Mudguard bodgery

[Dogtrousers]

The bracket on my rear mudguard broke at the weekend. This is the flat metal piece that's riveted to the mudguard and which engages the eyebolt and attaches to the stay.

I've looked on the webby but the only things I can see to buy are the bridge brackets that clamp on and attach to the brake bolt, and that's not the bit that's broken.

I reckon it would be quite easy to drill the rivets out, make another from a piece of flat metal, bend it to shape and pop-rivet it in place, making sure the lumpy side of the pop-rivet is on the outside so it doesn't foul on the wheel.

The question is: What sort of metal should I use? I'm considering baked bean/tomato tin, or perhaps paint tin, but both might be a bit flimsy. Oh, if only I hadn't thrown away my old galvanized cold water tank. That would have supplied ideal material, I think. Any suggestions for anything better?

The alternative seems to be a whole new set of mudguards. Possible, I suppose. The bike was originally 27" wheel, now riding with modern 622mm rims plus 28mm tyres (700c? these numbers confuse me) and these are the original mudguards. Would there be any sneaky gotchas hiding?

 

[John the Monkey]

It's hard to tell for sure, but I'm not certain the metal used is much tougher than that of a bean can.

One other (pre-shaped) alternative could be a bridge bracket - the last one I bought was £1.50, and I think the parts that fold under normally could be long enough to accommodate an eyebolt hole.

 

[Tim Hall]

The other alternative is to blag a bracket off a broken mudguard and pop rivet that. I might have something.

Mudguards for 700C/622 wheels will be fine.

 

[Crackle]

You can buy the aluminuim sheet on ebay. You need 1 or 1.2mm stuff, mark, cut, drill, bend to shape. I need to do it to make a new attachment for an unusual shaped brake bridge.

 

[Teuchter]

Is this the bracket that clips onto the chainstay bridge at the bottom / front edge of the mudguard? Mine broke last year and I just replaced it with a heavy plastic zip tie. Been right as rain since then (after probably about 3000 miles).

 

[Dogtrousers]

Is this the bracket that clips onto the chainstay bridge at the bottom / front edge of the mudguard? Mine broke last year and I just replaced it with a heavy plastic zip tie. Been right as rain since then (after probably about 3000 miles).

No, it's the rearmost one that takes the stays, just near where the reflector is. Bank holiday Monday I think I may have a bar taping and mudguard bodging session. I may have to eat some baked beans first to get the appropriate materials ready. Then plan B is new mudguards.

 

[GrasB]

Get a strip of 1 to 2mm stainless steel. Drill & bend to shape.