Devising a mudgaurd shape

Is this the kind of thing where modelling in CAD or 3D software and then

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

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 -

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.

Could you start with a standard small mudguard and make cuts where necessary?

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

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!

Would a 'universal' mudguard work:

(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)

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?

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