Cage nut

[larue]

Would it be ok to tack weld a regular instead of the continuous struggle Honda made us go through installing the rear fender bolts? Has anyone done this before?

[John Schmidt]

Hey buddy, you know the fender would have to be repainted then. As for a struggle, how come. Just get rid of the cage nuts altogether and cut off the cage. Then, if you have bags just run your bolts from the inside out. If no bags, still use a shorter bolt from inside out and add a deco type acorn nut on the outside.

By the way, are you and Jack and a few others headed to Inzane? Hope to see you all there. 

[Savage]

My solution was to completely remove the cages, then use a piece of threaded rod captured on the inside and outside by nuts and washers. Stack more nuts on the outside or cut a piece of stainless tubing as a spacer. This allows me to remove the saddlebags from the strut arms while the fender remains captured.

Done it on four bikes so far, two of which are running Austone Taxi Tires, and it’s working like a charm.

[Jess from VA]

Would it be ok to tack weld a regular instead of the continuous struggle Honda made us go through installing the rear fender bolts? Has anyone done this before?

I cut the cage, and went to a regular hex skinny nut. 

I later discovered I could have reused the big square nut (it will not rub, just the cage will).

The captured nut let you back out those bolts without having to use a tool underneath.

I've never had to back those bolts out ever again.  I can still get a tool under there with the car tire if I have to.

Even tack welding will likely FUBAR the paint on the outside.  How often do you have to take those bolts out, if ever? 

[larue]

By the way, are you and Jack and a few others headed to Inzane? Hope to see you all there. 

Hey john not sure myself as I got two little ones and hefty work schedule but will see. I hope at least I make one of these inzanes since this one is closer it's a good possibility. I like the idea of putting the bolt from the inside out the struts though.
  Jess I don't take off the fender that often, was just thinking out loud  cuz I remember some grief doing it few times. Was wondering why Honda didn't just do it like the other threaded front  bolt on the fender strut.

[John Schmidt]

You could probably use just the big square nut and as Jess said...remove the cage. Then clean the inside of the fender real good(and the nut), then lay a good coat of JB Weld to hold it in place. Once it's all smeared in there, run a bolt in and snug it down to hold it in place for a day or so to let it cure. Doubt it would ever come off, although I still like the idea of running a bolt from the inside out. Makes it real easy to drop saddle bags.

[gordonv]

I still like the idea of running a bolt from the inside out. Makes it real easy to drop saddle bags.

It does, but how about removing the rear half of the fender to remove the tire while on the center stand?

This is my problem.

Fender rail, 3 pc trailer hitch and bags. I was going to attempt to remove my rear wheel, and realized how am I going to remove the rear section? I think I'll need to change it back to stock if I want to remove the wheel myself.