any diy suggestions on what is really a very simple object?

Yup. Loads of people have. Where do you think Neoguard got the idea from?

Search for pissflaps (for sub 6" forks) or beef curtains (for bigger forks)

(might be worth having safesearch turned on… 😉 )

old innertube cut open and sized. a few zip ties and gaffer tape. job done.

Yep, an old inner tube does the job just fine. Makes a big difference going fast through sloppy mud 🙂

found there ok on their own but in conjuction with a down tube mounted crud guard they are excellent.

How do these things work? Ive looked at them and they seem to be designed to stop mud flying forward, and thats not where I am so I'm not sure how its supposed to stop any mud hitting ME.

Google – the mud flys forward and up – hangs in the air and then you ride into it.

they do work

I've often wondered that too, cheers for clearing that one up TandemJeremy! Might have to make myself one now

They're easy to make – a DH tube is fine, MX one better. I use velcro cable ties from Maplin, which seem to work a treat. Best thing to do is experiment with different lengths and shapes. If you have a whole inner tube to play with, you can cut out a bunch and try different ways of attaching them. Three or sometimes four velcro ties on the crown seems to work, and one for each corner at the top.

Or for a relatively modest amount of money you could actually buy one. Surprisingly they also work 😉

I copied someone off here who made one out of a plastic tub. Fixed to the brace, bit like a number plate.

Do they tend to channel the mud towards your fork seals? IIRC I saw in STW in the last edition the Chameleon with a neoguard and the mud had run down the brace and right on to the seals finally emerging down the side of the fork. Good for keeping mud out your face but not so good for fork seals!?!

Mine's made out of a plastic milk carton. Works great and cut exactly to size.

Bit of inner tube attached in each corner with a zip tie. Took all of about 10 minutes to do. Works pretty well too.