Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Apr 2007
Stagbeetle's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Norfolk, England
Posts: 155
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:confused1: . 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/
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Apr 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
Posts: 131
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
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Apr 2007
Stagbeetle's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Norfolk, England
Posts: 155
Thumbs up On 2nd thoughts

Quote:
Originally Posted by normw View Post
.......... 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.........


Norm
Uhmm thanks Norm, just the sort of info the HUBB is brilliant at turning up, real life experience .
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/
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Apr 2007
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Apr 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Golden, CO USA...on the road since Sept 2005
Posts: 343
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
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Apr 2007
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 77
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.
__________________
Bill Atchison
Red Deer, Alberta Canada
www.backroadexplorers.ca
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Apr 2007
Stagbeetle's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Norfolk, England
Posts: 155
Thumbs up ta..Thanks Awfully.

Quote:
Originally Posted by billdakar View Post
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.
This is what I was thinking when I looked at the original fender. Not sure yet what to do, I think I will make a couple of brackets to raise the existing fender by an inch or so, possibly tilting it up a little at the front, and fit a 'peak' motocross fender under the headlight fairing like the Dakar has. Then I have the option of temporarily removing the low one if I encounter deeper mud. (no I'm not going looking for it, 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/
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 Apr 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
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)

:-)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


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

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:45.