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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 1:35 am 
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Location: BC, Canada. eh?
I have a set of the C.O.L.D. cycle fenders, but have discovered that, while they'd work for far larger diameter wheels than mine, they won't work at all with my 15" wheels with 205/50-15 tires. In order to have their radii look right with the wheels, they have to be about 8" above the tires...the 4X4 look doesn't match the car at all :shock:

I talked to Jack at Kinetic. He suggested asking here if anyone has the Curtis cycle fenders, and could maybe post some of the dimensions & maybe a pic or two. I wouldn't want to order a pair only to find they're basically what I have now.

Failing that, can anyone suggest a source for fiberglass or lightweight aluminum fenders? I've found 10 gauge aluminum ones (HEAVY), and 10 gauge steel ones (REALLY heavy!!), suitable for large boat trailers (when you need to have heavy people stepping up & down via the fenders), but other than that...nothing.

Anyone have Curtis fenders who can help me out with dimensions/pics?

Anyone have any other ideas?

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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 12:08 pm 
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Have you looked at the front fenders on a canam spyder? they may be an option
Dale


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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 12:41 pm 
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Location: BC, Canada. eh?
Actually, they look pretty good - but at $700 CDN a pair (+ shipping, tax, duty, etc.), a little outside my budget - around $1K delivered :shock:

Keep those ideas coming, folks!!

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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 2:21 pm 
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Location: Duxbury, MA USA
Caterham?

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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 3:09 pm 
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Joined: May 27, 2006, 9:46 pm
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Location: BC, Canada. eh?
I did check those out - over $500...each!!! I also looked at Westfield and other UK aftermarket ones, but there's nothing under $250 each (plus shipping, duty, etc.). All too rich for my blood (retired, fixed income, ex-wife, etc. :roll: )

I did have another idea, though. I saw a build diary from a guy (in Oregon, I think), and he made his own fiberglass ones, using a steel trailer fender as a mold. They turned out fantastic, and it seems like a really simple way to do it. Not to mention being able to make replacements easily, mold mounting plates into the original layup, tint the gelcoat close to the desired final color, etc. I might give that a try - I can source a plain steel trailer fender locally, tack on some supports to make it easy to use, polish the inner surface, and presto - a strong mold that won't warp.

I've only done a little fiberglass work, but this seems pretty easy to me.

Any thoughts?

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http://zetec7.webs.com/


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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 3:56 pm 
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There's a place called "trailer-fenders.com" that makes them to order and they have aluminum ones.

I think someone here used them on their build, but it was years ago...

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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 7:58 pm 
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zetec7 wrote:
I did check those out - over $500...each!!! I also looked at Westfield and other UK aftermarket ones, but there's nothing under $250 each (plus shipping, duty, etc.). All too rich for my blood (retired, fixed income, ex-wife, etc. :roll: )

I did have another idea, though. I saw a build diary from a guy (in Oregon, I think), and he made his own fiberglass ones, using a steel trailer fender as a mold. They turned out fantastic, and it seems like a really simple way to do it. Not to mention being able to make replacements easily, mold mounting plates into the original layup, tint the gelcoat close to the desired final color, etc. I might give that a try - I can source a plain steel trailer fender locally, tack on some supports to make it easy to use, polish the inner surface, and presto - a strong mold that won't warp.

I've only done a little fiberglass work, but this seems pretty easy to me.

Any thoughts?


I used a steel trailer fender to make my carbon fenders. Size of tire is same as you 20/50/15. Check out my build log about half way down.
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=7370&start=75

I'll see if I can get a pic of the almost finished product installed.

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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 8:53 pm 
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Location: BC, Canada. eh?
NICE!!!

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PostPosted: June 16, 2016, 11:56 pm 
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Location: Kamloops, BC, Canada
I used a set of aluminum fenders from fendersnmore on my car years ago, and a few others have too. They're .090" because they said they couldn't do them in the .063 I asked for. They build them to the specs you give them, and turned out pretty decent. If I were to do it again I'd get the round top ones for the front fenders instead of the flat top ones. They also can make them to cover more than 180 degrees, so you could order one and cut it in half for a pair of short ones.
Kristian

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PostPosted: June 18, 2016, 1:09 am 
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Location: Montreal, Canada
zetec7 wrote:
I did check those out - over $500...each!!! I also looked at Westfield and other UK aftermarket ones, but there's nothing under $250 each (plus shipping, duty, etc.). All too rich for my blood (retired, fixed income, ex-wife, etc. :roll: )
Any thoughts?


Holly Jesus !
500 each, 250 each ? aluminum fenders
My understanding is that this forum is to
help build inexpensive sports car, better
known as "lo(w)cost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t3-FdyrW_U

Here in Montreal a 4 x 8 40 or 50 thou sheet of
aluminum costs about 80 $. and if you smile at
me, I show you how to make fenders any with,
or radius and length for free. (you pay for aluminum)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t3-FdyrW_U

Or if you know any suckers who are willing to shed
256 $ for each fender, i will make you very rich
by selling you my "gizmo" so help me Gawd.

ewhen
(the thrifty one)





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PostPosted: June 20, 2016, 10:53 am 
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Location: Duxbury, MA USA
try this guy
http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?11162-Rear-Wings-T56-Trans-Driveshaft-Front-wings-hampton-newport-news-VA

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PostPosted: June 20, 2016, 12:42 pm 
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Ewhen wrote:
Or if you know any suckers who are willing to shed 256 $ for each fender, i will make you very rich by selling you my "gizmo" so help me Gawd.
Ewhen, thanks for posting the video. Can you share more about your "gizmo." Is it the shrinker/english wheel combo shown in the video clip or do you have additional tricks/tools to form the fenders?

I recently bought a Harbor Freight shrinker/stretcher on sale but don't have an English wheel.

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PostPosted: June 20, 2016, 2:15 pm 
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Location: BC, Canada. eh?
If I had an English wheel, I'd probably give it a go. It's a bit of an art form, from what I've seen, though - some guys are masters at it!

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PostPosted: June 20, 2016, 3:04 pm 
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A hand formed aluminum body is indeed a thing of beauty, but not usually novice (or pocketbook, if you pay someone else to do it) friendly!

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Last edited by ngpmike on June 20, 2016, 5:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: June 20, 2016, 3:30 pm 
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Location: BC, Canada. eh?
Yeah - that's why I had been thinking fiberglass. I'm not good at it, but passable. With a good mold (like, say, using the inside of a steel fender of the right size), several fenders could be made at reasonable cost.

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http://zetec7.webs.com/


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