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Author Topic: Zero DS front fender  (Read 2375 times)

BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Zero DS front fender
« on: February 02, 2016, 05:49:39 AM »

Here's a little factoid: the Zero DS front fork fender is mounted to the fork brace via a bolt pattern that matches the Honda XR-650L. I am going to install this front fender brace to confirm:

http://www.jnsengineering.com/product/honda-xr650l-front-fender-brace/

I don't do heavy off-roading, but I'm trying to firm up the front for [redacted]. ;)
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modeselector

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2016, 07:54:21 AM »


Here's a little factoid: the Zero DS front fork fender is mounted to the fork brace via a bolt pattern that matches the Honda XR-650L. I am going to install this front fender brace to confirm:

http://www.jnsengineering.com/product/honda-xr650l-front-fender-brace/

I don't do heavy off-roading, but I'm trying to firm up the front for [redacted]. ;)

Good to know.  Please let us know if it improves stability.

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Erasmo

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2016, 12:39:53 PM »

Interesting, that could open up the door for a whole lot of more fenders.
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buutvrij for life

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2016, 04:44:39 PM »

Brian, does that mean your're gonna install another fender and/or lower your fender a bit?
I don't do offroad as well, and i am interested in mounting a smaller fender and also reduce the height of the wobbling thing a bit.

Thanks, buutvrij

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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2016, 09:46:20 PM »


Brian, does that mean your're gonna install another fender and/or lower your fender a bit?
I don't do offroad as well, and i am interested in mounting a smaller fender and also reduce the height of the wobbling thing a bit.

I'm just going to brace it for now.
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buutvrij for life

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2016, 01:53:07 AM »

Okay.

I really would like to see some pics if you finished the job!
Thanks!
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2016, 02:03:03 PM »

The brace arrived, and it is very sturdy and clearly matches the bolt pattern on the bracket and on the fender. It actually has slightly larger holes (6mm vs 5mm diameter) so there's no question that it will attach to the forks.

However, the front bend angle is at least 5 degrees shallower than the fender's, so I suspect it will be under tension to bolt together fully, or I'll add spacers to ease the mating. I'll have time this weekend to have a go at it and will post photos.
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Erasmo

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2016, 08:49:49 PM »

Looking forward to it.

In the meanwhile I got a loaner BMW while my power tank gets installed and to be honest I'm quite fond of their solution:

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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2016, 12:48:56 AM »

Looking forward to it.

In the meanwhile I got a loaner BMW while my power tank gets installed and to be honest I'm quite fond of their solution:

Yes, that's how my V-Strom solves it as well, but Fenda Extenda and belly pans exist for a reason: to protect the lower front mechanical vulnerabilities behind the front wheel. Particularly the oil filter.

Oh, right, we don't have those. And the charger has a bash plate already.
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Zero DS front fender
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2016, 05:55:10 AM »

So, the XR650L fender brace worked, overall. [I'll upload pictures in a second reply]

The shape and the bolt pattern are a match and this worked fine. The result is very stiff.

To mark the drill points, I put the brace in the installed configuration above the fender and used a marker through the brace holes while clamping the brace against the fender.

I used a 5/32" drill bit through the fender, after drilling a smaller guide hole.

What did not work: the included replacement bolts to attach the fender with brace back to the fork brace were not a match. So, I used the existing bolts, removed the washers, and gave them some extra Loctite to secure them until I find a good bolt match with more length to help secure them better.

Another concern is that the bottom of the headlamp now is very close to the fender. I think this is fine given the stiffness, but it did mean removing the headlamp to install the brace bolts.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2016, 06:00:14 AM by BrianTRice »
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2016, 05:58:12 AM »

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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2016, 11:05:31 AM »

Ride report: the fender now barely moves at all.

Wishful thinking: It might reduce drag a tiny bit since the fender now points more directly into the airstream.
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Zero DS front fender
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2016, 11:51:23 PM »

How I confirmed fit for the curious (someone asked about the FX fit on Facebook):

I measured the bolt pattern for how the fender attaches to the fork bracket. The measurements correspond to distance between the center of each hole.

2.3" or 5.8 cm wide
1.95" or 5.0 cm front to back

I sent the measurements to JNS to see which bracket fit. If yours match these, just get the XR650L. Otherwise, should probably update the thread for FX vs DS. The DS seems not to have changed over model years.
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