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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> removing fender side rails...
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Message started by mojohand40 on 08/30/12 at 07:03:12

Title: removing fender side rails...
Post by mojohand40 on 08/30/12 at 07:03:12

I need to replace my rear turn sigs. One was broken when I bought it ( a well worn 1998) It's held to the stem with a hose clamp at the moment. I got some other turn sigs that will work laying around in my shed, but I'm feeling lazy and don't feel like removing the rear wheel to get the fender and side rails off.
In thinking about it, It occurred to me that if I jack the rear wheel off the ground and remove the shocks, it MAY be possible that the swingarm will drop enough that I can get access to the side rail bolts inside the fender.

Is this wishful thinking or has anybody tried this? Taking off the rear wheel is a pain and I don't want to unless I have to. I just had the rear wheel off my Shadow and replaced the sprockets and chain last weekend...one of those "2 hour" jobs that took me about 5 hours...arrrrgh!

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by Greg on 08/30/12 at 07:09:09

I was able to reach up in there with a wrench and make it happen without jacking up the bike.

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by mojohand40 on 08/30/12 at 07:13:49

5F5A5D56515B380 wrote:

I was able to reach up in there with a wrench and make it happen without jacking up the bike.

..hmmm, I can barely get a finger in between the wheel and fender on the right side.

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by Greg on 08/30/12 at 07:23:45

656762676069666C3C38080 wrote:

[quote author=5F5A5D56515B380 link=1346335392/0#1 date=1346335749]I was able to reach up in there with a wrench and make it happen without jacking up the bike.

..hmmm, I can barely get a finger in between the wheel and fender on the right side.[/quote]
Don't need a finger. Use a ratcheting wrench.

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/30/12 at 08:00:19

If jackin it up doesnt give you what ya need & ya just dont wanna spend any $$$ on tools, maybe dropping the shocks would be easier than pulling the wheel. IDK if just one end will come off or which wopuld be easier, just a thot..

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by runwyrlph on 08/30/12 at 08:41:36

i'm not saying it was easy, a little crowded, but i've taken them on and off without removing the wheel. if you can figure a way to lift the fender i,e, extend the shocks,( i think i put a nylon strap around the fender- hooked a comealong to that and lifted a little to a ceiling beam (?) ), might make a little more room in there.

ps I have a slightly oversized tire 140-90

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by rfw2003 on 08/30/12 at 09:08:35

take the license plate holder off, then use a 1/4" drive ratchet reaching in from the rear. You will have plenty of room then. That's how I did it.

R.F.

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by Johnny57 on 08/30/12 at 10:30:27

I just did it myself without removing the rear wheel. It is a little tight but I have seen a lot worse. The two Chrome nuts towards the front are on the outside of the fender and bolts just push through. The third bolt is farther to the rear and threads into machined hole from inside. Once you break it it might even turn most of the way by hand. Lay on the floor and look up and you will see it all. Give it a rip. It is not that difficult but there is some weight if you still have sissy bar connected.

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by srinath on 08/30/12 at 10:57:30

IMHO, those side rails have to go ... ugliest part of the savage.
Remove em and put on color matched ammo cases ...

Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by verslagen1 on 08/30/12 at 11:25:00

5B444245585F6E5E6E56444803310 wrote:

take the lower shock nut off, push the bolt in and you should be able to take the shock off from the swingarm. then jack it up as high as you need.

and that's the way is and you are there.

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by Paraquat on 08/30/12 at 11:58:38

Just like Greg I just reached up and did it. Had lots of room and I'm still using the stock struts.

--Steve

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by stewmills on 08/30/12 at 19:36:00

I have a newer model (2008) but I have plenty of room to reach up in there with a ratcheting wrench and remove the inside bolts as others noted...and have done it several times recently working on the lights and adding a new sissy bar and side pillars, etc. I have sorta small hands, but anything beats not having to remove the wheels, struts or anything else just for two bolts.

If you can't get in there. find a small neighborhood kid and offer him $5 to get his hands in there for you. :)

Good luck!

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/30/12 at 20:13:46

Uh, Hi,, Mr. Walker,, uhhh,, can Billy come over?

Why? Ohh,, well,, ya see,, he has about the right size hands for a little job Im doin,,

Yea,, I can see it now,.,

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by built2last66 on 08/30/12 at 20:47:29

You can remove the rear fender side rails with out a jack, with it on the kickstand.

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by heroicseven on 08/31/12 at 21:25:49

+1 Got mine whole fender off in about 35minutes. It helps to have a ratcheting socket, and some different depth/length sockets. Good luck!!

Title: Re: removing fender side rails...
Post by mojohand40 on 09/09/12 at 14:47:51

well...you guys must have smaller hands and more patience. I ended up doing what I thought, jacking it up and removing the shocks. Made the job easier. I swear I had a harder time getting the stupid seat bolts back in then the shocks.