Well, I finally did it… sawed off about 4″ of my stock Bonneville rear fender. Here are the results.
Bobbed Rear Fender on 2008 Triumph Bonneville
The procedure I followed was to trace the existing curve of the stock fender onto some flexible cardboard. Then I cut out that curve and used the cardboard for duplicating the curved line about 4″ higher than the stock fender, eliminating the reflector, but still coming down lower than the stock license plate position.
The rear fender section I removed
I used flexible pin striping tape to create a line on the surface of the fender to follow. I used a 4-1/2″ Heavy Duty Angle Grinder from Harbor Freight Tools to do the initial cut, then used it to clean up the final shape. Hand filing was the last thing before touching up the edge with black paint and then remounting the fender.
March 16, 2014 Update
In keeping with the repainting and finishing I am doing on the rest of the bike, I removed the fender yesterday and have prepped it for refinishing with Performix Plasti Dip, black.
Rear fender removed and prepped for refinishing.
Rear fender (foreground) being coated with Performix Plasti Dip. Front fender (background) near complete.
Finished rear bobbed fender on the 2008 Bonneville
nice work mate. I am just staring to consider what to do with my rear guard as I am wanting to take of the hammerhead shark looking turn indicators. They really are an eye sore, You were brave to do it , but a good result
Gavin,
Thanks for your comments! I agree that the stock Hinckley Triumph Bonnecville lighting looks too large and disproportionate for the bike. Not a very classic look – for sure. There are more and more great options out there from third parties. I just saw that Joker Machine has some nice new products they have shown on the Facebook page. Of course British Customs and New Bonneville also have options.
Good luck on your considerations and final outcome.
Randy