Customization: Fenders
We’re moving around the bike on our hunt for customizations for motorcycles. Something to keep in mind is that when you are customizing a motorcycle it doesn’t mean you have to replace everything. Customized stock bikes have a personal statement without the expense of creating a concept from scratch. You may graduate to a complete custom motorcycle someday, but it doesn’t mean you have to start with a frame you design and work your way up from there.
Look for effects that will create your new look. One part that takes a little more work than the others is the fender. Fenders are cool. You can cut them, paint them, light them, twist them, shorten them, and make the out of a lot of different materials. One thing to keep in mind is that the tire has to fit in there, too. RC Components makes fenders and kits that go with the fender. Many companies do this because a lot of bikers want to put that fat back tire on when they customize.  When you look at the fend you should be looking at the big picture of what your bike will look like when it’s all done. This decision may influence your frame, swing arm, wheels and tires or those purchases may influence your fender.
There are a lot of different shapes in fenders. Boxes, prostreet, “classic”, flared, and the list goes on. Even on stock bikes you usually have the same model in variations where the main difference is the fender style. This variation isn’t limited to the back fender. You are going to have to look at the front fender and how it blends with your new design concept. Once you have it, you have to decide if the fender works the way you got it or if you are going to have to cut it. I’m seeing a lot of that lately and it looks great. I’m seeing more fenders moved from the original position, stretched, and cut to shapes that give the motorcycle a new flow. Harley Customs has a large variety of raw fenders for Harley-Davidson motorcycles that will work for your project.
Now, I have to admit I get stereotyped when I think of fenders and customizing them. I envision a custom bike or a custom cruiser or anything long and sleek. But there are a lot of sport bike riders out there and like it or not they have some very radical custom designs. So, what do they do with fenders? Well, sometimes they eliminate them altogether with special kits. Extreme Customs has fender systems with the sport bike rider in mind.
One of the most beautiful stock bikes ever made is accented by it’s rear fender with built-in taillight and turn-signal system. The Honda Rune’s short life gave us a design that we still turn our heads to watch. It’s futuristic lines blend with retro shapes and make a statement never heard before, and perhaps never to be heard again. Those that have a Rune from the only two years it was built have a piece of history. The fenders are an important part of this look.
The fender is the most complicated part to choose in your process. If effects almost every other line on the bike. Later, we’ll look at paint and lighting as it effects the fenders. Meanwhile, here are a few sites we used in our homework for fenders.