While poring over the pics from the Headlight Finished! thread, I noticed Antibody's forks have deflector guards that fit over the tops of the fork legs.  They have a vertical guard that extends up a couple of inches that deflects bugs and other debris off the fork tubes.  This  maximizes fork scraper and seal life, as well as protecting the fork tubes in the length of most travel.  Does anybody have a source for these?

My 2002 came with them on.  I don't know if the older ones did or not, they look kinda cheap, but i'll give up some form for function!

Yep, the OEM part number changed on the 01 and after because of that change.

Wild hair accessories has a set of fork protectors on their GS500 page:

http://www.whaccessories.com/GS500Accessories.htm

I've been thinking of getting 'em or something similar. Anybody have 'em or know anything about 'em??? are they really worth the 40 bones?

You could get some dirt bike fork guards.  But they probably wouldn't go with the "GS look".

I've had a very costly experience with attempting to convert a set of Daystar aftermarket fork gaiters to a street bike.  They're not made for street bikes; I believe some of them are speced for shocks and steering stabilizers for 4WDs, and using motorcycles as a secondary market.  They've never been that popular on street bikes over here, but are more prevalent in Europe (especially England).  They make sense, in that eliminating the fork scraper eliminates that level of "stiction", making fork action more supple in some cases.

The fork protectors like the '01> models are plenty good, I believe.  If they prevent one small nick in the chrome plating on the fork tubes, they'll have saved the cost of several fork seal replacements and possibly the tube itself.  I'd think they'd be easy enough to fabricate with some thin stainless and some attractive hose clamps.  

In case you guys are interested Wildhair Accessories sells fork guards for $40. http://www.whaccessories.com/GS500Accessories.htm I know there have been mixed reviews about them but they do have a nice pic if someone needs an idea for fabricating one.

Triumph makes accessory guards;  I bought a set for about $20.  They are sized more for larger diameter forks, such as 41mm or so, that come on Triumph's Speed Triples and Bonnevilles, etc.  They do fit on the GS's 37mm fork, but just barely.  One advantage over the stockers is that you can install them with the fork in place.  Cut them down a bit with a utility blade to improve the looks.

Dan

They came "stock" on my '03, they are available from M&P but I am sure you could source them cheaper in the US. If not,    www.mandp.co.uk