Yo savages,

Working on a build project, considering what I want to do with the rear fender.  I've been able to get a hold of a trailer fender that follows the curve of the wheel pretty good -- want to have it mount to the swing arm in the front, then to the axle in the rear with a mounting arm on each side, and move with the swingarm in one motion.

Trouble is, I don't know how to weld.  

The rear arms might be easy to fabricate with just cutting and drilling, but the front mount to the swing arm, I'm not sure how to accomplish this.

I know blue collar bobbers use essentially a clamp that goes around the apex of the swing arm and bolts to their fender -- I was wondering if I could rivit a mounting tab to the swing arm, but I'm worried about compromising it's integrity with two 5/16th holes for the types of hex head rivets I have.

Maybe a couple of bolts that go all the way through the swing arm and into a mounting tab?

Any suggestions?

Welding is a lot simpler, cheaper, and accessible today than ever before. You can pick up a whole used setup for $200, watch a couple of youtube videos and get going.

Och

I've been seriously considering this route -- Amazon sells these little inverter buzz box stick welders for about 100 bucks new, and they apparently are totally serviceable for like DIY projects based on the very little research I've done.

One thing about either riveting/drilling/tapping/bolting (or some unholy combination) is that I could always weld to replace material after the fact, so I think this may be the strategy.

For those with any welding experience -- is it true what I've read about the difficulty of welding thin frame tubing like we have on our bikes? I have this recurring nightmare where I get a stick welder, come In real hot and start warping/melting away at the frame before even making a bead...

Dave, I absolutely agree with this position -- but part of the fun with the savage as my entry point to motorcycling has been the learning, I can't feel right about giving up doing it myself and learning some minor competency in the associated areas needed as part of the journey.

Would you say looking into Mig vs stick welding makes more sense for a dimwit, bright eyed amateur? I keep seeing stick recommend as an entry point for the Diy World.

Given the fact that you were welding well before the year I was born (1988) I'll take this advice with the appropriate severity and look into this seriously.

Thanks Dave

It was a fun build