Fender Damage

[Moneypit]

I was out for a ride Saturday, came home and started to clean up my triglide. Went to the right side fender and started to wipe it down only to discover to my surprise what I thought was bug guts, turns out to be a dime size pot hole in the fender from a rock that was kicked up by a truck while I was out riding on a two lane road. The guy went to the right to give us some room but got into some gravel but peppered me and my buddy. Question: what is out there to protect the fenders from rock chips. I know that HD offers two things, one is a bra for the fenders and the other is the 3M tape. The problem I have with both of these products is that the bra comes loose, blows in the wind from what I hear from other triglide riders and if you do not remove them, they will ruin the paint when they are wet. The 3M turns yellow after a time and once this stuff is on, it is impossible to remove to replace it. Has anybody come up with a leather shield that can be put onto the fender to protect it or some other product? I'm pretty sure the big rock chip is about $200 worth of damage. Going to the dealer to see how much it is going to cost me to get it fixed.

I know that I will have to bring a jar of vaseline with me cause I know they are going to put it to me one way or another.

[bayoudave]

You may find it cheaper to go to a good body shop and not the dealer. The dealer is just going to take it to body shop and then charge you for their time and efforts and a hefty profit above what a body shop will charge.

[Oldmsocko]

I was out for a ride Saturday, came home and started to clean up my triglide. Went to the right side fender and started to wipe it down only to discover to my surprise what I thought was bug guts, turns out to be a dime size pot hole in the fender from a rock that was kicked up by a truck while I was out riding on a two lane road. The guy went to the right to give us some room but got into some gravel but peppered me and my buddy. Question: what is out there to protect the fenders from rock chips. I know that HD offers two things, one is a bra for the fenders and the other is the 3M tape. The problem I have with both of these products is that the bra comes loose, blows in the wind from what I hear from other triglide riders and if you do not remove them, they will ruin the paint when they are wet. The 3M turns yellow after a time and once this stuff is on, it is impossible to remove to replace it. Has anybody come up with a leather shield that can be put onto the fender to protect it or some other product? I'm pretty sure the big rock chip is about $200 worth of damage. Going to the dealer to see how much it is going to cost me to get it fixed.

I know that I will have to bring a jar of vaseline with me cause I know they are going to put it to me one way or another.

I am speaking from experience. I have an 09 Tri Glide and I had thr 3M film installed in 09 so it has been on there for almost 4 years. It is not yellow at all and with a blow dryer or heat gun the 3M film does come off fairly easily.I'm not sure you can protect your fender from everything. Sorry to hear of your bad luck.

[GARYD]

I've been using the 3M paint protector for about 13 years now - hasn't yellowed and is as easy as pie to remove. I bought 8' of it for $50 and made my own templates. I have plenty in case I ever have to re-apply on my new bike.
The other thing Harley has is a rubber pad - not a bra.

There are a couple different thicknesses of 3M material, but I don't know if any of them could have stopped a rock that did that kind of damage.

[americanbadass]

Well you are going to have to come off some of your doe Moneypit! Just be glad that rock didn't hit you-if it did that much damage to the fender, it surely could have left a mark. My suggestion is the leather (vinyl) fender bras by HD-it might even cover your damage, so only you will know it's there. The way the bras are secured, really holds them into position, and they look good too. I like mine a lot because I always seem to hit the fender with my boot getting on and off. I did add a few small black clips to the edges of my bras ( wait this sounds kinky!), for added support and it keeps her tight against the fender. The clips are small and black and disappear with the color of the bra. If you decide to get the HD fender bras and want to add clips -I have some extras-pm me your addy and and I will send you some. Well, I'm done talkin about bras! UU

[onahog]

Im in the process of makin some up similar to the Motor trike version..Instead of snaps tho, dont wanna drill holes, Im using sticky back velcro..I will post pics once my guy is done sewing them up for me...I made them 12" high from botom of fender and they follow the pinstripe ...Iv run a fairing bra on many FLH models and had no problem with paint damages etc..Hb

[Memnoch451]

I look at bikes and car like this.... You drive it! It's going to get dirty and it's going to get chips. keep your trike in good shape and do the maintenance, wash it, wax it and DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

Unless you're a new born you're going to have a scar or two.. and you work just fine.. So, will your trike!

[onahog]

Motor trike version

[Lakeman]

There are thousands and thousands of Motor Home owners that wish they had never heard of that 3M crap!

[msocko3]

There are thousands and thousands of Motor Home owners that wish they had never heard of that 3M crap!

Maybe on something the size of a Motor Home, or they used the real cheap stuff. Its been 4 riding seasons and around 36,000 miles of heavy freeway use on my dads and it still looks like the day he had the film installed, not pits or other disfigurement.

[Nana]

I had the 3M protectant on my Champion trike for over 6 years without discoloring or problems. Because of that positive experience, I had it applied to my V-rod/Hannigan trike fenders also, and am very happy with it!

Also, it can easily be removed and replaced any time it needs to be done. On the Champion, our HD service dept. accidentally marked the 3M, and they paid for me to have that side removed and replaced by Ziebart, who had originally applied it for me.

[JohnC]

These look like a great option: Link

I've been waiting to see more information posted about them on the forum but have not seen anything. I'm thinking I may make my own this winter.

[Minnesota Dick]

I have a rock chip in my left finder also. When I get enough of them and it looks real bad I am going to get a spray can of black bed liner that they use on pick-up beds and mask it off and do a spray job on mine.

[bullet 10]

Check out motorcycle armour.com

[GARYD]

I agree with Memnoch451. At least you can't see the 3M film and it does protects your paint to some degree without being obnoxious.
Personnally I think leather or vinyl coverings look hideous on cars or bikes. JMHO

You might as well put a bra on the fairing also (I have seen some) and cover up that beautiful paint job while you're at it. In my case I get more chips on it then I do on the fenders. Thankfully not enough to distract from it's beauty.

And that one where you have to drill 4 holes in the fender to keep stones from making holes in the fender=HUH?

[Lakeman]

The difference must be sun exposure. Motor coaches in the $250,000 to 1mil don't use "cheap". This stuff will crack then you get dirt on the sticky between the cracks. It turns a dingy gold or yellow color. I would think most bikes or trikes aren't stored in the sun and out side all the time. I have seen this problem on a lot of motor coaches and know two of my friends that had the problem. They took it to an auto body shop to have it removed and the front end of their coaches repainted. There is a piece on my coach at the top of the steps to serve as a kick stop. It has mildew under the top edge and things would look a lot better without it.

[GARYD]

Sounds like improper application.

[BinIdaho]

Well you are going to have to come off some of your doe Moneypit! Just be glad that rock didn't hit you-if it did that much damage to the fender, it surely could have left a mark. My suggestion is the leather (vinyl) fender bras by HD-it might even cover your damage, so only you will know it's there. The way the bras are secured, really holds them into position, and they look good too. I like mine a lot because I always seem to hit the fender with my boot getting on and off. I did add a few small black clips to the edges of my bras ( wait this sounds kinky!), for added support and it keeps her tight against the fender. The clips are small and black and disappear with the color of the bra. If you decide to get the HD fender bras and want to add clips -I have some extras-pm me your addy and and I will send you some. Well, I'm done talkin about bras! UU

Sent you a PM.....have HD fender bras!

[olguy]

I got some touch up paint at the HD dealer and when I wash and shine I use it to cover the chips. Works for me.

[GARYD]

Barbara, OT for a second, is that reflective tape that you have going around the lid lip of the tourpac?