rear fender removal

[Tfrank59]

I gotta ask a rookie question and didn't see anything in shoptalk--how do I take off the lower rear fender section?  Have to do the nut cage mod for a new CT--how that's done is in shoptalk.  First time I've had to remove my fender and I don't see a youtube with that part and don't like surprises.  I know I've got to unplug the lights (where?) and there's bolts that hold it (not sure how many or where), but any special tricks or info you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[Harryc]

Remove the seat, remove the two rear most bolts in the fender rail and the bolts holding the pillion seat on, front and rear, remove the pillion seat. The fender will be loose. You'll see the lights connector up inside the front part of the rear fender, unplug it. Done.

[Jess from VA]

When I got my first car tire mounted, with the bike on the lift and the wheel off for the new tire, I just raised it up some and slid underneath and did the work on the inside.  No need to take the lower fender off (unless you want too).  I did put a jack stand under the engine guard... with the tire/wheel gone, it gets a little light in back.  A shop light helps. 

[Tfrank59]

Jess, does that mean the nut cage mod is done to the lower section or to the upper section of the rear fender - I'm not clear which part of the fender needs the modification

[Harryc]

Lower section. The (2) nut cages are what the rear bolts on the fender rail screw into. If you reach behind those bolts you can feel them. It's really not a big deal to remove the lower fender. I did it last month and it took me all of 10 minutes. Much easier than removing a tire. The reason I removed it was not a pleasant situation, but that's a topic for another thread/day.

[Tfrank59]

okay I'll check it out.  thanks.

[Jess from VA]

I'm sure it's easier than removing the rear tire, and I'd remove the lower fender rather than the tire any time too.

But exactly how do you put a car tire on the bike without removing the rear tire? 

Now if you thought you could get away with no nut cage mod on a 205 60/55, and found out you couldn't, and the CT was already on there, I'd remove the lower half fender too.

Once the tire is off, you can't miss the cages.  I believe they are behind the two forward fender strut bolts.

[John Schmidt]

When done, spray a little black paint on the cut edges to prevent any rusting. Before installing the tire, go to a hardware store and get a couple carriage bolts of the same size and adequate length, a couple nuts and washers to go on the outside as spacers, and an acorn nut to top it off. Then insert those bolts from the inside out, pull the head in tight with the nuts and it will penetrate the fender with the square shaft under the head, thereby locking it in place and giving increased clearance in place of the large square nut that's in the cage. Try to find SS to prevent the bolts/nuts from rusting.

[Tfrank59]

I'm sure it's easier than removing the rear tire, and I'd remove the lower fender rather than the tire any time too.

But exactly how do you put a car tire on the bike without removing the rear tire? 

Now if you thought you could get away with no nut cage mod on a 205 60/55, and found out you couldn't, and the CT was already on there, I'd remove the lower half fender too.

Once the tire is off, you can't miss the cages.  I believe they are behind the two forward fender strut bolts.

Well this is my fourth tire but my first car tire, which I'm not gonna try without doing the mod to the nut cages.  For changing the rear tire so far I haven't had to remove the fender or pipes and I don't intend to remove my pipes this time either.

[Jess from VA]

I'm sure it's easier than removing the rear tire, and I'd remove the lower fender rather than the tire any time too.

But exactly how do you put a car tire on the bike without removing the rear tire?  

Now if you thought you could get away with no nut cage mod on a 205 60/55, and found out you couldn't, and the CT was already on there, I'd remove the lower half fender too.

Once the tire is off, you can't miss the cages.  I believe they are behind the two forward fender strut bolts.

Well this is my fourth tire but my first car tire, which I'm not gonna try without doing the mod to the nut cages.  For changing the rear tire so far I haven't had to remove the fender or pipes and I don't intend to remove my pipes this time either.

Yep, I don't remove my pipes or lower fender either on tire changes (I do remove the bags, but not the mounts or the bag guard rails).  Moving my bike up and down on the jack doesn't bother me.

Just a heads up; once the bike tire/wheel was off, I just shoved the wheel-less car tire up in the fender (205 60) and man it did not look like it would fit at all.  Of course, I knew thousands had made one fit, but I was still worried.  It actually gets a bit smaller on the wheel and inflated.  Whew.  But it definitely gets heavier.  

The trick on installation of sliding the axle through the wheel (don't forget the wheel spacer) and caliper, but leaving the caliper spacer out, to hold the wheel (and its weight) square for mounting on the pumpkin, and then pulling the axle out just enough to insert the spacer afterward, is a lot easier on your back than trying to get it all installed and lined up on both sides.  So would having some help, but I never do.

John's carriage bolts are probably the nicest way to go, but I just replaced the fat square cage nuts with skinny regular hex nuts, and they have never touched a tire.