Rear fender mod for HE 205 65 16

HI, I am new to the Darkside and I have been reading about the HE Tire on 1800's.
Well I went out and got one for my Bike. It is a 205 65 16. I have a 2003 1800R. My question is how much do I need to grind off the fender bracket and do I grind the entire lenght or just part of the bracket ? Any help with this will be more than welcome, I am having the tire changed thursday and I want to have the fender mod compleate befor I get the tire back.
Thanks
Wayne Laton, Charlotte, N.C.

typically just the ears need to be shortened or taken off... not everyone needs to grind for clearance...

you might not need to cut or grind anything ,but if you do here is what you are looking for,
these ears under the fender


all I did was grind them flat



good luck
horse

This past week, my friend with a 1300 R decided to trim the entire length off his inner fender bracket. He figured what the hell?? Better to do it while everything is apart than to find out he didn't trim enough afterwards. We thought it was a good idea since he's a plus size, if you get my drift, nudge nudge wink wink!

If your inner fender brace is centered on tire, and swingarm tight, you shouldn't need any grinding with a 205, it can run real close and never rub, tire gets narrower as it spins.
Horse and I are both running 215's, and as far as the brace goes, we only had to grind inner lip off ears, as shown in above pics.
I have less than 1/8" side clearance after mods, from left side swingarm and inner fender brace at tires widest point, when checked with shocks off, and it never rubs.

Hi gyus I did not get a chance to work on the bike today, when I pulled the rear wheel off I checked the bearings and found the inside bearing dragging bad.
I took it to the local bike shop to have the bearings replaced and to put the new HE on. I will be able to pick the wheel and tire up tomorrow.
I will have time to grind the fender mounts before I get the tire and wheel back. Thanks for the information, You guys are great. THANKS AGAIN.
Wayne Laton, Charlotte N.C.

Back again, I picked up my tire and wheel Friday 7/24/09, I got the fender bracket ground down like the photo on the post. I had to let the air out to install it on the bike, everything went smoothley. My wife and I rode about twohundread miles on Saturday the 25th, I think the bike rides a lot smoother and is more stable on the road. My wife was realy pleased with the ride. I was a little uncomfortable with the cornering until I got the hang of it, I am running 34PSI in the rear due to my weight of 255lbs plus my wifes weight, I will not put here weight on here, you know how weman are about those things.
Anyway she is over a hundread pounds liter than I am. I should have put the HE on a long time ago.
RIDE SAFE, and look out for the cell phone users.
Wayne Laton Charlotte NC

Welcome Aboard Glad you and the Mrs. are diggin it.