Front Fender Removal *?*

If I remove my front fender what functions am I missing out on.
Besides the obvious rain/mist, and small rock projectile protection.

Is there any front fork structural intigrety lost?

 

I think without the front fender you'd be looking at some flex in the forks at the very least and I'm sure it would have an adverse affect on handling, whether it be mild or severe.

If you want to go for that bare-wheel look, it seems to me that the last time I looked at a Seca fender, there's a kind of brace integrated into it. If you can remove the fender from the brace part and keep the brace mounted you might be able to get close to the look you want without as much front-end flex.

 

Man that stinks.
I kinda was liking the bare wheel look too 8)
I didnt notice a brace embeded in the fender though, will look after work just to make sure.
Maybe make a brace myself....?

*EDIT* Anyone have a brace they wanna get rid of ??

 

I've been riding without a front fender for a year and no issues. I never rode the bike with the fender so I have no comparison but I say go for it.

 

You can always add a fork brace like this from Mikes.
http://www.mikesxs.net/parts/img250/27-1070.jpg

 

Depending on the Model ...

Some Front Fenders were lower braced.
Some were Metal.
Some were Plastic.

I don't think it's going to mess-up the Geometry all that much.
But, the Bike surue gets dirty a lot faster without a fender ... as anyone who rides a lot without a fender up-front will attest.

 

I dont mind the dirty girl look.
Just though it looked pretty sweet with supple bareness showing

So NO fender it is...at least for a few test runs.

 

im definatly NOT running one, i LOVE that nekked front end look.

 

I ran my Seca all last year without a front fender without any issues. I don't think that little bracing under the fender does much good. The only reason I put it back on is because I re-painted the bike and wanted some protection against dirt on the front of the engine. If I remove my windshield (rarely) and saddlebags, I remove the fender too. That just gives it a more "bobber" look without it on.

 

Is there ANYTHING we cant do to these old bikes !!!
And still outruns the hopped up harleys 8)

btw guys, i might have gone over to the "dark side"
...starting to see new ways for the bike to look.

 

Dark side?

How dark? What are you going to do? I hope it don't involve taking most of the parts off and leaving them home in the garage.

 

ROTFL Rick.
Nah I will 86 the fender as it is off the bike currently. This ones simple, just dont put it back on. Sad thing...just got painted.

Next will be a rear fairing removal. I am thinking of keeping the plastic fender though. And mounting some BRIGHT LEDS instead of converting the current oem bulbs to work in some other fixture. This way I can upgrade and reduce the load on the battery....or even better, BE MORE VISIBLE FROM BEHIND.
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=9632.html

Rick how many lumens/watts of LEDs would be comprable to the stock two bulb set up? Then I can start deciding which LEDs and how many.

Thanks,
Fault

 

I dunno, fork braces sound reassuring to me and aftermarket braces oughta be easy to find; we've been using them on motocross bikes for years - they're about the last part to ever break. Of course bolt fit is the key and that may prove easy to fix by drilling.

Fault, I think your wheel is roughly similar to mine so I'll dig through the old parts/bike stack over at the shop, just in case something might be worth your looking at. (I like doing that anyway; found a Honda Dream 150 buried out there, along with my own 750 Honda automatic from years ago.)

 

Thanks gene.
I am thinking minimalist right now. Less visible the better(for the forks, not me )
Send me an email or just call me on the cell.

Thanks

PS What does the Honda A look like, another project!?
Sounds simpler than the AUTOCYCLE

 

yeah, yeah... you're right, the Autocycle rebuild notion was not a great idea. Thank god that fit passed. The Honda 750 is just a big ole faded red Honda cruiser thats my buddy has finally moved out into the pasture after I left it in his barn 20+ years. Think it was/is a 78 w/Hondamatic tranny (uses motor oil for fluid).

I'd forgotten it until started prowling for XJ parts. Complete rebuild would probably be too much work/$ but the low mileage engine/transmission maybe could be useful for a project drivetrain, or just parted out.

If you get some idea and wanted, I imagine you could talk me out of the thing. Better you than me.