Monte SS, I have the adjusters at the bottom. It seems to work Ok in this position.

 

The dip ***** at my dealer broke my plastic just installing them. I still wonder how they cracked 3 out of 4 fenders. YEAH!! 3 out of 4!! Anyway, they orderd me new plastic and now I have 3 new panels waiting for when one gets completely broke off. These cracked at the bolt holes.

 

The black platstic is britttle however the real plastic is quite strong... I ripped my back section when I loaded on the trailor on day one and I thought that this was going to be a pain.... but I never touched it again.... go figure... i think it's only the out part being exposed is the problem once you cut that part off no worries

 

The front black plastic on the 650 was poorly designed. When the mud flaps catch on anything they tend to pull the black plastic away from the fenders instead of bending with object. The black plastic will start to tear up past the floorboards over time. The first thing I did was remove the last bolt on the floorboards to allow the plastic to bend and flex if I did hit anything. I found with the bolt in place the black plastic ripped instead of bend. This didn't completely fix the problem though.

I got tired of this happening so cut the mudflaps of below the floorboards. I used rotary Dremel tool to make the cut. I rounded the sides and cut off the plastic around the last bolt on the floorboards. I used a piece of cardboard to trace out my design so it would look even on both sides. I'm happy with the results, I haven't caught my fenders on anything for a while now.

I saw another 650 this weekend with the flaps cut off and another with the flaps tearing. Sounds like this is a common problem. It's hard to start cutting plastic on a new machine but its betters than having a stick rip it for you!!!

 

I ripped both read mud flaps off and tore the red plastic when I went a little high on a wheele. If you set the bike on it's butt you will rip them. Also I have a Rubicon 2 months older that looks shinney and new the P650 looks faded.

 

I carry nylon license plate fasteners to attach those black trim thingys when I loose those funny rubber expanding screws.

I also use goop reinforced with spent dryer sheets to fix any cracks. Automotive paint mixed with goop makes it match my plastic color if I need to goop anything visible. Goop rules. I have hit my goop repairs really hard and they have not busted.

 

Hey all,
Has anyone replaced the stock fender retainers with the honda ones? I found on my Rancher that with the stock honda black plastic retainers, they pulled out indtead of ripping the plastic. I got sick of them pulling out and and put a thick washer on the back to tighten them up. As soon as I did that I ripped the plastic. I removed all of the washers and just popped the fasteners back in when they popped out. No more problems.
Later

 

"GOOP" rules, huh? Might have to try Great Master NYROC'S magic potion!