Harley Fender bra question

[Trampas]

My question is how do you clean underneath of the bra, I'm sure it's not as tight on fender as the pics show so dirt or dust gets under there, don't want to scratch the paint underneath, have heard to install clear film on fender helps out, and the wind maybe blows it up a little, don't know.

Can you just pull out on the bra and flip it up at the widest part of bra in the front and then clean the fender or do you have to take the tail light lens off and do it that way, looks like this would be time consuming to take the lens off but then it might be the best way, that is the question for those that have the bras, and maybe no one cares about cleaning underneath the bra, just me I like to have everything clean.

All for now Trampas

P.S. The reason for asking this thinking of getting a 2018 hold over or a 2019, I know people that have put bras on because of big rock chips that looks really bad and the bra hides this.

 

[rhino 2]

My question is how do you clean underneath of the bra, I'm sure it's not as tight on fender as the pics show so dirt or dust gets under there, don't want to scratch the paint underneath, have heard to install clear film on fender helps out, and the wind maybe blows it up a little, don't know.

Can you just pull out on the bra and flip it up at the widest part of bra in the front and then clean the fender or do you have to take the tail light lens off and do it that way, looks like this would be time consuming to take the lens off but then it might be the best way, that is the question for those that have the bras, and maybe no one cares about cleaning underneath the bra, just me I like to have everything clean.

All for now Trampas

P.S. The reason for asking this thinking of getting a 2018 hold over or a 2019, I know people that have put bras on because of big rock chips that looks really bad and the bra hides this.

Just my opinion.....I think a bra just makes a trike or a car look like a Boy Racers machine ....Just coving up honest road wear with a diaper..:Shrug:

 

[Trampas]

rhino 2, I understand and I don't think much of it either, thinking long term because if I get the trike it will be last one, I will be getting a black one so it really doesn't show as bad as the color or the 2 tones.

All for now Trampas

 

[GARYD]

I've commented on this on another thread, but here goes. I don't like them. I think they look atrocious. Why don't you see exotic or sport cars with them?

I belonged to a Corvette club in Texas a few years back. One of the owners had a bra on his Vette. The paint under it was terrible. Unless you constantly clean under it, it will ruin your paint no matter how tight you keep it. I'm sure there are riders here that have no problem with theirs. I'm just not spending $35K on a bike and then hide it under faux leather covers. These are JMHO.

I have used the 3M clear film on all my trikes. I bought a roll 24" x 60" on the internet and made my own templates. I made 2 sets with plenty left over for replacements.

Trampas, I hope you're right. I just got a 2014 replacement for my totaled 2014 TG. Got it for the same price as I got from insurance and it only had 786 miles on it. The problem is - it's black. I've always had red bikes so this is the first black one. Not sure how I'm going to get along with it. Hope it grows on me.

 

[Burnerboy]

The bra's keep condensation, and will rust that fender faster .........It's up too you, BUT I vote no bra, I had a service truck, that I put magnet signs on it for my heating business...I was "thinking" why spend extra money to paint, my name /business, on the side of the truck, when mag signs work??? WOW! How wrong I was, within a few months I had paint bubbling, up under those magnetic signs, my doors were rusted out, it cost me much more to get my truck to a auto body shop, to repair the rust damaged doors that were under the signs...

Ronnie

 

[Trampas]

Thanks for the replies, guess I won't go with the bra either, that's what I like about this forum, you can get answers to questions like this, I don't know anybody that has the fender bras to ask about this, I knew somebody on here would know more I do, LOL

Guess I will go with the clear film and the scuff pads that harley sells for the trike, had them on my last triglide and was happy with them, was asking about the bras for long time use, this will be my last one I get if I get it.

All for now Trampas

 

[GARYD]

If you're handy with a Xacto knife, buy the material and make your own. Not hard to do and save lots of $$$$$$

 

[520fd]

Hey Trampas. I bought the kit from my Harley dealer. Put it on myself. Was really easy to install. Works great. That is, if the rock or bug decides to hit where the film is installed. I put mine on. The first time I went out after the install, a rock or a hard shell bug hit the fender about an 1/8th inch to the outside and nicked the paint. The paint is not as good as it used to be. Don't care for the leather bra thing. Good luck. Jerry

 

[mirider]

I am a minority of one here but I like the protection the fender bras provide for my TG. Dirt damaging the paint underneath is an urban myth to me since I've had them two years without any such problem. I respect that some don't like the look but, like everything else in this life, to each his own. ThumbUp

 

[GARYD]

I am a minority of one here but I like the protection the fender bras provide for my TG. Dirt damaging the paint underneath is an urban myth to me since I've had them two years without any such problem. I respect that some don't like the look but, like everything else in this life, to each his own. ThumbUp

I respect your view, but I know for a fact that paint is damaged over time with a bra, maybe not every single time (you're an example) or if not meticulously taken care of. Do you also have a bra on your automobile?? If not why not? I've never understood the concept of buying a vehicle and then covering it up....unless it's a show car.

I still say the clear plastic film (there are different thicknesses) is better, cheaper and lets the beauty of your paint job show. I have even replaced a section once after it got dinged up a lot. No damage to the paint.

JMHO and as you say, to each his own. If you're happy, that's all that matters. ThumbUp

 

[rhino 2]

My Old man back in the 50's and very early 60's Buy a new car, Drive it out of the dealers and go across the street to Rayco.[long gone] and have the seats coved in plastic ...

And we as kids would have to put up with hot sticky seats in the summer and cold frozen seats in the winter, Then every two years when he traded the car in for a new one, He would cover the new seats....And the first thing the new owner and or the dealer would do is rip the covers off and have nice new comfortable seats for the new owners kids to sit on....:xzqxz:

 

[Sidecarbill]

My Old man back in the 50's and very early 60's Buy a new car, Drive it out of the dealers and go across the street to Rayco.[long gone] and have the seats coved in plastic ...

And we as kids would have to put up with hot sticky seats in the summer and cold frozen seats in the winter, Then every two years when he traded the car in for a new one, He would cover the new seats....And the first thing the new owner and or the dealer would do is rip the covers off and have nice new comfortable seats for the new owners kids to sit on....:xzqxz:

Thats funny my father was the opposite. He bought a new 55 Ford and his friend asked if he was gonna put covers on the seats. He said no. As we drove away I asked him why. His answer was, I bought this car for me Billy not somebody else. And I've always felt the same way.

 

[rhino 2]

Thats funny my father was the opposite. He bought a new 55 Ford and his friend asked if he was gonna put covers on the seats. He said no. As we drove away I asked him why. His answer was, I bought this car for me Billy not somebody else. And I've always felt the same way.

Exactly how us kids felt.....But what counted was how the old Man felt...

And thats why when i trade or sell , I''ll dust it off a little but thats it,

....

 

[consitter]

Go to a Line-X dealer and have them color match your paint job and put it on your fenders.

Just as ugly as a bra (maybe), but could withstand a cinder block hitting it at 60mph.

 

[1dn5up]

Thats funny my father was the opposite. He bought a new 55 Ford and his friend asked if he was gonna put covers on the seats. He said no. As we drove away I asked him why. His answer was, I bought this car for me Billy not somebody else. And I've always felt the same way.

My 51 ford had plastic covers, I would armorall the front right side 1/2 for my date and make aggressive right hand turns. :friends:

 

[Gideon]

Go to a Line-X dealer and have them color match your paint job and put it on your fenders. Just as ugly as a bra (maybe), but could withstand a cinder block hitting it at 60mph.

I don't think it is ugly.

 

[ISP-FL]

I respect your view, but I know for a fact that paint is damaged over time with a bra, maybe not every single time (you're an example) or if not meticulously taken care of. Do you also have a bra on your automobile?? If not why not? I've never understood the concept of buying a vehicle and then covering it up....unless it's a show car.

I still say the clear plastic film (there are different thicknesses) is better, cheaper and lets the beauty of your paint job show. I have even replaced a section once after it got dinged up a lot. No damage to the paint.

JMHO and as you say, to each his own. If you're happy, that's all that matters. ThumbUp

I have had a bra on my black 16 for almost two years. About once every couple of months I take it off and wash/wax underneath. You do have to take the taillights off to remove them but it isn't that big of a deal. Since the inside of the bra is a soft material I see no ill effects from having it on.

I've heard that paint may be damaged over time but no one has ever really ever proven that to me or said what "over time" really means. I know for a fact that without protection my fenders would need to be repainted by now. I think my black bras look okay on my black bike and could care less what anyone else may think. I didn't buy a trike to impress anyone else, I bought it to ride for as long as possible.

 

[LadyonaMission]

I have had a bra on my black 16 for almost two years. About once every couple of months I take it off and wash/wax underneath. You do have to take the taillights off to remove them but it isn't that big of a deal. Since the inside of the bra is a soft material I see no ill effects from having it on.

I've heard that paint may be damaged over time but no one has ever really ever proven that to me or said what "over time" really means. I know for a fact that without protection my fenders would need to be repainted by now. I think my black bras look okay on my black bike and could care less what anyone else may think. I didn't buy a trike to impress anyone else, I bought it to ride for as long as possible.

I don't have to remove my taillights to clean mine. I also wax the fenders while they are off.

I totally agree that I don't care about what anyone else thinks of my Freewheeler. I plan to ride it as long as I can.orag:

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

I’ve never liked bra’s, regardless of what they’re on.

 

[mirider]

Thanks guys.....I am no longer a minority of one. :laugh: I still say the scratching problem is an urban legend. I towed a small Hyundai coupe behind a motorhome for about 10 years and I had a bra on the front to protect the hood from stones thrown up by the motorhome. Never took it off in all those years until I sold it and, guess what, no paint damage from the bra. I think some just say things to back up their personal opinion and that's fine with me cause it's only an opinion. ThumbUp

 

[GARYD]

Mine was not an opinion. It was first hand experience as I stated.

I will say again, if these bras are so great, why don't you see them on all the exotic cars or at least some of them or even a few? :Shrug: Same with bikes.

I'm sure there are a few exceptions where, if taken lots of care, have protected a car or bike.

If I lived where the majority of roads are gravel, then maybe I would agree. But I would go with the see through film first.

That's what makes America great - we can do whatever we want and don't care what others do or think. ThumbUp

 

[Ripplingh2o]

Thanks guys.....I am no longer a minority of one. :laugh: I still say the scratching problem is an urban legend. I towed a small Hyundai coupe behind a motorhome for about 10 years and I had a bra on the front to protect the hood from stones thrown up by the motorhome. Never took it off in all those years until I sold it and, guess what, no paint damage from the bra. I think some just say things to back up their personal opinion and that's fine with me cause it's only an opinion. ThumbUp

I’m not one to spend $35K for my Trike and do nothing to protect the fenders from prone rock damage. The HD fender bras do exactly what they are meant to do with very minimal (if any) ill affects to the paint underneath. The bras on my Trike are a permanent add-on (so frankly the paint underneath matters not). I smile whenever I see someone that has H-D bras on their Trike because I know they are protecting their acquisition.

 

[ISP-FL]

I don't know why, but with all my bagger bikes I never had issues with rock chips in my fairings. Then I get a TG and immediately realized those low hanging fenders are getting hit by small pieces of road debris. Wasn't having it so I found a extra large static cling clear decal and ran it on the fender for a couple months. Finally decided that even a clear plastic material wasn't going to be enough to protect them so I put the Harley brand bras on.

Don't think there is a right or wrong answer, it is just personal preference.

 

[GARYD]

I don't know why, but with all my bagger bikes I never had issues with rock chips in my fairings. Then I get a TG and immediately realized those low hanging fenders are getting hit by small pieces of road debris. Wasn't having it so I found a extra large static cling clear decal and ran it on the fender for a couple months. Finally decided that even a clear plastic material wasn't going to be enough to protect them so I put the Harley brand bras on.

Don't think there is a right or wrong answer, it is just personal preference.

3M makes about 3 or 4 different thicknesses of clear protective film. I've been using the medium thickness. You can see some nicks in the film, but not in the paint. When and if the film gets too bad, I'll just peel it of and reapply another one. I bought a roll 24" x 60" for about $56 and made my own templates. I have enough material to cover 3 or 4 TG's. And it doesn't hide the beautiful paint job that I paid over $35K for.

In over 54 years of riding with 8 years on the TG, I've never had a paint chip problem. Of course, I don't take my Harleys off road or on gravel roads.

I ride 10K to 15K miles a year so a few nicks and chips here and there are just a sign of it not being a garage queen. I can understand people wanting to keep their vehicles as pristine as long as possible, but there are limits. I was the same way with my Vettes (that's where I found out about bras damage to paint).

You are completely right = it's really just personal preference.

 

[daf62757]

My question is how do you clean underneath of the bra, I'm sure it's not as tight on fender as the pics show so dirt or dust gets under there, don't want to scratch the paint underneath, have heard to install clear film on fender helps out, and the wind maybe blows it up a little, don't know.

Can you just pull out on the bra and flip it up at the widest part of bra in the front and then clean the fender or do you have to take the tail light lens off and do it that way, looks like this would be time consuming to take the lens off but then it might be the best way, that is the question for those that have the bras, and maybe no one cares about cleaning underneath the bra, just me I like to have everything clean.

All for now Trampas

P.S. The reason for asking this thinking of getting a 2018 hold over or a 2019, I know people that have put bras on because of big rock chips that looks really bad and the bra hides this.

I take my tail light off and take the bra off and clean/wax the fender.