So after nearly 23 years of having the front tyre spray road dirt all over the oil cooler and bottom of the radiator of my 02 trophy/4 I decided to add an extension to the mudguard. Do I move quick or what?
Easy I thought… So the trophy mudguard is in 2 parts, front and rear connected via 2 screws. I began to remove the rear mudguard, the 2 screws came out ok, but the mudguard is secured to the front forks via a total of 4 bolts. These are attached to well nuts. They are like tophats in rubber with a circular nut imbedded in the top of the hat. Well 23 years of being untouched all the nuts did was spin in the rubber…
So bike jacked up, remove calipers, remove front wheel to get access to the well nuts. Lots of sweating and swearing later they were removed but ruined in the process.
Of course removing the mudguard showed some paint flaking and mild corrosion on the front of the forks. So I cleaned them up, removing any loose paint and touched up with triumph black engine paint (It was what I had). It wasn’t great but I just wanted protection and it wouldn’t be seen until I take the mudguard off again. Then I treated the fork to techcote anti corrosion spray.
So new well nuts (M6x15) and some stainless steel bolts (M6x35 although originals are M6x40 but that seemed excessive) ordered, the pyramid plastics ‘fenda extenda’ fitted and then reversal of process. Everything went on easily, although I had to modify the extension to take the rubber speedo cable guide.
For practicality I’m happier although I don’t know why the extension can’t be manufactured so that it has a better tapered fit at the top.
After a test ride it looks fine but time will tell if it’s effective.
This was after a ride, the muck seems not to have made it above the belly pan.
