1970 Rear Mudguard Bracket Spacers

Hi All

Progress on the rebuild of my 1970 Roadster is making steady - but very slow progress. I am in awe of those of you who buy a project in autumn and have it on the road by spring. I measure my progress in years not weeks!

I have a question and I hope someone on here might be able to help. I have used the search facility and can't find the exact answer I am after (apologies if I just can't see it - my wife tells me it is a regular fault!)

My bike is a 70 Roadster - almost the same as an "S" Type but with lower pipes. It has the early type rear mudguard which hangs from a bracket mounted on the frame bulkhead. It looks like this one - image from the AN site:



I believe it is held away from the bulkhead by two spacers. The parts book is totally silent on these so I have no idea of the part no. However, can anyone who has one of these bikes tell me the dimensions of this spacer: OD, ID and most importantly Length?

Help much appreciated.

Oh - and if anyone knows a source for a 1970 Roadster Rear Mudguard (or even Fender!) - please let me know. They seem to be hard to find.

Many thanks

Mark

LondonMark said:

I believe it is held away from the bulkhead by two spacers. The parts book is totally silent on these so I have no idea of the part no. However, can anyone who has one of these bikes tell me the dimensions of this spacer: OD, ID and most importantly Length?

Click to expand...

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-dr ... il-section
[34]
(06-2170 same part as the air filter top bracket spacer).
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-de ... 3-16-thick

LAB

Many thanks for the answer and the links.

I have seen those parts in the early parts book; obviously that bracket is not the same as the more "saddle" shaped bracket used on the 70 models. Can I just ask how you know that it is the same part that is used? I haven't managed to find a reference to those spacers anywhere.

If you are right then it solves a mystery for me!

Thanks

Mark

LondonMark said:

Can I just ask how you know that it is the same part that is used?

Click to expand...

I think you will just have to trust me unless somebody else measures some original '70 spacers!

The 3/16" spacers are only necessary due to the 1/8" lip on the lower edge of the frame cross-plate which would otherwise prevent the plate from being tightened squarely (same applies to the air filter top bracket). The mudguard plates may not all be the same but I can't see any reason why the spacers would need to be different.

rightshiftrick said:

Click to expand...

Thanks LAB

Yes you're absolutely right - the spacer is required to position the bracket beyond the lip of the bulkhead so it can be tightened squarely.

And your logic would seem to hold water - if it worked for the earlier bracket it would probably be right for the later one. As well as the bracket the rear mudguard changed between 69 and 70 - with a different mounting point and a slightly different shape.

I'll get hold of those spacers and try them; many thanks for the help

Mark

This mudguard looks about right for the 1970 roadster and S type but it has way too many holes drilled in it.
I contacted the seller a while ago and he replied that they can provide it without holes, I think even without chrome plating.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-NORTON-CO ... SwvzRXzp82

Just for reference, some of the earlier 'early' bikes had a strap between the shock top studs to mount the rear mudguard. It's barely visible in this pic, but also you can see the guard has no flat spot for the bracket that's been discussed. This is off my #132031 S bike.

DogT
Thanks for posting that photo - I hadn't seen an example of that bracket before, but it explains the arrangement on the mudguard I do have - without the flat spot and differently positioned bracket holes - but still with the kink for the tyre pump. These early bikes are always fascinating as the parts book becomes a little "vague" on some of the areas for the 69 and 70 models.

JohnTickle - thanks for the photo of the guard you found. I took a look and it seems to have more holes than a good Swiss cheese! Not sure it is the right shape for an early bike. I do know that the later type mudguard doesn't fit as the holes for the rear light assembly are in completely different places. No prizes for guessing how I found that out...

I suspect that a 71 guard - which AN sell - would fit with some extra holes drilled and not look too bad. At least the rear light should be in the right place.


Just out of interest, I also found out recently that the seat changed shape between 69 and 70. I took mine to be recovered into RK Leighton in Birmingham with the remains of my original seat foam and the guy remarked how the earlier S type had straighter sides, while the 70 had a more chamfered side. Probably an insignificant detail - but one that keeps me interested. Perhaps I should get out more...

Yes, I mounted a 71 rear guard by drilling 2 holes for my bracket between the shocks. My original was too full of holes and after I repaired it, it was worse, so I used a lot of bondo on it and painted it, but still didn't use it. I should send it to Ross to have him fix it. The horn screw still fit.

I didn't know about the 69/70 seat difference, I suppose you're talking about the cover, not the seat pan?

I passed up a chance of getting a pump a few years ago.

DogT - Thanks for confirming that the 71 rear guard will fit acceptably. Getting one from AN will be one of my options if the correct one doesn't show up.

Re seats - yes sorry I was vague. The metal seat pans are the same between 69 and 70. What the guy at Leighton's showed me was that the foam and cover was slightly different. Mine has a chamfered side profile - especially towards the front. Probably slightly steeper than 45 degrees - but noticeable. Looking at the earlier S type seats he had there being re-covered, they seemed to have almost vertical sides. The guy there remarked that he had seen a few examples like mine, but after 30 years in the business he was still learning things!

The same day I took my speedo and tacho into Gaggs in Nottingham. Again, two guys there who had been repairing instruments all their lives. I could have stayed chatting to them all day. They have probably forgotten more about bikes than I have ever known. A real pleasure to chat to them for a while.

Mark

LondonMark said:

Hi All

Progress on the rebuild of my 1970 Roadster is making steady - but very slow progress. I am in awe of those of you who buy a project in autumn and have it on the road by spring. I measure my progress in years not weeks!

I have a question and I hope someone on here might be able to help. I have used the search facility and can't find the exact answer I am after (apologies if I just can't see it - my wife tells me it is a regular fault!)

My bike is a 70 Roadster - almost the same as an "S" Type but with lower pipes. It has the early type rear mudguard which hangs from a bracket mounted on the frame bulkhead. It looks like this one - image from the AN site:

I believe it is held away from the bulkhead by two spacers. The parts book is totally silent on these so I have no idea of the part no. However, can anyone who has one of these bikes tell me the dimensions of this spacer: OD, ID and most importantly Length?

Help much appreciated.

Oh - and if anyone knows a source for a 1970 Roadster Rear Mudguard (or even Fender!) - please let me know. They seem to be hard to find.

Many thanks

Mark

Click to expand...

I just finished up a 70 Roadster myself last spring. I can supply pictures of mine to help you with your project. The down side is that the parts are 69 & 70 only.
John in Texas

Here is a before picture of the rear fender on my 70 Roadster. Another of the repair to it. Last are of it mounted.

John in Texas