Hi All,
1. I have a current XTR triple and would like to replace the 42 Outer ring with a bashguard – what would you recommend?

2. Am I right in thinking its a 104mm that is required?

3. Somewhere I have seen one that perfectly matches the sculpted shape of the xtr’s 4 arms – anyone know of this?

Cheers
Shiny

google says..
http://www.homebrewedcomponents.com/store.php/products/shimano-m985-lightweight-bash-ring

This looks like a modified 42t ring…

This one looks like Shimano made it! Not cheap, though.

I was looking into this myself and came up with the following ;

The BCD is 104 so any bash would fit e13 etc.

But instead of trying to mimic the look of the triple with a bash as above fit any bash then fit
These
Not cheap at around £50 for a set of 4 original Shimano I found some for sale on eBay.

Or KNC do some looky likey ones
These
Around £15 available in a choice of colours

Which will give it the the look of the 980 double like
This

Hope that helps 🙂

how easy is it to convert my 3×10 m985 to 1×10 and what would be recommended ….

guide / bashring ?

i have m985 rear mech with clutch.

Superb responses, that shimano looks great but yes 128 euros is a load!
Cheers
shiny

You could just grind the teeth off the largest ring.