Fender bobbing

[groupus]

I am toying with the idea of shortening the stock rear fenderon my gl1000. I want a shorty, but I am apprehensive about cutting up the stock one because then I won't be able to got back to it if I need to. I like it mocked it up, but I'm also not sure if this will keep mud off my back. This is supposed to be my long distance rider, but I want it to look good too. My Suzuki Savage's fender (actually a hacked up xs650 fender) is about that long and I still get sprayed, but the wing is a longer bike.
Anybody have any experience or suggestions?
I'm conflicted and looking for opinions.

[groupus]

or here it is slightly longer. Too many pictures.

[matalex60]

I think it looks good as is. If it were me, I would pick up a used set of fenders that are in bad shape chrome wise, but good candidates for chopping and painting. Make your customizations and have two sets.

[Alley Oop]

I'd start looking for a replacement and then chop away. I love the look and have been considering cutting a 1000 rear fender just about the same way to run on the back of my current 1100 project. I love the agressive look of your bike btw. Where'd you get your fork gaters?

[Wingster79]

Looks way cooler short....looks tuff..I shortend mine. Wish I would have gone as short as u mocked it up

[sunnbobb]

I like the shorter version and would tuck that tail light up closer to the rear of the seat. Looks reall good.

[bladredhead]

short looks nice

around here though, you'd have a LEO up in your business pretty quick with that license plate orientation. has to be visible from the patrol cars, not the helicopters!

[Greg]

Go short. One thing though ,IMO it is best to have the tail lights at hand and mounted ,then mark and cut .The picture in your second post is cut about right,though not the right width for a GW.

Greg.

[groupus]

well, I heeded some of your advice (and totally disregarded others) and hacked up that fender. I found a few possible replacements online for cheap if need be so I decided to go for it. I went with the longer version. I like the way the lip of the fender still is visible and the plate covers the holes in the fender. It is also long enough to keep the crud off my back (hopefully).

It looks really good and I feel like it completes the look of my bike. I'll put up some pics tomorrow

[groupus]

I cut the fender off an inch and a half to 2 inches from the stock rear mounting hole, losing about 5 in total. I drill a couple of holes, measuring and test fitting many times. I had to repaint it because it got all scratched up, but my first paint job had crackled and it needed it anyway. I reused 2 of the rubber bushings from the taillight mounting holes with some other rubber bushings I had to make up the gap between the fender and the frame rails. I bent the taillight mount down to point more back than up. Th license plate is still pretty horizontal but better than the mock up. Nothing too bad that you can't read it from a car. bladredhead, I don't think this will be an issue with police, some of the sport bikes I've seen running around have the plate jammed so far up under the tail I'm amazed no one pulled them over for it. All said and done, it only cost me $0.62 for lock nuts. Not too shabby.

[Greg]

You nailed it!
Now bob the front fender and cut your tail pipes at the same angle they are now even or just inside the shock mounting bolts ,for that bad to the bone look. . Your running straight pipes anyway, right.?

Greg.

[Missourimike]

The whole bike is wicked looking. Good Job!

[groupus]

Thanks, I love the look of it too. I think that cutting the rear fender really completed it. I'm going to leave the front fender as is for now, but I do plan on getting harley sportster mufflers for that upswept cafe look, when I can find them for cheap. It has Jardines on it now that I painted black.

My whole build is here: http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=38662

[Greg]

Thanks, I love the look of it too. I think that cutting the rear fender really completed it. I'm going to leave the front fender as is for now, but I do plan on getting harley sportster mufflers for that upswept cafe look, when I can find them for cheap. It has Jardines on it now that I painted black.

My whole build is here: http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=38662

Good choice on the sportser Muffs..I'm thinking along the same lines for the Lynx.

Ride Safe.
Greg.

[Missourimike]

Try the local Harley Dealer/Stealer. They should have a PILE of takeoffs and usually go for very few bucks. $25 a pair is norm, around here. I've bought new for $10 at Harley swap meets.