Due to some tight tire clearance concerns I have removed my RD 350's cut-down stock front fender and fitted a billet fork brace.
What are some options to the Airtech glass fenders? Is there something better or easier to fit and finish? Airtech prices are OK, and I have their rear inner fender but it is pretty raw. Probably should be filled for paint since the gel coat isn't very smooth. Reminds me of old JC Whitney VW Baja Bug parts.
This aluminum option seems about the same as far as installation goes. I'm more comfortable drilling aluminum than fiberglass, and it wouldn't need rubber washers to keep from cracking at the mount bolts.
https://vintagespareparts.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=114
What has anyone successfully used? Does anything from other makes/models fit? Any other quality glass options? I don't usually ride in the rain but I've been caught before and I'd rather not have water slinging up under my chin.
IR8D8R
nighthawk abs fenders, like 650 nighthawks. might fit the bill.
i really like that fender but how would you mount it with a fork brace installed? i might consider purchasing one for mine.
the have mounting holes, make a small flat adapter. :umm:
from what i remember, and its been years, they are pretty close to the stock holes.it should fit under a fork brake.
Interestingly, 650 Nighthawk fenders came up on a Google search for fiberglass RD350 fenders... Which I haven't been able to duplicate. ...Depends on how it's worded.
The India aluminum TZ knockoffs look almost identical to the LC fenders on Yambits in basic design. Will an LC fender bolt up to an Aircooled fork? The aluminum Indian ones are not drilled.
I'm leaning towards Airtech rather than playing the Delhi lottery. I think the stock fender will fit under the brace FWIW. I used a brace from RSW Racing. But the stock fender bracket only has about 1.5mm of clearance either side of my 90/100 tire on a Sun 2.15" rim, and that's the entire reason for the brace. Chuck Q. said the fiberglass fenders will crack if you don't use a fork brace.
IR8D8R
I'd be a lot more worried about the poor handling w/o a brace than fiberglass cracking....
The TZs, Yamaha's production racer, had basically the same front end as the RD, ran a fibreglass fender with no brace.
Quote from: bitzz on April 21, 2023, 06:52:29 PM
The TZs, Yamaha's production racer, had basically the same front end as the RD, ran a fibreglass fender with no brace.
They had 35mm fork tubes - not 34mm.
From someone that's ridden on both... not much difference
is there an axle diameter difference? I can def say, i felt the difference on my lightweight w or w out a brace. (hence why i made one) :twocents:
https://yambits.co.uk/rd350lc-mudguard-front-genuine-p-86144.html
I have also struggled to figure out a good front fender option while using a fork brace. With the size of this billet design I could only find this tiny one for now, would love to make something more suitable work.
Is this similar to the design you are up against?
Now, that's tiny.
Quote from: pdxjim on April 23, 2023, 01:50:35 PM
https://yambits.co.uk/rd350lc-mudguard-front-genuine-p-86144.html
Is the LC narrower than YPVS?
i know for a fact you can run a nighthawk fender under a raised forkbrace like that.
on my old orange rd, I ran a metal 'subframe' from a stock rd fender (i think) under an airtech one.
Quote from: RDFL on April 26, 2023, 02:16:10 PM
Quote from: pdxjim on April 23, 2023, 01:50:35 PM
https://yambits.co.uk/rd350lc-mudguard-front-genuine-p-86144.html
Is the LC narrower than YPVS?
No idea, and no idea if it'll fit aircooled forks. Looks the part, tho. It's lightweight fiberglass, and incorporates a sturdy steel brace/bracket.
The glass fender on Paul1478's 400 fits under this same fork brace. He said it was made by "The Greek guy" who apparently makes them in his home shop. It's a TZ knockoff IIRC. Paul doesn't remember his name.
Any idea who this might be? Chuck knows...
The LC and TZ fenders have metal mounts under or over the fender. Like the stock fender this acts as a brace. The knockoffs do not have this. Maybe?, probably?, they have a bit more clearance, as the stock RD 350 bracket has a little bend on either side that comes perilously close to the tire. If my rim wasn't perfectly true (Thanks Nathan!) it would rub with a 2.15" rim and a 100/90 tire. It was fine with the same tire and the stock rim.
https://www.yamahapartshouse.com/oemparts/a/yam/50041742f8700209bc784af0/steering-front-fender.
This only matters if it happens to rain. In E. Tennessee there's never a 0% chance. Little rocks are a drag too.
https://www.officine08.com/p258_fender-yamaha-tz-350-front.html
Sakis is who he's referring to.
Thanks Mark!
Sakis does great work bought several full fairings from him.
http://www.meadspeed.co/products/yamaha/tz250-350/front-mudguard/1976-1980
I'm no a fan of the fender design but I like the lightweight bracket bits.
Maybe they would sell the metal parts without the fender and then you could source the fender style you like?
ooh i actually kind of like that w the stays.
I looked at that one again and I realized that the part of the fender I didn't like (the front and rear of the fiberglass blade) is actually the flared out mounting points for the side stays. Assembled, it would probably look pretty nice.
UK LC nerds say it fits.
https://rdlccrazy.proboards.com/thread/59749/lc-mudguard-on-ac
Good to have options.
Thanks, I will look into that. I've got a Nighthawk S out in the shed but I think it has a larger fender.
Wow! I really like that Mead Speed piece. It looks so period. According to Airtech the RD 350 fender is narrower than the TZ, so actual TZ spec parts won't fit.
I don't know how much narrower. Be easier if the RD was wider. I doubt there is a way around that at this point. I think my chances of getting this done before the May 6th "deadline" have slipped away...
I really hope the rain clears up. It's been pissing down here for the last week on and off. Joy of living in a temperate rainforest. Every year at this time I start to get antsy. Pray for dry weather and no grass clippings on the roads around Deals Gap.
IR8D8R
This is Sakis email, get in touch with him will tell you what you need. sakisathensgr@yahoo.com be prepared for broken English but more likely his son will contact you and you won't have to.
What I came up with for the same/similar tire and rim combo as IR8D8R. Can't thank IR8D8R enough for the advise. The Airtech unit, which I originally had, did not fit this set up. Bike in question is a 75 RD350. Factory 34mm forks. If anyone is interested in duplicating, here are some links. Please PM me and I'd be happy to provide the DXF file as well for the fork brace to fender mounts. Will eventually trim more of the fat off the fork brace to fender mounts. For now though, it works.
https://japan.webike.net/products/189923.html (https://japan.webike.net/products/189923.html)
https://rswracing.com/products/yamaha-rd-350-400-and-daytona-400?variant=7808385515572 (https://rswracing.com/products/yamaha-rd-350-400-and-daytona-400?variant=7808385515572)
well isnt that nifty! :olaf:
Quote from: m in sc on June 05, 2023, 10:51:26 AMwell isnt that nifty! :olaf:
Thank you. :-) Know it's not fiberglass like the post states. Perhaps it will be helpful for anyone looking to do the same rim/tire size combo though.
Lambchopz,
You are absolutely welcome. And now you've saved me from making the same error with the Airtech fender. That brushed fender you've got is really slick. It would almost be a shame to paint it. It would go well with the natural metal look M in SC has on his lightweight bike's tank. I've had to retrieve my tank from a body shop that decided never to get around to painting it. Options still open. Why does that happen with motorcycle tanks so often?
I know Sakis' fender will fit with that brace because Paul1478 has one on his 400 with a 100/90, although it isn't with a 100/90 tire on a 2.15 rim (yet)... I could go back to a 90/90 tire.
For me the fender project moves back a notch for the installation of a blue-spot front brake caliper (Thanks Evans!). Now I have to get an adapter made using Mark's generously shared design. Which is a different subject.
IR8D8R
Quote from: IR8D8R on June 05, 2023, 12:47:31 PMI've had to retrieve my tank from a body shop that decided never to get around to painting it. Options still open. Why does that happen with motorcycle tanks so often?
Part of the reason my bike is still sitting in primer. I don't want this to happen and don't really know what shop to take it to so it doesn't. :sad:
This thread also reminds me I need to do something about a fork brace. That RSW brace might work. How well do the dust boots fit with it? I at least see them on the bike in the pics.
if i didnt have the handmade TI fender on my bike i would def go that way.
Quote from: IR8D8R on June 05, 2023, 12:47:31 PMLambchopz,
You are absolutely welcome. And now you've saved me from making the same error with the Airtech fender. That brushed fender you've got is really slick. It would almost be a shame to paint it. It would go well with the natural metal look M in SC has on his lightweight bike's tank. I've had to retrieve my tank from a body shop that decided never to get around to painting it. Options still open. Why does that happen with motorcycle tanks so often?
I know Sakis' fender will fit with that brace because Paul1478 has one on his 400 with a 100/90, although it isn't with a 100/90 tire on a 2.15 rim (yet)... I could go back to a 90/90 tire.
For me the fender project moves back a notch for the installation of a blue-spot front brake caliper (Thanks Evans!). Now I have to get an adapter made using Mark's generously shared design. Which is a different subject.
IR8D8R
You, Mark, and Evans have helped me immensely throughout this. Really can't express my gratitude enough.
The bike has Evans blue dot caliper on it. As well as Marks beautifully designed adapter. Again, many thanks to you both.
Marks adapter, with the blue dot caliper, seems to clear. Just barely though. The spokes get a bit close. Can get you exact measurements for the spacers I used on the caliper, as well as the material thickness for the disc brake adapter and caliper tomorrow if you need it.
Happy to help in any way I can.
This thread also reminds me I need to do something about a fork brace. That RSW brace might work. How well do the dust boots fit with it? I at least see them on the bike in the pics.
[/quote]
I mounted my RSW brace like this, No modifications to the boot but I had to shim the brace to get a good fit on the fork tubes. Hope that helps.RSW fork brace.jpg
Quote from: oxford on June 05, 2023, 01:05:33 PMQuote from: IR8D8R on June 05, 2023, 12:47:31 PMI've had to retrieve my tank from a body shop that decided never to get around to painting it. Options still open. Why does that happen with motorcycle tanks so often?
Part of the reason my bike is still sitting in primer. I don't want this to happen and don't really know what shop to take it to so it doesn't. :sad:
This thread also reminds me I need to do something about a fork brace. That RSW brace might work. How well do the dust boots fit with it? I at least see them on the bike in the pics.
Cut the dust boots and they seem to fit fine. Will safety wire them though if it turns out to be an issue.
The RSW brace is a tight fight. Forks have been Cerakoted though so I don't know if that has something to do with the tight fit
My paint guy James here in Oregon knows and loves RD's and other 2T's, is inexpensive, relatively quick, and 100% reliable: https://nocamresto.com/
... also, I've got a new (mounted but not ridden) RSW brace to fit RD350 forks, I'll sell for $100 shipped.
I bought one of these, fits good now working on paint :)
https://japan.webike.net/products/23087733.html
I just pushed my dust boots down against the brace. They no longer have the notch to index but they don't come loose. Looks normal.
IR8D8R