I've gotta do my fork seals and springs soon, like within a week or so. Unfortunately the right seal is about done for and I can't stand not riding my bike. Anyway, I got to thinking, anyone put boots on their front forks? If you don't know what they are, they're those accordion-looking things you see on dirtbikes and older motorcycles on the front forks that keep dirt and other junk out.
Anyone got em? I think they could look pretty sweet with the proper design of the rest of the bike. Plus, they're cheap and seemingly cheap insurance for keeping debris off your forks. I'm curious as to what size I'd use if I were to go for it as well.
I have some on my other bike- the "other" GR650. The one that's not my avatar.
I think I got them from 4WD Hardware in Columbiana, Ohio. They are off road shock boots but fit my 35mm forks perfectly. Had to cut the sleeve part on the bottom to stretch it over the lower fork tube and just a zip tie around the top.
I have seal savers and they are great.
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/Motorcycle%20Stuff/1989%20GS500%20Build/0626081656c.jpg)
I'm looking at it more for aesthetics than functionality. I think it could look pretty ballin.
If I were to just use some dirt bike boots or whatever, what size would i be looking at?
Quote from: justinmc84 on July 22, 2011, 05:31:03 PM
I'm looking at it more for aesthetics than functionality. I think it could look pretty ballin.
If I were to just use some dirt bike boots or whatever, what size would i be looking at?
Stock GS forks are 37mm(1.456 inches) on the chrome part.I don't know what size the top of the lower is where the boots would seal.Look around on some cafe racer sites.Some of those guys building the smaller bikes use the GS front end,may they would know size and where to buy.
Do you guys have any ideas where I should look to get a set of these? I measure the height of the compressable (or whatever you want to call it) area and its about 5.5 inches tall. With the diameter and the height I should be able to find something but I have no idea where to look.
My biggest fear is having the only legitimate option be some old school triumph boots or something and the price being astronomical.
This is the aesthetic I'm going for.
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/1975-cb550.jpg (http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/1975-cb550.jpg)
Check out www.dimecitycycles.com- but I'm not 100% sure they have them.
Or google 4wdhardware and Quadratec- they sell shock boots for Jeeps (which are what I used).
(http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z380/twinrat/IMG_0097.jpg)fork leg 58mm od fork tube 37 mm od ,rubber gaiter is 165 mm compressed .uncompressed was about 200mm to 220 mm long .grease your forks to stop rusting . done about 45,000 km on these no leakage .they also save forks being damaged by stones . 2 or 3 mm smaller diamiter is what you need .also you need to remove the little black guards as on forks in other photo .should be able to get any bike shop ,these are aftermarket not very dear
(http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z380/twinrat/IMG_0097.jpg)left one behind
see if i can get this righttttt(http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z380/twinrat/IMG_0095.jpg)
Twinrat, that third pic, that's exactly what I'm looking for. You got yours at a local moto shop? I've got a semi-decent place down the road I plan on checking out. I can't make sense of your text though with the diameters and lengths. So I want to get something 200-225 mm uncompressed but the widths/diameters I can't make out from your message.
You might be able to use BMW F650GS fork boots as they are 37mm forks as well.
Justinmc84 fork leg is 2.283" fork tube which is chromedis 1.456" buy rubber gaiters about 1/16" to 1/8" under size if you can .The length has to be about 7" so it sits up hard against triple clamp ,if you buy longer you can cut them back on the smaller end thats what i did.make sure you grease tubes with a rubber compatable grease and wire clip under fork seal to stop rust.there is a small hole near the bottem of the gaiter face thise to wards engine as this lets out any condensation at lowest point .this info ok
This is a link to the basic (CHEAP) Emgo fork gaitors which are sold online and through a multitude of retailers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/fork-boots-gators-kz440-kz400-kz305-kawasaki-motorcycle-/120741361623
This is the lowest price I've been able to find for these Emgo fork boots; the SAME DAMN gaitors are sold by the SAME DAMN COMPANY for $24.95 (PLUS $5.35 for shipping), depending on the make and model of motorcycle you research. For example, the Honda CB750 fork boots are $24.95; the Kawasaki KZ400 fork boots are $19.95, EVEN THOUGH they have the SAME Emgo part number, which is 45-39664.
Avoid the stupid price-gouging; save yourself $5.85 by ordering the SAME but CHEAPER gaitors for the KZ400... of course, you should also be able to order them from a local retailer, if you don't want to deal with Ebay.
I used these Emgo gaitors on both my GS450E and my KZ400B2; they should fit the GS500 without a problem. Don't forget to put a thin coat of axle grease on the fork tubes before you install the gaitors; it will prevent condensation from pitting the chrome, which would destroy the fork seals. If you DO forget to grease the fork tubes, it is a simple matter to move the gaitor out of the way after installation. Reapply grease as needed...