Hi Oldtoyhunter,
I have never sent any body work out for dent work, but I have done a fair amount myself. Get a hammer that has a completely smooth face to it, clench your jaws along with a matching mental attitude and it isn't difficult at all. The first time is ( like some other things ) mental discipline.
You can pick up some contoured auto dollies at NAPA or other auto parts stores for $8 to $15. In your case you probably need a small contoured dollie that fairly closely matches contours of the fender. A small contour that fits inside the fender is better than a large contour that will not fit inside easily. Or, it can be done with number 7 "shotgun" birdshot available from sporting goods stores that sell shotgun pellets for reloaders. Fill a bag of leather or a good cloth like material that will hold enough of the pellets to fill the contour of that which you are going to straighten.
Place your dollie or shot bag under the center of the dent and using either leather or a dense cloth, pound with the smooth faced hammer ( dents or scratches on the hammer will transfer to the fender ) on the edges of the dent while keeping pressure from the inside with your backup ( the dollie or the pellets ). I am going with the idea that your dents are going inward on the fender. As I say, begin on the edges of the dent and work your way around it. As the edges of the dent are raised, work your way inward toward the center of the dent. It will come up and return to the same surface height as the rest of the parent metal. You can get it completely smooth and blended in very quickly. It really is not very hard to do. Just takes a mind set of "I can do this."
You can also straighten twisted pieces of metal before you pound on dents. I have reworked my rear fender and my front fender of my CB750 K4. You would never know by looking at it. I know this sounds a little touchy, but, believe me, it is easy........
As for EvilBay, you would more than likely pickup a used fender that has some dents somewhere on it. If not dented, I am sure there would be scratches that would call for a chrome plating operation. To find a truely mint unscathed fender would be incredibly rare. I browse through a motorcycle wrecking yard near me ( he has about 5000 motorcycles and specializes in Japanese bikes ) and I have yet to see a 750 fender that didn't need dent removal via hammer or scratch removal via new plating. Brand new fenders can still be bought, but we are talking in the neighborhood of $200 - - - - ballpark figure.
~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~
