VL Fender straightening

[NCriding]

After years of searching, I finally found a rear fender for my 36 VLD that is repairable within my meager metalworking skills. The side braces are a mess and it would be easiest to have them off the fender in order to do the straightening, welding, etc. they will need. My question is, are the left and right side of the brace one piece, or are they split, with the split hiding under the butterfly, seen in the photo? I really don't want to remove the butterfly unless it's absolutely necessary.

It's clear the brace is connected to the butterfly with 4 spot welds, if the brace is split, I could drill out the spots, coax the brace out to work on it and then tig weld back the spot welds back in when I'm done. The parts manual lists the brace as a single, separate part (3735-34) which leads me to believe it is one piece.

Anyone dealt with this before?

DSC02824.jpg

[Rubone]

The brace is one piece, not split under the butterfly.

[46EL]

I know someone makes the Butterflies for the early EL Knuckles but never checked if they exist in repop for VL's or looked to see if they are exactly the same or not. The only way to correctly repair the brace yet alone the fender shell is to totally remove the brace from the fender. A company named Replicant Metals has a website as they make repop VL Fenders. Check to see if they make the butterflies. I know they are sold on ebay for the early EL models. Also look to see if the rivets you will also need are available? They also might or might not be the same as Knuckle. Trying to weld the brace in place will only lead to it cracking again as it must be welded 360 degrees. It is not a repair that you should be afraid to do. Good Luck. 46

[exeric]

I think I would save the butterfly you have. There will be spot welds on the 4 ears which directly weld it to the fender skin. Carefully locate the center of the spot welds, center punch them, and use a spot weld cutter. I value genuine parts, and even though you'll scar it, you can make it look un-molested, and the butterfly will still be genuine.

Here's a link to an inexpensive cutter:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cutter-3-...ctedSellerId=0

[NCriding]

Gentlemen, thanks for the advice! I’ll use my spot weld cutter and remove the butterfly.
Tom at Replicant doesn’t have the butterfly on the Replicant website, so it must not be available separately. I actually bought this bike from Tom several years ago, he’s a great guy and has been a tremendous resource, I have his front fender and tanks for my VLD, unfortunately the rear fender is not available at this time. I feel lucky to have located a repairable rear, but would rather have one of Replicants because it would certainly be ready right out of the box.

[Rollo]

Might try Larry Medwig in Ohio for the butterfly. He is on Ebay all the time and goes by gaspump. Try the AMCA roster if you have one or if you call Tom he can give you Larry's contact info.

Tom (Rollo) Hardy
AMCA#12766