NC23 Hugger - Suggestions?

[Matt]

Hi all,
I've finally got a bit of spare time over the Xmas break so I've started to look at the Hugger/Chain Guard on my 23. I've taken some pics of the current parts, which i believe are standard.





I plan to use this as my start point, and make something a bit more modern. Firstly, it seems crazy that the two parts are seperate to me.

Anyway any thoughts or suggestions would be great as to how this can be improved, i plan to get rid of the aluminium flange around the base of the hugger, and I'm sure I've read a post on here about making the hugger larger?

Once I've got a nice shape, i will take a decent mould and start producing these in good quality grp. I'll be doing it for myself anyway but if there are enough people interested i should be able to get the price down.

Any feedback appreciated, and i'll keep you all updated with progress.

Cheers,
Matt

[sh4d0w0lf]

definitely interested in this so i will be keeping my eye on this one




Adam.

[wullvfr]

2nd that

the one on my nc23 at the moment is a bit tatty,it may clean up well but would be much easier to get a new one



william

[squirrel_hunter]

I've always thought that something could be done here, never found anybody else who done anything; I mean even SkidMarks don't have one in their range.

But I do need something for mine as the original hugger fell of c.2002/3...


Out of interest have you worked with GRP before?

[Matt]

Thanks for the interest that makes it even more worth while doing.

Although i dont work with grp in my current job, I'm actually a boatbuilder so I've got plenty of experience with the stuff. I've been meaning to start this project since i got the bike but never got round to it.

I managed to make a complete set of fairings for the NC30 a few years back but the moulds were a bit rough so they didnt last long.

Unfortunately its always the case with grp bike bits, it involves a huge amount of work for a one off, but if you find a little niche and make good quality moulds, the parts become very cheap to produce.

It may take me a while but I've bought a project 23, and i plan to make a full set of race fairings for it for trackdays, so any other grp bits you think may be worth looking at let me know.

Cheers again, bung any ideas on this thread and i'll be posting progress shortly.

Matt :D

[Matt]

Hi all,
Apologies for leaving it so long for an update, it is actually almost a year!! Summer flew past and the project is starting to take shape now, i've also got more time as we are now officially into winter! I've made some progress on the hugger, pics below....

I started by drilling out the rivets and bolting the bottom flange on, temporarily. I then extended the side of the hugger to join it to the chain guard.



Then a trim and a small extension on the chain guard just to start the join, and fitted to the swing arm...



Then i made a plywood guide...



And got the expanding foam out!!!



Then trimmed it to size with a cardboard template to keep the curvature even...





Then its all taped up to make a temporary mould...



Mould finished...



And finally all taken off, and the mould used to make the required extension to the correct shape, spaced nicely off the tyre.




Next i will glass the bottom flange in place, grind the join down and get some filler on the whole thing to start fairing it into shape. Any ideas, commets or thoughts welcome please tell me what you think! I will be working on the chain gaurd to hugger join this week, so will post some more pics later in the week.

Matt

[PARUS]

What it the purpose of doing such long hugger ? I think it will "tinkle" over the riding.

And looks also no so nice as for me...

[Wozza]

Skidmarx now make one of these for the NC23 - £45.

[Matt]

Cheers for the replies guys, obviously the hugger wont be that long once its all finished! Its better to make it too long at this stage as its easier to trim it back than extend it later.

As for the looks, there's clearly a long way to go yet, i'll keep posting progress. I'll have a look at the skidmarx version didnt realise they made one now. Its just to me the standard NC23 kit is messy, the riveted flange at the bottom looks bad, and the fact that the hugger and chain guard are seperate seems crazy to me!

Hopefully as i get a bit further you'll agree it will look better.

Thanks, Matt