Correct 49 Rear Fender?

[panz4ever]

So... after reading, listening to folks talk, looking some pics of the real deal and the price of original parts, I pulled out the rear fender that came with the 49 project, had it bead blasted and thought I would post some pics.

It is pretty beat up as you can tell. That being said it looks like the paint was originally peacock blue (not sure how well it translated tho). There appears to be holes that were brazed to fill in the holes for the stripes as well. The chain guard cut out was totally screwed with however.

If anyone has some detailed photos they could share to show what it should/would look like if repaired correctly, especially the tail section which has a bunch of extra holes from years of abuse.

Anyone have a source for the chain guard cutout. I would like to avoid buying Taiwan ted replica and cutting out that section if anyone knows who might have it of if anyone has a pattern for it they would share.

Buddy gave me the name of a guy in Elk Grove who fabricated a front and rear fender out of steel for his 06 Dyna something on order to give it the type of fenders used on Indians (not sure the model but they cover the front and rear wheels nicely.

And i figure if it is worth the effort of fixing I will have the rivets redone (hard to tell from pics but it looks as tho they were beat in to make them stick out less (dunno,,, maybe bondo joB over them at one time). Source needed for rivets please...

[Bigincher]

Dave, we both know how valuable original sheet metal is, huh?! I hope someone will come up with the name of a good sheet metal man, a true restoration expert. I think in the right hands, your fender can be brought back to life, and I think it's worth the effort.
Any thoughts about picking up a repop and canabalizing it for the area around the chain cutout? Let's see, we just talked about this not long ago--- I believe your '49 should have the three reinforcing ribs in that area. Are you going to re-establish the holes for the Sargeant stripes and put them on? To me, those stripes make the whole fender....!

[Chris Haynes]

A good sheetmetal fabricator can make that fender look like new.

[Sarge]

Eye agree. Shoot, that's not a half-bad starter for a restoration. The fender rivets still come up on eBay all the time: NOS (PN 0314, new PN 8515) 3/16 x 3/8 Truss Head Rivet. That info's as close as your '49 Spare Parts manual. (also available in reprint; if you don't already have one, you need one).

And a new, fully-formed repro rear fender would be an excellent donor for the part around the chain, already having the reinforcing ribs, and all. A body and fender man worth his salt could bring that back to like new, if you get someone who appreciates the importance of the project, and doesn't slap you together something half-fast like they're on-the-clock or something. For any Harley-work you need a craftsman.

[panz4ever]

Big, Chris thanks for the info on the rivets. Sarge I have the 49-57 and the 41 to 54 manuals but didn't see the part. Of course I was focusing on the pics looking for it and not reading the parts list....my bag. Hell I wouldn't even think about putting this back together without Palmer's, the shop manual and the parts book.

Yeah Tom may end up doing what you and Sarge suggest and cannibalize a repop for that section alone.

[Bigincher]

I've seen repop fenders on eBay as low as under-$100. Even retail they're only about $129. I bet you can find a junker without the flip for less, if you look long enough.

When I asked Chris about the rivets, he accused me of not being able to read. Said I was only capable of looking at pictures. Hehehehe.....
I guess he was right...! That's a good reminder that all the parts are in the book (except for one that he told me about), you just have to read the list of each group.

[BNSONS]

Always remember you get what you pay for. I've had two Nos 49 3 ribbed fenders. Sold them yrs. ago. Both went for better then a bill. And I don't mean a Hundred Dollar bill.

[longhorn]

David,I bought one of them from you.It was a nice one.

[D.Mac]

Panz,
I agree with the others, your fender is definatly repairable. I just did a '50 (same fender), and the one I started with was much worse. Mine was rusted out behind the brace plates, had to remove the brace plates, make new ones, and replace some fender material there and several other places. My chain guard area was there, but had a hole cut in it for the siren drive that was later "welded" up. Had remove the "patch" and make a new piece, and of course fix a split similar to the one on your fender by the chain guard area. I made a "die" out of some scrap material to make a patch piece with ribs, but I think the advise you got to start with a repop piece will work the best for yours. I would sand the area where the holes for the stripes are brazed, you will then be able to center-punch and re-drill them, and avoid heat warping. I would try to get as much of the brass off any other areas that will need re-repair, as it will foul-up any needed welding. Old Dude has the fender rivits you need.
Doug.

[tootall]

panz, my rear fender had the chain recess eaten away. I made a template out of poster board and fabbed a metal one out of 1/2' plate. cut the grooves in with a pencil grinder. then it was just heat some 1/16' sheet and form it around the steel template. A little tweeking and weld it in with a mig. If you don't have access to an origional i can make you the template from a very nice 49 that is in Kerstings HD and send it to you. as for the hole pattern in the back, i have a 49 tailpiece with the stripes and can give you the dimensions for all the proper hole locations.