Homemade Fender Brackets: VTR Lowers w/ 5th Gen Fender

[Tirso]

 Recently, @jkboyd asked about fender brackets for using SuperHawk/Firestorm (VTR1000F) fork lowers with the stock 5th gen fender. This is what I shared with him.

 

A few years ago when I searched for the same brackets, the closest I got was the drawing below from @sfdownhill. Thanks to the original unknown author. Somehow I remember they’re from Australia or NZ?

 

 

Using the above diagram, an aluminum bar from home depot, a vice, and a heat gun, I started bending.

In my situation, this bracket design was not perfect.  The mounting points for the top bracket at 13mm were not narrow enough and I did not need the 3mm offset mounting points for the bottom bracket.  I used this simple and efficient design to develop a version to meet my needs. 

 

Here’s what I did:

VTR Forks/Lowers with 5th Gen Fender 

 

 

The bottom brackets are easy, the top brackets require aggressive bends. 

 

 

I used stainless button screws with fender washers to attach the brackets to the VTR lowers.
Note how the brackets are flush against the VTR lower, This keeps them from rotating. I used a hand file to shape the edges of the bracket otherwise they were too sharp for comfort against the lowers and the fender. 

 

 

Stainless nuts with stock fender bolts attach the fender to the brackets.

The bottom nut is easy to hold with a 10mm wrench, the top nut can be a challenge. JB Weld is my friend. 

 

The pictures above are from Oct ‘19 when I installed the brackets.

 

 

A few months ago (Feb ‘22) when I removed the front fender to install new front tire, the brackets were still in excellent condition.  No damage to the brackets/forks/fender.