Anybody see the need to have a mudflap on the front fender?

[Tfrank59]

I've only had my Valk five months, about 5000 miles, and here in Western Washington where we get plenty of rain I'm tired of always having to clean the front of my engine of stuff that slops up off of the front tire.  I was searching the web for Valks and pictures of guys who had mudflaps on the front fender, and I can only see a handful in dozens and dozens of photos.  Just wondering if others ride in rainy conditions and see this as an issue, or if you just live with all the crud on the front of your engine.  I guess it doesn't matter too much, because I already pulled the trigger and bought one off eBay from a guy who does custom sized mudflaps.

[BonS]

Some run them to keep nails from being flung up by the front tire and have them puncture the rear tire.

[Jess from VA]

Really I see a front flap as way more useful to stop nails and other sharpies being pitched into the rear tire, than rain/mud.  No flat for me in decades (good thing I'm not superstitious).

If you ride in rain/mud the bike gets dirty, more or less, with or without a flap.  If I had to ride in crud/gravel/dirt roads all the time, I might do it.

I really like the Show Chrome/BBP chrome front fender trim, and have one on both bikes.  But it only extends down about a quarter/third inch below the end of the fender.

Now if I could only figure out a way to ride between the bugs.

BTW, if you install anything on the front fender with the front wheel on, stick a block of wood up there.  Power drill thru fender and tire will really frost your nuts.  

[Bighead]

After riding in the rain even a slight sprinkle the whole bike needs washing not just the front of the engine so why bother with a mud flap that you will have to drill holes in your fender to mount?

[Firefighter]

I had the same thoughts as the dirty water goes everywhere and is difficult to clean. I also am concerned about rocks and rust. I think they will help with this. I use a soft rubber mud flap from J&P Cycles 13 dollars, but have not had it too long, or rode in the rain with it yet. Firefighter

[The emperor has no clothes]

I can see the need for it where you live. I was stationed in Bremerton for 9 months and I think we had 5 sunny days in that time

[Tfrank59]

Really I see a front flap as way more useful to stop nails and other sharpies being pitched into the rear tire, than rain/mud.  No flat for me in decades (good thing I'm not superstitious).

If you ride in rain/mud the bike gets dirty, more or less, with or without a flap.  If I had to ride in crud/gravel/dirt roads all the time, I might do it.

I really like the Show Chrome/BBP chrome front fender trim, and have one on both bikes.  But it only extends down about a quarter/third inch below the end of the fender.

Now if I could only figure out a way to ride between the bugs.

BTW, if you install anything on the front fender with the front wheel on, stick a block of wood up there.  Power drill thru fender and tire will really frost your nuts.  

Thanks, that part about putting wood between the fender and the tire sounds like really good advice.  My front tire is basically new. 

[Jack B]

I put a truck mud flap on my Tourer only because the front of the timing cover was being sandblasted from the front tire.

[Tfrank59]

I put a truck mud flap on my Tourer only because the front of the timing cover was being sandblasted from the front tire.

That looks perfect on your bike -- Just the right length!     It's not so much my timing cover getting blasted but all around the thermostat housing and it gets plastered with mud, leaves and crap but that's probably a lot because of where I live.   BTW, how do you like those wind deflectors that mount on your crash bars?  I've been looking at buying those for mine but they're a bit pricey.

[Crackerborn]

Here are some lowers http://rifle.com/Classic-L-Lowers-for-Honda-VTXs-Valkyrie-P2139C506.aspx that I have been looking at.

[Jack B]

That looks perfect on your bike -- Just the right length!     It's not so much my timing cover getting blasted but all around the thermostat housing and it gets plastered with mud, leaves and crap but that's probably a lot because of where I live.   BTW, how do you like those wind deflectors that mount on your crash bars?  I've been looking at buying those for mine but they're a bit pricey.

I love mine they kept you warm on cold days and cool on hot days
[/quote]

[IamGCW]

Went to the AC and back last June.  Added mud flaps front and rear on both bikes (2000 valk and Vulcan) for the gravel we heard about.  When we hit the first heavy rain we checked the effectiveness of the flaps.  Without a doubt each one made a huge difference.  On the Vulcan (VN2000) the regulator is protected better.  Returning from the circle we hit severe mud and lost our mud flaps around the Yukon river.  The crap buildup on the front of the valk was crazy thick.  Left a mess at the car wash bay.  I have yet to replace the flap.  I attached it with doublesided tape as well as it was pinched between the fender and the chrome cover. 

In short of you ride roads with gravel, mud, rain often then a flap may be for you.

Gil

[gordonv]

I don't have a flap on my bikes, and deal with the same weather you have. We do all live in a Rain Forest in the PNW.

I'm more concerned about all the water coming off the tire, and pooling in my riding shoes, which ever I use. Doesn't matter what you have on, unless it's water proof (gum boots like) after 9 hrs in the rain, and water coming off that front tire onto your feet, it will get wet.

I wore runners coming back from Valhalla 2012. Rain the whole way back. Got to Hope, went into the restaurant and feet where going "squish" "squish" and leaving puddles behind. Good that the temp was reasonable. But 1/2 hr later riding in the sun and dry weather of the Lower Mainland, and my feet were bone dry. If I would have been wearing my steel toed, they wouldn't have air dried inside.

So the answer to your question is, Yes. I was considering adding a flap, but for keeping my feet dry, more than the bike clean. I wash my bikes at least once a year, whether it needs it or not. 

[Icelander]

Wow Tfrank,

You and I bought our bikes almost at the same time. I'm over on the east-side and have been contemplating a mud flap after pulling a 4in construction screw out of the rear tire.

Planning to put a flap on and somehow integrate it with the chrome trailing-cover on the fender. Would you mind sharing the Ebay seller's information?

Kendall (Icelander)

[Cracker Jack]

I don't have a flap on my bikes, and deal with the same weather you have. We do all live in a Rain Forest in the PNW.

I'm more concerned about all the water coming off the tire, and pooling in my riding shoes, which ever I use. Doesn't matter what you have on, unless it's water proof (gum boots like) after 9 hrs in the rain, and water coming off that front tire onto your feet, it will get wet.

I wore runners coming back from Valhalla 2012. Rain the whole way back. Got to Hope, went into the restaurant and feet where going "squish" "squish" and leaving puddles behind. Good that the temp was reasonable. But 1/2 hr later riding in the sun and dry weather of the Lower Mainland, and my feet were bone dry. If I would have been wearing my steel toed, they wouldn't have air dried inside.

So the answer to your question is, Yes. I was considering adding a flap, but for keeping my feet dry, more than the bike clean. I wash my bikes at least once a year, whether it needs it or not. 

Gordonv, I don't believe the flap will help you with the spray coming from where the tire contacts the pavement. That spray comes out at an angle directly at your feet and would miss the flap completely. Any spray that would hit the flap would miss your feet anyway seems to me.

[Tfrank59]

Wow Tfrank,

You and I bought our bikes almost at the same time. I'm over on the east-side and have been contemplating a mud flap after pulling a 4in construction screw out of the rear tire.

Planning to put a flap on and somehow integrate it with the chrome trailing-cover on the fender. Would you mind sharing the Ebay seller's information?

Kendall (Icelander)

Sure, no problem, it's Harleyheatshields (One long word)– he's got an eBay store.

[Chrisj CMA]

Thermostat housing?

[Tfrank59]

Thermostat housing?

No I meant to say water pump cover.

[Chrisj CMA]

Thermostat housing?

No I meant to say water pump cover.

figured........glad that's cleared up 

[blackvalkyrie]

Really I see a front flap as way more useful to stop nails and other sharpies being pitched into the rear tire, than rain/mud.  No flat for me in decades (good thing I'm not superstitious).

If you ride in rain/mud the bike gets dirty, more or less, with or without a flap.  If I had to ride in crud/gravel/dirt roads all the time, I might do it.

I really like the Show Chrome/BBP chrome front fender trim, and have one on both bikes.  But it only extends down about a quarter/third inch below the end of the fender.

Now if I could only figure out a way to ride between the bugs.

BTW, if you install anything on the front fender with the front wheel on, stick a block of wood up there.  Power drill thru fender and tire will really frost your nuts.  

I did that, but the wood was too soft and the drill ate through it and into the tire, so I recommend not using pine

[blackvalkyrie]

Here are some lowers http://rifle.com/Classic-L-Lowers-for-Honda-VTXs-Valkyrie-P2139C506.aspx that I have been looking at.

I have these on my valk..along with the SS Classic windshield. Works great!

[Tfrank59]

That looks perfect on your bike -- Just the right length!     It's not so much my timing cover getting blasted but all around the thermostat housing and it gets plastered with mud, leaves and crap but that's probably a lot because of where I live.   BTW, how do you like those wind deflectors that mount on your crash bars?  I've been looking at buying those for mine but they're a bit pricey.

I love mine they kept you warm on cold days and cool on hot days

[/quote]

Who is the manufacturer of those wind deflectors you have?

[Oss]

have had the mud flap for 94000 miles.

Found out that I got my first rear flat the last morning getting
ready to leave Inzane parking space, the bike was a bear to back
up

First used a mushroom plug which got me home, then replaced with
a nice auto string plug loaded with the rubber cement.  That will stay
until I get a tire when this one gets to the wear bars

Like Ride-on, it can help a lot of the time to have the mud flap but
nothing can prevent all flats.  More important yet get a metal valve stem
not the OEM crappy ones

[Randy3269]

I fretted for a long time over spending the money on the Baker Air Wings shown in the photo above....when I finally pulled the trigger and got a pair, I was pissed that I waited so long.  If I had it to do over again, Air Wings would be the first upgrade. Followed closely by a Russell Day Long saddle. 

My .02 YMMV
Randy 

[Tfrank59]

Follow up on the mudflap I bought.  (One of these days I'll figure out how to post pics on here)  The eBay guy I bought it from did a great job – custom order, with some rubberized stuff that faces the tire and leather on the outside held together by studs.  Yes I did have to drill my fender but I took my time and got that right, so it's mounted on there and yesterday I rode some wet roads and it kept the front of my oil filter and motor and water pump housing nice and clean like I wanted it to.  Happy ending.  And maybe it'll even keep the front wheel from throwing a nail into the back tire one of these days we'll see.