Chrome Fenders

Anyone have any experience buying new fenders from any of our Norton vendors? I am interested in the type, look and shine of these fenders that come from overseas. Most I have seen are not of the "USofA" bright shine type. Apparently the ROW (rest of world) has a different view of how chrome should look. Any outstanding fenders out there that can be recommended?

Thanks.

Only the early fenders were chrome, most were stainless and that is what is avaialble today. Stainless as sold does not have the lustre of Chrome but with extra polishing you can get closer but never exactly the same.

The commonly available Commando fenders are stainless, not chrome. Usually they are MKIII style meaning the front fender has no lip in the front and no holes for the front stay. They shine very nicely but scratch much easier than chrome and need more upkeep. I'm not sure if there are any chrome ones available new at all.

I had my stainless front fender chromed last year and it cost over $200 US.

I was considering new s/s fenders on my '69 from Walridge at about $320 for the pair at the Christmas sale, but the s/s front one is wider, would take new stays, the rear one I am not sure would fit with my seat and not sure about the mounting in any case. I finally found a chromer that gave me a quote on $170 ea. for the fenders, and I am now deciding to go with the re-chroming for the slight increase in price. I know they will fit and will be "original" so to speak as long as the chrome job is ok. I'll let you know when it's done. This bike will not be residing in the barn in the winter either.

Dave
69S

kommando said:

Only the early fenders were chrome, most were stainless and that is what is avaialble today. Stainless as sold does not have the lustre of Chrome but with extra polishing you can get closer but never exactly the same.

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They were chrome from 1968 to 1972...five years compared to stainless from 1973 to 1975...three years. Sounds like most were chrome. I had the originals on my '72 re-chromed here in the US in '98. I've had both type and prefer the chrome...much more shiny! When going to a plating shop make sure to see the color of their chrome before letting them do your parts. At two different shops I used, one had very white chrome while the other had "brassy" chrome. Both look good, but would not work if mixing on one machine.

Thanks guys for the info+ on stainless and chrome fenders. I had the original fenders rechromed about 6 years again and have had a few small dents in them and the finish is a bit scratched, nothing real serious. The chromer in Portland wants $170 for the front (one small dent repair) and $270 for the rear (4 very small dents) which is why I started asking questions about new ones. One question tho, my front is not as wide as the rear but it takes up the full space between the front forks. Mine is a 1971.

One question tho, my front is not as wide as the rear but it takes up the full space between the front forks. Mine is a 1971.

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In 1971 Norton went to a 4.10H-19 front tire from the 3.00 - 19 used previously. This necessitated a wider (chrome) front fender (P/N 062328) than the earlier models (P/N 060583). This fender was used only in 1971 and part of 1972. It is of identical dimension as the later stainless fender.

That makes this fender even more rare than the early narrow ones!

Ron L said:

One question tho, my front is not as wide as the rear but it takes up the full space between the front forks. Mine is a 1971.

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In 1971 Norton went to a 4.10H-19 front tire from the 3.00 - 19 used previously. This necessitated a wider (chrome) front fender (P/N 062328) than the earlier models (P/N 060583). This fender was used only in 1971 and part of 1972. It is of identical dimension as the later stainless fender.

That makes this fender even more rare than the early narrow ones!

Click to expand...

Hi Ron,

My Dec '71 dated '72 roadster has the original chrome fenders. Maybe an illusion, but my front looks narrower than the stainless on the 850s. I didn't realize it was "rare".

My Dec '71 dated '72 roadster has the original chrome fenders. Maybe an illusion, but my front looks narrower than the stainless on the 850s. I didn't realize it was "rare".

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If you can get a 4.10H-19 tire under it without rubbing the stays, then you have the wide one!

I have used Queen City Plating in Mukilteo and have been really happy with the service and results. They aren't that far from Camas.

http://www.queencityplating.com/Index.html