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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Jackstand Johnny on August 14, 2008, 07:39:32 PM

Title: How do I remove the front fender?
Post by: Jackstand Johnny on August 14, 2008, 07:39:32 PM
I know, it sounds REAL stupid, but I can't get the front fender off. How do I get the smaller hex head bolts out? Mine just keep spinning with what I guess is a nut on the bottom side of the bolt under the fender. Could it be true that I'd have to take off the front wheel to take off my front fender? :dunno_white:
Title: Re: How do I remove the front fender?
Post by: galahs on August 14, 2008, 07:43:17 PM
You 'can' do it without taking off the front wheel, but trust me its too fiddly. Just take the front wheel off. Its easy to do.
Title: Re: How do I remove the front fender?
Post by: DoD#i on August 14, 2008, 08:15:49 PM
Yup - remove front wheel. Easiest if you remove front caliper first (and DON'T TOUCH THE BRAKE LEVER WHILE IT's OFF!!!!), then pull the cotter on the axle nut, take the nut off, slack off the clamp bolt, prop the front of the bike (on centerstand, we hope) up with a jackstand or a hunk of 2x4 wedge between the frame and the floor, yank the axle, pull the wheel out, pick up the axle spacer that falls out, and take off the speedometer drive.

Lot of words, little time. Now you have access to the bottom of the fender, where the nuts are.
Title: Re: How do I remove the front fender?
Post by: Jackstand Johnny on August 14, 2008, 09:48:39 PM
Yeah that does sound like alot. I might just tape off everything around it to avoid overspray. Then again, I'll have to take it apart sometime.
Title: Re: How do I remove the front fender?
Post by: nofearblackstar on August 15, 2008, 01:13:42 AM
if you just pull the front off it will take no time . its only a few pieces so i doubt you would screw anything up
Title: Re: How do I remove the front fender?
Post by: the mole on August 15, 2008, 02:01:03 AM
Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on August 14, 2008, 09:48:39 PM
Yeah that does sound like alot. I might just tape off everything around it to avoid overspray. Then again, I'll have to take it apart sometime.
Its dumb that they designed it that way (cutting cost), but you could take the front wheel off in 5 minutes with one hand tied behind your back, and still have time to drink a cup of coffee.
Title: Re: How do I remove the front fender?
Post by: mullethunter3 on August 15, 2008, 05:50:58 AM
It's really not bad at all. I had a friend sit on the passenger seta (in lieu of a jack) and took the wheel off real quick like (I didn't even take the brake caliper off) and threw the axle back in. No biggie. I tried to get it from the top, but that just ended in two bolts loose, one off and one still completely on. Wheel had to come off.