fork gaiters GL1200I

[pudd750]

got a new set of fork tubes -bug innards are known corrosive and id like to keep them all off my new tubes -along with everything else rocky and acidic - (why leave open to the weather the tubes which have such a precision job to do)(hold air/oil in and weather out) ? i think they look good too- anyone find a gaiter that fits the 2.5" lower (& 1.5" upper) and the upper fork tube? ive been searching several forums for several days and didnt see much- but one person saw a pic of a bike with gaiters and didnt get a reply as to what their intended app was --thanks all

[WingAdmin]

I have no idea why they aren't still used, other than "they don't look cool" - but they are certainly available as aftermarket, and will save your forks (and more importantly, your fork seals) from bugs, grime, and other crud that will shorten the life of your fork seals.

[maestro319]

Hmmmm,...never heard of "fork gaiters". I'd like to see a picture of those. Where can they be bought?

[tom84std]

I have a very good source for bike parts here in Dallas so that's where I get them. However www.walridge.com sells them mail order for about $25. for the genuine English ones and a couple bucks less for the Chinese ones. The wire spring keepers are also available but I prefer to use a heavy duty black wire-tie instead.

[tom84std]

Maestro, those accordion things covering the forks on the older bikes.

[maestro319]

Ahhh,...gotcha. Thanks.

[pudd750]

omg actual forum results! ! i had just about given up ! thank millions ! ive been looking at thousands (sic) of gaiters on ebay and theyre usually without precise specs or too thick, so i was lost, and our fork brace indicates the material must be thin to not interfere with its mounting- exactly as shown in that pic- this project is looking up! BTW- i installed a similar thin gaiter on my 1975 commando 25 years ago and its still live with no cracks so if made of similar stuff all will be good for a quarter century- long live gaiters ! they look cool and do a heckuva job!

[pudd750]

tom84std - are those in the pic the actual aftermarket items that fit a 1200? they look good! do you have part numbers for english and chinese ones from Walridge? i hate to seem helpless but so close to success i hate to wrest a fail out of this one now - thanks!

[tom84std]

Try here: http://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/index.php ... tail&p=837
Look at the three different ones they sell

[kwild]

I have them on mine but, I forget more stuff than I can remember.

Anything close will work...Heat up lower edge of gaitor with hair dryer or hot water (this will let you expand and slide over fork lowers) once they are in place, blast them with some canned air to contract the rubber gaitor for a tight fit.

[WingAdmin]

Looks great! And your seals should last pretty much forever now.

[pudd750]

yes they do look good- id rather see protective gaiters all day rather than spindly brushed chrome fork legs exposed to the elements- makers are putting them on new bikes lately , but maybe in more of a retro fashion thing than utility -- i had decided on the gaiters that fit commandos, theyre pretty close size on top but the bottom would require the hair dryer trick- hope it doesnt stress the rubber to much, they were tight going on my Commando back in the day-(cold)- you dont of course remember what bike your gaiters were meant for? thanks for the input

[pudd750]

well i got all excited and pulled the trigger on a pair of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fork-Gaiters-Bo ... 7c&vxp=mtr
-got some good weather this week but i want to do this and theyre 100 miles from me so maybe theyll be here Friday - of course if they refuse to stretch on bottom, i can carefully cut the lower ring off and use the first bellows to stretch over the lower tube-

[RoadRogue]

You can also buy gaiters from any shop that caters to the serious 4x4 truck crowd, they have them for protecting thier shocks from mud as well. They even come in different colours (yes thats how its spelled) too.

[pudd750]

1st pair are fail- ist gaiter i tried to install, ripped quite before its time, stretching it over the lower, so i stuck a couple fingers in the other one and with a minor tug (a <lot> less than required to install it on its intended app.) it ripped too -these are Taiwan parts, im contacting the seller to see our next move - i wonder if British are better- i dont know what country the ones i put on my Commando were from -- im tiring of this bike being down, really , so will install the forks

[triwing]

It aint pretty but it works. On 1500's theres a piece of plastic that forms a fork guard that covers about three inches of the forks. Cut some rubber for protection of fork brace. Take two tie wraps, rubber,fork guard, torque the wraps,nice and snug, around brace, and away you go. Not real atractive, but it's quick, easy, work's well, and cost efective (cheap). Chrome one look's the best!

[pudd750]

It aint pretty but it works. On 1500's theres a piece of plastic that forms a fork guard that covers about three inches of the forks. Cut some rubber for protection of fork brace. Take two tie wraps, rubber,fork guard, torque the wraps,nice and snug, around brace, and away you go. Not real atractive, but it's quick, easy, work's well, and cost efective (cheap). Chrome one look's the best!

this is true- to neutralize the toxicity/abrasivness of bug innards, and stones tossed by oncoming vehicles on the fork tubes, a piece of black hose double zip tied on the front of them would protect them nicely - this is the way ill go- thanks

[redial]

To fit these gaiters, do you need to dissassemble the front end or is there an easy way? Simple minds (aka me) would like to know, as it is something that I should consider seeing the number of grass hoppers last summer. They make a real mess as they expire on the bike and helmet.

[triwing]

For regular gator's fork's need to come apart. That is what makes fork guard from 1500's attractive to me,no dissambly of any kind,and pretty good protection, at a good price.