Thanks for the heads up n this problem. I only have my 1st rk for 5 weeks now so the knowledge is very limited. I will check it out.

 

I've replace the left one twice.
1) I found that the culprit that was causing the break was the horseshoe shaped mount that fits under and behind the rear fender...it was broken at the mounting strap and therefore was not supporting it's weight distribution and causing the fender trim bracket to break at the turnout on the bottom.
2) I replaced the fender bracket behind the fender. And when I replaced the outside vertical mounting piece I purchased one from an aftermarket vendor who addressed the weakness issue at the bend by beefing up the weld and adding a support piece behind the bend. Don't recall who that vendor was but it was a quick find on google, and about the same cost as a factory part replacement. Haven't had an issue with it since. BTW I replaced both sides with the heavier welded brackets.

 

I have had so much stuff welded and reinforced on my motorcycle it isn't funny. There are times where I feel as though I need to carry a portable 12 volt welder with me. This gets old after awhile.

 

When you guys install the new pieces, how much strain is there when getting everything assembled? I have 98,000 miles on my factory piece. When realigning things back there I have pushed and prodded to make the bolt holes line up before installing the bolts so no strain is put on that piece during assembly. That may not be why mine has lasted so long, but I'm confident that making things line up doesn't hurt.

 

Good point, all of that matters. It's just a crappy design and depending on where you live is directly connected to how long it will last.

I live in Pa and potholes and recessed manhole covers are everywhere.

I attribute that to my issue as well as the crappy design.

 

Mine broke a few times on my RK, Last time I said screw it and had it welded, has not broke since, like others have said the metal is weak at the bend.

rk classic.

 

I'm gonna scab a piece on there and glob it up with weld.

Scab piece