Front Fender Rattle

[prpldude]

I was wondering if any of you had a trick to stop the front fender from rattling in the rivets? The rivets are a little loose. Other than that the fender is in good condition.

Thanks,
Marc

 

[tkent02]

Hammer the rivets again?

 

[prpldude]

Thanks tkent02.

I did not know that was an option. I figured the rivets were a factory "all one piece" thing. I'll check it out tomorrow.

 

[Buddy]

Had the same problem. Re-hammering the rivets did'nt work for me. I mixed up some 5 minute epoxy any forced it in the gap between the fender and bracket. I used toothpicks to wedge them apart first.

Buddy

 

[bwringer]

I whacked the rivets on Al's bike's fender with a humongous punch and large hammer, and it's been fine for a couple of years now.

1) Remove fender

2) Place outside of rivet against anvil or other solid heavy metal thing. Another person is very helpful. A person you trust very much.

3) Place humongous punch against inside of rivet.

4) Whack. Hard. Very hard.

5) Repeat on other rivets.

You really need to hit it pretty hard to get the steel rivets to expand. If you're doing it right it only takes one or two whacks per rivet.

 

[Tom MLC]

Well, I replaced my rivets with SS button head screws. They have the rounded head similar to the rivets, and give a bit of a different look. Lock washers and nuts do not protrude close to the tire. A dab of silicone on each nut and thread underneath keeps them from working loose.

 

[prpldude]

It got HOT here today high 90's so in my STEEL building it is too hot to work. But I will try hammering the rivets first. I like both of the other ideas for a backup. I'll have to see what I end up doing.

thanks all for the help and suggestions

 

[William Groebe]

I just came across this old thread. I was having the same problem so I searched the forum, and BAM, question answered. I used bwringer's method. I laid the fender on the concrete floor of my garage, and hammered the inner side of the rivet with a hammer and a large bolt. A couple strong whacks to each rivet and VIOLA... no more rattling.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Dab of silicone around the underside of the rivets. Or rubber cement or calk.

 

[jsandidge]

I shoved a couple of o-rings in between the brace and fender. Just a little rubber dampening. It worked fine.