chopping rear splash guard

[darthrider]

In the U.S. we can use 4 - 1" red reflector-head bolts to attach the license plate and dump the cheesy factory reflector.
I buy the glass type rather than the cheap-O plastic ones as a nice little detail touch.

[Paul Mihalka]

I liked the pictures, Greetz. Unfortunately (in the UK at any rate), not having a reflector on the rear of the vehicle is actually an offence so if I performed that, I'd need to put another reflector on somewhere.

Just out of interest, in my R manual, it says that there is an extendable portion below the splash guard. My bike doesn't appear to have one of those. Is it standard equipment or is mine just missing?

J

Rear red reflector, here in the USA: If in your State there is a periodic inspection, and if it is done by the book, a bike without a red rear reflector will not pass.
The extendable rear fender is a option, which for a while came standard on USA bikes. Not anymore. It went away with the toolkit and the spare key.

[rdsmith3]

Jonothan

It is not unusual for the fender extension to fall off of its own accord. It is just held on by two small screws. I removed mine. I could see no purpose for it.

If you really feel that you are missing out on the experience, you can have mine.

I did not chop my rear fender for fear of the dreaded rooster tail. I wasn't sure if it would get me, but I am fairly certain it would get my wife.

[gearhead]

Hmmm, I have never heard that chopping the rear fender to just under the plate can cause a rooster tail to hit the driver??? there is still plenty of splash guard there!

Almost all crotch rockets have basically no fender , just the plate , with just as much rear or more rear tire exposed. None of my buddies with these bikes have any issue with rooster tails hitting them..Yes, definitely more splash off the back, but thats about it.. I dont think its an issue unless you severely chop it! Thoughts???

[Guest]

I am also wanting to "do the chop" but, living in the Northwest US, wet roads are the rule. Is there a way to "chop, but leave enough to still give good coverage?

[big papa]

If I rode in the rain, I would not have chopped mine. But, I live in AZ and the only water that touches my bike is from the garden hose. The occasional puddle puts spots up on my taillight.

[spoon]

Does anyone know of hugger type rear fender that goes over the back of the tire. Might control the spray and still let you see the area aroung the tire.

[gregor]

I've got BMW hard luggage, a hugger plus the full rear mudguard(fender?) and I have even used the rear splash guard at its full extension.
None of these seem to keep the rear end clean. That water and ordure has to go somewhere- eventually.

[owldaddy]

There are a couple huggers available, carbon fiber so they are not cheap. I understand that pyramid plastics used to make a fiber glass one also, but not sure they are available any more.
http://www.sierrabmwonline.com/ilmberge ... 8680490e52
http://www.bmwbikebits.co.uk/shop/item.asp?itemid=2782

[AirForceDirt]

I hacked mine off this weekend and cut it a bit short (with the aerostitch license plate tag thingy) so I'm gonna cut that down to is hangs just past the edge and drill new holes to fit my plate-holes. I noticed that the extender plate was missing one day so decided to just cut the stupid bland piece of plastic off. I still have the rear-reflector that was mounted down low so I'm just looking for a new place to put it. I like the way the back of the bike looks now, at it opens up the rear wheel area now. Oddly enough, I'm thinking about painting the under-tail so its not the flat black plastic color. I'm thinking bright red.

[CycleRob]

One of the first things I did over 7 years ago to get rid of that frumpy look. Yes riding in the rain shoots up a roostertail that gets your backside & wallet wet if the trip is long. If you have a passenger, she may get quite mad at you for getting the full dose of road spray. I avoid rain riding at all costs because of what it does to my bike and riding gear.

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/18789454_wUbJb-L.jpg
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/18789455_YqhBV-L.jpg

My truck gets driven in the rain so much, it must think that's what the weather always is.