High guard but don�t want crud on your motor?
 

Fitting an XTR lower front mudguard could be the answer…

Been thinking about fitting a high mudguard, but don’t fancy the idea of all this winter’s salty crud getting all over the engine. Thought I’d experiment a bit before shelling out for a high mudguard. After pondering the options for a while, I went and bought an XTR lower front mudguard (�16.78 from your dealer) to see if it would fit on the Tenere…

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a.../sIMG_2041.jpg

I got my XTR guard here (see part number 5). I plumped for the 2008 model (for no particular reason).

The hole centres are at 50mm, a lot narrower than the XTZ original guard mounts, which are at 100mm. However, it doesn’t really matter because you need to drill new mounting holes anyway. All that is required is to drill two 6mm holes to accept the rear mounting bolts in this position…

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...asurements.jpg

There is some room for adjustment here; I set the XTR guard to about 20mm clearance, but by relocating the holes you could get as much as 35mm clearance (which would easily avoid excessive mud build up off road). Bolted the new guard using the original rearmost bolts with new M6 nyloc nuts and a 2mm washer either side of the guard.

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a.../sIMG_2050.jpg

I thought I’d worry about the front mounts next, but as it happens they are not needed as the guard is pulled tight against the forks and the recess in the guard for the fork bottoms stops any movement – it’s as solid as a rock.

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a.../sIMG_2054.jpg

Added bonus of the XTR lower is that is actually an inch loger than the standard Tenere guard. Now all I need to do is get the high guard! Tempted by the slightly shorter Aserbis Supermoto guard as I can get away with it’s lack of a back section due to the XTR lower guard being fitted, and I reckon it’s a better match with the Tenere’s styling?

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a.../sIMG_2057.jpg

Cheers for the PM Pleiades.

Looks like the XTR rear front mudguard was made to fit.

Now all i have to do is get time to do this mod myself!!!!

Keep the piccies coming when you have the high mudguard on too.:toot:

looks pretty cool, indeed!

but it seems tehre is less clearance at the top of the tyre than with the original XTZ one. Will a proper knobby tyre fit ?

It is an optical illusion! Took the pictures at night as it was late when I finished the job; the shadow from the flash makes it look closer to the tyre than it actually is. There is a generous 20mm clearance from the centre line of the tyre and more at the edges. As I mentioned there is plenty of scope to have it further away with more clearance if you wanted, just drill the mounting holes in a different place.

I've got a set of TKCs in the garage waiting to be fitted and I made sure they would in my calculations!

I'll try and take some photos in natural light (and when I get the high guard on).

Nice to see, job well done.
It's nice when OE options parts come in cheaper than expected isn't it? I remember having to get a tall seat for my Caponord as it came with the low option. After ringing around a few upholsterers and getting quite high costs, I found out Aprilia did them for �62, plus delivery. Nice.
I might have a word with my dealers and get one of the low guards...

What about simply cutting the original guard in half?

Gets rid of the front section but keeps the distance between wheel and guard. Could then use some of that edge beading stuff you put around your windscreen to neaten the cut up?

Just a thought.

You're quite right, that could be done!

However, I didn't want to wreck the original guard (they're massively more expensive than the XTR lower!) Also the original is quite bulky and you'd have to retain some of the front portion because you'd need the front mountings as it's not flexible enough to pull tight against the fork legs. The idea of using the XTR lower is that it small, light, neat, matt black and isn't really noticeable.

Aye not knocking your work at all, it looks as if it should be there. Very tidy job. It was just a suggestion for the clearance.

You are right however about the cost. When I looked at new plastics for my R, they were reasonable until you wanted yam logos on them. Then boom that will be silly 100 quid more please.

Robbing barstewards!

Finished!
 

Here's a few shots of the finished XTR lower guard mod with Acerbis SM high guard fitted...

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a.../sIMG_2067.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a.../sIMG_2064.jpg

Had some old XT500 fork leg reflectors in the garage and put them on to cover the unused original mudguard front mounts because it looked like something was missing - may keep 'em, may not?

Chose to ditch the towing loop (rather than turn it upside down) in favour of some 20mm polyurethane spacers when fitting the high guard ...

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a.../sIMG_2069.jpg

Just need to get the TKCs on ASAP!

Looks very nice, like it rolled out of the factory this way :icon_thumleft:

would love to see some close up pics of the lower fender clearance when the TKC's are on.

:wave: Will do. Could be a while though because the next priority is changing the clutch on my Land Rover, which is a ******* of a job!

Excellent job. Look great. I have often wondered what to do with the original mudguard mounts when fitting a high guard. I like your solution of a reflector for the unused front pair.

Top job.

I like that very well done but to have a high mudguard stops the low one filling with mud, is this not just an aesthetic mod and have you tested it in some good gloop ???

It is purely cosmetic - vanity is the quicksand of reason! ;)

I never found any problem with the original low mudguard getting clogged up with gloop, so I can't imagine the XTR lower getting bunged up either (the wheel/guard clearance is exactly the same). However, as I mentioned, the lower half guard can be adjust up/down very easily; it can also be removed in a couple of minutes if you so desired and wanted to go mudtastic!

The new set up has yet to be tested as I'm not going anywhere near any brown stuff until the nearly bald Trailmax tyres are in the bin!! TKCs poised ready to fit...

Here you go - a close up with of the clearance with the new, slightly hairy TKC fitted tonight...

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a..._2073small.jpg

Need to do rear at the weekend then will test out in some mud. Interestingly Oponeo have sent me a 140/80 by mistake! The tyres have been sat in their cling film in the shed for last two weeks, only just noticed when I took the front out. Still, the 140 is more costly, so the mistake is in my favour! :D

Very good... love the TKC

thanks for that. It does indeed look like there is even more clearance than with the original. Now seriously considering to replicate your mod. :icon_thumright:

Thanks for this useful mod:)!
 

Thanks @pleiades for this cool mod - just mounted it like you but with an additional strap to fix it twice on each side.

Will ride to eastern Germany next week and there should be some rain around-perfect to get a better protection also for my legs:).

cheers Andy

I looked into the XTR lower guard mod, for me, it still didn't have enough clearance. I modified a GSX250 front guard, mounting it in reverse & trimming it down. Mounting holes line up on your forks but required a stainless steel brace bent in a horseshoe shape to support the front, giving 50mm clearance from the tyre. Also cutting the back section of a YZ guard & using 40mm hydraulic tube as spacers for clearance from the headlight to allow for mounting a flat LED light, mounted from the lower headlight support.
Rode on a charity adventure ride over the weekend, through some muddy countryside with no problem. It all survived so my engineering was sucessfull, cost about $20.
Sorry, no pics as I haven't paid for a subscription on here yet

That's the beauty of this sort of mod - it's just an idea, an idea you can tailor to your own needs.

What I will say is that the XTR lower has been on my bike for three years now and endured gravel, stones, mud, sand and lots of water and it's still as solid as the day it was fitted. Clearance has never been an issue and it's certainly made of tougher more flexible stuff than the OE guard which didn't survive the same punishment...

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps64095b5e.jpg

Front tyre picked up and dragged a stone round, which got trapped underneath the guard and forced it outwards, snapping it at the rear mounts. They're as brittle as eggshell!

Hey Pleiades,

Thanks for another great mod - one that I'm copying 100%.

I'm having trouble getting the guard to not move forwards and backwards once tightened, using only the two rearmost bolts to secure it. I have a 2mm spacer in place, but the gap between the new guard and the inside of the fork still seems pretty wide either side. Any ideas? I don't want to over-tighten in case the things snaps. One note - I'm using the original bolts.

Thanks again, I appreciate all your help so far

Just omit the spacer between the guard and fork leg. You need to pull the guard right up against the forks. The order of parts from outside inside would be...

BOLT>FORK LEG>LOWER GUARD>WASHER>NYLOC NUT

I also used the OE bolts.

You did get an XTR lower guard didn't you? The XTX ones are different and won't work.

Thanks again, I'll try in some light.

I did get the XTR (2008), it just feels like it needs to be pulled too far wide than would be healthy for the plastic. Maybe I just need to be a bit less gentle with it..

It'll bend a long way before you'll break it. Give it a bit more brute force an ignorance! It's the tension from the bending that holds it in place.