I removed the front fender for painting and like the way the bike looks without it. Does the fender offer protection to the radiator or is it just to keep the water and mud off the bike. Also if it does offer protection is there an alternative to putting it back on I.E. radiator gaurd out there. any help is appreciated.

(1999 Vulcan 750)


thanks for the screen tip Red Baron. I like the old school chopper look it has without the fender but in washington your bound to end up riding in the rain sooner or later and I was a couple of nights ago. The water from the tire lands directly on your face as you ride. Rain is bad enough but coming from the sky and the ground at the same time is just miserable. Looks like I'll be putting the fender back on. (At least for the rainy season.)

Since noone has answered I will throw my 2¢ at you. I don't see what the front fender would have to do with the cooling or protection of the radiator. I think its there for looks and to keep water, rocks, dirt, tar and other things from hitting you or the bike. I am not an expert but if you like it without it leave it off. You could always put it back on later if you wished or needed to.

Many of the old school choppers run without a front fender.

Its a matter of taste.

Yeah, but they were air cooled too now wern't they. ;-)

If you are going to run without the fender, I would at least put some fine door screen behind the radiator cover to act as an extra buffer against the stones.

Hate to see what one flung at 60 mph at the radiator from the front tire would do to it..

Just my 0.02, and your radiator...

RB

Many of the old school choppers run without a front fender.

Its a matter of taste.