Need suggestions on reshaping a fender.

[John Schmidt]

I bought a fender at a local bike junk yard for my one-wheel trailer, but the radius is slightly more than the wheel. In order for the fender to fit down closer to the wheel, I need to increase the curve....make the curve a bit tighter. I thought possibly I could cut a V notch in both sides and bend it down slightly, but I'm afraid in doing so it will crease the fender unless I can find someone with an English Wheel. I'd have to do that both in front and behind the fender support that now exists, but it sure would make a big difference in appearance. I plan to attach the front edge to the swing arm and use the fender's existing support as well and attach it to the swing arm back near the wheel, thus making it an articulating fender....i.e., moving up and down with the wheel. Since I have to sandblast it and sand it down good for painting, I'm not too concerned with surface appearance at this point. Just wondering if I could notch both sides and heat the area with a torch, would that prevent creasing the metal? Obviously after I've acquired the proper curve, I'd trim away the excess metal at the notch and weld it back together. Should add....there is a small bead all along the edge.

Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated. As an aside....that whopping big $250 extra from SS that's coming our way.....I found a guy that will make a diamond plate box for my trailer and that will just cover it. Sure glad I found a constructive way to use it closer to home, I was already looking into which Caribbean island I should buy as a winter hideaway. 

[R J]

You should be able to notch the edge and bend the fender together at the notch.  It shouldn't bow or botch the top of the fender.  Might have to notch it a couple of times to get the right radius you want or need.....  If ya take too big of a notch, you can always weld it back as long as you do it in short spurts so as not to warp the metal.   

I'd do it in the top center of the fender and then weld the mounting brackets back on.

Did this once with an old Vincent I had.  Outside of the weld I forgot to grind down on the inside it was not noticeable from just looking at it.

[John Schmidt]

It's a fairly small fender, maybe 3" wide, but for some reason the manufacturer found it necessary to rivet in a rather large bracket in the top center. I'll blast it clean and see what will be involved with removing the bracket, I might want to relocate it anyway to take advantage of some existing holes on the swingarm to attach it to. I can always fill/weld the bracket holes if I decide to relocate it, just want to keep it simple.

The fender didn't cost me anything so I'm already ahead of the game. When I took it in to show the owner, he just laughed and said it was too ugly to sell...just buy something next time you're in. I thanked him and said I'd be back for sure...which he knows is right, I'm in there at least once a month. He has a bunch of 1500 & 1800 saddle bags if anyone is looking for a set. Also has one set attached together to make a trailer or extra trunk, just slide into your receiver. Don't think I'd use it on a Valk unless it was triked though