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  #1  
Old 9 Apr 2007
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f650 Raising Front Fender
I am currently doing bike prep and mods for my AWT (RWT) to my 1996 classic f650. (calling it a 'Funduro' makes me squirm )

One of the areas that looks vunrable is the front fender and associated plastic, so I thought I might make a bracket to fit under the fork yoke,(where the horn is mounted) and lift the fender up higher to avoid it getting clogged with mud etc. I would just discard the side protectors as they seem to be for show only.

I know that there are AM fenders but why waste a perfectly good one.

However, looking at various sites I find that 'Dakar' owners are doing the opposite and fitting 'low fenders' to avoid spray.

Anybody done this:confused1: . Any comments on how effective, necessary, or drawbacks? Crud in the radiator springs to mind.

Just to remind you here is a picture of the front wheel as it is, gaiters have since been fitted to forks, and my impression of it as it may turn out. (perhaps a bit lower, looks too high in my impression and may foul front fairing)



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Old 10 Apr 2007
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I'd advise against your fender surgery. Two summers ago on a trip to the Yukon and Alaska a friend rode a GS650 which had only a high fender (the bike was, surprisingly, sold this way for a time, at least around here). On the Cassiar Highway we encountered long stretches of wet, slimy gravel and the lack of a low fender proved to be a nightmare for him. A huge amount of silty spray bypassed the high fender and repeatedly covered his face shield (and him) causing him to constantly stop to clean off.

Two of us who were on streetbikes had no problems at all with spray

On our return my friend fired off a letter to BMW which responded by acknowledging that they were aware of the problem and buying him an additional low fender gratis.

Norm
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Old 10 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by normw View Post
.......... On the Cassiar Highway we encountered long stretches of wet, slimy gravel and the lack of a low fender proved to be a nightmare for him. A huge amount of silty spray bypassed the high fender and repeatedly covered his face shield (and him) causing him to constantly stop to clean off.........


Norm
Uhmm thanks Norm, just the sort of info the HUBB is brilliant at turning up, real life experience .
Seems like I'll leave well enough alone, and remove it as required during the trip, one less job to do, now I can get on with the electrics, Now where's that hammer........i
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Old 10 Apr 2007
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I think even the standard low one will chuck a lot of road gunge back onto you and the engine .
It might be best to fit a mudguard similar to a trials bike , maybe plastic , that you could fit in a high and a low position .[The high position for mud] .
Canadian gravel roads are sprayed with a calcium chloride? concoction to keep down dust and when mixed with rain water create a horrible mess on you and the bike ,it's corrosive and sets like concrete on your bike .
Full mudguards are not sexy but they are a blessing sometimes .
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Old 10 Apr 2007
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Personally I don't care what my bike looks like, I just want it to be functional and effective- not all riders feel that way. Heck, some folks even buy tires based on the tire's appearance! To each his/her own. If I were you I'd consider an aftermarket motocross mudguard/fender. They aren't expensive, it might look like the devil, but could be a viable option for you. You or a good mechanic could mount it. Just a thought. Good luck with your trip! H.
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Old 11 Apr 2007
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I owned a 2003 F650GS that came with the low fender. I found that it was mounted too low (about 1/2" above the tire) and it clogged with mud. On one wet dirt road it actually stopped the front wheel from turning.

I now ride a 2004 Dakar which did not come with a low fender and the road spray was intolerable.

I have fitted a Touratech low fender whch sits a couple of inches above the tire and have not had any road spray or plugging problems.

I would highly recommend a low fender for your trip , mounted a couple of inches above the tire.

Have a look at the Touratech site under the F650 section of the catalogue to get an idea of what might work for your 650.
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Old 11 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billdakar View Post
I owned a 2003 F650GS that came with the low fender. I found that it was mounted too low (about 1/2" above the tire) and it clogged with mud. On one wet dirt road it actually stopped the front wheel from turning.
This is what I was thinking when I looked at the original fender. Not sure yet what to do, I think I will make a couple of brackets to raise the existing fender by an inch or so, possibly tilting it up a little at the front, and fit a 'peak' motocross fender under the headlight fairing like the Dakar has. Then I have the option of temporarily removing the low one if I encounter deeper mud. (no I'm not going looking for it, but if it's there I need to be prepared all the same)
I see ebayshop MOTO OFF ROAD have mx versions which could do the job for 15 quid. Cheap enough to be worth a try and not feel bad if I bin it. I'll keep you posted.
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Old 16 Apr 2007
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On the pics I see that you have the early model Funduro.
The fitting of the sprocket onto the gearshaft with only a circlip securing it is very problematic.
Take suitable circlip pliers and take spare circlips (the right ones!!!)
Check the circlips for proper seating and clean gunk away on a regular basis.

I had a circlip & sprocket coming off at 70km/h in a slight left hander in Dock Road in '99. The chain seized between the rear sprocket and the rear wheel and locked it. I came to a standstill on the bicycle lane after painting an undulating 42m skidmark. Still atop luckily as there was nothing in my way and nothing too close behind and of course I was in full riding gear (=shorts, t-shirt & fli8pflops)

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