Hi guys,

I have a 2004xl 883. It came with stretch tank and bobtail rear. It also came with original tins in a box. I want to get them resprayed and fitted. I would like to chop the rear fender, as Im going to dress it up like a bobber. Am I able to get a metal fab bloke to chop it before respray? Is it easier to buy a rear fender already chopped? Has anyone done this, or can you recommend any one for me? Im not really cashed up, and I have the longest list of things I want to do. Any help would be appreciated. Is there any compliance I need to know about etc?

Thanks heaps boys,

Bunyip

I cut mine myself, and did it on the bike. - I also removed the fender stutcovers while I was at it. Just take some careful measurements & tape the fender where you want to cut it & provided you dont get too much heat into the paint it won't bubble.

Bunyip, a rough guage on how much you can trim would be the bobbed rear fender fitted to the Iron, Nightster and 48. All three bikes come with a heap of plastic crap hanging off the rear of the fender that makes them comply with the 45 degree rule. Once we get them home, off comes the plastic.....and just the steel fender is left. TC

 

I'm with you bucket. When I was a young bloke first starting out in the crash trade I had an untucked shirt ripped off me by a buff, learnt a valuable lesson that day

Great advice boys thanks! Cant believe I hired a new guy at work the other day. Started having a chat to him, Turns out he has workshop at home, and does a fair bit of work on the local 1% MC bikes. He has given me heaps of help, and is popping over on the weekend for a stubbie and a look. I hired him as a nightfiller and back dock hand, so it has turned out to be a huge bonus. Will keep you posted.

I chopped the front and rear fenders on my sporty:

http://www.hdforums.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=71&forumid=1&view=topic&postid=296949

For the rear fender, what I did was mark out a line just past the holes on the sides from the indicator stalks and then just over the holes from the stock number plate holder.  You will need to replace the tailight and plate holder with aftermarket ones, but the benefit is there's no holes to fill in.  I also cut the fender struts and covers shorter which required new indicators as well.  Use masking tape to create your cut line around the fender.

Mine technically does not meet the 45 degree rule, but I've been through brethos and past several cops and I haven't had any grief.

 

Sensational work Chop. Your skills and toolkit are a bit more advanced than mine!!! Looks awsome mate, thanks everyone for the advice and help.