Britbike forum Forums Thread Like Summary - Odd front mudguard A65

i968 A65 imported from Germany a few years ago. As seen, the guard doesn't fit quite right. It did have a small sticker near the front lip (in German, now lost) which I thought might have been the maker/supplier. Perhaps not an original? Hoop stay could be longer than original? Any thoughts?

It looks like a 18" wheel instead of 19"
The front stay looks completely wrong
The muddle stay should be parallel to the fork legs (should it be tubular?)
The mudguard is mounted too far back, the dents should be inline with the fork legs

Mine (mudguard) should be exactly like Gary E's, not quite as pristine though!

Those cranked stats are not standard. Someone has cut,welded and chromed them so everything looked like it fitted. The middle stays also look longer and this is perhaps part of the reason.

The recess in the mudguard should sit fairly central between the fork gaiters.

Replace the centre brackets and I reckon everything will start to line up fine.

The only '68 US models to use that style of front fender and front loop stay were the Spitfire and the Firebird Scrambler.

The only '68 US model to use shouldered alloy rims (Borrani) was the Spitfire. The OP's rim is a Borrani.

Th OP's image has standard pipes, not high pipes of the Firebird Srambler. As a result, I assume, unless added to another model, the bike is a Spitfire.

The OP's loop stay measurement is correct for the '68 Spitfire (& Firebird).

Fix or replace the center fender bracket, position it correctly, and the fender will be positioned correctly.

It's a 1968 Spitfire Mk IV, exported to Germany in '68 and imported back in 2017. Engine no.SB 5846. Rear rim is a replacement ( I presume) Morad, front is a Borrani. My Mk 2 back in '67 had Dunlop rims.

Apart from the bars and tank, it looks identical to Gary E's.

On Saturday I will be removing the middle stays.