Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: koncho75 on April 19, 2011, 03:16:11 pm

Title: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: koncho75 on April 19, 2011, 03:16:11 pm
Ok so ive had my G5 deluxe for about 7 months now. Had the dual seat replaced with a solo sprung seat at delivery but as many of you will know that leaves the dreaded G5 subframe exposed on top of the rear fender. I have put up with it whilst breaking in the bike but its time get the bike looking the way I want it too (coming into Winter here in Oz).

I did a bit of reasearch when first getting the bike but didnt seem to find any simple solutions to getting rid of the rear subframe at the time. Would love to clean up the rear to look like this members ride (apologies if i get the attaching picture mixed up first attempt).

The bike not being 'finished' as I want it is starting to really bug me.

Would it be possible to simply use a C5 rear fender (chrome of course) and the strut type sub frame to replace the G5 deluxe arangement? I realise tyres are a little larger on G5 but would it work/be a simple thing to do? Otherwise any other clever ideas out there?

Cheers!
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: nigelogston@gmail.com on April 19, 2011, 05:47:42 pm
Looks nice Your solo seat looks like the "lisette" style (?Sp) which traditionally is often used with a leather "skirt" to conceal the underside.   Another option would be to get a slft leather tool pouch to fit in the space :  My other cholce would be to simply get a piece of black leather puched along the edges and lace it across the exposed frame.  Any oth these would be cheaper than a new fender, which probably wouldnt fit without mounting tab modifications anyway.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Nigel
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 19, 2011, 05:58:14 pm
I think you would need to weld/modify the frame to mount the support rail to the G5.  I think I saw some for older models in chrome in the clearance section of the NField Gear site not long ago.



Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: 1 Thump on April 19, 2011, 08:11:12 pm
The G5 has the electra frame/subframe with the UCE engine. You can easily mount a rear carrier or a pillion seat on the subframe. The subframe holds the rear fender in place. You can chop the rear of the subframe to get that clean C5 kind of look, but you will have to get fender stays to hold the C5 style fender. You probably will have to modify the fenders stays. Its probably doable. You may want to go to a dealer and measure dimensions to be very sure.  

The bike in the picture is not a G5. Its a classic which has a different frame/subframe, but you can still get your G5 to look almost like it. 
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 19, 2011, 08:24:11 pm
Will these fit on that frame?

http://www.royalenfieldzone.com/view_large.asp?Id=2745

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: 1 Thump on April 20, 2011, 01:19:09 am
Or these :

http://nfieldgear.com/enfield-store/merchandise/back-door-blowout/chrome-fender-carrier.html
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 20, 2011, 03:58:56 am
There they are!  Couldn't find 'em earlier.  Thanks Thump.

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: koncho75 on April 21, 2011, 01:45:14 am
Yeah thats what I was thinking, remove G5 subframe which looks easy enough (will leave a couple of small holes on top of fender - will just need to find some chrome plugs), and replace with C5 style fender stays.

I'm just not sure if the C5 fender stay can be easily installed on my G5? Would I also need to purchase new rear chrome fender (i.e. is there a difference between the G5 and C5 rear fender or are they the same?). My dealer suppport is near non-existant (one dealer for the whole of the state which is bigger than Texas).

I love my G5 but would love to be able to give it that C5 clean rear look - as per the picture i attached to my original post (I already have the new taillight section).
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: nigelogston@gmail.com on April 21, 2011, 02:04:38 am
Ooops    my earlier reply was based on the assumption that what you were trying to hide was the frame visible under the seat.    Only after blowing up the inset picture do I see the frame rails you are talking about.   So my suggestions probably made no sense, because, .......well, they make no sense.   What about saddle bag sitting higher than the rails.?
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: koncho75 on April 21, 2011, 02:56:20 am
Just to clarify nigelogston (easier with pictures) the first pic is of a members ride that shows the ugly G5 rear subframe (on top of the rear fender) when you install a solo seat as opposed to the factory dual/bench seat. I have a G5 deluxe so will just have to imagine beautiful chrome everywhere, haha.

The second pic is what im looking to acheive i.e the equavilent of a C5 rear end with its side fender stays. Ducatti Scotty and 1 Thump have picked up on the parts im talking about but just not sure if it would actually fit?
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: olhogrider on April 21, 2011, 03:35:05 am
Now I get it. Of course you will lose the nice bag mounts. I have the same bags strapped to the fender stays with the help of some zip ties. That truly is a fugly piece! Have you thought about chrome plating the subframe? It would blend in with a chrome fender. I would be very careful about mounting the fender without that support. I once removed some "cosmetic" chrome strips from my ElectraGlide. Turns  out they keep the fender from vibrating to pieces! Later models moved those inside the fender, out of sight.
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: 1 Thump on April 21, 2011, 03:56:33 am
Just to clarify nigelogston (easier with pictures) the first pic is of a members ride that shows the ugly G5 rear subframe (on top of the rear fender) when you install a solo seat as opposed to the factory dual/bench seat. I have a G5 deluxe so will just have to imagine beautiful chrome everywhere, haha.

The second pic is what im looking to acheive i.e the equavilent of a C5 rear end with its side fender stays. Ducatti Scotty and 1 Thump have picked up on the parts im talking about but just not sure if it would actually fit?

There is only one way to find out. Or two, if you have a C5 close by.  :D
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 21, 2011, 03:01:38 pm
I'll take a look at the G5 and C5 next time I'm at the dealer and let you know if the fenders stays would mount to a G5 easily.  I think the G5 fender is a little shorter in the rear but I think it would line up well enough.  I second the chroming idea.  I think that subframe can unbolt pretty easily, then just find a chrome shop.  Not as clean as the struts but it may be an option if you don't want to modify your frame for fender stays.  Oh, and the C5 pillion frame looks a lot like the G5 subframe.

Scott 
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: koncho75 on April 21, 2011, 10:57:22 pm
Thanks Scott. That would a great help. Shooting in the dark here a bit with not having access to a dealer. The only good thing is I havent seen another royal enfield around anywhere - attention graber indeed. The bad is when i want to change stuff, haha.

The C5 side fender stays look like they might fit but im sure we all know how frustrating 'close but not close enough' can be when using new parts. Given the amount of holes are going to be in my G5 fender when i remove things (rear taillight and subrame) I would even be willing to get a new C5 rear fender as well as the C5 fender stays long as I could mount it eaisly to my G5.

The G5 subframe looks likes it unbolts very easy. I had thought about just chroming it but at the moment i think i just want to get rid of it altogether.
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 22, 2011, 12:05:57 am
There are two types of C5 rear fender stays.  The earlier ones have tabs like the chrome ones pictured.  The later ones have threaded bosses and the fender bolts on from the inside, so no exposed hardware.

I was at the dealer today but too distracted with the new Ural they were putting together.  I'll look again tomorrow.  It's dangerous when your dealer is three blocks from work :)

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: koncho75 on April 27, 2011, 03:17:19 am
Any luck?
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: gashousegorilla on April 27, 2011, 03:46:33 am
 Koncho, I think I have a pic of the tail section of the C-5 without the fender and stays. I don't think what you looking to do will work. If you hold on for a bit,while i find it,I can post it up if you like?
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: koncho75 on April 27, 2011, 03:47:35 am
yeah that would be a great help. cheers.
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 27, 2011, 04:12:11 am
Sorry, been so busy I keep forgetting to look.  I'll make a note so I don't forget again.

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: gashousegorilla on April 27, 2011, 05:06:13 am
Here you go Koncho. Study them a bit. I don't see it happening without cutting, welding, relocating mounts and such. But I don't have a G-5 to look at up close. Anything Is possible though. I'm sure It could be done.
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 27, 2011, 05:46:32 pm
Better than I could do GHG, I was going to pull the fenders off when I took pics.

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: gashousegorilla on April 27, 2011, 10:22:29 pm
Better than I could do GHG, I was going to pull the fenders off when I took pics.

Scott
Yeah, just looking at the pix Koncho posted and It does not look great with the solo seat. BUT, I like the looped rear section of that frame better. I bet you it is stiff as heck. And an Ideal base for a Cafe seat/ cowl. It also looks like it may unbolt ? So I suppose he could remove it, weld in 4 threaded bungs, or mount locations, 2 on top ahead of the shock towers. Then 2 on the bottom, at the rear foot peg mounts, for the C-5 fender stays. Then mount the fender in between.  BUT, I would brace that rear section of the frame, to compensate for the lose of that nice Loop......Just thinking out loud  ::)
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 27, 2011, 10:41:46 pm
Yup, the G5 subframe unbolts but you'd need something else to hold the fender in place.

There's also the trials rear subframe that is smaller but it doesn't have the same elegance as the sid struts.

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: gashousegorilla on April 27, 2011, 11:31:35 pm
  Or maybe just weld in some cross tubes, inside that Loop. And  turn it into a luggage rack. Might look good?  And it WOULD be easier.
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 27, 2011, 11:46:28 pm
No, those subframes just don't look good.  They're strong but awkward and bulky.  The C5 pillion frame looks like that too. No way to make it look elegant :(

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 28, 2011, 04:14:52 am
So I stopped by the dealer today and looked at the G5 and C5 next to each other.

I'm sure you could do something but I couldn't say if it's a perfect fit.  I measured a few things by hand spans and it's all close.  You're certainly going to need to bolt or preferably weld on two supports on each side to hold the struts.  I know the two bikes' frames are different but looking at the bikes I'd say you either need to spend a lot of time measuring or just get a strut and see how it lines up.  I think the latter option is your best bet.  There are so many variables with the different frames, possibly different fender curves and all the rest.  If you hold the part up to the side for two minutes you'll know more concretely about how it fits than all the measuring you could do in a day.

If you have a C5 friend nearby have them drop by, take the strut off, and hold it next to your bike.  If you have a really friendly dealer nearby see if he'll unmount one for the possibility of ordering ans selling two.  If not I'd say your best bet is to order those chrome $10 clearance ones and see what you can see. 

I'm sure with not much work a good welder could easily mount them quickly.  How much would that cost and how much would you want to spend?  That I can't answer.

But I do think those chrome struts would be the cats meow :)

Hope this helps.

Scott

I'd
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: koncho75 on April 28, 2011, 06:37:24 am
Firstly, thanks for all your posts guys. Has been a great help as I dont have access to a dealer nearby and have never seen another royal enfield on the road.

I'm currently at work and can't really reply now but will do so tonight (Australia time which is in a few hours).
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 28, 2011, 06:51:11 am
Australia?!?  The shipping on those chrome struts might be more than I thought. :P

Sorry, ugly American moment.  I assume everyone lives here. ;)
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: koncho75 on April 28, 2011, 09:28:05 am
Yeah iā€™m in Oz. I was serious when I said there is only one dealer for the state im from which is bigger than the state of Texas in the USA (and they are just interested in sales). Makes it bloody difficult to get my G5 the way i want it and makes this forum even more invaluable for me. To make it even harder I live in an inner city unit with zero room to tinker on my bike so really cant do much more than do bolt on solutions.

Although with the Australian dollar now worth $1.09 US dollars shipping works out pretty cheap  :P

So from all the helpful information I figure i have the following solutions to get rid of that ugly (and i mean really ugly and bulky fender support of the G5 - no interest in just chroming, it just needs to go). It looks easy enough to simply unbolt but then the fender needs some sort of support.

Option 1 - Use C5 rear fender supports
From the photos and info posted the best I can figure is the C5 top mounts are about an inch or so lower (closer to rear springs) on the frame than the G5 - bugger. I could try and find someone to weld fender supports to frame or make brackets to fit. Or I just realised my solo seat has a bracket that connects top of rear spring to seat mount so might be able to fit it along there somewhere instead of frame? For the price i might just buy the C5 fender supports anyhow and hope i can find a way to make them work.

Option 2 ā€“ Use trials rear fender
I find this solution almost as ugly as the G5 fender support im trying to remove so this solution is not for me.

Option 3 ā€“ Find some other clever solution (I cant be the first to remove the G5 fender support). Really need a bolt on solution.

See attached photo and link of a solution a dealer in the USA found. Im just interested in the rear fender support solution, nothing else on the bike.http://www.royalenfields.com/2008/10/bright-idea-gives-electra-new-look.html (http://www.royalenfields.com/2008/10/bright-idea-gives-electra-new-look.html)
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 28, 2011, 03:41:19 pm
Well that bike is just plain pretty.  I like that solution because it's minimal AND the fender now rides with the wheel so you can suck it down tight to the tire for clean looks.  Is there a chopper or custom motorcycle shop anywhere near you?  I'm sure they could do something like that and I don't think it would cost too much.

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: gashousegorilla on April 28, 2011, 10:40:15 pm
 Yeah, I like that Idea better. It is a cleaner and nicer look. If they sell that looped fender mount, you might be able to use that. Then you would just need somewhere to mount the front of the fender to the frame, maybe using the original one and a spacer?
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: jartist on April 28, 2011, 11:11:32 pm
Don't have a bullet in front of me to look at :( , but I'd say you have to mount the front of the fender to the swingarm somehow because the fender has to move with the wheel.  Should be really easy to fabricate tho.  I think you're in bobber territory here, koncho!  When I get my G-5 I'm going to put a solo seat on and put a rear rack on to cover up the subframe and run the sidebag mounts.  For the times my girlfriend wants to ride, a quick on/off pillion on top of the rear rack will do the trick.  You guys have me dreamin' of my future Royal Enfields and If I end up springing for one it will be all your faults, you evil bulleteer forum users!  :P
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: greggers on April 30, 2011, 03:32:30 pm
I'm not sure if you've seen this page, it looks like you got one of your pics from it so maybe. I'm not sure which subframe that is but it is much cleaner (I love the more minimal rear brake light too)
http://members.verizon.net/allofusmorrows/Conversion.htm
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on April 30, 2011, 06:24:25 pm
That looks like the trials hoop.  There are some pics near the end that are just the hoop with the fender removed.  If you want it more minimal I wonder if you could even remove the top hoop and just have the loop that goes around the outside.  This was designed to hold an alloy fender which is more flexy than a steel one.  

It looks like it bolts to the shock mount and the subframe mount just forward of that, incorporating mounts for the seat springs along the way.  If nothing else, a piece of flat bar mounted like that could make a nice place to mount a custom strut that follows the fender line.  Then you can just weld to the strut and bolt to the frame.  Easier than having to weld right to the frame.

Or make it really slick, run some brackets inside the fender.  Lots of cruiser have internal bracing for the fender. 

Only the first option is bolt on but you could get the bracket and chromed it would look way better than what you have now.

Scott
Title: Re: Swaping G5 rear fender for C5?
Post by: gashousegorilla on April 30, 2011, 09:38:49 pm
 Some good Ideas there  ;)