Fender skirt questions

[ekap1200]

Hello from dreary,and cold New Jersey. This is a pic of my first attempt of forming the front fender skirt. And I would like to know from people that have installed the original one on their bike, how it fit. Were you pleased with how it was formed ? What if anything needs to be changed. On the advice from others here I made this first proto-type a bit larger. I am not pleased with how the OEM that I have made this from fit. Any suggestions ?

[doug of so fla]

Gene: One thing I have observed on many types of M/C's with mudflaps or extensions, is the ones with 2 or 4 + point mountings, always seem to crack the fender sooner or later. The best mounting system, imho, is a solid mount like with a strong 3m adhesive covering the whole area + the mounting points. Seems to eliminate vibration and if it takes a solid hit it is despersed evenly thru the fender. Some of the good aftermarket ones are mounted like this. Kuryakyn 7352 is a good example, basically peel off backing & stick plus 4 mounting bolts. Also if a flap is added should have full adhesive coverage on inside of fender. With good even reinforcement fender should not crack with extension & or mudflap. Your set-up looks perfect as usual. Keeping the air dam & exhaust pipes clean was the reasons I put one on mine. Mudflap had to be just right length (short) so as not to bend back and hit the air dam at speed. Good luck with the project we will be waiting to see the final product.

[ekap1200]

Thanks Doug for the quick reply. Cracking the plastic is a big concern on this project and the reason I have been so long in reproducing this one. Mine is made with the same 0.035 stainless as the other trim I make, so it is lighter.
So being larger than the OEM, you feel I may have issues with the flexing back into the lower ( air dam )? That issue went over my head, but this is just the first proto. I was planning on making a backer plate for the inside, but the sticky tape is an option. Perhaps a thinner piece of material also may avoid cracking. I am not a big fan of the plastic fender to begin with. Our saying at work is ( If you want it for real make it from steel ). The tape has its drawbacks also if one is not careful on the install, once its in place it is there for keeps. Perhaps RTV once the holes are drilled would also be an option. I checked out Kuryakyn and had to laugh at the instructions when it noted ( be careful not to drill into the tire ) Seems common sense is not that common.... Thanks again Gene

[doug of so fla]

"Quote" "may have issues with the flexing back into the lower ( air dam )?"

Just with a mudflap, if it is to long, not with SS extension, I could not believe what the black stuff on my airdam was cause it is real hard to see it when riding, but at speed another rider said it was against dam and I thought it could not ever reach that far back. Also a shorter flap woulld be less flexible but do the job. A long one would have more coverage but would move more. Some like them long to deflect rocks and sharp objects but I do not like cracked plastic either..

"NOTE" "drill into the tire" Some I would believe would also fasten screw into tire!! lol!!

[Mr Jensee]

I can't wait to get one. I have never found an OEM one anywhere that wasn't rusted up. I suggest mounting it one of three ways; industrial strength velcro which works really well for light to moderate weight items, foam back double stick tape, or using stainless steel rivets. Shipping a template with the guard would also greatly assist in positioning for us who have never mounted one. Less chance of goofing up the location.

[voyager55]

I have the OEM Kaw fender skirt mounted and never had any problems with the fender. 9 years old now

[Lucasind]

...I saw this one near Gene, sporting the skirt... and alot of other great looking pieces !
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1999 ... -112916293" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
not a bad asking price either !...... o.k.... lets hear it !

[cushman eagle]

Is it yours yet,Tony? With your 1100 only a month from leaving your shop,there is going to be room for another project.

[Lucasind]

.... ......I'm not getting any more bikes ! ! (this year)

[trikebldr]

.... ......I'm not getting any more bikes ! ! (this year)

Easy for you to say with just 17 days left in the year!

[trikebldr]

...I saw this one near Gene, sporting the skirt... and alot of other great looking pieces !
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1999 ... -112916293" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
not a bad asking price either !...... o.k.... lets hear it !

You're killing me, Tony! I love the color and it looks flawless. Wanna buy my ZN1300 so I can go get this XII?

[Lucasind]

you know.......... , there IS something appealing about that green bike !

[Lucasind]

Any news ...updates or progress on the front fender skirts ? I'm still interested in getting one for my XII. I hav'nt been going out to work in the shop for weeks now,since the arctic blast hit !
It's just too darn cold with most days starting out in low to negative numbers. The heaters do o'k
out there but it takes MANY hours to get the shop even up to 50 degrees. Same for Eugene ?

[ekap1200]

Hi Tony, very much the same here, with sales at a low, there is not much left in the kitty to pay for heat and power. You know all to well how much a shop takes a month to run. I have only been working on paying jobs right now to keep the heat going. I had purchased material but just jetted out some sets of vents and mirror trim. Been working mostly in the house on the PC. I have a rally metal art work in the works for the AVA raffle/or auction . Here is a sneak preview unfinished . Marie bought me some metal working acids to produce some different finish on my work . Second pic shows the first piece of a pickup that I had done up using that acid.
The forming jig has been made for the front fender skirt and the form is good, but the profile needs to be tweeked.
I have some proto's done on the fender skirt , but I'm a bit behind on following thru. And each piece cuts into profit of the 180.00 material purchased. At the price I have been selling these vents there is not much room for heat expenses. Hoping to get some warmer weather here. Had a few nice electronics jobs come in this year interfacing some liquid level modules to a boiler/feed system. That kept the heat on for a while. here is a link to that video .
http://tinypic.com/m/ileoea/3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I will keep ya's posted on bike bling.
Gene Kap.

[Lucasind]

.....That art work looks GREAT ! I can wait patiently for my bling ! The bike will still go down the road without bling ! There is so much rock salt on the road I'm gonna have to wait for warm weather an the rains to come ....to rinse the streets some what clean.
Last Sunday ...out of boredom and disgust....I was looking for houses for sale on-line,in Orlando FL.
Hopefully ,just a passing thing......cause I could'nt imagine how many 18 wheelers I would have to hire to move all my stuff ! ...hang in there...our turn is coming...........tony

[cushman eagle]

.....That art work looks GREAT ! I can wait patiently for my bling ! The bike will still go down the road without bling ! There is so much rock salt on the road I'm gonna have to wait for warm weather an the rains to come ....to rinse the streets some what clean.
Last Sunday ...out of boredom and disgust....I was looking for houses for sale on-line,in Orlando FL.
Hopefully ,just a passing thing......cause I could'nt imagine how many 18 wheelers I would have to hire to move all my stuff ! ...hang in there...our turn is coming...........tony

When do you think that might be ,Tony?I was just thinking a couple days ago ,since I started riding in 1983,I can not remember a year that I could not ride because of the weather for 2 months straight