Crimping a Fender

[Boris]

Any suggestions as to how I might be able to NEATLY crimp a front fender so that it would have indentations for a fork? I'd like to be able to accomplish this without using heat or some super specialized tool? Attached is a photo of the intended victim. I don't want to mess with the patina, and that's why I don't want to put a torch to it.

 

[Boris]

Am I really on that many people's "ignore" list?

 

[GTs58]

Not sure if you're on everyones ignore list, but there was a thread, or maybe just a post where someone made a contraption just to crimp the fenders. Wish I could remember who it was.

 

[PCHiggin]

Well, You need a hammer and "corking tool" which is something like a rounded off chisel, to form the indents or offsets. Clamp the flange to a piece of hard wood in the area youre working then clamp the wood to your bench. and have at it. I think you'll
figure this out once you try and set it up. You might need 4 hands if you cant clamp it down. Im 2000 miles from home or I'd post a pic

 

[Boris]

Well, You need a hammer and "corking tool" which is something like a rounded off chisel, to form the indents or offsets. Clamp the flange to a piece of hard wood in the area youre working then clamp the wood to your bench. and have at it. I think you'll
figure this out once you try and set it up. You might need 4 hands if you cant clamp it down. Im 2000 miles from home or I'd post a pic

Thank you very much!!!! Looked up corking tool and found this video. Now I have a starting point.

 

[PCHiggin]

You're welcome. I used to hand form sheetmetal all day years ago. Take some time to practice on a crummy fender you dont care about. Take your
time,you'll be fine

 

[Boris]

but there was a thread, or maybe just a post where someone made a contraption just to crimp the fenders. Wish I could remember who it was.

If anyone knows where that might be, I'd like to see the thread or post.

 

[vincev]

WHy dont you just get a fender with the indentations already in it ? You really are a cheat a..s .

 

[Boris]

WHy dont you just get a fender with the indentations already in it ? You really are a cheat a..s .

Because THESE fenders , even though they're not correct, are going to look great on THIS bike.

 

[bairdco]

here's two backyard mechanic methods.
1: A hammer, an old seatpost, and a vice.

Open up the vice an inch or so, lay the fender on it with the vice gap where you want your indent, hold the old seatpost like a baton on top, and beat it with a hammer till you get the indent you want.

Method B: big crescent wrench, little crescent wrench

Stick big crescent wrench in middle of area to be indented, and tighten it down snug.

Bend fender inwards with big crescent wrench. Bend a little further in than you need. Move big crescent wrench fore or aft and repeat til you have a dent slightly wider than you need.

Use little crescent wrench on both sides of your dent, twisting to make a square-ish transition from roundy fender to flat indent.

I can get factory looking indents using these barbaric methods, and do it all the time for fork clearance, and rear seat stay clearance.