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For the last effing time.. Can anyone please clarify this rear fender business?

  • mrjessehlee
    mrjessehlee
    6 years ago
    So I see this on the official RTA docs.  (see below image)

    and I see this on the road which means its been approved. (see image below)


    Does this mean people can legally modify their bikes like this? (minus the indicators, that topic is entirely for another thread)  (see image below)

    Does anyone have direction as to where the NSW OFFICIAL docs are? 

    Not interested in "Ive heard this from.." or "VIC regulations" etc please..!

    I also hear this 45 degrees rear fender business everywhere. Yes everyone talks about it but where is the official doc?? 

    OR are all this floating in the grey area somewhere?

    Thanks for reading and your thoughts guys. 

    moded.PNG
    official doc_1.PNG
    reality.PNG
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    6 years ago
    Nsw official docs re motorcycle design rules?
    I can't get the link from my phone but google search:
    Nsw motorcycle design rules

    The first search result should open to a pdf. 

    Page 4 tells you what you already know. It has the top picture in your post and says 
    "A rear wheel or side-car wheel mudguard must extend at least from a point vertically above the front of the tyre to a point vertically above the rear of the tyre. It must be mounted as close as practicable to the tyre".

    Page 1 introduction says:
    "The following guidelines have been prepared to explain the various requirements you must meet if you alter your motor cycle from its original specifications"

    So if harley Australia gets compliance (with the Australian design rules) in order to sell 2018 fatbobs in Australia with that shortened fender, it doesn't mean you can alter you own motorcycle's rear fender from its original specification unless you conform to the top picture in your post. 

    I can see your frustration with this. It's ridiculous 
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    6 years ago
    The fender requirement, for any alteration from original spec, must comply with your top pic. 
    The 45 degrees youre referring to is most likely about the angles by which your number plate must be viewable from 20 metres behind. That's also in the design rules at standard #58. 

    The rules for the fenders and rear plate are separate rules. 
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    6 years ago
    No worries. 

    Due to me using an android phone and the Google search results being pdf files, unfortunately I cannot get links!

    Google search 
    nsw design rules motorcycle 
    The top google search result should get you to the fender rule and others. 

    Then google search 
    nsw design rules motorcycle plates 
    The top search result should be vehicle standard 58 that covers off on plates. 

    All state and territory vehicle design rules and standards are modelled off the Australian design rules. Downloading the Australian design rules is often the easiest place to find everything. 

    Where it gets tricky sometimes is that whilst most states and territories effectively have the same rules and standards, sometimes interpretation of the rules/standards differs between jurisdictions. And that's not often documented anywhere. 

    Good luck..
  • mrjessehlee
    mrjessehlee
    6 years ago
    got it, thanks very much.! 
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    6 years ago
    Hey Jesse
    If I was you I would print out those pics in your first post, put it in your wallet or stash it on your bike somewhere and just do as you please with your bikes rear guard.
    If a policeman ever queries your guard, BINGO, show him the print out.
    Have to be a pedantic cop to even think about delving deeper into it.....unless there were donuts involved.
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    6 years ago
    Ya right cops won't typically give you grief about a rear fender but they may about plates. The real issue occurs when you're sent in for a roadworthy inspection at the pits for something as simple as loud pipes which could be a result of an annoyed neighbour. They pick on everything and often know the adrs better than anyone 
  • Methuselah
    Methuselah
    6 years ago
    When a unit, car bike or truck, is given compliance in Australia it can get an exemption from certain rules as long as they are not too far astray and still considered safe. An example is the Street Bob with standard 10"mini apes. It technically does not meet the standard, but the exemption allows HD to fit them as it is a standard factory fitting and not modified. Put a side mount numberplate on the new Fatbob and it then becomes modified so technically would not comply.
  • mrjessehlee
    mrjessehlee
    6 years ago
    Interesting.. 
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. 
    I do want to build this project in a way I do meet all regulations and compliance rules.. last thing I want is to worry about it & not go out to ride. 
    Is there any more real life stories? Does anyone modded their fender and got away? Or alternatively got cought and got in trouble? Or better yet, Does anyone really get cought or is it all a myth? 

    Thanks guys. 
  • brash
    brash
    6 years ago

    I wont sugar coat it for you, if you want to build a bobber/chop you have to expect to get some cop attention. It's just part of the game. It doesn't matter if your bike adheres to the modification guide or not I can tell you now, you are guilty until you prove your innocence in NSW.

    My chopper would get constantly harassed particularly by Eastern Sydney HWP. I couldn't go a ride without a "RBT" As soon as they found out the bike was pre ADR they got the shits and let me on my way.

    If you don't want police attention leave your bike stock as a rock, if you want to modify, expect to play the game.

  • tussuck
    tussuck
    6 years ago
    What timing for this thread.  Caught up with a mate today and found he had bought a new Indian Scout.  Well the dealership actually removed the butt ugly rear license plate holder (its some triangular eyesore) and left the stock shorty guard in place.  The end tip of the guard would just break the vertical plane of the rear axle so in theory there is no way it woudl pass an ADR inspection.
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