Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner Cut rear fender BETWEEN tail light & license plate

Anybody done this? Show me your pictures! (please) The spare black fender I bought has a munched up trailing edge. I could straighten it but they I'd have to paint for sure. Thought I'd take a shot at deleting the tail light portion but keeping the license plate mount (and attaching some sort of tail light to that). If I'm careful I can avoid painting. I think most bobbed fenders have cut both portions out. I cut my other bobbed fender (waiting for paint) up higher like that, too. I don't need to see any pictures of that higher bob job, thankyouverymuch.

35 views and nothing? Bummer. I guess I'll just have to blaze the trail on this one.

Slight change of subject:

What's the best tool to use to cut the fender and avoid damaging the paint as much as possible? Then I can either touch up the bare edge and/or use some fender trim along the edge (preferably black). The cut off wheel is pretty messy and not super precise, and the plasma cutter is out of the question.

Hey John,
I used a jig saw with a good fine tooth metal blade to cut mine, lots of tape (both sides), I took a practice run further down 1st. Marked it out and I almost didnt need any paint to touch it up... Fine sanded it, just a little touch up on the very edge, and shes good to go. really happy with it....good luck on it!

Ive never cut a bike fender but I am a fabricator by trade.The cut off wheel is really the only way,just take it easy and have some one help by squirting some water on the wheel while doing it.This will keep the heat down and avoid scorching the paint.One trick I have seen done is to use duct tape on both sides of the line you wish to cut on,this can save from a few minor walk offs when first starting your cut on the line.Another trick is to use a less then full diameter wheel as it will be stiffer and less likely to walk.

Cut with the teeth or wheel cutting down so the wire edge and paint flakes go towards the underside. You could also wrap the edge with some chrome or black edging.

If you use a jigsaw, get a blade with the teeth that cut down.

I'm going with a jigsaw with a fine tooth blade, and masking tape covering enough surface that the saw does not touch the fender at all. I cut down my MS windshield this way and it worked brilliantly... why should the fender be any different? Expect heat to melt the plastic though... it means you'll have to touch up with a bit of sandpaper along the edge.

The 'practice first further down' idea is a good one.

I don't think melting plastic will be a problem with the rear fender.

Did I miss something? Is the fender NOT plastic?

Not the rear.

Get out!! I'll have to go check mine tomorrow.

Hey John, I used a straight air grinder with a 1/4 inch arber and a 3 inch razor cutoff wheel witch is 1/16 in. thick...lay out your line on masking tape and carefully cut the line , I think you have more control of the cut then with a jigsaw. You can touch up the edge with any black paint..JT.

A band saw is much better than a saber saw or jig saw. No reciprocation, just low speed, one way blade movement, and the LEAST amount of chipping.
It won't "wander" any more than the other methods, BUT MUCH LESS HEAT.

here you go this is the only one i have right now but will take more for you..

Ed

Thanks! That is not unlike what I have in mind. I still have this tail light and license plate bracket I purchase for my fully bobbed fender. Maybe I'll use it on this fender instead/as well.

I found this tail light on ebay the other day that I thought was pretty awesome

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...RK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

hope this helps

Ed

Very interesting, yes.

I guess you cant patent "cool"...haha That one on ebay ist like $85 is the crime scene one more than that? I thought $85 was outrageous..haha I kinda like more slats going across

The Rapide stuff (taillight, headlight, signals) tend to be around $3-400 each.

haha...guys with motorcycles have too much money

More dollars than cents.

I am a fan of EG1967's bob job. There is a picture in "Calling All Bobbers"

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...part=2&vc=1

wow sweet line on that rear fende