave her a check to pay for her riders safety course & she is stoked! She wants a Kawi 250 Ninja. She is 20 Y/O & not reckless.

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by Fido_the_Cat on 12/27/06 at 19:23:41

Can you put the sticker on the front fork? Some states are critical others say, Just so it's visable. I have plans to work on the bike. Wifey has put the kabash on the Kitchen remodel till the spring. If I can get my mods done she can hire some other "Handy Dan" while I go ....
I would like to do something like your plans; bondo the fender and add a graphic. Gotta hide the reciph-thing. Personally would feel better reinforcing that back fender. Things happen all the time.

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by justin_o_guy on 12/27/06 at 19:30:40

I guess any inspection station can tell me where it's legal. I'll try that. Thanks

Title: Re: If I remove the rear fender chrome can I
Post by Steve530 on 12/27/06 at 20:52:06

I'll throw my opinion in here with the rest.

The grab rails do not support the fender, they stiffen the fender. That is they prevent buckling under a load. I wouldn't put much weight on the fender without the side rails. Just my opinion.

Steve