Not a hugger, maybe a flapper

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.


The flapper goes on the forward side of the plastic guard, attached with two stainless steel screws.


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.

[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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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!

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.