Hey folks, I am doing some custom rear fender work that involves cutting a couple inches off the back of the fender and rounding out the flat part of the edges on the sides (the edge over the wheel well and directly below the struts). I have a 2011 Fatboy Lo.

To do this I had to take out a brace that was riveted inside the fender, right at the end. Rounding out the wheel well also cut out the rolled section on the sides that I know also provides strength.

The resulting fender is much more flexible now, side to side. I'm thinking I want to weld some new bracing into the fender to stiffen it back up. But my buddy thinks that bracing isn't really needed inside the fender, and that once it it bolted back onto the struts, it will be fine.

Anyone know? I don't want to screw up the balance on the bike, or make it risky for when my girlfriend is riding behind me, or make it easier for the fender to deform.

Thanks for any help!

 

No one here familiar with the body work stuff?