Front mudguard stays

cliffa · Jan 7, 2022

This recent post from Time Warp made me realize how much more modern the Commando looks without front mudguard stays. Does anybody else run the mudguard without them and if so any issues?

Replacement engine install - which rear ISO?

Received an engine to put in my ‘72 Combat last night. The front ISO is stand non-vernier and appears to replaced by the PO. The rear however is obviously older if not original. Looking for recommendations on a rear ISO. I was planning on just replacing the rubbers on the exhaust and head...

www.accessnorton.com

lazyeye6 · Jan 7, 2022

Clearly, designers did not think there was a problem omitting the front stay for the Mark III model in 1975. I have had both
a Mark II with front stay and a Mark III without. I saw no difference in structural stability.

Deckard · Jan 7, 2022

Allegedly, the stays help with the forks twisting during hard braking due to the disc brake caliper being on only one lower leg.
It does look cleaner without them.
Lots of debate about aftermarket fork braces (Norman Hyde, RGM, etc) adequately able to prevent the fork legs from twisting
Dual discs add more weight, so no perfect solution.......

olympus · Jan 7, 2022

cliffa said:
This recent post from Time Warp made me realize how much more modern the Commando looks without front mudguard stays. Does anybody else run the mudguard without them and if so any issues?

Replacement engine install - which rear ISO?

Received an engine to put in my ‘72 Combat last night. The front ISO is stand non-vernier and appears to replaced by the PO. The rear however is obviously older if not original. Looking for recommendations on a rear ISO. I was planning on just replacing the rubbers on the exhaust and head...

www.accessnorton.com

I have the front guard without stays fitted from HNW supplied bare metal and chromed locally ... i believe its from CNW... could be wrong

baz · Jan 7, 2022

Deckard said:
Allegedly, the stays help with the forks twisting during hard braking due to the disc brake caliper being on only one lower leg.
It does look cleaner without them.
Lots of debate about aftermarket fork braces (Norman Hyde, RGM, etc) adequately able to prevent the fork legs from twisting
Dual discs add more weight, so no perfect solution.......

I don't think the stays add any stiffness to stop twisting during braking
But the main mudguard bridge definitely does in my experience

Mart UK · Jan 7, 2022

Deckard said:
Allegedly, the stays help with the forks twisting during hard braking due to the disc brake caliper being on only one lower leg.
It does look cleaner without them.
Lots of debate about aftermarket fork braces (Norman Hyde, RGM, etc) adequately able to prevent the fork legs from twisting
Dual discs add more weight, so no perfect solution.......

The centre mudguard bracket, above the wheel, is quite robust. I can see that helping overall stiffness. I can't believe the bottom or front mounts do much for the forks. So if you remove the mudguard, just leave the top bracket on.

Mine is currently off, being tittivated. The bike looks really cool without the guard!

Tornado · Jan 7, 2022

My original stayed front guards had chrome flaking off around the stay through bolts. Picked up a nice stainless front guard off a Kijiji ad, no forward stays. Rear is already stainless. Have been thinking to drill and fit forward stays, but after seeing Norman Whites restoration book cover, a nice Interstate without front stay, i'm likely leaving my MKII as is.