Not a hugger, maybe a flapper

[Terry Lee]

Standard disclaimer: probably been addressed before

The open area between the swing arm and the upper fender seems to allow crud and such through onto the rear shock. I entertained installing a hugger to keep that area clean. While poking around, I noticed a bit of a flap hanging down from the inner fender assembly. My guess is a rudimentary mud guard. I found some 3/16" neoprene sheet that I thought might be of use. Two hole punched on one side.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O5F95quQd-4/VUP-RghQF_I/AAAAAAAAHr0/wARJKOsLm6I/w1044-h589-no/IMG_2315.JPG

The flapper goes on the forward side of the plastic guard, attached with two stainless steel screws.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8KfRN0Cbirc/VUP-Sazs2FI/AAAAAAAAHr8/PR30JWVls1k/w1044-h588-no/IMG_2316.JPG

The idea is to block that area from tire flinging stuff and allow the swing arm to freely slide against the rubber. I wasn't concerned about it fouling the tire but was curious where the flapper would rest during a ride. I fixed a camera to the rear foot pegs and discovered that it actually moves forward at speed. No need for a tie back or spring assembly.
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[Bibio]

superb idea, been looking for a way to keep the crud off the linkage and as usual i have not been thinking KISS so was looking at making a mould etc.etc. this is a faaaar simpler and neat solution. will just need to tweek it a bit.

[Terry Lee]

superb idea, been looking for a way to keep the crud off the linkage and as usual i have not been thinking KISS so was looking at making a mould etc.etc. this is a faaaar simpler and neat solution. will just need to tweek it a bit.

Yeah, I got 3 square feet of the neoprene. I'm going to tweak as well. It always takes me at least three tries to get something right. Or rather, I tire of the process by the third iteration.

[PyroUK]

Very nifty! Incredibly neat little solution there!

[wideguy]

My '00 650 came with a set up that keeps the shock (mostly) clean, but I did exactly what you show on my RC-51, only with 1/8" hard rubber sheet. I found I had to put it up on top of the swingarm. When I left it in front, it would get picked up by the tire. It is closer to the tire on my RC.

[Bias]

I've done this to all my bikes when the design has let me do it. I don't see the point of spending a fortune on colour matched huggers to keep road crap off the rear shock and linkages

[Jayneflakes]

That is a nice idea, my bike has a hugger fitted and that does a good job of keeping most of the road spray off the shock, but the chain does flick some filth on there still. I may have to adapt that concept to reducing chain spray too. :D