XB12Ss DIY Fender chop questions

[modrummer]

Hey guys, I just got a 2007 XB12ss Lightning Long. I want to get rid of the ugly giant rear fender/license plate holder thing. I'm planning to mount my plate under the tail with my own brackets, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to chop the fender without it looking ugly. I was hoping to just unbolt it, but it looks like the taillight is integrated into it. Have you guys just been cutting yours with a dremel/hacksaw? Any pics so I don't butcher it?

Thanks.

 

[34nineteen]

Probably the easiest way to do it is to post it up for sale/trade with someone who has already chopped theirs. There is a lot of people out there who wish they never chopped theirs and would love to get a clean stock one.

How I did it.
Remove license plate light, turn signals and cheese grater mesh.
Cut off most with hacksaw/sawzall/grinder with cutting wheel.
Smooth to
Shape with 4" grinder with grinding wheel.
Smooth with 4" grinder with 240 grit flapper wheel.
Dremel any tight or hard to reach areas.

There is a Duplicolor "Perfect Match" spray paint available at your local oreilly/autozone/pep boys that is almost a spot on color match for those silver side rails.

Be careful as you get to the end of grinding. My current bike had a couple of air pockets in the casting, that you don't know about until it's too late. Luckily you can just fill them with epoxy or body filler before you paint.

There should be more than a few pictures on the web of people who have done this and how they mounted their license plate/turn signals afterwards.

Also, I think there is someone who will do this for you for a nominal fee. Probably worth it.

I'd still recommend asking around before you start chopping. You may wind up making money in the end.

 

[TPEHAK]

Pay attention the bottom area after chopping should have opening for license plate light (the white window on the bottom of the tail light). It looks like this feature was designed originally and short tail is standard Buell after-market part.

I chopped my tail completely with tail light for LED stripe and welded new bottom to it http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?49983-LED-stripe-tail-chop-from-stock-tail

 

[modrummer]

Probably the easiest way to do it is to post it up for sale/trade with someone who has already chopped theirs. There is a lot of people out there who wish they never chopped theirs and would love to get a clean stock one.

How I did it.
Remove license plate light, turn signals and cheese grater mesh.
Cut off most with hacksaw/sawzall/grinder with cutting wheel.
Smooth to
Shape with 4" grinder with grinding wheel.
Smooth with 4" grinder with 240 grit flapper wheel.
Dremel any tight or hard to reach areas.

There is a Duplicolor "Perfect Match" spray paint available at your local oreilly/autozone/pep boys that is almost a spot on color match for those silver side rails.

Be careful as you get to the end of grinding. My current bike had a couple of air pockets in the casting, that you don't know about until it's too late. Luckily you can just fill them with epoxy or body filler before you paint.

There should be more than a few pictures on the web of people who have done this and how they mounted their license plate/turn signals afterwards.

Also, I think there is someone who will do this for you for a nominal fee. Probably worth it.

I'd still recommend asking around before you start chopping. You may wind up making money in the end.

Awesome, thanks for the tips!

 

[modrummer]

Pay attention the bottom area after chopping should have opening for license plate light (the white window on the bottom of the tail light). It looks like this feature was designed originally and short tail is standard Buell after-market part.

I chopped my tail completely with tail light for LED stripe and welded new bottom to it http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?49983-LED-stripe-tail-chop-from-stock-tail

Wow... Have you considered making more of these and selling them?

Better question, what would you charge to make one for me? I'm pretty good mechanically, but my fab skills are not up to your level.

 

[user_deleted]

Wow... Have you considered making more of these and selling them?

Better question, what would you charge to make one for me? I'm pretty good mechanically, but my fab skills are not up to your level.

go to page 2 of this thread(see link below). that should answer your question.

http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showth...Sportster-Voltage-Regulator-on-Buell-XB/page2

 

[TPEHAK]

No, I have not considered it, and I think my charge will be higher than standard fender eliminator kit cost.

If you feel you can't fabricate it by yourself and if you can't find someone who wants to transfer his short tail you can buy fender eliminator and then sell your tail piece.

https://dieselmoto.com/products/xb-s-fender-eliminator

 

[BuellyBagger]

Hey guys, I just got a 2007 XB12ss Lightning Long. I want to get rid of the ugly giant rear fender/license plate holder thing. I'm planning to mount my plate under the tail with my own brackets, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to chop the fender without it looking ugly. I was hoping to just unbolt it, but it looks like the taillight is integrated into it. Have you guys just been cutting yours with a dremel/hacksaw? Any pics so I don't butcher it?

Thanks.

I would try and trade for a done one as well. I considered chopping it,but couldn't bring myself to cut up a good original part.

 

[modrummer]

No, I have not considered it, and I think my charge will be higher than standard fender eliminator kit cost.

If you feel you can't fabricate it by yourself and if you can't find someone who wants to transfer his short tail you can buy fender eliminator and then sell your tail piece.

https://dieselmoto.com/products/xb-s-fender-eliminator

Fair enough. I may attempt to create something similar to yours, thanks.

 

[34nineteen]

If your dead set on doing this, here's a tip for the license light.

Once you pull the taillight out , you'll notice that the clear lens for the license plate light portion just slides out. Slide it out and hold the lens in place. You should be able to trace the outline of the clear portion with a sharpie. Once I figured out where I was going to cut, I drilled the corners so i could see them from the other side.

Here is a link you may want to check out:
http://hawkperformancemufflers.com/TAIL-CHOP.php

 

[modrummer]

If your dead set on doing this, here's a tip for the license light.

Once you pull the taillight out , you'll notice that the clear lens for the license plate light portion just slides out. Slide it out and hold the lens in place. You should be able to trace the outline of the clear portion with a sharpie. Once I figured out where I was going to cut, I drilled the corners so i could see them from the other side.

Here is a link you may want to check out:
http://hawkperformancemufflers.com/TAIL-CHOP.php

Not a bad deal for sure, thanks!


Hey does anyone know, is the rear fender on the XB12SS the same as the XB12s? OR the XB9s? Just curious what all is compatible. I'm starting to think my best bet is to buy a chopped one that I can modify into something similar to TPEHAKs LED setup, meanwhile I can still ride the bike with the stock Fender and eventually sell it when I finish the new one.

 

[modrummer]

So I've had a Want To Buy thread for a week now for a stock or chopped rear fender for me to work on turning into an LED tail section similar to what TPEHAK posted. That way I could keep riding my bike while I work on building and welding that rear fender on my own time. But ZERO hits so far. Any ideas where else I could fine one?

 

[midway]

I will trade two horses and a fat pig for this Buell

 

[modrummer]

Did you contact Paulpud on here?

No I haven't! Who is Paulpud? haha

 

[34nineteen]

Did you see someone is parting a XB12S in the classifieds? Says it was wrecked, but the section of the piece that you need appears to be pretty robust.

 

[modrummer]

Did you see someone is parting a XB12S in the classifieds? Says it was wrecked, but the section of the piece that you need appears to be pretty robust.

I did and I sent them a message, no reply yet, thanks!

 

[TPEHAK]

Another way is you can carefully measure your tail and create CAD model and 3D print tail section with ABS plastic or SLA. You have to add internal support structure and ribs for strength.

 

[Chicknstripn]

Another way is you can carefully measure your tail and create CAD model and 3D print tail section with ABS plastic or SLA. You have to add internal support structure and ribs for strength.

You don't live in the same reality as most Buellers, do you????

 

[user_deleted]

You don't live in the same reality as most Buellers, do you????

in fact he actually does carlos. most everyone on this site has a CNC 4-axis...SLA...CAD design system....and ABS plastic moulding devices at home in their 1 car garages....or in their apartment complex storage cubicles. i actually own all those manufacturing devices myself, have them here at my shop as well as a launch-pad in the backyard for the occasional space shuttle trip with QueenBee.

 

[BuellyBagger]

i do tons of CAD here!! Cody + Alcohol Designing. Do my best thinking with a beer in the hand