Rear 'mudguard' removal - consequences?

[Scoomacher]

Having fitted a hugger(proper job one) I have decided to remove the awkward rear 'mudguard' as it considerably enhances the rear end appearance without (you wouldn't believe how much until you follow your mate for 250 miles - he's already done it). It makes the bike appear to sit lower and look more planted.

Has anyone had any adverse consequences (dirt/muck/grime). I don't mind a bit more cleaning down below in exchange for 'ditching the bitch' but it would be nice to hear some views.

Incidently have alsao fitted a front fender extender from Nippy Norm's. Crikey - what an improvement. I reckon I will ahve knocked 10mins off the cleaning time (I can invest it in the rear undercarriage instead!)

Scoo.

PS hope this subject hasn't already been done to death earlier

 

[AndyT]

I think everyone agrees in that they look ghastly. When I took mine of my 1200 I also fitted a touratech rear brake caliper gaurd and you get all the bits in the kit to plug the empty holes. In the mean time just use some plastic number plate crews...... If ot need s cleaning it means you go out in the wet.....can't have that now

AndyT

 

[Schtum]

I'm just waiting for my Motorrad Concepts hugger to be delivered before I bin mine for all time. I think it does more harm than good. It might well be designed to keep the number plate and tail light clean but it achieves that be flinging the shite forwards where it coats everything on the left hand side of the bike, including the heel of your left boot and the back of your left calf and thigh.

I've also just fitted a look-alike version of the Touratech rear number plate spray deflector thingy, manufactured by Mr Conebolt....take a bow, Brian.......which should keep the number plate and rear light clean.

 

[Eddy802]

What other solutions has the membership come up with to plug the holes left by removing the mud thinigy?

I'm keen to take mine off, but don't want to leave holes un plugged and not really keen on the TT option.

 

[Tricky]

Removed mine shortly after getting the bike, any consequences?......................in a word no, makes the bike look that much better. Some thread a while ago did discuss the merits of disguising/adapting the screw fittings from an aesthetic point of view. Have'nt taken mine off road yet so maybe helps to keep mud/shite off the rear of the bike, otherwise think it may be there as a teutonic gag to remind us that the bikes from Bavaria

 

[Cestria]

What other solutions has the membership come up with to plug the holes left by removing the mud thinigy?

I'm keen to take mine off, but don't want to leave holes un plugged and not really keen on the TT option.

Stainless steel dome head allen screws M6 x 10 , and stainless washers fitted using lots of copaslip. Fills the 3 holes in nicely.

 

[Cestria]

[QUOTE
Incidently have alsao fitted a front fender extender from Nippy Norm's. Crikey - what an improvement. I reckon I will ahve knocked 10mins off the cleaning time (I can invest it in the rear undercarriage instead!)

[/QUOTE]

Thats good to hear - mine arrived a couple of days ago , not had time to fit it yet though.

Also waiting for the Motorrad Concepts hugger - due end of the month / early April.

 

[Emperor Norton]

I removed the mudgard the same day when I got my bike. For aesthetic reasons. Looks a lot better now from behind. The snag is that the top case gets very dirty when it rains. Have to improve aerodynamics.

 

[Eddy802]

Thanks Cestria.

 

[Dutchman]

Crap Catcher

Removing the rear crap catcher does not appear to have any adverse effects for bike/rider.

It's there to satisfy a German regulation regarding the spraying of shyte (proper German word) on following road users & has absolutely nothing to do with keeping bike/rider/number plate clean etc.......

I've used aluminium 'buttons' from:
BSR Aerotek to fill in the five holes as shown below....

To keep the number plate/rearlight/topcase clean there are a number of deflectors available to aid & abet this.

We researched this item extensively and found that the width/depth were critical to a deflectors effectiveness as is the angle of the first bend and the existence of the second bend which should be at least as wide as the tyre.

Cheers

Dutch

 

[Abi]

Nippy Normans fender extender

Scoomacher how did you get on with the self tapping screws that fix it. I was a little concerned so I shaved a bit off the screws so there a bit more flush, also painted them black.

 

[Cestria]

Re: Nippy Normans fender extender

Scoomacher how did you get on with the self tapping screws that fix it. I was a little concerned so I shaved a bit off the screws so there a bit more flush, also painted them black.

With extenders I have fitted inthe past i have thrown away the self tappers and used three or four M3 stainless dome headed allen bolts and nylock nuts instead. Much better job IMHO and I've never had 'clearance' problems.

 

[Abi]

Nippy Normans fender extender

Thanks for the tip Cestria

 

[JayGee]

Re: Nippy Normans fender extender

Scoomacher how did you get on with the self tapping screws that fix it. I was a little concerned so I shaved a bit off the screws so there a bit more flush, also painted them black.

On a previous bike I removed the self adhesive stickers and glued the extender in place. I can't remember what adhesive I used but there are many that will probably do the job. On another bike I did like you say and ground down the self tapers until they only just protruded on the inside of the fender/mudguard.

 

[Cestria]

What other solutions has the membership come up with to plug the holes left by removing the mud thinigy?

I'm keen to take mine off, but don't want to leave holes un plugged and not really keen on the TT option.

I know I'm biased, but IMHO I think this looks better than Dutch's effort with the ally bungs....there goes my discount off the hugger!

 

[Dutchman]

I know I'm biased, but IMHO I think this looks better than Dutch's effort with the ally bungs....there goes my discount off the hugger!

And probably cheaper too.....those five buttons cost about £3.00!!

I'll not bother including any with your hugger then.......

Cheers

Dutch

PS:....NO we're not including them as a matter of course!!

 

[Scoomacher]

Thanks for the comments everyone (and any more that come thru). Will buy the recommended bolts to fill the holes asap and certainly before the bike goes out again. Might also invest in the TT deflector plate just to be on the safe side (I'll check out the appearance first though - don't want to replace one dog with another!).

Scoo.

PS Any views on the sidestand - see my latest thread

 

[Russ]

I must be the only one who likes the rear mudguard then.

It certainly doesn't keep the number plate clean or much of the rest of the bike, but it looks good, and adds to the character of the bike.

 

[Rich]

I must be the only one who likes the rear mudguard then.

It certainly doesn't keep the number plate clean or much of the rest of the bike, but it looks good, and adds to the character of the bike.

No, I like it

And it may be functional but the numberplate crap deflector really looks rubbish IMO. Huge big piece of metal. Mind you I have a smaller plate as I am a badass mofo

 

[Scoomacher]

Russ

That is indeed sad. ...and I think you may be right about being the only one. Incidently there is nothing wrong with being unique(is there?). I know where there may be a few spare if you ever damage yours mate!

BTW with reference to the screws for the NN fender extender I will probably also just file them off to be on the safe side (altho they are a long way clear of the rubber where fixed ). Painting the heads black is also a useful idea.

'Scoo'