No Cost Fender Delete

Maybe posted already, didn't find any similar posts exactly like mine but here is how I didn't have to buy anything to remove the hunk of plastic over the rear tire.

First take off the seat and set it aside. Use a 10mm socket and remove the two bolts at the back of the storage area and two more behind that on the bottom of the frame gently. The back two can be a bugger to remove if you don't have a magnet to retrieve them.

Second, unhook the wire that runs down to the light that illuminates the license plate, should be a coupling that you press on a release lever and pull em apart without damaging the wires.

Third get on yer back with a 12mm socket. Undo the two bolts on the underside that the fender connects the frame to. Then gently pull the Fender off without snagging the lamp cord.

Fourth step is to remove the license plate and turn the fender over on its back. Undo all the bolts on the back of the fender and you should have several pieces left over. Put aside all the plastic and rubber pieces. You will need to scrounge up some bolts and washers to hook the frame that holds the light fixture + plate holder to the metal frame. Once together, reattach the metal frame to the underside of the motorcycle in reverse order that you took it off. You do not have to put on the front 2 bolts if you wish (ones in the cargo area) they don't help hold up the frame.

Fifth, run the cord for the light up through the hole you pulled it from when you originally removed it from the bike and reconnect the couplings. Then reattach your license plate.

Sixth - turn on the bike without starting the engine. The light fixture should turn on unless you damaged the wires by yanking on them like a gorilla. Give the license plate frame a gentle tug from all angles, it shouldn't wiggle at all. Double check your work and make sure everything is snug.

If all goes well it should look like this (excuse the poor picture). An absolutely free modification to the VFR, if you have the tools already and a couple matching nuts, bolts, and washers in possession. Best thing about this besides getting rid of the fender is that there is no splicing for a license plate light fixture like most fender eliminator kits.



If you got questions or need more detail let me know

 

Nice
It looks great

 

This is going to work great for me. I don't want to spend the $ at the moment for an eliminator kid so this will be nice in the meantime...

 

I did the same exact thing the second day after i bought my '02, my brother has an '03 with the plastic fender on and it looks junky compared to mine from the back

 

when I put the bags on I didn't put that gaudy plastic back on either. Thought it looked horrid.

 

Interesting application of form over function. By removal of the rear fender and not replacing same with an eliminator, all kinds of mud, sharp rocks, roadkill and other crud and corruption lands where? If ya go this route, IMO at least some shrink tube over the wiring might be a good idea.

 

I'm glad that this was able to help some ppl out.

The wiring stock should have a plastic sleeve over it to protect it already for the elements, not to say that you can't armor it up a bit more. This shouldn't be any different than any aftermarket eliminator(except for the highly illegal ones that hide behind your tire), infact I like it more then most of them . Its a little higher than it was on the plastic fender. I doubt anything will go fling up into the back of the plate if thats what you are worried about unless you go mudding, this should be file for normal street use. If you are all about having a rear fender then leave it on. Its all about personal pref, but I never have heard many complaints from ppl about the lack of a rear fender.

 

I agree.The plastic sleeve over the wire as OEM is called insulation. The major point being that by removal of the stock unit for cosmetic puposes and not replacing same with another equally functional assembly is an invitation for all manner of down the road problems especially if one goes mudding. I am all about discussion up to a point. On this one, I think my point has been made.

We could maybe have a discussion at some later time on front fender eliminationl in a less muddy time of the year.

 

And possibly in another thread

 

LOL! My thanks for not whining just because we didn't happen to agree 100% with one another.

 

Nice work! What I did with mine, was to just cut the bottom of the fender off so it doesn't show behind the license plate. Just another way to get rid of that ugly plastic crap they put on there. The fender comes down to just above the license plate.

Cheers
John.

 

Anyone have a good pic. OP's pic is no longer valid and I'd like to see the final result of this seemingly easy mod.

Thanks in advance.

 

+1 I wanna see. OvO

 

I snapped a couple of pictures of this mod on my mobile phone. When I get to work I'll reply to this thread again with uploads\attachments.

 

Absolutely! I did something similar. I'm thinking about starting a new thread : most creative use of stock fender. These little pieces of aluminum and plastic have done quite a bit for me...

 

Here's a couple of pictures of the end result...

 

I do appologize for that, heres what it looks like currently.

 

I just finished this mod yesterday and here is the end result. I routed the light wiring behind the bracket and used a zip tie under the seat the hold the extra length for a more clean look.

 

Well hello to NM. I use to live in Corrales and played music in ABQ for years.

Did you have to bend the bracket to clear the exhaust?

 

Iif you guys think those look good then I really need to get pics of mine .