SuzukiSavage.com - removing fender side rails...

mojohand40

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removing fender side rails...
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!

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Greg Serious Thumper Offline Molon Labe Posts: 1251 Southeast PA, uSA Gender:	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #1 - 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.
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mojohand40 Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 80	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #2 - 08/30/12 at 07:13:49 Greg wrote 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. ..hmmm, I can barely get a finger in between the wheel and fender on the right side.
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Greg Serious Thumper Offline Molon Labe Posts: 1251 Southeast PA, uSA Gender:	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #3 - 08/30/12 at 07:23:45 mojohand40 wrote on 08/30/12 at 07:13:49: Greg wrote 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. ..hmmm, I can barely get a finger in between the wheel and fender on the right side. Don't need a finger. Use a ratcheting wrench.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #4 - 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..
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runwyrlph

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Re: removing fender side rails...
Reply #5 - 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

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rfw2003 Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1108 Yantis, TX	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #6 - 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.
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Johnny57

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Re: removing fender side rails...
Reply #7 - 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.

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srinath Serious Thumper Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 5349	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #8 - 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.
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verslagen1

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Re: removing fender side rails...
Reply #9 - 08/30/12 at 11:25:00

justin_o_guy2 wrote 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..

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.

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Paraquat Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2206	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #10 - 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
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stewmills

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Re: removing fender side rails...
Reply #11 - 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!

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #12 - 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,.,
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Built2Last Serious Thumper Offline Tempt Fate Posts: 1447 FTF Gender:	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #13 - 08/30/12 at 20:47:29 You can remove the rear fender side rails with out a jack, with it on the kickstand.
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heroicseven Full Member Offline oops, I broke it. Posts: 245 San Diego Gender:	Re: removing fender side rails... Reply #14 - 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!!
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