Here at Demeanour Customs, we like believe that sometimes traditional old-school methods are best. We take this approach to several of our jobs, especially our sheet metal fabrication. This week, we have been hand-crafting motorcycle mudguards using old-school sheet metal fabrication methods.
Our made-to-order mudguards start life as as a 2mm flat piece of aluminum, cut and shaped to fit a 5.00 x 16 tyre. From here, they are annealed to strengthen the metal, and reduce internal stress. After the metal has been annealed, it is then shaped by hand, or rather by hammer! Panel beating allows us the get the basic shape curved shape of the mudguard. This progress, although it looks easy and fun, it one of the most difficult and technically challenging stages of sheet metal fabrication. Hitting the metal in specific places to create folds and dents is important to achieving the perfectly curved edges. Next, we use the English Wheel to remove lumps left from the panel beating process, as well as refining the specific shape of the mudguard. After we have perfected the shape of the mudguard, we use a piece of home-made sheet metal fabrication equipment. This unique mudguard roller was built by Demeanour Customs, specifically for finishing off our made-to-order mudguards. This final stage of the process completely smooths out the metal, removing any of the finer bumps and finalising the shape of the mudguard.
