Running without front fender?

[slownugly007]

I removed my front fender after seeing Daddyman's build, I really liked the look and didnt care for bobbed fenders, but have read on other forums where its not a good idea to run it without having a fork brace or taking the stock one off the fender and using it? Can anybody shed some light on this? I cant see it making a huge difference but Id rather be safe than sorry

[Piute]

 Kinda answered your own ? Have also heard of bending ? swaying ? I don't know but have Rodin and seen long azz front ends that had no brace or fender that ran and ran no probs heaver bikes even unless these tube are no good  but can't see that.

[TOOLS1]

For what little rigidity the fender adds, you could replace it with Tupperware, and not notice a difference.
TOOLS

[Re-run]

Actually it adds quite a bit when you remove the rubber junk from the mount. Run some corners or hit some bumps with and without it, you will see the twisting. I suppose if you do mild riding, you might not see a huge impact but if you start to hit some curves, the deficiency becomes clear.
You will also see that most bikes come with braces designed in from the factory.
I tried dropping it on my 78 and it was, shall we say, unsettling.

[shinyribs]

I ran mine without a front fender, had no noticeable problems other than i little bit of water would get me once in a while. Not much,but since i wear eyeglasses it was kinda irritating. I do miss being able to watch the front tire work while riding,though. When I out my fender back on I didnt notice any extra handling. I then added a fork brace-just to have a better place to mount  my headlights-still saw no improvement. Thats just my two cents. I'm with Tools on this one,since i can flex my front fender "brace" with my bare hands I cannot see where it adds that much to the chassis. But if you are really dogging it thru the turns i suppose you may be able to see an improvement. I dont think the difference would be enough to create an unsafe condition. Try it both ways,and if you notice a loss of handling,put it back on.Oh,without a front fender it packs mud in your engine fins pretty durn fast. Not cool.

[slownugly007]

hmmmmm may just pop the stock one off and clean it up and paint it, I dont see it being a big game changer and I wouldnt have thought twice about it til I read on the DTT forum where guys were freaking out cuz other guys removed them from their bikes??  But again I'd rather have it on there for peace of mind I guess. Thanks guys

[TOOLS1]

People that freak out because someone did something they themselves would not do, and does not affect them in any way, need to just shut up, and get over themselves.
TOOLS

[slownugly007]

AMEN BROTHA TOOLS!! i like to jump over to the DTT forums to check things out occasionally but i have to say, sometimes theyre brutal on eachother! its no holds barred over there! Im pretty open minded especially when it comes to my bike or truck, hell maybe someone has a better idea then me....COOL! im not gonna put someone down for trying something new or different, it may not be what i like but hell it aint my bike!

[shinyribs]

DDT?

[Vintage]

slownugly007 wrote

I removed my front fender after seeing Daddyman's build, I really liked the look and didnt care for bobbed fenders, but have read on other forums where its not a good idea to run it without having a fork brace or taking the stock one off the fender and using it? Can anybody shed some light on this? I cant see it making a huge difference but Id rather be safe than sorry

I used to have a chopped bike and rode without, but would never do it again, TOO much SHIT flies off the tire unless you ride only on clean, dry roads.

Harry

[slownugly007]

DTT is "Do The Ton" forum...theres a lot of cool bikes on there.

[Re-run]

Crud on the engine is another reason I put mine back on. I end up in the rain too much and a fender is just too nice to have in the rain!
As before, I tried without it and I could feel the twist. These forks are only 35mm and not that thick. If you go without and do not take corners at speed, you will probably never notice and issue. While I do not have much for corners in my area, we have LOTS of crappy roads, the fork twists way more with no brace.
To this day, if you look hard enough, people still make stronger braces for their 750s but they do hard cornering.

Would I take my Cb on the tail of the dragon without a brace? Depends, am I stuck behind a harley? If no, then I want a brace. If yes, well I will be going so slow I might need training wheels!

It is a personal preference thing but there IS additional twist without it. Take the fender off and put the tire between your knees and turn the handlebars. Now put it back on and do the same thing. Most people see a difference. Only you can decide if it bothers you.

I will not say a person can't do it, I just want them to know that the forks twist more without it, the rest is up to them.

[slownugly007]

thanks re-run, yea more than likely ill just stick at least the brace back on for peace of mind.

[shinyribs]

Re-run wrote

It is a personal preference thing but there IS additional twist without it. Take the fender off and put the tire between your knees and turn the handlebars. Now put it back on and do the same thing. Most people see a difference. Only you can decide if it bothers you.

I never thought of that. Thanks for the tip.