front fender install question

[markb]

i've been restoring a 64 dream, and all has been going well till i tryed to put the front fender back on after being repainted,, it's such a tight fit and i don't want to ruin the new paint job forcing and twisting it in.... anybody have any experince with this , any tricks, any imput?

[rrietman]

tape off the contact area of the fender with a couple layers of blue tape. turn the wheel to stop in one direction. pull the upper mounting bolts almost all the way out, so just a thread or two is catching on the inside of the fork. feed the fender in from the rear,rotating it upward around the suspension arm, completely below the upper bolts. then carefully raise it into position while compressing the bolt hole area slightly with your hand. once it is fully up, then lower it slightly to remove the tape and feed in the gasket.
Good luck
Randy

[bbap]

I did the same except in addition to the tape, I used thin cardboard (Cereal boxes actually) where the contact points of the fender and the front forks would be made. Very slow and steady. I banged it a couple of times and now have to touch up, but it could have been worse, way worse! It is not an easy chore.

[markb]

thanks guys i'll give it a try this weekend and let you know how it went

[markb]

got the fender on ! no damage at all .. used the cardboard boxes and the tape and 2 of my buddys!! thankd for the help