If any of these answers are unclear or you would like additional information, feel free to contact us via e-mail or phone.
Saddlebag Extensions
Q. How do you suggest installing your saddlebag extensions?
A. You can see a written tutorial here: Saddlebag Extension Installation.
Q. Are Bad Dad saddlebag extensions compatible with the ABS plastic saddlebags found on the 2004-present models?
A. Yes. The key to our ABS-to-extension compatibility is in the quality of the extension's gel coat. You should not experience any problems working with ABS bags and our extensions.
Q. Will I have any ground clearance issues once I have installed a set of extensions on my bike?
A. An unloaded Touring bike's saddlebags sit with approximately 13" of ground clearance. The length of the extensions adds 4" to the length of the saddlebag, therefore leaving 9" of clearance. While riding with extended bags will obviously be more likely to make ground contact than a factory bag, you should have no problems riding as usual and enjoying full use of your bike.
Q. Can I lower my bike after I have extended my saddlebags?
A. Many of our customers have reported successfully lowering their bikes an additional 1" without having any ground clearance issues. While a few riders have reported that they have gone to the extreme of lowering anywhere from 1.5" to 2" from stock, this riding set up is not highly recommended due to the likeliness of catching a saddlebag in a corner or while riding over a speed bump.
If you are looking to go lower once you have extended your bags, a drop of 1" is be safe for most applications. A rider who spends a majority of his/her time riding 2-up with a passenger may wish to test for clearance before lowering the bike at all.
Q. What is the current rate to have Bad Dad install my extensions onto my saddlebags?
A. Our current labor and material rate for extension installation is $450 (although subject to change). You will receive your extensions back in final primer and ready for paint.
Q. How do you recommend I make my custom cut outs for my exhaust ports?
A. Cutting for your exhaust pipes is a very quick process and cutting an even radius around your pipes is a small detail that adds a great touch to a custom bike. Once your extensions have been installed onto your bags, the best way to begin is by making a small cut into the extension with a saber saw. After you have made your initial cut, you can place the bags onto your bike and use sand paper to fine tune your holes from there. Approximate cut and shape time: 15 minutes per bag.
Q. How much of a gap should I leave between my pipes and exhaust holes?
A. We have found that a 1/4" gap is plenty. A 1/4" is close enough to the pipe to provide a snug looking fit while still providing enough clearance to safeguard from excessive exhaust heat.
Wide Rear Fender
Q. How does your fender attach to my bike?
A. The Bad Dad rear fender is a "fender overlay" that will install over your factory fender. The overlay will attach at three points; (1) the wire loom studs under the seat; (2) the rear seat bolt hole; and (3) at the bottom of the fender by either matting a stud to the underside of the overlay or running a screw through the overlay and into the factory fender.
You can see a written tutorial here: Rear Fender Installation.
Q. Can I still use my detachable backrest with this fender?
A. Yes, your backrest can still be used by relocating the backrest's mounting lugs.
You can see a written tutorial here: Backrest Installation.
Q. I heard that I can still run a detachable Tour Pack with your fender. Is this true?
A. Yes, you are able to use a detachable Tour Pack with our fender. You can either purchase the Bad Dad Detachable Tour Pack Bracket, or you can modify a factory bracket. Here is a brief description on modifying the factory bracket.
| 1. You
must use a detachable Tour Pack. The fixed Tour Pack will not
work with this fender as you will be removing the bike's factory
license plate bar as part of the new fender overlay installation process.
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| 2. There are two different
types of detachable Tour Pack brackets; (1) the older tubular style,
and (2) the newer flat stock style. While the newer bracket is
certainly more stylish, its design is not compatible with the wide
fender and you must therefore run the old style bracket.
Unfortunately the tubular bracket is no longer available through
Harley Davidson, but one can generally be found for sale on eBay.
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|
| 3. Once you have the tubular style bracket it will need to be modified to reach around the wide fender. The bracket is modified by extending the "claws" or "hooks" at the front of the bracket and by lengthening the two mounting docks. No drilling or altering of the bike's frame is necessary. |
Q. What type of license plate mounting options do I have?
A. There are four different plate mounting options available.
| 1. Use Bad
Dad's smooth wide rear fender (kit PN
200501; fender only PN 200507) and
use a surface mounted taillight and license plate combination.
(picture)
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|
| 2. Use Bad
Dad's recessed wide rear fender (kit PN
200506; fender only PN 200507) and
mount the plate in the recess. (picture)
You can also dress up the recessed plate by adding the BD's
stainless steel license
plate frame (PN 200709).
|
|
| 3. Start with
the recessed wide rear fender in suggestion 2 above, and
have Bad Dad build you a custom deep dish recess. (picture
of customer installed custom recess)
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| 4. Flush mount your license plate by starting with the recessed wide rear fender (kit PN 200506; fender only PN 200507) and using Bad Dad's license plate pocket (PN 200614), clear Lexan lens (PN 200612), and LED license plate mounting studs (PN 200613). (picture) |
Stretched Nacelle
Q. Do I need to cut any part of my bike to install the stretched nacelle?
A. No. No cutting of the bike or nacelle is necessary during installation.
You can see a video tutorial here: Nacelle Installation.
Q. What trim ring and headlight do I need to use with the stretched nacelle?
A. The nacelle supports the stock ring and headlight.
Q. Do I need to buy the stretched spear when purchasing the nacelle?
A. No. The stretched spear represents the factory spear by complimenting the stretched nacelle's length, but it is not necessary for the installation of the nacelle.
Q. Will the nacelle fit any of the Softail models?
A. No. There is a size difference in the width of the fork tubes between the Touring FL models and the Softails, thus preventing a proper fitment of the stretched nacelle onto any Softail.
Flush Mount Lighting
Q. Either I or my own body man is planning to flush mount my lenses in your wide rear fender. What advice do you have for me?
A. You can see a written tutorial here: Flush Lighting Installation.
If you are looking for all the lights, lenses, and supporting parts that are found in our Traditional Lighting Kit, everything can be ordered as PN 200619. If you are looking for lenses and lights, preformed Lexan lenses and other lights can be found in the Store section of our Web site for your own custom project.
Once you begin your project, feel free to give us a call or shoot us an e-mail with any questions you may have along the way.
Q. What are your current rates for installing flush lighting?
A. A brief rundown of installation prices can be found here. If you would like to have a quote put together for your own project, feel free to e-mail us or give us a call.
Q. Do you have any fenders and bags that already have flush mounted lights installed that you can mail me today?
A. No. All flush lighting is done on a per order basis. While it would be great to be able to simply pull flushed fenders off the shelf and ship them out, many of the projects we do are customized exactly for the bike owner's particular taste. Therefore every custom fender and saddlebag is made specifically for our individual customers.
Q. If I would have you build a fender and set of saddlebags for me, how long will it take for you to build them?
A. It will take anywhere from 4-9 weeks to put together a fender and pair of saddlebags depending on the season and our current shop load. You are welcome to e-mail us at anytime to check our current turnaround status.
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Bad Dad Custom Motorcycle Finishes
260-407-2000 l hinseys@msn.com
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A Division of Hinsey's Pro Paint, Inc.