Rear Fender Install

1) Photos of stock bike.

2) First, remove seat, side covers, and any additional detachable hardware that is on the bike.

3) Here is a photo of the rear fender. You will now remove the chrome strut covers.

4) Strut covers removed.

5) This chrome, tubular hoop is used to connect the left strut to the right strut. We will be removing this hoop. You can remove the hoop by either (a) cutting the hoop with a sawzall or (b) replacing it with one of our Eliminator Brackets (PN link: 80816).

6) We will use our Eliminator Bracket during this install because it makes the installation a simple bolt-on process, although physically cutting the stock bracket is also acceptable and very common. Note on cutting the stock bracket: if you decide to cut the stock bracket, it is imperative that the modified stock bracket does not make any outward pressure on the custom fender. You will want to make sure you remove enough material from the stock bracket in order to prevent this unnecessary stress on the custom fender.

7) Bracket installed.

8) Top and rear view of fender with stock parts removed and eliminator bracket installed.

9) Next, remove the rear bumper bracket. If your bike has an external bumper like this Electra Glide, you will need to replace it with an internal bumper like the black bumper shown here. This bumper holds the left side bag brackets to the right side bag brackets.

10) New internal bracket installed. Road Glide, Street Glide, and Road King Custom models come standard with an internal bumper. This bumper can be purchased over-the-counter at any dealership.

11) The bike is now setup to receive the new rear fender.

12) Here are all the parts we removed, including the chrome hoop, license plate bracket, brake light and turn signal, chrome strut covers, fender tip light, and external bumper.

13) You are now ready to install the fender to the bike. All of Bad Dad's rear fenders are pre-drilled and pre-fit so the attachment holes will already be cut for you. You will want to use the rear seat bolt hole as your primary attachment and alignment point. Begin by lining up this rear bolt hole and then installing the stock seat bolt back into this hole.

14) Next, you should attach the custom fender by using the two wire loom studs located under the seat. Again, these holes are already drilled for you. Simply transfer the hardware through the holes and make your attachment.

15) Seat bolt and wire look studs secured.

16) In order to give the fender a more custom look, all of Bad Dad's fenders are elongated underneath the seat to cover the frame rails and nearly touch the battery box. Bad Dad's fender is therefore trimmed to follow the lines of your stock side covers. This trim will also be pre-cut for you, but it is advised that you test fit it prior to paint.

17) Bad Dad's fenders also feature enlarged side flanges in order to provide the most frame coverage possible. Therefore, Bad Dad's fenders also conform around the top of your rear shocks. All of Bad Dad's rear fenders are pre-cut for this notch. The front notch is for the shock, the rear notch is for a detachable backrest mount (if applicable). Bad Dad will automatically cut this rear notch for the backrest for you prior to shipping if you order the Backrest Relocation Kit at the same time as your fender order.

18) Here is a side view of the fender fitment.

19) This is how the finished fender will fit with both the top attachment points.

20) Finally, you will want to make one final attachment point at the bottom of the fender. You can do this in a number of ways. Most conveniently, a bolt or screw can be run through the license plate recess and into the steel fender. Your license plate can then be installed over the bolt or stud head. Alternatively, a similar bolt or screw can be run through the center of the fender and then covered by a surface mount taillight assembly if applicable.

21) Note: For 1997-2008 models, some OEM seat pans will sit improperly on the custom fender cover. This can be resolved by cutting a 7-1/2" x 4-1/4" square at the front edge of the fender directly behind the battery box. This will relieve the clearance issue. The specifics of this cut are not too important as the seat will cover the opening when the seat is installed. Bad Dad pre-cuts all mounting holes in the fender prior to shipping your custom order. However, we cannot pre-cut this area prior to shipping as it weakens the front edge of the fender during shipping which increases the chance for shipping damage. You will need to make this quick trim if your seat pan requires it.

22) Finished.