Topic: Can I run fender-less in the front? 77 CB550k

[Lostboy Steve]

I have read somewhere that if you don't use a front fender you can have death wobble at speed. Is this true does that fender bracket really support the forks that much? I tried to put just the bracket on. I figured I'd powdercoat it to match and just have it there without an actual fender attached to it, but my front tire rubs, so that idea is bust. I'm back to no front fender and I like the way it looks but if its really going to be a problem I'll have to figure something out.

[BobbyR]

You can get a wobble without the brace. You will also get a faceful of water in the rain, not to mention any dog crap or other road treats you may hit.   

[MCRider]

Sounds like you're running a bigger tire? if a regular fork brace won't fit (Telefix, SuperBrace, etc.) try http://tkat.com/forkbrace.html

He'll make them custom to fit over a big tire.

[750K]

I've seen lots of guys make their own version of the stock fender support, generally out of 1/4" steel plate they've bent around a wooden form. Looks great, won't keep #$%* from hitting you in the face though.

[crazypj]

It's your bike, you can do whatever you want.
Is it a good idea?
NO, it isn't a good idea.
 Fitting an oversize tyre on stock rim is also a bad idea if you have any concerns about handling.
Fit a WM3 rim and your OK to a 4.10 or 100mm tyre, if you have that sizeon stock rim, why worry, it's going to handle like a fresh cow turd anyway

[Toxic]

What size tire are you using?

There are pages and pages of discussion on the plus's and minus of running without a brace, some of it quite detailed.

For myself it comes down to one issue,  are you going to ride it with spirited intent or are you mainly just going to pose with it.

If the bike is mainly for show and tooling around town, you can get away with no brace. If you are going to ride it hard you would be an idiot to do that without a brace of some sort.  However that is just my experience, it's your bike and your decision.

[OneWheelDrive]

I ran without a front fender, just the fender "guts" as a brace for a while.  That is until I took a shooter marble sized rock to the adams apple through the gap in my full face helmet.  Now at least a bobbed fender is mandatory!

[lone*X]

Ouch!  When I was in grade school I remember having a big kid come up to me an just thump my adam's apple.  Hurt like he!!.  I can only imagine what yours felt like.

 

[MCRider]

I ran without a front fender, just the fender "guts" as a brace for a while.  That is until I took a shooter marble sized rock to the adams apple through the gap in my full face helmet.  Now at least a bobbed fender is mandatory!

having ridden with a bobbed fender for quite some time, if its not for looks, the bob needs to occur slightly ahead of TDC. This give the debris/rain a downward trajectory and USUALLY the wind won't catch it and fling it back in your face.

[Lostboy Steve]

I mean its not huge. It's a Bridgestone Spitfire 110/90 19 I'm sure I could make it work without the rub its only barely touching.

[MCRider]

I mean its not huge. It's a Bridgestone Spitfire 110/90 19 I'm sure I could make it work without the rub its only barely touching.

huge is in the eye...

A 110 should not be on your bike, (Unless you've laced up a wider rim. Max size would be a 90.

I had a 110/90-19 on my CB750 having laced up a larger rim, and it was huge by any objective standard .

A 110/90 is too big for the CB750 stock rim 1.85. Don't know what the 550 rim is, but no more than that. You may be approaching a safety issue.

Deal is the bead doesn't sit in the rim correctly and a failure or at least poor performance can result.

[Lostboy Steve]

Are we talking about knee dragging standards? I have a bike for that. This is mainly a bar hopper. There are people on here who ran 120's (or even larger if you do some searching) on a stock rim as a daily rider. The bike had a 100 90 19 on it in 1978.

[Scott S]

 Stock fender cut to use as a fender brace. This is with a 100/90-19 tire. Close, but it clears.

[Scott S]

 Actually, it probably came with a 90/90-19 in 1978.

[Lostboy Steve]

Nice Mags! Well, maybe I will go down to a 100. (I do really like the way the bike looks now tho)

[MCRider]

Are we talking about knee dragging standards? I have a bike for that. This is mainly a bar hopper. There are people on here who ran 120's (or even larger if you do some searching) on a stock rim as a daily rider. The bike had a 100 90 19 on it in 1978.

No just goin down the road standards. I mean truth be told its probably all right, but it'll likely wear funny. They do make fitment charts for some reason however.     And a 110/90 on a 1.85 or smaller rim is... off the chart.

[TwoTired]

Actually, it probably came with a 90/90-19 in 1978.

No, it came with a 3.25 x 19.   Which would be an 82/82 - 19 in exact metric equivalent.
The 550's front rim has a 1.85 in. bead seat.

About fender-less...
Ever notice how similar emergency evasive maneuvers on the open road are just like maximum performance racing conditions?

Just when you are trying to eek out a near miss, the front forks twist and skew under load and a small road bump, and the front wheel twists a bit to go in an uncommanded direction.  But then, chicks dig scars, slurred speech, disability checks, and wheel chair ramps.
...and crumpled up bikes with big tires on them.

Cheers,

[jamesb]

mines off on my 74 cb550 the only problem i have with it is sometimes things will fly up and smack you.and plus you'll find yourself racing home to beat the rain like i did tonight. but i haven't had any wobbling of the wheel and i was running it wednesday on the way home doing about 60mph for 20 miles

[andrewk]

I have read somewhere that if you don't use a front fender you can have death wobble at speed. Is this true

Yes.  Might not happen "bar to bar" if you're lucky.  At least you'll look cool though.

I've run without a fender before- it's stupid.  If you're set on it, at the very least put on a good fork brace so you can at least ride the thing when you need to.

It won't go into a wobble just randomly "going 60 for 20 miles" but when you throw the bike around at speed (corners, evasive maneuvers, etc), that's when the greatest possibility exists.

I'm not sure why people intentionally make their machines less functional.  The vanity must be worth it.  I'd rather ride.

[scottly]

If the '77 550 stock fender mount is mounted in rubber grommets, like the '77 750, it doesn't do squat as far as acting like a fork brace. I set up a test a while back. If you replace the stock grommets with washers of the proper thickness and diameter, it will reduce the fork flex by 20%.

[m00ntan]

Uh oh.  Thanks for the perspective.  Want to buy some recently renewed grommets?

[Stev-o]

I do not have a fender on my '76 550K cafe, bought it that way.  After a year of spirited riding, I can say I have never had a wobble or anything that makes me think I need a front fender. I have considered a brace, Fast from the Past sells one for about $100.
I'm a fair weather rider, I don't ride on days with a high percentage of rain and I don't ride on gravel roads with it either.
I had a 550F that would wobble under deceleration and it had the stock fender on it.  You guys w/wobbles should check your head bearings and frames!

[jakecb420]

uh oh!.......the ol fender/fenderless debate ensues! lookout, some heated debate has been had before!

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82347.msg925872#msg925872

[onepieceatatime]

Your state may have something to say about that decision also. I just got through reading the PA state inspection requirements, and they require a fender.

(4) Check the fenders and REJECT
IF any
of the following apply:
(i) A fender—front or rear—has been
removed.
(ii) A fender is not of a type and size used
as original equipment.

[Stev-o]

Your state may have something to say about that decision also. I just got through reading the PA state inspection requirements, and they require a fender.

(4) Check the fenders and REJECT
IF any
of the following apply:
(i) A fender—front or rear—has been
removed.
(ii) A fender is not of a type and size used
as original equipment.

Glad I don't live in PA!  And since my bikes are considered Antiques, I don't have to deal with TX State inspections.