The underseat area, of my new mobility scooter, is just what could best
be described as an open box shape, which contains the rear wheels,
batteries, lots of connectors, and all of the electronics. The designers
have made no attempt, to prevent water and mud being sprayed around the
entire, enclosed, under seat area at all. This rather concerns me, and
would have been easily solved by the addition of some inner wings, or mudgaurds. There is even an easy place to bolt such a mudgaurd, a couple
of mounting bolts on the rear axle. So I feel inclined to make some....

I have some suitable, thin alloy sheet, stashed away, but wondering how
to go about it, how to shape them. The lower end, will simply be a 90
deg fold, to fix on the existing bolts, then a half circle, but how do I
make the right angle part around the edge of the tyre?

I could simply fold the edge over, rippling it up and down, to loose the surplus rim material. Similar, but snip the rim, and pop-rivet the
overlaps. I could fold a series of small 'tags' over, and make a strip
of material, pop riveted onto the tags. I could do similar, but using
just three tags, an horizontal, and two at 45 degrees, front and rear.

The scooter has suspension, so the mudgaurd must be only fixed to the
axle, and be clear of the plastic body panel.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 03/04/2025 10:46, Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:

The underseat area, of my new mobility scooter, is just what could best
be described as an open box shape, which contains the rear wheels,
batteries, lots of connectors, and all of the electronics. The designers
have made no attempt, to prevent water and mud being sprayed around the entire, enclosed, under seat area at all. This rather concerns me, and
would have been easily solved by the addition of some inner wings, or mudgaurds. There is even an easy place to bolt such a mudgaurd, a couple
of mounting bolts on the rear axle. So I feel inclined to make some....

I have some suitable, thin alloy sheet, stashed away, but wondering how
to go about it, how to shape them. The lower end, will simply be a 90
deg fold, to fix on the existing bolts, then a half circle, but how do I
make the right angle part around the edge of the tyre?

I could simply fold the edge over, rippling it up and down, to loose the surplus rim material. Similar, but snip the rim, and pop-rivet the
overlaps. I could fold a series of small 'tags' over, and make a strip
of material, pop riveted onto the tags. I could do similar, but using
just three tags, an horizontal, and two at 45 degrees, front and rear.

The scooter has suspension, so the mudgaurd must be only fixed to the
axle, and be clear of the plastic body panel.

Is this the kind of thing where modelling in CAD or 3D software and then
3D printing might be simpler?

--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \=================================================================/

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:

I have some suitable, thin alloy sheet, stashed away, but wondering how
to go about it, how to shape them.

You probably don't need to go for the full Ron or Trev techniques, but
they might provide some useful ideas

<https://www.youtube.com/@RonCovell/videos> <https://www.youtube.com/@trevsblog/videos>

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 03/04/2025 11:05, John Rumm wrote:

Is this the kind of thing where modelling in CAD or 3D software and then
3D printing might be simpler?

Probably, but I have no experience of either CAD, or 3D printing.

I was thinking along the lines of - make up a cardboard template, then
try to fashion it in alloy sheet. I just don't know the best way to
attempt the rim.

Giving it even more thought, it might even be a business opportunity for someone, there are lots of these particular model of scooter, even more
models with the very same layout at the rear, and all seem to be
produced the same, with nothing to protect the batteries and electronics.

The mudgaurd doesn't need to be any more elaborate, than the thin
plastic material they commonly use under car wings, but with some
improved rigidity, because it would only be fixed at the axle.

The scooters are manufactured by a company in China, then there are
several companies retailing them around the world.

This is the one I bought - https://velobike.co.uk/shop/product/veleco-gravis-road-legal-heavy-duty-disability-scooter/

Those rear wheels, under the seat are the problem. The under-seat area
is completely unprotected from spray from the rear wheels.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 03/04/2025 10:46, Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:

The underseat area, of my new mobility scooter, is just what could best
be described as an open box shape, which contains the rear wheels,
batteries, lots of connectors, and all of the electronics. The designers
have made no attempt, to prevent water and mud being sprayed around the entire, enclosed, under seat area at all. This rather concerns me, and
would have been easily solved by the addition of some inner wings, or mudgaurds. There is even an easy place to bolt such a mudgaurd, a couple
of mounting bolts on the rear axle. So I feel inclined to make some....

I have some suitable, thin alloy sheet, stashed away, but wondering how
to go about it, how to shape them. The lower end, will simply be a 90
deg fold, to fix on the existing bolts, then a half circle, but how do I
make the right angle part around the edge of the tyre?

I could simply fold the edge over, rippling it up and down, to loose the surplus rim material. Similar, but snip the rim, and pop-rivet the
overlaps. I could fold a series of small 'tags' over, and make a strip
of material, pop riveted onto the tags. I could do similar, but using
just three tags, an horizontal, and two at 45 degrees, front and rear.

The scooter has suspension, so the mudgaurd must be only fixed to the
axle, and be clear of the plastic body panel.

Could you start with a standard small mudguard and make cuts where
necessary?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maypole-265-Mudguard-Plastic/dp/B003G1EVAU

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 03/04/2025 11:55, Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:

On 03/04/2025 11:05, John Rumm wrote:

Is this the kind of thing where modelling in CAD or 3D software and
then 3D printing might be simpler?

Probably, but I have no experience of either CAD, or 3D printing.

I was thinking along the lines of - make up a cardboard template, then
try to fashion it in alloy sheet. I just don't know the best way to
attempt the rim.

Giving it even more thought, it might even be a business opportunity for someone, there are lots of these particular model of scooter, even more models with the very same layout at the rear, and all seem to be
produced the same, with nothing to protect the batteries and electronics.

The mudgaurd doesn't need to be any more elaborate, than the thin
plastic material they commonly use under car wings, but with some
improved rigidity, because it would only be fixed at the axle.

The scooters are manufactured by a company in China, then there are
several companies retailing them around the world.

This is the one I bought - https://velobike.co.uk/shop/product/veleco-gravis-road-legal-heavy-duty-disability-scooter/

Those rear wheels, under the seat are the problem. The under-seat area
is completely unprotected from spray from the rear wheels.

Probably knock the while thing up from plastic sheet and hot glue.

Beats beating the ting out from ally sheet.

I'd 3D print it but then I have experience of both CAD, and 3D printing.


--
"Anyone who believes that the laws of physics are mere social
conventions is invited to try transgressing those conventions from the
windows of my apartment. (I live on the twenty-first floor.) "

Alan Sokal

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Fredxx <fredxx@spam.invalid> wrote:

Could you start with a standard small mudguard and make cuts where
necessary?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maypole-265-Mudguard-Plastic/dp/B003G1EVAU

Perhaps shape an existing one by heating it with hot air? Assuming it's the kind of plastic that allows you to do that. Or DIY with a sheet of plastic,
a hot air gun and something to form the mudguard against? (the wheel, plus some packing?)

Theo

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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Harry Bloomfield Esq <harry.m1byt@outlook.com> wrote:

On 03/04/2025 13:12, Fredxx wrote:

Could you start with a standard small mudguard and make cuts where necessary? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maypole-265-Mudguard-Plastic/dp/B003G1EVAU

Good idea!

My wheels are 10", but much narrower than a trailer, which those are
designed for, and so one, would be wide enough for two.

Would a 'universal' mudguard work: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005002895366425.html

"Front & Rear Fender for SPEEDUAL LITE APOLLO GHOST VDM Electric Scooter
Kaabo Mantis 10 Inch Universal Mudguard Wheel Cover"

(there's a strong e-bike, e-scooter, e-moped, e-motorbike ecosystem in
China, and I expect a good number of aftermarket bits are interchangeable)

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 03/04/2025 13:12, Fredxx wrote:

Could you start with a standard small mudguard and make cuts where
necessary? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maypole-265-Mudguard-Plastic/dp/B003G1EVAU

Good idea!

My wheels are 10", but much narrower than a trailer, which those are
designed for, and so one, would be wide enough for two.

I could maybe cut one of those down the centre, making two identicle
halves, make up an half circle from my alloy sheet, to fill in the side,
and bolt it on. Thanks!

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Harry Bloomfield Esq <harry.m1byt@outlook.com> wrote:

The underseat area, of my new mobility scooter, is just what could best
be described as an open box shape, which contains the rear wheels,
batteries, lots of connectors, and all of the electronics. The designers
have made no attempt, to prevent water and mud being sprayed around the entire, enclosed, under seat area at all. This rather concerns me, and
would have been easily solved by the addition of some inner wings, or mudgaurds. There is even an easy place to bolt such a mudgaurd, a couple
of mounting bolts on the rear axle. So I feel inclined to make some....

I have some suitable, thin alloy sheet, stashed away, but wondering how
to go about it, how to shape them. The lower end, will simply be a 90
deg fold, to fix on the existing bolts, then a half circle, but how do I
make the right angle part around the edge of the tyre?

I could simply fold the edge over, rippling it up and down, to loose the surplus rim material. Similar, but snip the rim, and pop-rivet the
overlaps. I could fold a series of small 'tags' over, and make a strip
of material, pop riveted onto the tags. I could do similar, but using
just three tags, an horizontal, and two at 45 degrees, front and rear.

The scooter has suspension, so the mudgaurd must be only fixed to the
axle, and be clear of the plastic body panel.

This is what motorcyclists call a 'hugger', they're sold as
accessories/addons for almost every motorbike that there is, might one
suit your application?

--
Chris Green
·

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Thu, 4/3/2025 10:23 AM, Harry Bloomfield Esq wrote:

On 03/04/2025 13:12, Fredxx wrote:

Could you start with a standard small mudguard and make cuts where necessary?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maypole-265-Mudguard-Plastic/dp/B003G1EVAU

Good idea!

My wheels are 10", but much narrower than a trailer, which those are designed for, and so one, would be wide enough for two.

I could maybe cut one of those down the centre, making two identicle halves, make up an half circle from my alloy sheet, to fill in the side, and bolt it on. Thanks!

There are different designs for the cross-section of a mudguard.

For a narrow wheel, a half-pipe shape might work the best for
a mudguard. For a wide flat mudguard (boat trailer), they don't seem
to care about the shape any more. Those seem to care mostly about not
allowing materials to fly vertically, and they don't attempt
to shape the flow of materials back onto the road.

Cars use the plastic or shock absorbing sheet material (stone chips)
in the form of a wheel well, to help protect assemblies on the
car-side of the wheel. That's a more thorough solution than a
mudguard. The charcoal canister, the fuel filler pipe, those
get protection from the usage of a wheel well.

In addition to water coming off a wheel, sand and stone can come
off too. Even with a mudguard, sand goes just about everywhere.
The more "tread" the wheel has, the more options for mischief.
In fact, on some wheeled devices, I don't know what they are thinking,
and the tread they use has no benefit at all, and the results are
all negative (wheels get clogged with mud, and are hard to clean).

While a mudguard is a good idea, the design process is an
empirical one, as you discover what additional protections
are needed.

On my cheap bicycle (800), the mudguard option cost 100,
but so far, the abuse those have taken, they have performed
amazingly well. That's why the plastic those are made of, is
the most impressive part. The mudguard can be bent to the
point of folding it, and it springs right back (it's something
better than a thermoplastic whatever it is). If I had made
a structure out of sheet Al and pop rivets, it would not have
worked nearly as well.

After you get in a dust-up with your mudguard, you still have
to "re-align" it with the wheel, as your only necessary repair step.
Your supports can get bent, but fixing a support is the lesser evil.

Paul

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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