1972 oif A65 - rear grab rail alignment

[DiamondBeezer]

Hi
Attached is a pic of my rear grab rail.  It's a bit droopy 

Every other A65 I've seen, the grab rail sits parallel to the ground, parallel to the seat rails before the frame loop gently kicks upwards.
I've put up with this as a minor irritation but now we have enforced time on our hands, I thought I'd try and adjust things.  If I disconnect the the grab rail from the mudguard and loosen the top shock mounts, I can rotate the grab rail upwards a few degrees so it sits horizontally like everyone else's.  However there's now about an inch gap between the grab rail lugs and the mudguard. 
If I loosen the mudguard at the front and at the back of the battery box and at the rear frame loop, I still can't make everything line up. Obviously the back of the battery box and the rear frame loop lugs are absolutely fixed, so not much scope for adjustment.

Anyone give me any clues as to what's wrong here?
Also, my reflectors mount on tabs below the main tube of the grab rail.  Every parts list or internet image I can find shows the reflectors mounted in the angle between the main tube and the upward loop of the grab rail with no such tabs apparent.  Have I got the wrong grab rail fitted?  If so, what from?

As ever, any help from the forum appreciated.

Thank

Ian

[ChrisG]

Its my guess that you have the wrong grab rail. The grab rail with the tabs is correct for the 1971 version BSA Thunderbolt. This was the 'tall' frame. They did lower the frame for the later models and as such the airboxes were lowered to fit under the top seat tubes. I have only ever seen one like this and I think, from memory, they fitted a 'stepped' rubber airbox to carbs connector as the inlet to the airbox was lower than the carb inlets. If you email a pic to editor@bsaownersclub.co.uk I'll take a look.
Chris

[A10 JWO]

That is the grab rail from a 1971-2 OIF model. I have just looked at mine, I have a different set up, I am wondering if you have a different mudguard and rear light. The rail fits in conjunction with the rear light set up. Google the model and year and a picture gallery will bring up many pictures Regards and keep safe.

[DiamondBeezer]

Thanks Editor and A10 JWO

I'm sure the rear light assembly is correct.
I'm almost sure the rear grab rail is of the correct dimensions.
After an exchange of photos and ideas with Chris, we're working on the theory that the rear mudguard ain't the right one.

Before I shell out well north of £200 for a repro one, anyone got an OIF A65 rear mudguard lying around that I can borrow for a few days just to demonstrate how it should fit?  Condition unimportant.  I'll pay postage obviously.

Cheers

Ian

[A10 JWO]

Did you google your model and look at the pictures. I suspect the mudguard too close to wheel. PM me an email address and I will find some nice pictures of mine. I have a 5TA with the same grab rail and it fits the mudguard correctly. Regards .