Dominator 88 mudguards

is probably un-necessary.  The front guard is the same as any other wideline featherbed.  The rear mudguard is the same as swing-arm Model 7 bikes but only used for 1955 on widelines.  It's the widest rear guard they used, and comes with a hinged rear piece. The 1956-on rear guard is narrower and has a bolt-on tail piece and the registration plate mount is much more curved across the top.

Have you been in touch with Fred Williams?  He makes parts for various Nortons, and I expect he can offer a suitable front guard.  He definitely makes a rear guard for bolt-up featherbed Dominators and all f/bed Internationals, which have the same short narrow rear guard supported by a frame loop at the back.  He also makes the rear number plate mount for those.

If you don't manage to find a suitable pair of guards, sure, I can measure my 1955 Model 88 up for you and take photos. As it happens, a set of new Hagon rear dampers arrived in the post today - I will be fitting them soon, which means I will be able to make photos clearer without having to remove the guard from the bike.The guards on my bike are in excellent condition, and have never been bent (says I, carefully touching wood). I recently arranged to buy a 1955 parts book, which is in the post to me. It probably has illustrations of the correct guards.  Do you have this book?

Paul

Sorry Paul, but like a lot of parts lists of that era, not many illustrations. The book on it's way to you illustrates the 2 frames (swing arm & Wideline) and the forks, but that's about it for bodywork.

Working in the "Stores"- not the Parts Departments they have become- at L Stevens, W London Velo dealers early 70s, the mostly unillustrated parts book could be tricky to navigate on a busy Saturday afternoon! 

I just spoke to Fred Williams, and he is making a batch of front mudguards at the moment, hoping to have them ready for Kempton Park in just over a week's time.  They will be £85 including the fork bridge, and £20 for a set of four stays.

He makes the short one-piece rear guard for featherbed Internationals and bolt-up Dominators, which are £250 including the bracket.  He does not make the 1955 Model 88 type guard.  He did say that it would cost too much to tool up for the expected demand, but he can look out for a second-hand one. Don't expect it to be cheap, he spoke of £400 being a current price.  He has made the '55 type number plate mount in the past but not for a long time.  It's common to other Norton models so may be findable.

It would be worth trying to find a useable second-hand rear guard before embarking on making a new one - there's a bit of tooling needed, etc. I will be happy to help with measurements, etc.  as necessary.  I am based in London, so not such an easy reach for you.

I have phone number and email address for Fred Williams, so if you want these, just send me a private message.

Paul

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225649892407?hash=item3489c81c37:g:uQkAAOSwXJhkoZYE&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8D91bSgsbqiBJr%2FYYKp38%2BWKLjHQKoK4lQhqyrqTO%2FAMQ0HgmpeTGe8zLZZkdhjfx19MHuzSsB6Fc5f1qONvuloXRoRrNy2jIFwzfIgatnvYlquktimtQ9MyQ%2FUXx5ALsTp1Y4o8BM6x%2Fv5zCByeS6RX1KlUZTAWT3RsKCqgaEjqP5gRbh7%2By8GRQyg3msZqNbbxGNNQwcTgg%2B4XlWRm2GVu1QkbrE%2FwEurBcpC068l%2Fbd9B%2FVJR8kdE6OcFK4pKeECJ6ZCy%2BfSCmxCyR7B%2B0zckTZgGzDuE0nts9aTO2s00Gw2ECWI080XiIvHb%2BZhgbg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6bwvLGlYg

Hi Daniel,

You might want to check the NOC shop, there seem to be both available, plus the number plate holder. GL

https://shop.nortonownersclub.org/mudguard-rear-wideline

I think it's a 1956-60 guard

 of the NOC shop, and did not find a 1955 rear guard, just the '56-60 guard.  There's a rear number plate mount, also the late '50s type, not suitable for an earlier bike. 

I would suggest a search for the right guard, second-hand, and keep an eye on Ebay.  I have taken some measurements off my bike, but not enough to make a replica guard yet.  

Paul

I know Fred quite well, from shows, and as far as I know he hasn't made rear guards for many years.  His front guards are pretty good, I have one, but he has been winding down his business for a few years now, so I can quite believe that he has given up on mudguards.  Possibly tank side panels too?  His were the best and a few years ago I persuaded him to make the badge recesses larger to suit the current availability of the larger badges, rather than the originals which have a smaller diameter, but after 50 years are unlikely to pass muster!  I doubt that anyone could make a new guard based on Parts Book illustrations.  Renovation Spares might do them.  Years ago I lent them my original rear guard from my 1959 '99', with the detachable tailpiece as a pattern.

I see it went for £322!  Interesting to see that it's Date-stamped "JUN 59" because I bought an NOS tail section a few years ago with the same date!  My own 1959 bike's is stamped "JUL 59", which is the date the bike was first registered, so it was "Hot off the press" - literally!