|
|||||||
| BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only. Questions comparing which bike is best etc go in the "Which Bike" forum. |
ALL HU Travellers Meetings now open for registration. We hope to see YOU at one of them this year!
Germany Meeting May 17-20,
HUBB UK May 30-June 2,
Montenegro Meeting June 27-30,
Ireland Meeting July 12-14,
Colorado Campfire July 12-14,
North Carolina Meeting Aug 8-11,
CanWest Meeting Aug 22-25,
Kyrgyzstan Mini-Meeting Aug 31, Ontario Canada Meeting Sept 12-15,
Queensland Australia Meeting Sep 26-29,
Victoria Australia Meeting Oct 11-13,
California Meeting Oct 24-27
 |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
9 Apr 2007
|
||||
|
||||
|
f650 Raising Front Fender
I am currently doing bike prep and mods
 for my AWT (RWT) to my 1996 classic f650. (calling it a 'Funduro' makes me squirm )One of the areas that looks vunrable is the front fender and associated plastic, so I thought I might make a bracket to fit under the fork yoke,(where the horn is mounted) and lift the fender up higher to avoid it getting clogged with mud etc. I would just discard the side protectors as they seem to be for show only. I know that there are AM fenders but why waste a perfectly good one. However, looking at various sites I find that 'Dakar' owners are doing the opposite and fitting 'low fenders' to avoid spray. Anybody done this  . Any comments on how effective, necessary, or drawbacks? Crud in the radiator springs to mind. Just to remind you here is a picture of the front wheel as it is, gaiters have since been fitted to forks, and my impression of it as it may turn out. (perhaps a bit lower, looks too high in my impression and may foul front fairing)   Cheers
__________________
Happy Trails Stagbeetle It is not the Journey nor yet the Destination, that is the Prize; it is the people you meet on the way. Blog on http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fairless/ 
|
|
#2
10 Apr 2007
|
|||
|
|||
|
I'd advise against your fender surgery. Two summers ago on a trip to the Yukon and Alaska a friend rode a GS650 which had only a high fender (the bike was, surprisingly, sold this way for a time, at least around here). On the Cassiar Highway we encountered long stretches of wet, slimy gravel and the lack of a low fender proved to be a nightmare for him. A huge amount of silty spray bypassed the high fender and repeatedly covered his face shield (and him) causing him to constantly stop to clean off.
Two of us who were on streetbikes had no problems at all with spray On our return my friend fired off a letter to BMW which responded by acknowledging that they were aware of the problem and buying him an additional low fender gratis. Norm
|
|
#3
10 Apr 2007
|
||||
|
||||
On 2nd thoughts
Quote:
 .Seems like I'll leave well enough alone, and remove it as required during the trip, one less job to do, now I can get on with the electrics, Now where's that hammer........i
__________________
Happy Trails Stagbeetle It is not the Journey nor yet the Destination, that is the Prize; it is the people you meet on the way. Blog on http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fairless/
|
|
#4
10 Apr 2007
|
||||
|
||||
|
I think even the standard low one will chuck a lot of road gunge back onto you and the engine .
It might be best to fit a mudguard similar to a trials bike , maybe plastic , that you could fit in a high and a low position .[The high position for mud] . Canadian gravel roads are sprayed with a calcium chloride? concoction to keep down dust and when mixed with rain water create a horrible mess on you and the bike ,it's corrosive and sets like concrete on your bike . Full mudguards are not sexy but they are a blessing sometimes .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan "When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ." Last edited by Dodger; 10 Apr 2007 at 18:16.
|
|
#5
10 Apr 2007
|
|||
|
|||
|
Personally I don't care what my bike looks like, I just want it to be functional and effective- not all riders feel that way. Heck, some folks even buy tires based on the tire's appearance! To each his/her own. If I were you I'd consider an aftermarket motocross mudguard/fender. They aren't expensive, it might look like the devil, but could be a viable option for you. You or a good mechanic could mount it. Just a thought. Good luck with your trip! H.
__________________
"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..." L.B. Armstrong. www.davesgreatescape.net http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readme...e&id=661274218
|
|
#6
11 Apr 2007
|
|||
|
|||
|
I owned a 2003 F650GS that came with the low fender. I found that it was mounted too low (about 1/2" above the tire) and it clogged with mud. On one wet dirt road it actually stopped the front wheel from turning.
I now ride a 2004 Dakar which did not come with a low fender and the road spray was intolerable. I have fitted a Touratech low fender whch sits a couple of inches above the tire and have not had any road spray or plugging problems. I would highly recommend a low fender for your trip , mounted a couple of inches above the tire. Have a look at the Touratech site under the F650 section of the catalogue to get an idea of what might work for your 650.
|
|
#7
11 Apr 2007
|
||||
|
||||
|
ta..Thanks Awfully.
Quote:
 but if it's there I need to be prepared all the same)I see ebayshop MOTO OFF ROAD have mx versions which could do the job for 15 quid. Cheap enough to be worth a try and not feel bad if I bin it.  I'll keep you posted.
__________________
Happy Trails Stagbeetle It is not the Journey nor yet the Destination, that is the Prize; it is the people you meet on the way. Blog on http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fairless/
|
|
#8
16 Apr 2007
|
|||
|
|||
|
On the pics I see that you have the early model Funduro.
The fitting of the sprocket onto the gearshaft with only a circlip securing it is very problematic. Take suitable circlip pliers and take spare circlips (the right ones!!!) Check the circlips for proper seating and clean gunk away on a regular basis. I had a circlip & sprocket coming off at 70km/h in a slight left hander in Dock Road in '99. The chain seized between the rear sprocket and the rear wheel and locked it. I came to a standstill on the bicycle lane after painting an undulating 42m skidmark. Still atop luckily as there was nothing in my way and nothing too close behind and of course I was in full riding gear (=shorts, t-shirt & fli8pflops) :-)
|
|
«
Previous Thread
|
Next Thread
»
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests) | |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
Linear Mode
|
|
Similar Threads
|
||||
| Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
| Front Fender Change | gwc | KTM Tech | 9 | 17 Aug 2006 14:41 |
| 1VJ front fender extensions | CBJeeby | Yamaha Tech | 3 | 27 Aug 2005 01:45 |
| F650 Front Caliper from Breakers? | davidlomax | BMW Tech | 5 | 23 Jun 2005 05:08 |
| Raising a BMW F650 ST | davidlomax | BMW Tech | 3 | 3 Jun 2005 13:44 |
| front fender on 640 adv 2004 | dgamboa | KTM Tech | 3 | 26 Aug 2004 21:03 |
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:29.
