Fender rail washer mod help

[Jopson]

Gentlemen,
Having issues with my CT rubbing, 2000standard. Yokohama 205 tire.
I've already done the nutcage removal and installed carriage bolts. Still rubbing when going over bumps, even with stock shocks on 5. Bought some I/S shocks set on 3, still rubbing. Looked at doing washer mod, I guess there was a good write up done a few years ago, but the link appears to be dead now.
Tried to figure it out myself and installed 2 washers between the fender and the frame on the right side, put everything back together and went for a ride, it now rubs worse than before.

So, my questions are,have I installed the washers in the wrong place? I'm guessing yes!
should I have installed the washers between the frame rail and the chrome grab rail part?
Thanks in advance
Jopson

[John Schmidt]

From Shop Talk on the old forum format. Hope this helps, I used more than one washer on my bike.

"To cure my rubbing tire I had to go one step further than just the nut cage mod. I had to remove the right hand chrome fender rail that is attached to the shock and runs to the rear of the fender. When I reinstalled the chrome rear rail I placed a washer for a spacer between the rear most frame mount and the chrome rail. This moved out the rear of the rail so my entire fender assembly was shifted to the right. This finally cured all my rubbing and I was once again a happy camper."

[Jopson]

Thanks John, couldn't find that article the first time I looked!
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
When you did yours did you loosen the big nut that is between the top of the shock and the frame to gain access?
Thanks.

[Jess from VA]

http://www.s2s-accessories.com/photo/fndrmod/

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,65849.0.html

[Jopson]

Thanks for those Jess, I read those but still wasn't 100% as to where to put the washers, but those plus the info John provided has given me the answer I needed.

Am I correct in thinking I put the washers between the frame and the chrome fender rail?
Don't want to have to take the bags off again!

[Jess from VA]

I don't know (but that's what the diagram looks like).  I only had to do the cages (like most).

Quote:  A 1/8" spacer installed between the forward Grabrail and Frame...

All I remember reading is that of the few that have needed this mod, all (or most) needed space only on one side of the bike, and not the other (and all were the same side, whichever that is).  The s2s link shows adding spacers on both sides, and I wonder if that is necessary. 

But I must defer to someone who has done it. 

I don't know why s2s calls them grab rails either, they are fender struts. 

[Jopson]

This afternoon I put the washers between the fender and the frame rail, that made the rubbing worse!
So using the process of elimination they must go between the frame rail and the chrome fender strut.
Yeah tire only rubs on right side. It's not terrible (or it wasn't till this afternoon!) guess I'll have another tinker tomorrow and report back. Thanks Jess!

[Jess from VA]

I'm thinking it might useful to measure your clearance space from tire to fender (or whatever is rubbing the tire), then after tinkering, measure again before putting things back together and going for a ride.  Doesn't really need a tape or ruler, just something that shows the space getting wider or narrower.  Might save some time and bad language.

I suppose that space might be different with bike on the stand, and bike centered up with you sitting on it, but as long as all measurements are done while on the stand, it hopefully will show the space getting wider.

I don't know the exact measurement between my Goodyear and my swingarm (with chrome cover), but it is no more than two credit cards wide.  And if I let the air in the tire get down to 28-30lbs it will rub a tiny bit (I run 40psi constant).  Lower pressure means a bigger belly on the sidewall (and I go about 200, and always solo).  Rubs on the nut cage (or what's left of it) will be right up on the tread edge.  Of course, all car tires of the same size are not equal either. 205 60 for me.

[0leman]

Japson, I had the same problem when I went dark side.   I have an I/S, because of the brackets for the Trunk, I had to take the trunk off to get the washer in in the right place.  Don't know if this is your problem or not. 

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,65849.0.html[/url]

I followed what Pappy said, no problems.   Like I said above, if you have a I/S model you may have to take the trunk to get the washers in the right place.

[Jopson]

Job done!
Put 2 washers in the correct location and great success!
Thanks for help fellas.