I know what you mean about the acorn nuts being bulky. I used track runner bolts to fix my mudguard to its brackets. I think they are used for industrial door tracks and are a flat round end with grooves to the threaded bolt bit which grip the hole and stop it spinning when you tighten the nut. It gives the mudguard a smoother profile. I think you made the right move turning it round, the only way the rear fixing point could work at the front is if you mounted a mascot and it looks like you have too much taste for that.
I know what you mean about the acorn nuts being bulky. I used track runner bolts to fix my mudguard to its brackets. I think they are used for industrial door tracks and are a flat round end with grooves to the threaded bolt bit which grip the hole and stop it spinning when you tighten the nut. It gives the mudguard a smoother profile. I think you made the right move turning it round, the only way the rear fixing point could work at the front is if you mounted a mascot and it looks like you have too much taste for that.
Tea brek !....tha dun nowt !
A contemplative tea break is all part of the Zen of motorcycle maintenance.
The long bracket goes to the back
That’s how I ended up mounting it.