Mudguard Washers

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May 1, 2013
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In another thread it was mentioned that at the time of the design of the Dominator, in the late '40s England was deep in debt, with food rationing etc.

Those familiar with Nortons will recognise by its description the mudguard washer, 1.25" diameter, 5/16" hole, 1/16" thick, cadmium or zinc plated depending on when it was made.
The story goes that when the part was drawn (possibly before the war, for another model?), the thickness was specified as 18swg, about 0.036" if my memory serves. In 1947/48 when the buyer came to get some material there was none available. At all, anywhere. However he could get some 1/16" or 16swg, strip in vast quantities, intended for use on a truck or something for the war effort. Since the war had ended this material was available at a sort of pre war price. It was really not much use for anything else. So the buyer bought it, the drawing was changed to show 1/16" material, and Nortons had enough material for mudguard washers for the next few years.

cheers
wakeup
 


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