Bobbing a fender

[noahdog]

Ok, so how exactly does one go about bobbing a fender? What tools are used to cut the fender and how do you go about getting a nice finished edge?

 

[primo]

i could use some good info about this as well. i'm thinking of doing my rear fender so that it keeps water/debris from dirtying up under the seat but be out of sight from the rear

 

[Deli Sandwich]

whatever tools you can get your hands on.
you probably want to use bungs to mount the fenders to the frame.

heres a how to "How to Radius a Motorcycle Fender"
http://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=29

 

[JRK5892]

when i cut fenders 1st thing i do is to tape it up with shipping tape (clear tape) then draw the curve you want to cut, use a dremil or jig saw to cut that sucker out, then file it down to get it smooth (or belt sander) then pull up the tape! good as new!

 

[noahdog]

when i cut fenders 1st thing i do is to tape it up with shipping tape (clear tape) then draw the curve you want to cut, use a dremil or jig saw to cut that sucker out, then file it down to get it smooth (or belt sander) then pull up the tape! good as new!

So draw my cut line on the tape and cut through the tape to get a cleaner edge? I have a dremil and a Milwakee jig saw so which is easier to use on a fender in your opinion? Also how much is "safe" to cut off from each end of the front fender? I'd like to take 3-4" off each end.

 

[JRK5892]

you can cut as much off as you would like, i like to bob more of the front and leave more of the back (that is what catches most of the spray on the motor off the wheel) but yes just cut through the tape, that keeps the chrome and/or paint from flaking. I like to use the Jig saw with a metal blade for a clean cut, then belt sander... if you do not have the belt sander a file will do just fine...
you will be fine taking 3-4 off each side depending on what type of fender it is

 

[noahdog]

Here's the fender..

Lots of extra fender in my opinion. Sounds like I'll just use the trusty jig saw then. It worked pretty well cutting up the old gas tank for the seat hump so it should make quick work of the fender.

 

[JRK5892]

if it was me i would leave the back side and just chop the front, leaving about 3 inches... see how that looks, fi you are still not happy then chop on the back side of it, that fneder is in grat shape man, may want to see if any one has a old crappy one laying around

 

[noahdog]

There's a touch of road rash on the left edge at the front of the fender so it's definitely getting chopped there for sure. I'll give your advice a try and see how I like just the front. If I like it then all the better. Less work is always a good thing. The only other road rash is the back of the clutch lever which I think I can sand and buff out and some on the left engine cover but both can be replaced for cheap on Ebay.

 

[domer]

chiming in a little late... bored i guess. mine too had (p.o.) rash on both ends. so i broke out the dremel and cut off the very end to use as a templet. went as close to the rash as i could... marked it, then continued with the dremel. went through about 7 or 8 cut off wheels. but a little grinding (dremel) and finished it off with some sandpaper and a few coats of bbq paint... voila. its not perfect, but i think im the only one that can tell... here is the before and after.

 

[Rocan]

mark where you want to cut it with tape to get a straight edge, then draw a line, remove the tape, and use either a jigsaw or a cutting wheel (the small air/electric powered ones). file the edge smooth and paint.

personally i prefer an air cutoff wheel, but have used a jigsaw for thinks way more intricate then bobbing a fender.

i slotted my rear brake drum with a drill and a jigsaw and after some filing it came out great.

granted, its ghetto, but it sure does work! ;D