I've got a '97 XLH 883 that I'd like to put a bobtail fender on, I found a sweet deal ona brand new H-D colormatched unitp/n 60025-01QJ but I'm not sure it will fit my bike. The fender is advertised to fit 99-03 XL's however I see aftermarket bobtails that are advertised to fit 94-03 XL's. So is there a difference in the fenders or will that bobtail fit my 97?

 

yes it will fit. i would get the harley fender, a friend of mine bought the aftermarket frnder and it looked and fit like an aftermarket part.

i have the same fender, and i love it

 

Should fit the bike with no problem. Differences in the 94-97 bikes were just the tail light attachment.. 94-97 there was metal brackets, side by side needing two bolts to attach the tail light base plate.. In 98 it was changed for a single bolt plate and more of an opening in the fender for the base plate.. Not sure but I believe the tail light base plate can be made to fit eithor fender.

Attach points and holes for mounting the fender for 94 - 2003 are all the same.

Mentioned above talks about stock fender tail light differences but as you are going to go to a bob tail fender, the tail light mounting plate is not an issue.. The bob tail fenders...use a different tail light anyway.

Harley bob tail fenders, if I remember correctly, will accept the standard style tail light that will mount under the fender..

Verify your Harley part numbers with the "last years" Harley accessory catalog... Lots of stuff on previous year bikes was left out of the current catalog

 

Thanks for the clarification on exactly what is different. As long as the fender will bolt up I can either make the taillight work or buy the later one.

 

I had a bobtail fender on my 01 1200 Sportster Sport. Original HD part along with the taillight mounting kit. You use your stock taillight assembly, you just mount the taillight upside down. You also have to plug your signal lights into the lightaccordingly because now the taillight is upside down. Right is now left and left is now right. Also, the fender is not supported as well as the original. If your bike is modified and you spend timeabove 6000 RPM'sthe vibrationsmayshake and crackthe taillight lens to pieces ina hurry.It did on mine. After 3 or4 lensesI put the original fender back on. On a stock bike it may not be a problem.

 

with a plasma cutter and a welder you can make anything fit!!