250R Race Fender Reproduction!

[xman2rman]

OK guys, today a got a good edge-um-acation on fiberglass production and this project is defiantly possible IF there is enough interest from you guys!!!

I must say, I was totally amazed about how far fiberglass technology has come since these old fenders were made. Not only are the products used better today but the end result is far superior to the "old" fiberglass. For example, the old fenders are approximately 30% glass and 70% resin and gel and the fenders that can be produced today would be 60-70% glass and 30-40% resin with a very thin layer of gel as opposed to the thick gel on my originals. What does this mean? The new fenders would be much strong and lighter than the old ones we are familiar with and they would be much less likely to have gel coat cracks when they do flex. Sounds great, right? Another good thing is that they don't have to be painted, the top side would be gel coated and the resin would be dyed the same color so the under side would match.

This project can get started in 2-3 weeks if I can get enough commitment. Due to the amount of work($) it's going to take to get my original perfect plus the cost of the mold, I can't see being able to do this for less than $250 shipped UNLESS there is A LOT of interest! The more I can get made the lower the cost per piece and I will pass the savings on to everyone.

Just in case you missed the first post, here is a link. These fenders are for the infamous 85-86 ATC250R. :)


http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/144027-Vintage-250R-Race-Fenders-Pics

So who's in?

[bkm]

If you can get them for around $250 shipped, I'm in for a set. I just want to make sure you have priced what it takes to ship a rear fender. The last set of low-pro maiers I shipped where 75-80 bucks and that was last year around the end of summer. So figure that in to your pricing. Canada was $200 for the same set.

[xman2rman]

Thanks for that info bkm, I have not checked into shipping cost. I figured at most it would have been half that! This will all have to be figured in and I will check more into it. I would like to have a set price to keep it simple but that may not be possible.

[bkm]

I think what you are going to have to do is set a price on the fenders at X-amount, then shipping is what it is. Make sure that the buyers are fully aware of the cost of shipping. I would think if they are boxed the lowest your probably going to find is $75 and then up from there.

The ones to check with with would be the Mosh's. They just did a group buy on Tri-z fenders so their prices will be current and you could get a ball park on cost.

[atc007]

This should help ya. See Devilmans post,, #15,,then how he did it.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/107860-shipping-rear-fenders?highlight=shipping+fenders

[yaegerb]

Sent you a PM for 200x low-pro re-popping. Would your guy be able to do those as well?

[stroberts22]

I would like to see the 1st set before I commit to buy a set. Can you do different colors of gel coat other than red?

[xman2rman]

Thanks guys, keep the info coming! Yes, the 200X could be done as well and I'd be willing to do it, sent you a PM. And yes, any color as long as it's red, white or black. I will have no part in making YELLOW fenders for an R... that's just wrong! LOL

[BWard]

xman2rman If anyone would be interested in the style of fender that I have, I would be happy to send you mine to copy.

[nstyle73]

I'm interested, I just had a set of Tri Z fenders shipped from MN to IL, for $38 USPS, but I think I would want a better wrapping job and protection for some 'glass ones.

[xman2rman]

Thanks Bward, they could be done as well.
Nstyle73, yes, I would do my best on wrapping to protect the fenders. They can be boxed but it would be more expensive. Insurance is also an option to protect your investment.

This will all be possible IF I can get enough interest in doing them. What everyone needs to understand is that this is custom, one off work. In order to make a job like this affordable for everyone I have to have a commitment of at least 15 sets. That will leave me still putting up a lot of money up front and buying 5 sets myself. I'm really amazed that there isn't a lot more interest in this with Maier stock being the only thing being available for the 250R and as much customizing, racing, restoring and money we pour into keeping these machines alive. To me, having a new set of low profile's would be icing on the cake! After over 200 views, there is only 2 yeses and 1 maybe, I don't get it? Is it because they are fiberglass? BTW, my original race fenders only weigh 4 pounds and I was told the new ones would be the same or less. I'm not sure what a set of plastic weighs but I can check tonight. Please reply to this post if you are interested in a set. Once these are done, the 200X low pros could be done as well if enough of you wanted them.

Thanks!

[yaegerb]

You can count me in for a set of low-pro 200x's. there is your #1...when you get to it...LOL

[200]

Depending on the price i will be in for a set of 200x fenders

[bkm]

Thanks Bward, they could be done as well.
Nstyle73, yes, I would do my best on wrapping to protect the fenders. They can be boxed but it would be more expensive. Insurance is also an option to protect your investment.

This will all be possible IF I can get enough interest in doing them. What everyone needs to understand is that this is custom, one off work. In order to make a job like this affordable for everyone I have to have a commitment of at least 15 sets. That will leave me still putting up a lot of money up front and buying 5 sets myself. I'm really amazed that there isn't a lot more interest in this with Maier stock being the only thing being available for the 250R and as much customizing, racing, restoring and money we pour into keeping these machines alive. To me, having a new set of low profile's would be icing on the cake! After over 200 views, there is only 2 yeses and 1 maybe, I don't get it? Is it because they are fiberglass? BTW, my original race fenders only weigh 4 pounds and I was told the new ones would be the same or less. I'm not sure what a set of plastic weighs but I can check tonight. Please reply to this post if you are interested in a set. Once these are done, the 200X low pros could be done as well if enough of you wanted them.

Thanks!There are several reasons for not getting much interest. Like stroberts22 said I am in as long as the prototype is good quality. It will be hard to get guys to pony up the cash for something that has yet to be seen as far as quality. Then you have the fact that 95% of guys are window shoppers and tire kickers. $250 bones is a lot of cash to pony up for a set of fenders when the ones on their bike might be just fine and this is a cosmetic item that doesn't affect performance or reliability.

[fire1]

I'll buy a set but like several have said I would like to see it first. I think you might have a hard time getting 15 sets sold at least in the beginning

[xman2rman]

Thanks bkm, that's good feed back. I understand wanting to see something before you commit to buy. First, I want everyone to know that I am not tring to start a business here and I'm not even asking for money up front. I would like to do this project but I don't want to make a big investment in something I'm going to get stuck with either. I guess what I want to get from this post is to gauge the intrest in the fenders. I'm not sure how many of the 200X fenders were repoed but there seemed to be a big demand for them. As far as just cosmetic, I think the purpose of the low pro fenders was to get lower lower center of gravity while racing and sliding. Besides that, I think they make the best looking machine on the face of the earth look even better!

So it looks like 4 so far... if enough speak up, I'll have a couple of sets made so you guys can see them. It would be nice if I could get a set done by trikefest and donate them for R&D :)

[badass350x]

I think the purpose of the low pro fenders was to get lower center of gravity while racing and sliding!!!


It was also to get the rider down lower off the atc, with the stock fenders they set up farther so the rider couldnt lean off the side as much, So in theory it was to lower the center of gravity! Great Idea on making these Avaiable though..

[barrett8]

at the moment i am building an atc 250r and we are thinking of going with theses fenders as well so i am a maybe i want to see them first like already said

[xman2rman]

Well we are up to 6 maybe's on this project.... I'm amazed more folks aren't interested!

[bkm]

As much as I hate to say it, your going to have to pony up and get a prototype completed and in your hands before people jump on board. There are several people that have reproduced hard to find parts on here, but few have ponied up until they saw the final result. One of the few on here that can get guys to commit before a parts completion is jswinehart and that is because his previous work speaks for its self. Although I don't know if John commits to orders until he has a finished product in front of him.

Handmade reproduced parts are a hard sell unless the product speaks for its self.

[Mosh]

Personally, I would like to see these made from plastic. If they were made through Maier, they would be color matched. I honestly can't see fiberglass holding up as well as plastic would. I don't know what your mold cost will be for the glass ones, but I am willing to bet the plastic option will be much more costly, especially with the 25 minimum custom order.

As far as shipping, comparing R fenders to Z fenders is apples to oranges. The R fenders will require a larger box. From what we have been seeing on fender shipping, figure at least 75$ per set to the lower 48 and that does not account for the cost of boxes, and packing material.

[xman2rman]

Thanks for the insight guys! I completely understand getting the product out there for everyone to see first and I wouldn't even accept any payment until I had the fenders in hand. I just thought there would be more people interested in having a set of classic low profile fenders. I understand plastic being more desirable but I think the glass ones would be nice too and not near as expensive to have done. Especially after visiting with the fiberglass builder. Like he explained to me, you can't really compare the old fiberglass production to the new. Much stronger and flexible product that the old set of originals I have. Another good thing about the fiberglass is that it can be easily repaired, plus that's what most of the low profile fenders were back in the day.


Thanks for the heads up on shipping too Mosh. I know zero about Tri-Z's so from what you said, I'm guessing they are two piece fenders and much smaller to ship?

[Mosh]

No the Z's are a one piece rear, they just take up less space and are smaller than R fenders. Once you get into boxes that are large, every inch of Height and width you can save, makes a big difference on shipping cost.
Either way you go, it will be nice to see the finished product. Good luck with it.

[Keith Salyer]

Any word on the progress

[Keith Salyer]

I just recieved some fenders from maier and the box was 36x26x10 . When we used to ship fenders at cammex we custom cut them in a triangle shape to reduce total inches. If I remember right it kept them under the 72 inch mark.

[DeePa]

you'll quickly learn that many on this site never have money to spend but love putting their input. Dont want to see you lose money. took us over two years to get a Carbon Fiber set of rear fenders ordered and that was before everything totally went to hell.

[bigpimpin]

subscribed

[Keith Salyer]

Any progress on the fenders?

[Keith Salyer]

How long ago did Maier quit making low profile rear fenders?

[bkm]

They still made them after they switched to the shiny finish, so it was after that.

[atc007]

Hmmmm,I had NO clue. If that is correct,,not that long ago. Are you sure?? I would think beyond a shadow of a doubt they would still have the mold if so.. cuz,when they say they don't have the molds,they are telling the truth. Very interesting. I take it you've seen shiny lo pros then?

[bkm]

Hmmmm,I had NO clue. If that is correct,,not that long ago. Are you sure?? I would think beyond a shadow of a doubt they would still have the mold if so.. cuz,when they say they don't have the molds,they are telling the truth. Very interesting. I take it you've seen shiny lo pros then?Post #37 Buster's 200r build.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/117437-85-SELVY-200R-Build-(updated-w-new-pics-2-23)/page3?highlight=200r

[atc007]

Post #37 Buster's 200r build.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/117437-85-SELVY-200R-Build-(updated-w-new-pics-2-23)/page3?highlight=200r

Lol,,That would be why I haven't seen them !! Thanx Bryan.

[bkm]

I'm not sure when the shiny stuff came along 2001-2002?????

[atc007]

Honestly,no clue,,seems like 2 years ago. I would say you are within a year or 2. Never payed attention at all to them till they were a necessity :(....Love my OE stuff...

[bkm]

I remember a conversation with a guy at the sand drags back in 01/02 and we both had R's. He asked if I had seen the new shiny maier stuff and showed me a new front fender. I remember saying, who would ever buy high priced oem when now you could get cheap shiny maiers:crazy::crazy:

[poohbee1]

164761 top new maier bottom old

[bkm]

How old are the new ones, because they don't look as shiny as the ones on Andy's bike? Man those bottoms ones look familiar:)

[poohbee1]

i would say his are newer yet. the dark ones i know are from the 80s. these fenders are only good with 18 inch tires or smaller especially for mx or you will destroy them .

[Buster Brown]

Lol,,That would be why I haven't seen them !! Thanx Bryan.

Yha, as though you don't read my posts/builds...
Just keep knock'n me Bill....

[BWard]

I Talked to Maier, They said molds were scraped, Hard to believe, I am still looking for Low Profile Fenders for 250R, 200X and 350X White or Red