The beaded fender welting for the front fenders was used to hide the fact that a tight fit between the fender and the cowl was improbable.
Often times when we mock up these front fenders, we scratch our heads as to how this is supposed to work!
As you tighten up the bolts holding the fenders to the cowl, the flange of the fender will bend and close the gap enough for the beaded welting to cover any imperfections.
Same goes for beat up bedsides and rear fenders. A beaded fender welt will hide sins there too.
