Suzuki 2 Strokes

Managed to get hold of a genuine Suzuki grab rail, but on one side the rear mounting bracket doesnt quite line up with the mudguard bolt. Seems my only option is to file out the forked end a bit, but that will ruin the chrome plating. Any creative ideas?

Roy do you have a photo of just whats going on with the mounting ear.

Allan, not great pics but you'll the idea.....
Grab rail forked end: Here is the rear mounting bracket and you can see that the hole does not line up with the mudguard support bolt. It fits on one side but not the other.

In such a situation I'd slot both holes towards each other so it does not mean taking a bit chunk out of one.
Try slotting the forked hole back about 2 millimeters and then see how the ear hole looks in comparison for a small adjustment to it.
If you slot the fork end only it may send the rail/rack forwards too much on that side and it may look crooked when viewed from above.
However it may need all the slot on the fork side to make it correct so take some measurements first.

are you sure that's a genuine Suzuki grab rail .
looks to me that the front fork should be a little more curve towards the floor and a little longer
if you know what I mean.
there have been two or three venders selling these on EBAY and claiming that they are genuine Suzuki's grab rails.so beware guys!!
I weld my rear brackets underneath the frame which is different to Suzuki's and I've never had one fail!
shoulda come to the expert

John, I got it from Reiner and it is indeed genuine Suzuki. Has the SGP label and part number. Strange...it fits my other Kettle perfectly, so maybe its the bike!

I thought it would be OK by having no curved fork ..WRONG! and here's why...

since this one ..all others are as per Suzuki's with the exception of welded under frame for rear bracket and a little shorter. since then never I a problem.
also my chroming is much better now that I've got the hang of polishing.
all like this now..

Glad to hear you liked my photo from the email I sent you 01/06/2010 with the list of helpful hints on how to make it fit properly John ! So since you have brought the subject up so to speak - would you care to exchange the one you sold me (the lower one in my photo above with the green and yellow lines that I added to show you what the problem was with your design) for one I can actually use ?

a bit late now Ian. should have ask 2 years ago.

johnakay wrote:a bit late now Ian. should have ask 2 years ago.

Whatever John.

Roy if it fits your other bike it stands to reason that Suzuki were not that tight with quality control. I've seen a few frames with cross members welded in crooked so to have a mounting point not in line on one side of a frame is to be expected as well.

A round file and a bit of elbow grease later we have a fit! Thanks all for the input.