Broken fender mounting point.

[Welldunn]

So I introduced my front tire to the bumper of a pickup the other day at a very low speed. Bike never went down. No damage to the truck as my tire fit nicely under its bumper. My front fender is a lost cause and the right front mounting point for the fender on the lower fork snapped clean off. The break is very close to flush with the lower fork. Its rough and fits together very well when I hold it in place. Any one have any idea if it would be safe to have this welded with the forks still assembled or should I take them apart? Anyone know of a good bonding agent that could be used instead of welding?

 

[FJReady]

Look into the JB Weld epoxy. I've used it to repair a crack and an aluminum wheel and its been holding up well for a couple years.

It does take a good long time to cure though. someting like 10 hours IIRC.

Bought it at Home Depot but seen it elsewhere too.

If the impact was enough to break that nub off you may want to check every thing else that could have been overstressed in the process: Forks, tripe clamps, head bearings, etc.

 

[mdisher]

I concur, JBWeld would probably do this just fine.

Then rather than **** around trying to weld on that fork I'd begin searching for a good used pair. They don't come up often but they do from time to time.

 

[bellman]

I have had great luck over the years with crazy glue. I glued a foot on a cast iron wood joiner about 30 years ago and it is still holding. It has a three point base so it gets stress from use.

The problem is with a product like JB Weld is it take space, I don't think you can get a tight "part to part" fit and you will have to build up a surface on the edges of the break. Crazy glue needs a good surface area to bond but don't use too much.

I have used JB Weld for repairs but only when cosmetics were not important and I could build us the surface. I just used it to repair a broken mirror mount on the FJR subframe under the plastic.

 

[johnny80s]

Whatever you choose you don't want that fender breaking lose at speed. That would be bad.

 

[Welldunn]

Look into the JB Weld epoxy. I've used it to repair a crack and an aluminum wheel and its been holding up well for a couple years.
It does take a good long time to cure though. something like 10 hours IIRC.

Bought it at Home Depot but seen it elsewhere too.

If the impact was enough to break that nub off you may want to check every thing else that could have been overstressed in the process: Forks, tripe clamps, head bearings, etc.

It was more the angle of the impact than the force that caused the break. Everything else checks out fine.

I'm not a big fan of JB weld other than to fill a hole. But it is a possiblility.

Then rather than **** around trying to weld on that fork I'd begin searching for a good used pair. They don't come up often but they do from time to time.

Started searching about 30 days ago when this all happened I have found a few but they all have bent uppers and who knows what damage is inside the lowers.

I have had great luck over the years with crazy glue. I glued a foot on a cast iron wood joiner about 30 years ago and it is still holding. It has a three point base so it gets stress from use.
The problem is with a product like JB Weld is it take space, I don't think you can get a tight "part to part" fit and you will have to build up a surface on the edges of the break. Crazy glue needs a good surface area to bond but don't use too much.

I have used JB Weld for repairs but only when cosmetics were not important and I could build us the surface. I just used it to repair a broken mirror mount on the FJR subframe under the plastic.

A friend just told me about a "super" crazy glue by 3M that just may be the ticket. I'll have to find out more about it.

Whatever you choose you don't want that fender breaking lose at speed. That would be bad.

I agree it can be a bad thing but this is just 1 of 4 mounting points. I've been riding with it broken for a few thousand miles now and it is surprisingly stable. Granted I only have half a fender at this time.

When I put the new one on I want all 4 points to be solid.

Thanks for all your responses

 

[Afast03nNJ]

JB Weld should definately be the way to go. It's probably going to give you the strongest bond on metal. I've got an old compressor tank with JB weld holding a seam together. 160PSI all day long for years and it's as solid as a rock. My buddy repaired a sheared off A/C compressor mount tab on an old Porsche, that's still holding 4 years later!!

Now if only I can get my Fenda-Extanda to stay put.

 

[beeroux]

Anybody need forks or fork parts? I got'm.

GZ