dodge7d Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 What is the difference between an undertail, and a fender eliminator kit? Also has anyone installed a Texas Fairing undertail? I do like the way they look... Thanks for any help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 An undertail tends to be more expensive, but is a better looking quality piece of ABS that will contain your whole underside of your seat up to and usually covering the rear shock. This is a nice clean appearance but tends to be in the 2-300 dollar range for a decently fitting one. A fender eliminator kit usually just provides an anchor for your signals, license and maybe your tail light allowing you to cut off the majority of your rear fender. It is not as clean as a look as your whole underseat is as exposed as it was when you had that fender hanging down 8 inches, you just don't have that fender hanging anymore. You still have it up under your wheelwell. These tend to be more resonably priced at perhaps 50-100 bucks for one. Any help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 I'd say that sums it up nicely. I've heard the Mototek Undertails look nice, but are rather pricey. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted February 4, 2004 Share Posted February 4, 2004 I have found that most all undertails are not really undertails as is the case with the Moto-Tech that I paid 330.00 for. Undertails for the most part require you to cut off the rear plastic part thats angles down. The so called undertail then attaches to your stock undertail (fender) and simple covers the stock fender up to about the battery box. The undertail I am working on getting together now is a true stock fender eliminater all together so that if later you want to sell the bike, you have the option of putting the whole stock setup back on. Most all undertails I have seen create a second layer under the stock fender and hence leave less travel room for the rear tire. Many people complain about an aftermarket hugger then hitting the new undertail due to this second layer being so much lower. The Moto-Teck under tail on my Bike looks good BUT you have to drill 4 holes into the existing stock tail cowling to hold the new undertail on. I am now stuck with the Moto-Teck unless I am willing to replace the whole stock tail section now or have 4 holes showing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge7d Posted February 4, 2004 Author Share Posted February 4, 2004 Bad picture, but the stock taillamp is still used. I like that ! http://www.texasfairing.com/1100XX.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 I don't know what year your bike is, but I have an '03. You're not going to be able to find a fender eliminator kit designed for this year model (and I assume this applies for 2000-3). The 1997-99 have a different rear brake light, so finding a kit for these years, which is possible, won't fit the other bikes. Some companies sell "one-size-fits-all" kits, but you're going to have to do some cutting and drilling for it to work. Plus, you have to think about where you're going to put that seat key lock because these "one-size-fits-all" kits don't make accomodations for that. If you want a low-cost way to eliminate that God-awful fender, just trim it like most other people do. Check mine out: I didn't install an undertail on my bike because I heard about problems with the rear wheel bottoming out on it. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northman Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 FYI, 97-98 used a different tail lamp, so require a different undertail, or fender eliminator kit. All the FI bikes (99-up) are the same as far as fender fitment and tail lamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 Try looking here..They have some cool stuff. I ordered the one for the XX, going to install it soon :grin: http://www.hardracing.com/FEKit.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 I don't understand your thinking. It doesn't matter what the shape of the taillight is as long as the tail cowling section is the same. The undertail is going to get rid of the taillight anyway. This particular one does not go over the existing fender, instead it replaces it completely from the back of the Tank all the way to the rear tip of the tail cowling. This way it is the same height os stock and you get rid of the clearance problem of most so called undertails. This one bolts directly to the subframe and replaces the entire black plastic that is now bolted to the subframe, which includes the battery box. It even has the brackets for the electronics to attach same as stock. Some one needs to check and see if the Honda Part number for the Tail cowling and the subframe is the same from 97-03. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northman Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 I meant every other undertail available, and fender eliminator kit. The one you're talking about is yet to be proven, also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 I agree with you Northman. I wasn't refering to your post. This particular undertail is "suppose" to be proven in both Europe and S.America to fit all years of birds perfectly. I am trying to prove it to myself before I carry them myself or sell them to anyone else. It does make good sense but I would like to verify the Honda part numbers for the subframe and tail cowling as consistant through all years for self satisfaction. Previous to your post, it was stated that you have to have different undertails for the different years due to the light shape change and that does not make sense to me if the light is going to be replaced regardless of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 Hey John, I think you're referring to my post. If you read it carefully, I was only talking about the fender eliminator kits. The undertail is a different story. I can't say much about those because I never seriously investigated the form/fit/finish compatability with all year models. All the FI bikes (99-up) are the same as far as fender fitment and tail lamps. Thanks for correcting me Northman. My earlier post should read "1999-03." By the way, does anyone know what's up with the '04's? Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 By the way, does anyone know what's up with the '04's? Â Discontinued in the U.S. Still available (basically unchanged) in foriegn markets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOXXIC Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 I have to vote for an undertail. :cool: :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 Sweet, Good ole moto-teck, Mine looks just like it but of course it is the faster RED one ! ! To bad the Moto-teck is basically a stock fender Mask so those over 175 lbs or who ride two-up have a scrapping problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86gn Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 IMO the Fender Eliminator isn't worth it. They are overpriced for what you get. I put one on and am less than happy with the fit(97XX). If the undertail that John is looking into works out I will probably go with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonW Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 Some one needs to check and see if the Honda Part number for the Tail cowling and the subframe is the same from 97-03. I'm sure the part #s are different, but from experience, I know that all of the tail cowls are interchangeable, and the only difference in the subframe, that I've found, is the bracket on the left side that holds the reg/rec. Other than that, they are identical. The fender/undertray is obviously a whole different story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WARREN Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 http://www.ronayers.com/fiche/frames.cfm?c...51&groupid=3590 I didnt search the info....but I think it may be found here. Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 Thanks Jason and Warren, That is what I suspected. So the undertail I am currently looking at will then replace the whole stock fender of all model years of the Bird. Now to get it fine tuned for an awesome new and better look for the Bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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