Need your VW aftermarket fender knowledge please

[M3T]

Dear Friends, I'm new to Triking and VW's so please bear with me. I bought a Harley Volkswagonson and though the fenders were included, they are unattached. I believe I have a 69 Type 3 converted to carbs, with a IRS transaxle. From what I've read on this site and others mounting to the axle will require VERY robust bracketry and so I'm wondering if anyone makes a bolt on solution? My fenders are metal and 11" wide. I have P225 60 R 15 tires. From what I can see there is a swing arm thingy with 3 bolts that could be used as a bracket mount as well as the mounting bolt on the disc brake caliper. If I were to make this bracket myself it looks to be rather complicated vs attaching to the frame which I believe would have to mount the fenders much higher to allow for wheel travel. Seeing so many different fender examples and unfortunately no one really photographs this area in a way to easily see it not to mention there are very few trikes in my area San Jose CA (maybe I don't get out enough) I'm reaching out to try and not have a breakdown from an improper mounting... Here are a couple of pics so you can see what I'm trying to describe. Thank you so much!!!

 

[peteg59]

The swingarm area does provide tempting areas to mount bracketry for fenders, but you don't want to mount anything on them!!!

I know firsthand that there is way too much vibration on the swingarms to carry the weight of fenders.

The welds &/or actual fender braces will fracture due to the vibes.

Find a spot on the "sprung" side of your trike as opposed to the "unsprung" swingarms or calipers, and you will be much happier in the long run.

 

[M3T]

Thanks Pete!!! This is also my gut feeling even though I've been consulting with Al Banks of Rat Fink.... I would have to make a goliath sort of bracket and seems like way too much effort just the get the fenders closer to the tires. How much clearance do you recommend btwn the tire and fender on the sprung side. I did discover that thing is called the spring plate Lot's to learn.....

Michael

The swingarm area does provide tempting areas to mount bracketry for fenders, but you don't want to mount anything on them!!!

I know firsthand that there is way too much vibration on the swingarms to carry the weight of fenders.

The welds &/or actual fender braces will fracture due to the vibes.

Find a spot on the "sprung" side of your trike as opposed to the "unsprung" swingarms or calipers, and you will be much happier in the long run.

 

[peteg59]

I'm running about 4-1/2" of travel between tire & fender, Michael. I could drop it another inch or so, but I like the comfort of having enough travel not to have to worry about bottoming out or having any dreaded fender "rub".

I'm also running coilover shocks as you are, so they stiffen up the ride and help to keep the tire rub to basically non existent.

Do you have a body or flat rear deck on the trike?

 

[DeathBySnuSnu]

I also would say if you have the room and are ok with the look, then mount to the body/chassis.

I have mine mounted to the suspension because it is the look I wanted. I also do not have any body or chassis in that area to mount too easily.

Mine have cracked before. It is the price I pay for the "look". I had to add more bracing and attachment points to the original set up to get them solid and not cracking.

Here you can see the flat 3/16 plate on the axle flange and the diagonal strut rod that stopped the wiggle at the top. What you can not see is the forward edge of fender is bolted to the swing arm because there still was cracking from wiggling fore and aft.

 

[M3T]

Wow that sounds like a lot of clearance but probably worth the piece of mind.

So far there is just frame on the back, still deciding how I will finish it. Here's another pic:



I'm considering using some more of the pipe as you see and bolting it to the gas tank supports to attempt to keep the look uniform if you can call it a look May have to swap out the bars as I suspect these will not be very comfy for the long haul. I got a whole lot of finishing to do However I did want a project...

Thank you again for your reply!

Michael

I'm running about 4-1/2" of travel between tire & fender, Michael. I could drop it another inch or so, but I like the comfort of having enough travel not to have to worry about bottoming out or having any dreaded fender "rub".

I'm also running coilover shocks as you are, so they stiffen up the ride and help to keep the tire rub to basically non existent.

Do you have a body or flat rear deck on the trike?

 

[M3T]

Hey, thanks Rex!!!

That does look cool however I would not choose to suffer the breakage if I can avoid it.

I think I may have seen enough examples now to move forward but thinking I should go to a triker event for more knowledge before I pull the trigger There is one coming up next month a few hours from me.

I also would say if you have the room and are ok with the look, then mount to the body/chassis.

I have mine mounted to the suspension because it is the look I wanted. I also do not have any body or chassis in that area to mount too easily.

Mine have cracked before. It is the price I pay for the "look". I had to add more bracing and attachment points to the original set up to get them solid and not cracking.

Here you can see the flat 3/16 plate on the axle flange and the diagonal strut rod that stopped the wiggle at the top. What you can not see is the forward edge of fender is bolted to the swing arm because there still was cracking from wiggling fore and aft.

View attachment 48917