Mudsling fitting too close to the back tyre?

[spencetj]

I order a Mudlsing from NippyNorman a couple of weeks ago and just fitted it last weekend. This should be the new and improved doesn't-cut-into-the-brake-hose version. After reading about problems people had with the Mudsling getting scratched on the screw at the bottom of the rear shock and having to pack it out with spacers to fix the problem, I was rather surprised to find the opposite problem...

I put in the screws at the top of the Mudsling first and at this point it was touching the rear tyre at the bottom. The Mudsling is slightly wider than the bike frame so I had to cable tie one side tight against the frame then press the other side in hard to get it in place. With both sides cable tied as tight as I could get them, the bottom end of the Mudsling is maybe 10mm off the tyre and 20mm away from the bottom of the shock with the bike on the centre stand. Is this normal? Should I have more clearance from the tyre? Under load the clearance appears to be about the same but that's just from bouncing on it on the drive, I can't tell what it does while I'm riding.

The bike is an 08 GSA with ESA.

 

[wilbjr21]

I order a Mudlsing from NippyNorman a couple of weeks ago and just fitted it last weekend. This should be the new and improved doesn't-cut-into-the-brake-hose version. After reading about problems people had with the Mudsling getting scratched on the screw at the bottom of the rear shock and having to pack it out with spacers to fix the problem, I was rather surprised to find the opposite problem...

I put in the screws at the top of the Mudsling first and at this point it was touching the rear tyre at the bottom. The Mudsling is slightly wider than the bike frame so I had to cable tie one side tight against the frame then press the other side in hard to get it in place. With both sides cable tied as tight as I could get them, the bottom end of the Mudsling is maybe 10mm off the tyre and 20mm away from the bottom of the shock with the bike on the centre stand. Is this normal? Should I have more clearance from the tyre? Under load the clearance appears to be about the same but that's just from bouncing on it on the drive, I can't tell what it does while I'm riding.

The bike is an 08 GSA with ESA.

I've just fitted the replacement and it is fine. Are you happy that it is correctly fitted under the top of the mudguard?

I'm off to the NEC tomorrow but I will take some photos and post them on Saturday morning if you like?

 

[Big Nick]

I have the same bike as you and the revised Mudsling

It fits fine and I do not have your problem

Check how you've fitted it would be my advice

 

[Magwych]

By your description of it being a bit too wide it sounds like its not quite fitted right ...

The diagonal frame tubes that run from swing arm pivot area up to the rear of the under set area are supposed to fit into semi-circular channels either side fo the Mudsling . It almost clamps itself in place like that, the cable ties then hold it firmly...

Hope that didn't cuase too much confusion. Hopefully someone will post a photo to help you, instead of my deranged ramblings

 

[ANTS]

Just been looking at these on Nippy's website as I'm thinking about getting one (was checking one out on a bike at the NEC). It says at the bottom of the description that it won't fit bikes with ESA.....

 

[andrews]

Fits ESA

The MudSling is designed to fit bikes with ESA. The big depression in the top surface is there to clear the ESA body. Even so, it will fit bikes without ESA back to '05.

Andrew

 

[spencetj]

As people said before when there were issues with the previous Mudsling catching on the swingarm and brake hose, there isn't much scope for incorrect fitting.

I took out the old torx screws in the plastic trim under the seat, fitted the Mudsling on top of the existing plastic bit, and put the new longer screws in. I did wonder if the Mudsling was supposed to slide underneath the existing plastic trim but (i)the insyructions didn't say so (ii)I don't think it would fit and (iii)even if it did fit I think it would make the problem worse. Since the semi-circular sides of the Mudsling would meet the bike's frame at the same place, moving the top of the Mudsling underneat the other plastic would move it further forwards and cause the bottom end to mvoe further back, closer to the rear tyre.

The width of the Mudsling between the two semi-circular bits is slightly wider than the width between the tubes on the bike's frame, so the Mudsling won't fit into place without being cable tied, it just springs out again.

The Mudsling looks pretty solid but is it possible it got bent? The edges look quite uneven as though it had been cut by hand, maybe the manufacturing toleranes are not that great so some come out a bit different to others? Is this part of the redesign of the Mudsling? Or maybe its fine and that is how its supposed to fit?

I could try and post a photo but I think I need to be a paid up Tosser first!

 

[John Armstrong]

I could try and post a photo but I think I need to be a paid up Tosser first!

I think you can link to a photo hosting website though

 

[wilbjr21]

Photos as promised the other day.

I altered my original and the profile of the new one is not too far away in shape, so I'm hopeful

 

[Rod2240]

I fitted one to my 08 GSA with ESA with no problem. You would'nt by any chance be trying to fit it upside down would you??!!
Rod

 

[ANTS]

I apologise for my perevious post - it actually appears there are 2 versions of the mudsling on the NN website - one for bikes with ESA & one for those without - I hadn't noticed this.

Do they keep the crud off the back of your legs well? I'm really considering getting one as I'm rather bore arriving covered in road crap (especially the R side). *9 sheets seems a little steep to me though!

 

[Big Lee]

You can have my MC hugger for 50 notes that`s good at keeping you free of mud

 

[spencetj]

I took some photos of my mudsling last night but I couldn't upload them, the files are too big. I will have another go when I get some time, hopefully this weekend.

 

[wilbjr21]

I took some photos of my mudsling last night but I couldn't upload them, the files are too big. I will have another go when I get some time, hopefully this weekend.

Do they look anything like the photos that I posted for you on Saturday?

 

[spencetj]

Your photos look pretty much the same as mine (except that your looks like its just come from the showroom and mine is covered in a layer of crud) but its hard to judge the distance of the bottom end of the Mudsling from the tyre and from the bottom of the shock. I have been using the bike (when its not icy!) and haven't had any problems yet so maybe its OK. I don't see how it could be fitted in any other position anyway.

 

[wilbjr21]

Mines laid up at the moment as I recover from a back operation - can't resist a bit of cleaning (bikes done 13500 miles since March). If you would like a better photo I can take one for you - it would be no problem and glad to help.

 

[spencetj]

can't resist a bit of cleaning

If only you weren't so far away, I could help you with that one. You could grow spuds in the dirt on my bike at the moment!

 

[andycf]

Mudsling

Has anyone tried to fit a mudsling to a 1200GS that has got Ohlins suspension?
It would appear from photos that I have seen that the Mudsling fits to the frame in exactly the same place as the Ohlins Pre load adjuster.
I would be grateful for any advice please!
Andycf

 

[eonbkuk]

I have found the same problem that it rubs the tyre when on the center stand but cannot hear it rubbing when moving bike in and out of garage and i have tried moving it about

 

[morty]

fitted on gsa 08 no probs what-so-ever.took about 5mins.