Chopped my front fender

[t3rmin]

After the wreck my front fender was dented a bit in the back. I bought a new one on eBay, but then had the idea that I'd try chopping up the old fender. The dented area was to the back, so I flipped the back to the front, dremeled off a bunch in the front, and some in the back. This removed the dented area AND gave a cool look.

I figured if it didn't turn out, I still had the new one. But I think I do like it:




Never mind the wrong-colored sidecover. That's next. ;-)

*EDIT* It's more dramatic if you see the "before" shot. Look at that big 'ole gangly fender!:

[UncleMike]

I've got a couple of fenders I could do this to. Any advice?

[Bopi]

neat

remember "once you go hack, you don't go back"


I used a hack saw on mine mike, with a fine toothed blade.
Finished up with a bench grinder.

[t3rmin]

I've got a couple of fenders I could do this to. Any advice?

I just used a magic marker to draw the contour I wanted. Didn't really measure or anything, just eyeballed it. Then I took the dremel and cut along the line. Nice thing about those cutting wheels is you can grind and clean up the cut with 'em, too. Then I used a big metal file to deburr and smooth the contour and some sandpaper to make the edge less shiv-like.

I noticed (1) it's pretty easy to get a good even contour and (2) it doesn't matter if you're not *perfectly* symmetrical, since you generally view a fender from one side or the other...

remember "once you go hack, you don't go back"

Yeah I never woulda been brave enough to try it if I didn't already have the extra fender. Plus the one I cut up was dented, so no big loss anyway.

[beergood]

Here are my tips for chopping a fender (not that you need them, but for other readers):

I used masking tape as a guide when I chopped mine. It made it easier to visualize the final product and create a smooth line, and was more visible when I was cutting.

I would recommend the heavier gauge dremel cutting wheels. The thin ones break pretty easy, and I hat having to change wheels five of six times in one cut.

And remember, there are no extra points for finishing early, so take your time.


And your bike looks way better with the new look. Those stock fenders are insanely large.

[t3rmin]

I would recommend the heavier gauge dremel cutting wheels. The thin ones break pretty easy, and I hat having to change wheels five of six times in one cut.

And remember, there are no extra points for finishing early, so take your time.


And your bike looks way better with the new look. Those stock fenders are insanely large.

Agreed about the heavy cutting wheels. I didn't even try the little ones, but they definitely looked like they weren't meant for that kind of job... Even with the big ones it took 3.5 wheels to do the job.

Yeah I never realized how big the stock fenders are!

[BentRod]

2 words.. Angle Grinder

I may try this. I got an extra fender, but i just got all the dings out of it with my hammers last weekend.... on well I'll have to think of something funky

[t3rmin]

2 words.. Angle Grinder

Yeah, been meaning to get one of those...

[Billyboy]

Looks very cool!

I'd do that to my spare, but I hate waterspray, and I ride in the rain.

[gswanna]

angle grinder with a stainless cut off wheel would be my choice ----i use that thing every day --it cuts and smooths things nicely

[Bopi]

Why not go all the way and use a plasma cutter. Quick and clean