Here is the stems I shortened on mine. I just cut them off closer to end. Only prob is that it doesn't cover the wire hole but I can live with that.

As for painting them, prob 400 grit wet n dry then epoxy.

 

ye mine are the older ones with the single straight stalk that has the wire inside. im gonna leave em the same lenght cos the ones i have on the front mounted turn signal clamps stick out the same length. i didnt like the look of the turn sig clamps at first but theyre growing on me and should look better with the apes on.

good idea about the 400 grit paper, maybe ill just scuff really deep into the chrome and build it up with high build etch primer, then a couple coats of gloss black and 5 coats of clear. should look good polished up if i can get a decent key on the base

 

DISASTER

this is the story upto now.

i got my rear fender painted and all ready to go on. removed my original fender, shocks, and turn signals.
took off the strut covers, fitted the burly slammer shocks.

went to fit the fender, and uh-oh..... the front portion of the belt drive side wouldnt clear the belt guard. out came the hacksaw and gaffer tape.
tried fitting again, it fits but rubs on the tire. the fender being 7" i accounted for some pulling inwards of the struts along with the pulling outwards of the fender walls, but i didnt account for the closeness of the bolts and the indicator wires and all the internals of the fender.

so here are the pics.

its all back to how it was originall now and im waiting to find a standard dyna fender to cut down for my next big idea.

looks rad tho dont it, like some japanese yakuza shadow ninja gangster drag bike thing.

 

I am digging that alot. That fender looks perfect.

 

why not run your wires under the side fender rails

 

If it were me id cut it up till it fits right.....that kind of paint can come out of a can.....and your wiring can be put under the strut covers....

 

Is the rear tire the stock 130mm or a larger tire? If it's larger, maybe you can get away with a tire that's 10mm less.

 

the stock tyre for 2003 is 150 im told, however it has a 160 on it, aftermarket from previous owner maybe?

i cant run my wires through the struts like id be able to on the 2006+ models as the turn signals i have are wired from the lamp casing, down through the stem, and out of the threaded end. they fix into the strut/fender then a nut goes on, and the wires protrude right through the end, through the middle of the nut, so i have no option to wire them differently.

also the fender is just too thin, its my dream fender pretty much, but to make it fit, my only option would be to cut it in half,have a 1" metal strip welded in,then refiller and repaint it. a hell of a lot of work, and kinda disheartening after spending all that time prepping and painting it.

i think i will come back to it one day, but for now ive bought a 2002 fxdl standard fender which i plan to relocate the strut holes a little higher up, follow the bend of the underside with a cutting disc eliminating the flat spot, and rock it with the slammer shocks. should look pretty good with the 16" apes im having delivered tomorrow.