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Front fender modifications

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by Toreadorranger, Feb 24, 2009.

  1. Toreadorranger

    Toreadorranger Member

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    From what Ive read the front fender acts as an additional brace for the forks. Im looking to try and not run a fender on my bike, but if it is going to cause ridability problems then I need to find a way around it. i noticed that the brace that is in the fender looks like its just welded to the thin sheetmetal of the actual fender. has anyone either made a custom brace or cut the stock one out of the fender and ran just it? Or am I way over thinking things and can just run with out a fender?
     
    Toreadorranger, Feb 24, 2009
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  2. dqnjuan

    dqnjuan Member

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    I think your over thinking, seen a ton of old jap bikes no front fender and Ive road mine with no front, actually using the front fender for the rear I chopped it up and gonna weld it on.
     
    dqnjuan, Feb 24, 2009
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  3. Blackout550

    Blackout550 Member

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    yeah im running no fender, shouldnt be a problem. the wheel mount, and the tree should be enough for stabilty issues.
     
    Blackout550, Feb 24, 2009
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  4. jeffx

    jeffx New Member

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    i rode with no front fender for a while and as long as it pretty and dry outside it is great.... but if you get caught in the rain, no front fender is a nightmare. You get to eat the water mohawk coming off of the front tire. I put mine back on!!!!
     
    jeffx, Feb 24, 2009
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  5. Ass.Fault

    Ass.Fault Active Member

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    I have not had a fender mounted for almost a year with no front end issues.
    The weather is the only downside
     
    Ass.Fault, Feb 24, 2009
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  6. TheHound

    TheHound Active Member

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    It seems to me, awhile back, in the XJ mods forum.
    Someone posted about a stock fork brace, it came on certian years of 750's.
    IIRC correctly.
    Might be something to look into.
     
    TheHound, Feb 25, 2009
    #6
  7. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    You can also fit an aftermarket fork brace. The stock fender DOES provide a certain degree of bracing, it depends on the type of riding you do if the effect of it missing would ever be noticeable. If you're a knee-dragger then you'll want a brace if you pull the fender off.

    Remember however, the fender stops more than rainwater. It also keeps myriad small bits of sand gravel and stone from blasting the front of the bike (and you.)

    I replaced the stock front fender on one of my SR500's with an aftermarket fork brace and a fiberglass cafe racer style fender.
     
    bigfitz52, Feb 25, 2009
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  8. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    I ran mine like it was on fre with no front fender and it handled just fine. I don't really think the fender adds much fork support. If you still feel unsafe, there are after market fork braces out there. You can always make one which works pretty well too.
     
    PainterD, Feb 25, 2009
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  9. Blackout550

    Blackout550 Member

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    yeah it might be a good idea to keep it in the flying debris aspect. just chop it up like crath did
     
    Blackout550, Feb 26, 2009
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