Bicycle Mechanics - Front fender L-bracket too long

I'm trying to mount a front fender, but the L-bracket hits the headset. I'd rather not bend the bracket back or cut off the excess, as the fender is only on this bike temporarily and will eventually be moved to a bike with a much more generous fork clearance.

I thought about using a Sheldon Nut and then spacing the bracket back, but I use an extra long nut and Sheldon Nuts don't come in extra long versions.

Maybe I can put the bracket inside the steerer tube? How would I secure it? Does anyone have another solution to this problem? Thanks.

Edit: This fender is not mine. The L-bracket on my fender is permanently rivetted on.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/VOfenderLbracket.jpg

Edit: I made an illustration.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/Untitled.jpg

Unscrew the bracket and replace it with a shorter one.

The photo is one I grabbed off the internet. The bracket on my fender does not come off. It's permanently rivetted on.

Dremel out the slot so the bracket can be mounted lower.

Dremel out the slot so the bracket can be mounted lower.

Tire clearance is quite tight. I need the fender to be as high as possible.

......... I need the fender to be as high as possible.

But the headset's in the way!:D

I bent mine out of the way but if you dont want to do this, fit a spacer. A few bits of scrap plastic (eg screw bottle tops) should suffice.

just bend it or cut some of it off with a dremel

Ok, I made a drawing of what I want to do:

:roflmao2:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k218/BeaverTerror/Untitled.jpg

Rear mount :

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Frans%20Fenders/fender001.jpg

Front mount:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Frans%20Fenders/fender003.jpg

It is your bike do what you have too to get it to work......

What material is the black bracket extender on the front fender? I have the same issue on another bike.

When installing fenders, always start with the assumption that you are going to have to modify something. In your case, if it was my bike, I'd cut the excess off of that "L" bracket.

I don't think that your idea of sticking the "L" inside the steerer tube is going to work. I think the fender will shift front-to-back too much.

What material is the black bracket extender on the front fender? I have the same issue on another bike.


I used a piece of plastic that I cut with scissors.

Assuming you can put it inside the steerer tube a piece of plastic or rubber tubing and a small washer may be easier than a spring for a temporary install.

Could you drill another hole below the slot? If you can get it far enough inside the fork, that is...

a flat washer to clear the thickness of the headset would do the trick. You;d need to find something with an ID larger than a recessed brake nut, and get a longer brake nut.

L brackets are cheap though. Bending the one that is on the fender is really no big deal to replace if you have too.

We install fenders on road bikes all the time with zero clearance. There is an extremely simple way of installing the fender so it clears.

1) Mount the L-bracket between the frame (either with a washer) and the front brake
2) Hold the bracket so that it is at it's highest position
3) As you crank the brake bolt to secure it back down the L-brakcet will be bent by the headset cup interference
4) Once the brake is secure all you have to do is drive a flatblade screwdriver between the cup and the l-bracket and pry it forward - the l-bracket will instantly clear

^ If the above procedure does not give clearance with the brake and tyre then you're pretty much stuck with mounting it from the rear and chopping the front part of the fender. You can use the exact same procedure to gain clearance without having to modify the bracket slot, replace it or do any other funky mounting that sucks

You can easily unbend the bracket at a later date, it's a very small bend.