Mercury/Commando mudguards

Previously dominic_gomes wrote:

Would anyone have any idea whether the early Commando (68-70) mudguards are the same as the 650 Mercury ones? I cannot find a parts list for the Mercury. I require a set. They appear to look similar from photos I have seen.

thanks

Dominic

The front guard on the Mercury is the same as Commando albeit painted Atlantic blue. Also the front mudguard stays seem to be the same. The Mercury rear mudguard has the hole with Dzus clip for the dual seat but apart from that I would say that it is the same as the early Commando although painted Atlantic blue. The rear mudguard stay on the Mercury is peculiar to that model only. Good Luck, Howard

Hi Dominic I'm in the same boat as you regarding the mercury mudguards notice you posted this a few weeks ago have you solved this problem nobody seem to have a answer to this problem I have be in touch with a mercury Ower that's got it for sale on eBay the front is 4 1/2 in and the back is 6 in but that's all I've found out so far

Previously clayton_dingle wrote:

Hi Dominic I'm in the same boat as you regarding the mercury mudguards notice you posted this a few weeks ago have you solved this problem nobody seem to have a answer to this problem I have be in touch with a mercury Ower that's got it for sale on eBay the front is 4 1/2 in and the back is 6 in but that's all I've found out so far

Clayton,

I have a Mercury (for over 20 years now) and have easily fitted a Commando front mudguard, BUT D NOT use the Commando stays as they are too long. The problem is that the longer stays make the mudguard hit the frame cross member under braking, which is rather dangerous as it forces the steering dive to the side. To overcome this buy a nice new set of Dominator stays from RGM, these are the correct length and are finished beautifully in chrome.

The rear mudguard is most likely to be a Commando guard as well as it was being built at the same time as the early Commandos.

Regards, Philip.

Thanks for that information Phil I have spoken to rgm and they say that the commando front will fit and I see andover norton do mercury stays so that could be the front sorted don't suppose you know the lent of the rear one do you as if I had that I could give auto cycle engineering a call and see if they could make one or look for a universal gaurd many thanks clayton

Previously clayton_dingle wrote:

Thanks for that information Phil I have spoken to rgm and they say that the commando front will fit and I see andover norton do mercury stays so that could be the front sorted don't suppose you know the lent of the rear one do you as if I had that I could give auto cycle engineering a call and see if they could make one or look for a universal gaurd many thanks clayton

Clayton, I have an original Mercury rear mudguard hanging up in my garage, so when I'm home tonight I can measure up for you.

Phil.

Previously philip_ham wrote:

Previously clayton_dingle wrote:

Thanks for that information Phil I have spoken to rgm and they say that the commando front will fit and I see andover norton do mercury stays so that could be the front sorted don't suppose you know the lent of the rear one do you as if I had that I could give auto cycle engineering a call and see if they could make one or look for a universal gaurd many thanks clayton

Clayton, I have an original Mercury rear mudguard hanging up in my garage, so when I'm home tonight I can measure up for you.

Phil.

That would be great if you could don't suppose you want to sale it do you

Clayton

Previously dominic_gomes wrote:

The early commando (68) front will fit as it looks like the same part. I have a pal that has a 68 commando and both his and my front mudguards look the same. The rear also looks very similar to mine. Only difference will be the holes in the rear one for the lighting brackets etc and the lack of a dzuz seat fixing hole. Lawrence from RGM does have different length stays for the front mudguard. We are lucky that my Mercury is original so comparisons regarding the non original parts on my pal's bike are easy to remedy. (Bikes engine numbers are only 17 digits apart) I have had to make the rear mudguard bracing stay as it does not seem to be available anywhere.

Thanks for that I once had a email from LAWRENCE at rgm and he said commando guards but when asked this time emailed someone else think have to go back to the good old fashioned way by phone as for the rear brace if you mean the loop from the shockers the I have noticed that Bruton bike bits list one but have got that far my self just yet

Clayton, I've measured the Mercury rear mudguard, the details are:

Overall length around the outside curve is 1.110m (43 3/4")

Width 145mm (5 3/4"), depth of the section is 55mm (2 1/4").

This old mudguard has had some major brazing repairs, which need serious attention to make it usable. I can take some photos if that helps. I wasn't planning to sell it, but may be tempted! I think a previous owner chose to make my Mercury look like a 650SS by fitting stainless steel mudguards, fitting a rev counter and chroming the other bits that should be Atlantic Blue - but I like it like this.

Philip

Previously philip_ham wrote:

Clayton, I've measured the Mercury rear mudguard, the details are:

Overall length around the outside curve is 1.110m (43 3/4")

Width 145mm (5 3/4"), depth of the section is 55mm (2 1/4").

This old mudguard has had some major brazing repairs, which need serious attention to make it usable. I can take some photos if that helps. I wasn't planning to sell it, but may be tempted! I think a previous owner chose to make my Mercury look like a 650SS by fitting stainless steel mudguards, fitting a rev counter and chroming the other bits that should be Atlantic Blue - but I like it like this.

Philip

Thanks for the measurements phill best give the guard a miss as fabrication is my strongest thing sorry but the information is spot on now I know what to look for or inquire about thank very much for you help but I'm sure someone would buy it if you put it up for sale but a photo of it would be good just to see what it looks like off the bike if you don't mind

Clayton

Previously dominic_gomes wrote:

Norvil have a rear mudguard on their list with part number 065252 which differs from the Commando part number 63887 and the RGM number 63887/1 which is undrilled. Les of Norvil is away on holiday until Thursday. I am going to call him then to check which rear one is best for the Mercury. The RGM site have the measurements of each of the mudguards next to the relevant part. The commando measurements are very similar to the Mercury, the only difference I could see was the depth. My depth is 6mm and theirs appears to be 5cm.

Yes since I've been on here and talking to others about this subject and got the measurements of the mercury mudguard I have looked at rgm gaurds and seen that there's was close to it and I have spoken to norvil and told Les was away and they will get back to me when Les returns so was going to wait to see what he recommends then go from there but glad I came on here as it has really helped with this issue

Clayton

Previously dominic_gomes wrote:

The info from the Steve Wilson book on Norton models says that chrome mudguards were standard on the Mercury in 1969 and 1970. Also that the rev counter was standard in 1970.

That is another thing that isn't clear I've read that they were both a optional extra when purchased new in the UK .A old family friend of my father use to work in some motorcycle shop when left school and when talk to him he said that a mercury was one of the first bikes he sold in 1968 it was blue but the new owner want a rev counter and chroming mudguards which they fitted but he did say that they came in to the shop as blue

Clayton

The basic Mercury model was sold with painted guards. The later options available included Chromed or Stainless guards. The 1969 Commando, built at the same time, starting with Chromed guards with Stainless as an option. As Roadholder forks were fitted to both models the front guards were the same shape and size.

Of possible interest.....the 1969 sales brochure shows the Commando alongside the Mercury. The Technical data showing both wearing 3.00 x 19" front & 3.50 x 19" rear tyres. Recommended pressures being just 25psi front and 22psi rear. The 750 had an Avon GP tyre as standard.

Attachment shows desperation by Norton Villiers to try and move old stock. Look at the included 'now' items.

Hi Dominic,

As a fellow Mercury owner, I wonder if you could scan and post a copy of the Mercury sales brochure?

Best regards,

Chas

Previously dominic_gomes wrote:

I have an original Mercury sales brochure which, apart from the True Blue Norton advertising for 1968 also shows the taillight lens to be the same as the one on my 1969 BSA Rocket 3 (L679). Mine has a L564 lens currently. Looks to be some mix and matching at the time. The brochure also has two pics of the Mercury taken from the front where only one has the roadholder badges on the forks.

Hi Dominic if you look at norvil parts list they do a rear mudguard loop for a matchless G15 which norvil says fits a dominator I have looked at it and I would think this would be the one for the mercury have you spoken to norvil regarding mudguards yet

Thanks for brochure, pdf will do fine,

Best regards,

Chas

Here are a few photos of my "ratty" Mercury rear mudguard. It is the original colour, where the brazing hasn't burnt the paint!

Note the small crease to fit around the swinging arm and make more room for the rear tyre.

Regards, Philip

Sorry, only one photo seemed to be attached, so I've tried again.

Philip

Thanks for putting the pictures on phill now I can see what it looks like and I have now purchased the mudguards from norvil wihich they recommend so when they turn up I can compare them .looking at the gaurd it certainly looks like a early commando to me but I'm sure someone will correct me on this if I'm not thank again