best tool for cutting hugger...?

[fazer.rider]

so i wanna make the hugger short. cut a little using a dremel with a drill bit that can also cut sideways (not sure the name of it but it looks like a normal drill bit). it doesn't make a clean cut and makes thin weaves of plastic behind. tried a round cut out tool but can't do curves with it.

what else can i use? a thinner drill bit? thanks.

 

[jtarkany]

I used a hacksaw blade to cut down my hugger as well as my windscreen, then cleaned it up with a file and sandpaper :don'tknow:

 

[Kilbane83]

Variable speed dremmel works well with a cutting disc. Just don't get it too fast or it can melt the edges of the cut. Nothing some sanding wouldn't fix though. ABS plastic begins to melt around 212F.

 

[fazer.rider]

i also thought about just cutting out the chain guard and discard the hugger. but im worried about dirt and dust going everywhere around the undertail area.

what do ya guys think? thanks :thumbup:

 

[knightrider]

but im worried about dirt and dust going everywhere around the undertail area.

I would keep the hugger for that reason. When I got my new bike it didn't have a hugger on it at all. The first thing I did was find one on ebay. Having a chain guard and hugger (fender) is a good idea.

It may look cool with nothing back there but not as safe or good for the bike imo.

 

[jtarkany]

I took mine off and haven't had any problems keeping it clean. I ride at least 30 miles a day round trip to work and back.

 

[fazer.rider]

I would keep the hugger for that reason. When I got my new bike it didn't have a hugger on it at all. The first thing I did was find one on ebay. Having a chain guard and hugger (fender) is a good idea.

It may look cool with nothing back there but not as safe or good for the bike imo.

are you talking about your zx? so with no hugger did you mean the rear tire can kick up rocks and stuff?

 

[fazer.rider]

I took mine off and haven't had any problems keeping it clean. I ride at least 30 miles a day round trip to work and back.

cool, but what did you do with the two hugger mounting holes on the right side of the swingarm? also that little mounting bracket for the rear brake line...

 

[Kriswithak]

It depends alot on your conditions, even with the hugger if its rainy or really bad weather (or a bad road) you will still find alot of crap up under the bike tail, and cleaning it can be a total pain in the ass.
From what I've read grime and dirt on the suspension is one of the bigger problems.

If your really serious about doing this though a clamp and a jigsaw should do the job fine.
If you can't turn the blade enough while cutting to get the line you want, drill holes along the outline and put the jigsaw blade inside and join the dots, you'll need to do more work this way though cleaning up the edge.

Your probably just better off getting a chain guard on its own since if your cutting it back you may as well not have one.

 

[mcteague]

Funny how people are. My previous bike did not have a hugger and there were lots of posts with guys adding them. This bike HAS a hugger and folks want to cut it down or remove it. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Tim

 

[knightrider]

are you talking about your zx? so with no hugger did you mean the rear tire can kick up rocks and stuff?

Yeah it was on my zx. By hugger I mean the thing almost touching your back tire. Without it my bike had some gunk and dirt back there. I know that if you aren't careful you can damage your rear suspension seals, etc.

When I got my bike it didn't have the chain guard or hugger. I got them both used right away. Without a chain guard your passenger's foot is slightly in danger imo. The hugger is more preventative to save money on suspension damage, and also to keep the rear clean and not have to do so much gunk removal.

The only thing I don't go for is the rear fender (with license plate). That fender is a huge eyesore to me. I'll take a little bit of dirt to be without it. The hugger is more important as far as keeping the suspension functioning well.