front fork covers.

[joe penoso]

I have to change fork seals in my 1979 850 GN. I also would like to cover fork tubes like they did with old Triumph Harley bikes . Any suggestions for covers? I used to own a Norton Commando and if you bought original covers they would last 20 years cheap ones wear out in a couple.
Thanks
joepenoso

[Steve]

I am guessing that you are looking for "fork gaiters", the black accordion-type sleeves?

Are you looking to protect the fork tube or are you trying to black out the shinyness?

A quick search on eBay shows a BUNCH of "fork protectors", most of them are rather affordable. Note that if you install them, you will not be able to see when your new seals start leaking.

I thought about getting some, too, then I was introduced to a smaller shield that clamps to the top of the lower tube.
This link shows some specifically for a Triumph, but you can get the idea of what they are and how they look.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-Front-Fork-Guard-Shroud-Protector-T2040955-2688/333602951941?hash=item4dac491305:g:WUoAAOSwgRZexCMb

If PhotoBucket is playing nicely, you can click on the link in my sig for my 850. You will have to zoom in a bit to see them, but they are there.


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[joe penoso]

Yes I had a brain fart couldn't remember. I wanted one that would last. If you bought Chinese knockoffs they wear an tear pretty quick.
joepenoso


Checked out ebay don't know about quality this https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Pair-Motorcy...6dffa2e1f78fb8
is what I bought unfortunately from China but 2 boots for $10.00 including shipping is a bargain......I hope.
joepenoso

[Gorminrider]

I just lift mine up to check for seal leaks. They don't always need to be permanently clamped at the bottom...in fact, if you do clamp them tightly, they will collapse from airpressure not equalising on the upstroke of the suspension and will need holes cut in to allow them to regain their shape.

[Grimly]

I use a hole punch to put a 3 or 4mm hole in the bottom pleat.
For the past several years I've used Volvo steering gaiters as fork gaiters - the ones fitted to the 440, iirc. They're not OEM Volvo ones, but aftermarket from a good maker and not rubbish. I first fitted them to the XJ9 when I got it in 2015 and they're still perfect. The same year I fitted a pair of ebay cheapies to the GS and within a year they'd fallen apart.
Seeing that happen, I went on the hunt for more Volvo gaiters and snagged the last of a batch that was on clearance, the market for old Volvo parts having taken a bit of a dive, so many parts were at remaindered prices. Got enough gaiters to last decades.

[Steve]

There are reports from some who have installed parts from Rancho off-road shocks with at least modest success.

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[Gorminrider]

Ranchos are good. They are intended for off-road monster trucking or something...I have a number "RS1952" black but they come in various colours.
Also "Shockmate SA 1997" which are black and suit my 33mm and 35mm stanchions ...a bit too long but I cut em off
Also "Pro-Comp" from Amazon wich suited 35mm well.

of course stanchion sizes and lengths vary but good ones stretch enough. You can get cheaper than the ones I bought but ...yes, some ebay cheapies I bought were entirely misleading as to what they would fit and also cheezy vinyl or something: not-quite-rubber-as-we-know-it.