Defender of the fender

J

Juggernaut

Been Around the Block
I'm really on the fence about using fenders at all on my bike or maybe something minimal. With an air cooled engine I'm thinking it would not be that big of a deal. Just wondering what the thoughts of everyone was on this. I don't think I'll mind the occasional extra wash. Road building season does occur around these here parts. Maybe post a pic or two.
 
I am currently fender free. I'm gonna put the plastic guard back on my rear though. Tired of crud flying under my rear. I need to find a fork brace for my front, too.
 
I like fenders on riders-



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No rear fender of any kind on any bike looks like shit...

On a cafe I prefer a front fender. I guess I like the traditional looks and function of it. On a chop, I prefer the looks of no front fender.

I guess to me, a cafe is function. A chop is form...

Louie
 
Swapmeet Louie said:
No rear fender of any kind on any bike looks like shit...
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That's a pretty sweeping statement. And I totally disagree. Lots of bikes look better without fenders.
 
Ethanol said:
That's a pretty sweeping statement. And I totally disagree. Lots of bikes look better without fenders.
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Yeah, removing my fenders did a world of aesthetic good for my bike.
 
A front fender serves two purposes ( as a general rule). First it does all that saving your face from a stream of water and mud stuff.

Secondly it tends to act like a fork brace on those old spindly bendy forks. It's not much but it does help stability.

And thirdly, Did I say two reasons,? Ah well. Thirdly it smooths the air flow towards the motor and will tend to keep an air cooled motor cooler. A fenderless front wheel creates a lot of drag (slows you down too), as well as breaking up that nice cool air flow.

That said, teh Phat Trakka has a fork brace and no fender, because it just didn't look right on a street tracker.
 
Ethanol said:
That's a pretty sweeping statement. And I totally disagree. Lots of bikes look better without fenders.
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And that would be "your" opinion... No rear fender screams Rat bike. Which to me, are fight'n words. To me, makes them appear unfinished. Just because removing the stock rear fender makes your bike look better doesnt mean that there isnt a fender out there that will finish your bike.

And a cafe seat is dual function, seat and fender...

Louie
 
Swapmeet Louie said:
And that would be "your" opinion... No rear fender screams Rat bike. Which to me, are fight'n words. To me, makes them appear unfinished. Just because removing the stock rear fender makes your bike look better doesnt mean that there isnt a fender out there that will finish your bike.

And a cafe seat is dual function, seat and fender...

Louie
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Ooooh. Looks like I stirred the pot on this one. I think I'd like to do a hugger rear and trim the front half of the front fender. I still like think it would look good without both. I want this tank to be light.

Also thanks for the info about the front fender acting as a stabilizer.
 
If you can grab the fender by the mounting location and twist at all then your going to get deflection.

I run my '09 Iron with no fender, I like the look, makes it have soft of a flat tracker look.
 
while we're on the subject of stability on the front end, I have no fender on the front of my cl350, and after my new tires the front fender won't even fit back over the tire. it looks a little shady without anything there. am I being too cautious? I'm not concerned with the wind aspect just stability. any solutions??? take a look at my thread in the signature if you gotta sec and let me know what you think.
 
emcarthu said:
while we're on the subject of stability on the front end, I have no fender on the front of my cl350, and after my new tires the front fender won't even fit back over the tire. it looks a little shady without anything there. am I being too cautious? I'm not concerned with the wind aspect just stability. any solutions??? take a look at my thread in the signature if you gotta sec and let me know what you think.
Click to expand...

Considering the spindlyness of those old forks, ANYTHING would benefit you and your bike. I'm currently running no front fender and no brace, but I'm not tearing up the twisties right now. I wouldn't dare before putting something up there. I have seen universal braces but they were rather expensive.
 
i had to ride my fenderless cb750 until the middle of november in ohio this year.. they will be going back on in some shape or form... as the seat of your pants are getting completely soaked, you will get rain thrown into your face like you wouldnt believe.. and even with a full face and a very nice jacket youll find rain filling up your coat and running down the middle of your shirt... shit sucks! in conclusion, put some sort of fenders on..
 
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