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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
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Message started by jonathans on 07/20/24 at 14:58:53

Title: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by jonathans on 07/20/24 at 14:58:53

Has anyone removed the chrome from the rear fender and still carry a passenger? I'm wondering it provides needed support to the fender to hold a passenger.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by Surviving Philly on 07/20/24 at 23:46:19

The side rails aren't structural

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by ThumperPaul on 07/21/24 at 05:16:04

Agree with Philly, they aren’t structural. The parts diagram calls them “pillion handles”. I guess a passenger could clench their fingertips under the bottom side of it during “oh nuts” moments, but I wouldn’t call them handles. Aside from being fender ornamentals, they have 2 functional purposes as I see it - 1) rear turn signal mounts, and 2) sissy bar mount. We discussed that in your other post. I’d be glad to sell you the “pillion handles” (ornamental chrome fender bling) and sissy bar if you want to play with it. Message me if you are interested.

Providing measurements of precisely where the pillion handle bolts go into the fenders is virtually impossible to describe. Like I said in your other post, if you just want to add a sissy bar, figure out where you want to mount it and drill a couple holes where you need in the fender. You don’t need the pillion handles to add a custom sissy bar.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by jonathans on 07/21/24 at 07:41:42

Thanks ThumperPaul. I think you have me mixed up with someone else, I never posted about this before. :) Though I did try searching to see if anyone else did--came up empty.

I was thinking about taking these off to put aftermarket turn signals directly into the rear "pinion handle" fender holes, and then the existing hardware leaves chrome cap nuts and screws to nicely fill the remaining fender holes. The rear seat looks so much nicer without the back rest.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by ThumperPaul on 07/21/24 at 09:00:49

Sorry. You’re right. It was another member, Peng. My bad.

I’ve had a few of these bikes with and without the backrest. I can’t decide which I like better. The sissy bar is a convenient place to hang your helmet if you don’t want to use the helmet lock. I don’t ride 2-up so I really don’t need the sissy bar. I guess I kinda like the appearance without the sissy bar a little better (sleeker, less chopper). Ask me again tomorrow and I’ll change my mind. ;D

You’ll want shorter bolts if you delete the pillion handles and just plug the pretty cap nuts in there to hide the holes. There are actually no holes in the fender where the turn signals mount (the turn signal mount holes are part of the pillion handles). So you’ll need to drill some holes there to accommodate whatever turn signal you choose. Or just ditch the turn signals all together. They aren't required for inspection in Texas and the cagers don’t pay attention anyway. It also prevents you from forgetting to turn them off for 20 miles. lol.

Philly has the gangster look going on and has the bullet holes in his fender. But he lives in the city of brotherly love, Philly. So it’s kinda a safety/security feature for him. LOOK - that dude’s been shot at!! He must be a badass! Give him room! Stay back 50 feet!

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by ohiomoto on 07/21/24 at 10:23:47

The side rails add structure to the rear fender. I'm not an engineer and
don't play one on forums, but I believe they are more than just decorations.

Is the support needed to carry passengers?

IDK, I'm not an engineer. ;)

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by ThumperPaul on 07/21/24 at 10:44:26

4443424446445F442B0 wrote:

Well….some of the newer models don’t even have the chrome pillion handles. So…. Suzuki engineers must have decided they don’t do much except add extra weight. I suppose they probably add some “crush zone” protection for the rear fender in the event you get plowed into by some cager texting and driving. You’ll have a broken neck but the fender won’t be quite as badly disfigured.

They must do something awesome though, cuz they are $158 EACH on Partzilla.com.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by ohiomoto on 07/21/24 at 14:11:03

Every LS650 Suzuki sold in the US had them - even if some were "blacked out" - and I don't think they were added for crash protection.

Jonathan's question raises a good point. The rear fender could fail prematurely without those brackets.

The mod might be fine but I would check for excessive fender deflection or vibration compared to the stock configuration. Periodic inspections for deformations and developing cracks would be a good idea.

.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by ThumperPaul on 07/21/24 at 14:34:37

I guess I was misinformed about the pillion handles.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by jonathans on 07/21/24 at 19:18:19

Oh boy. I guess just skinny girls for a while.
I like how it looks, though.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by ThumperPaul on 07/22/24 at 04:39:30

Yep, no fat chicks! It does look sleek and the mini turn signals look good on the bike.

I had to go in the garage last night and look at the pillion handles. I suppose the 3 bolts and the handles would act as stress members and help distribute the weight of a load more forward towards the frame.

Glad OhioMoto chimed in to comment. This way, if you decide to delete the handles, you’ll know not to load up fat chicks.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by Surviving Philly on 07/22/24 at 04:41:43

The side rails bolt on about an inch past where the fender mounts to the frame, and have no connection to the frame. The fender itself has a reinforced section which the side rails do not bolt near.

I think the rails contribute to a load on the fender much more than they are structurally supporting anything.

I've ridden two up with mine off plenty of times

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by ThumperPaul on 07/22/24 at 05:41:36

I see your point, Philly. When I studied it last night, I loosened the all the bolts. I have a sissy bar. When the bolts are tightened back up, it pulls the whole thing together and the sissy bar becomes something of a cross-support tying it all together. I’m not an engineer either, but something is happening there (at least with the sissy bar in play). But, your personal experience with 2-up riding does make the point that it’s not essential. If your fender develops a structural crease, please let us know.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by Surviving Philly on 07/22/24 at 07:05:40

I think the rails help distribute the load for the sissy bar but I I don't think the fender itself. Just my two cents.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by jonathans on 07/22/24 at 08:20:24

One thing not to overlook is that the 2 side chrome brackets are rigidly connected by the sissy bar/backrest. I've given the fender itself some more thought, (and thank all you for doing the same!) and I feel confident the seat can support as much downward force without as with the chrome. But I am thinking that the whole U-shaped 3-piece rigid pinion and backrest could serve to prevent the fender from wagging laterally.

Title: Re: Rear seat without the rear fender chrome
Post by Surviving Philly on 07/22/24 at 10:21:40

I think that's a good guess, but I'm not convinced they prevent the wagging. These bikes really like to crack license plates even with the rails on.

My personal assumption is that the rails hope to save the paint in the event of a drop or low side crash. They provide protection for the tail light wiring and a mounting point for the rear lights. By having a modular design the lights won't blow out their mounting holes in the event of a fall when they inevitably break.