Coloured Mudguards

[Brucey]

Why does it feel softer and floppier than it used to feel?

passage of time. Happens to lots of things....

cheers

[reohn2]

Why does it feel softer and floppier than it used to feel?

passage of time. Happens to lots of things....

cheers

I can relate to that

[Mick F]

I'll have a feel later!

(XAP)Bob has offered me a pair of alu mudguards.
I plan on getting down to Marazion to pick them up next week. They may be just what I want.

image.jpg (26.89 KiB) Viewed 1269 times

[reohn2]

Sprayed black they'll look great

[Vantage]

Sprayed black they'll look great

You made a spelling mistake there John.

Sprayed black. You meant "Polished shiny" right?

[Brucey]

they will polish up well but I think they look a bit wide for the tyres in question...? Proof of the pudding and all that...

cheers

[Mick F]

Yes.
They may or may not fit ............... and if not, they may or may not be modifiable under the brakes.
Can't tell, unless I offer them up and try.

One of the issues of small wheels - as discussed - is that they spray muck and water more than big wheels.
With the standard Moulton mudguards fitted, the bike still got mucky. I wonder if wider mudguards would be better or not? (providing I can fit them of course)

Standard is 45mm wide.

[Mick F]

they will polish up well but I think they look a bit wide for the tyres in question...? Proof of the pudding and all that...

Home yesterday evening after a good day driving the lanes of Cornwall.
Straight down the A30 to Marazion to collect the mudguards, then took our time driving back, stopping for fish and chips at The Welcome Stranger in Lanivet then some grandson duties collecting him from school and getting him ready to go to cubs.

Highly recommended lunch. The Welcome Stranger is on the Old A30 at the western end of Bodmin.
https://welcomestrangercornwall.co.uk

The alu mudguards are 52mm wide.
The originals are 45mm wide.
However, the chainstay bridge part is "squeezed" down to 39mm, so it could be that I can squeeze them to fit under the brake bridges in the same fashion.

I'll have a fettle later this morning.
Stand by for an update.

[Mick F]

Well .................

I had a play with a small hammer and planished an inch or so either side of the front one to get it narrow enough for the brake to work. All fine and hunky-dory so far and the brake operation is fine.

I have stays and all the parts necessary to fit these mudguards and I'm sure they'll polish up a treat.

But, and it's a big BUT, the diameter of them is too wide. I'm not sure if I can reduce them as they are very stiff circumference-wize.

Any advice on how to reduce them?

Front fitted.

Rear wheel on the kitchen table. You can see the extent of the problem.

[Brucey]

with aluminium mudguards it is usually possible to manipulate them (often by hand) to change the curvature. However this also makes the cross-section both flatter and wider, which you may not want.

cheers

[Mick F]

This is what I fear.
These mudguards could be a non-starter for a Moulton TSR.

They are obviously fine for a 406 wheel but for wider chunkier wheels and tyres than I use.

[Mick F]

Looking and fiddling and experimenting with the rear, I reckon it'll flex enough under the pull of the stays to be fine. Yet to battle with it, but I reckon it'll be ok after getting it squeezed enough for the rear brake.

The main issue is the front one.
By pulling in the back end of it, it lifts the front end of course. The stays will hold the back portion in but the front bit in front of the brake could be too high. I'll concentrate on the front mudguard as it's the most difficult.

Tomorrow or weekend job.

[Mick F]

Front one fitted. I'll get stuck into the rear one tomorrow. Busy for the rest of the day today, so tomorrow should be ok.

When all's fitted properly, I'll take them off and shine them up.

It's a tiny bit high at the front, but I reckon it'll be fine.
The original Moulton stays fitted perfectly. I bolted the stay bridge in place with a domed SS nut with a SS bolt and washers.
Photo attached.

Comments welcomed please.

[Brucey]

apologies if this is obvious but using threadlock on the nuts and bolts (once you have them set how you like) would be a smart move. Metal mudguards often vibrate differently from plastic ones.

cheers

[Mick F]

Noted.
Very good point indeed.

I may have an hour or two available for some more fettling this afternoon. I'll be removing the front and cleaning and polishing it. On reassembly, I'll get the Locktite out.

I'll attack the rear tomorrow.