Looks like it’s supposed to be that way from the factory 🤷🏻*♂️
So I bought an 02 FXD from a guy a few weeks ago. Everything is sounds mechanically but the rear fender was pretty beat up. I removed the fender to have it fixed/painted and ran into an issue. I don’t know if it was the guy I brought it from or a previous owner but the fender struts were cut on the frame. Thy are cut about 2 inches past the first holes for the fender bolt. Whoever did it did a damn good job, it honestly took me a day or so to notice. It was grinded down to a radius and repainted.

I have the fender strut covers and the fender so I won’t have an issue remounting the fender, my question is will I be able to ride 2 up on this bike? I’ve done some searching but most threads are about wanting to cut the struts, not wanting them back lol. Most have said basically take it to a fab guy and have them use the strut covers as a template and extend the frame struts. If I drill a second hole behind what’s left and essentially a third hole in the fender would that be enough support (in conjunction with the strut covers) to ride 2 up?

Thanks guys

have you seen some around? Being a part of the frame I wouldn’t imagine that very many people have any “leftover” struts lol. Unless I find someone that just chopped there’s off I guess.

well now I know I gotta look in literally every nook and cranny when buying a bike

the dude did have about $6k in engine work done at a shop prior to selling it, so I got a good deal overall I suppose