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I've had a few questions pop up since my last post, mainly regarding rear fender bibs so I thought I would share some design thoughts and a few tips on making them along with some photos for inspiration. For most riders, a rear fender bib is purely decorative. When someone switches to solo riding, there is now a big empty space on the fender that many feel needs to be customized and fender bibs are a great way to do it. Shapes: There are 2 common shapes, along with limitless design variations, that a fender bib typically comes in. The standard "U" and a tapered shape. The photo below shows a few standard variations (R to L) Standard U, Bullet, Taper and long U. The shape will be somewhat determined by the fender width and the style the client is looking for. Thinner fenders like on Harley Softails, Blacklines & Slims work better with a taper or long U. Wider fenders like on Harley Street Glides, Road Glides and most import crusiers like the Honda VTX, Suzuki M109, etc. work better with a standard U or Bullet variation. And occasionally you'll find someone who breaks the trends and goes with a different combo to carry on a theme like this VTX1800 with a tapered style fender bib. Size: Length: The size of a fender bib is pretty much a fixed variable. The length will be determined by the pillon (rear seat) holes & bolts that were left after taking the seat off and by the distance from the rearmost pillon bolt to the driver's seat back edge. Most Harley's have two sets of bolts, the driver seat rear bolt(s) and the pillon bolt. Most imports will have only the rear pillon bolt and are secured using velcro under the driver's seat. Width: Width of a fender bib is preferential to the maker/buyer but I stick to a guideline of 1" - 1 1/2" narrower than the top of the fender. At 1 1/2" narrower than the fender, this provides almost full coverage without having to worry about the edges falling over the side or catching in the wind and flapping. The double & triple loop edge lacing (or mexican round braid if you prefer) will add approximately 1/4" to the width leaving 1/2" of fender top on each side of the bib making a nice framed look for your custom leather. (to be continued after lunch, please don't comment yet so all the text stays together...Thanks!)

A buddy and I were talking the other day and he mentioned I should swing by and post some more recent and relevant pics as folks look for me here every so often. I don't have much time for forums or Facebook as I used to so I typically do a quick FB post from my phone and keep working. Anyway, without any more hoopla, here are some recent pieces, some WIP some completed... Cheers, Chris http://www.threemuttscustoms.com I have plenty more if folks are interested. Feel free to ask any questions, make comments, etc.

As mentioned in a previous post, here are a few more recent project pictures... The first set is of a tank bib, fender bib and backrest pad replacement panel set I did for a 1998 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide (FXDWG). The client spent 28 years in Hawaii and is now in Michigan, think he's a little homesick? The tank bib features a custom iPod clip bracket which I made out of copper to stick with the color scheme and it will patina nicely to help it match the antiquing later down the road as it ages. I also buffed & polished the copper rivets to match. The rear fender bib is saddle tank & black antique gel, the tank bib is the same but with the pineapple dry brushed with Citadel acrylics for the color & shadows. The edge lacing was done using the kangraroo lace backwards (flesh out) to get a closer match on the color and texture of the custom Danny Gray seat he also had made. Enjoy! Chris http://www.threemuttscustoms.com

Here are a few of the latest pieces to roll off the workbench and onto client bikes. It's been awhile since I posted so I'll likely do this in a few replies. Whaletail Tank bib - 2002 VTX1800C with stitched hot rod flames in 207 flame red thread Rear fender bib and handlebar tool roll bag with matching "Black Swan" icon tooled into them - shown on a 2011 Harley Blackline Whaletail tank bib with VTX logo on a 2006 VTX1300R Dragon with bagpipes tooling for a tank bib project Cheers, Chris http://www.threemuttscustoms.com