| Author | Message | ||
     Marinus |
Arrrghhh! What is that?!     The Pacific Northwest of the USA sees a good deal of rain in the Springtime, so riding the Uly these days generally means riding in the wet. If there's time to get to gravel roads, they're wet and a bit muddy. How does the bike handle this stuff? Great! Perfect power delivery for slippery conditions, predictable brakes, and the heated grips and vest let me smile behind the face shield. But the bike gets messy immediately. The stock fenders, front and rear, do a miserable job of keeping the gunk away. Particularly annoying is the spray from the front tire that arcs up and back, straight onto the headlights. So last week I decided to "fix" it. I'd looked around for aftermarket fenders, considered swapping in another XB front, reviewed some extensions that are available, but nothing seemed to offer the coverage I wanted. Then Hoon's groundbreaking work on the other side of the Atlantic opened my mind. I looked at lowering the beak, as he has done, but it didn't quite click for me. However, it made me look at the sheet of aluminum resting against the wall. The extensions on the aft edges of the front and rear fenders are plastic, with the rear unit squared off a bit with the help of a heat gun. The new front of the front fender obviously worships function over form; I'll expect the aluminum to crack in time, but maybe by that time the aftermarket will have something with the same kind of coverage. I did remove the beak, so fabbed up a headlight bracket from some old Boeing Surplus extrusion. I've included that pic because it has somewhat more aesthetic appeal. LinkToMoreAndBiggerImages (Message edited by marinus on April 06, 2008) (Message edited by marinus on April 06, 2008) (Message edited by marinus on April 06, 2008) | ||
| Crusty |
Nice work. I especially like the headlight support bracket you made. Function over form is a GOOD thing. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Arrrghhh! What is that?! Probably most people's response.  I like it!  | ||
| Pso |
I think I like the Uly because it is designed as function over form. It is not the preteiest bike at the dance but it sure looks like it means busines. Seems to me that you have enhanced your bike for the conditions that you ride in. I think your change would not look to good in a place like N. Mexica or Arizona, but for you if it works Congratulations. | ||
| Hoon |
Marinus,liking your work. Cheers for the mention,it's very pleasing to know that your efforts are worth posting if it inspires others. I too am tempted to fit an extension to the rear gaurd,I have to clean the rear light,etc after every other wet ride which wears thin during winter,I'm sure it's not all road grime getting blown there by the slipstream. Yours looks fine,you'll have to let us know if it saves you cleaning the rear lights,etc as often. | ||
| Growl |
I like the look... I think your fender will provide better airflow to the engine (fan should run less) I'd be curious to hear you thoughts on this after some miles. | ||
| Strada |
If you want to significantly reduce crud on the bike, I have fender extensions and mudguards available which are an extremely cost effective and easy way to do the job. I offer these to forum members for £10 each and £11 for the mudguard and include stainless steel hardware, drill bit and allen keys. Email if interested. http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/Palmer-Gua rds/ (Message edited by strada on April 09, 2008) | ||
| Seanp |
Fibonacci spacing on the rivet placement!  | ||
| Chuck_v |
Want to sell the original beak (upper fender)? If so, please ring me at 717-626-4226. Thanks |
