Mercury safety reflectors.

lazyeye6

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I have a 1969 Norton Mercury which was imported to and first titled in California in 1970. It has the original license plates. It has
red safety reflectors at the rear but not the amber safety reflectors at the front which was, I believe, a DOT requirement
for USA motorcycle imports beginning in 1969. I have been unable to locate the special bracket onto which the amber safety reflectors mount.
This bracket bolts to the gusset holding the two upswept front frame tubes just below the headstock. None of the usual vendors seem
to know anything about it. Does anyone have a clue as to where this elusive item might be found? I believe it would have been required
for any Atlas models first imported to USA in 1969. See address below for a picture of it. Thanks.

http://www.theworldofmotorcycles.com/_n ... _1969.html
 
Have you located a parts list for a Mercury, to see what it shows. ?
Having a part number often allows tracking such things down.

Tony Curzon in the UK, of hybrids fame, reported has a full factory parts book for these beasties.

Got a photo of the bracketry attachment point under the tank for us to view. ?
Often it will just need a suitable bendy bit of steel with suitable oles made up - as the factory would have done it !
The prices asked for those amber/red reflectors are getting somewhat astronomical for what they are !?
I bought some smaller ones for a trailer, for a whole $2.

There are several Mercury owners here, hopefully they will visit and chime in...
 
i have a non-illustrated parts list for 1962-1968 slimline bikes in which each model is included , (including Mercury).
There is no listing for safety reflectors or mounting brackets.
 
The photos appear to have the standard Lucas reflector of the period.
This one is off a BSA if I remember correctly. The mounting bolt is 5/16 British thread.
Note the 'TOP' printing on the reflector for orienting.
Just the mounting bracket should be different for your Norton.
Mercury safety reflectors.
 
Better yet, go to the URL on my original post. There are two photos there. Look at the 2nd photo and enlarge it.
 
On this laptop, all I see is a black patch.

Just make up something similar.....
 
Your bike would have come with the orange chrome bezel Lucas reflectors.
There is no factory illustration for the bracket.
Bacon's twin restoration book has an okay photo that should help you make one that would work.,

If you want a correct "original" bracket, contact Colin Kelly at Custom Classic Cycle Parts.
Colin makes tinware for English bikes. Superb quality. I highly recommend him.,
He is currently restoring a Mercury that has an original bracket and he could make you an exact reproduction.
Website: http://www.customclassiccycleparts.com

Stephen Hill
 
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