Fork Gaiters

[Ken in Oklahoma]

It's been a few years now since I've replaced some fork gaiters on my /6 and /7 vintage bikes. I bought them online from a BMW parts supplier whose name I've now forgotten. The gaiters read 'Italy' on them. I installed 'em. No big deal. Fit fine, worked fine. Very soon (probably months) I noticed that the gaiters were cracked and splitting in the accordion folds. Obviously piss-poor rubber was used. (No way to tell the rubber was bad.)

It was then that I vowed to always buy from a BMW dealer whenever possible.

The good news nowadays is that a BMW dealer is located a couple miles along the Interstate from where I live.

The shop is named Big Twin Cycles (Not a Harley shop.) It is a mostly modern shop, servicing a few different makes. It was the Owner/Manager of the shop who helped me buy some of the unique copper rivets used to affix the dash to the fairing of RS and RT bikes. During the transaction I casually asked if he knew of Duane Ausherman. Did he ever!!! I immediately became a friend and a member of the club.

Now I have the luxury of getting the BMW part I want within a week usually.

Ken

[Wobbly]

As a matter of fact I already own a new set of gaiters that came in a part collection buyout.

While aware of the hazard of nicked chrome and the effect on fork seals, it seemed to me that the German chrome was miles ahead of the English stuff I usually work with. So I really hadn't thought about installing those gaiters.

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to put my best man on it right away !

[Ridercam]

I ride with replacement forks from Frank. A few years ago I assembled the forks on my r100cs with old gaiters as I didn't want to ride back to shop to pick up new ones. Well they busted as they were original. i cut the off completely. Rather than struggle with disassembly and assembly which was a pain in the ass - I came up this this solution which gives my bike a custom look.

wrap them in a 3mm neoprene sheet (or go hillbilly with a large beer cozy). stitch them up on the forks with poly thread and light 4200 fast cure filler for smoothness. Roll reverse them to cover the stitch, use the clamp to hold in place. I do that and replace them every three years. They look slick too. it has has good protective qualities, plenty of stretch, pretty water resistant and when done neatly - looks cool. As far as convenience goes - it is easier and cheaper than struggling with forks - especially when a S fairing is involved.

I am currently making a new set but this time with a Kevlar or carbon fiber sheet placed on top to add additional protection.some stiffness in the middle and style design which will modernize the overall look.

[Bob Distelcamp]

The 11 rib is the way to go, You can drop the fork leg down from the triple tree to install the gaters. If you have a
85 and up mono shock. In the states there O'reilly auto parts that has a off road shock cover that works well as a gater. email me
and I will get the part # for you.

[Zombie Master]

I ride with replacement forks from Frank. A few years ago I assembled the forks on my r100cs with old gaiters as I didn't want to ride back to shop to pick up new ones. Well they busted as they were original. i cut the off completely. Rather than struggle with disassembly and assembly which was a pain in the ass - I came up this this solution which gives my bike a custom look.

wrap them in a 3mm neoprene sheet (or go hillbilly with a large beer cozy). stitch them up on the forks with poly thread and light 4200 fast cure filler for smoothness. Roll reverse them to cover the stitch, use the clamp to hold in place. I do that and replace them every three years. They look slick too. it has has good protective qualities, plenty of stretch, pretty water resistant and when done neatly - looks cool. As far as convenience goes - it is easier and cheaper than struggling with forks - especially when a S fairing is involved.

I am currently making a new set but this time with a Kevlar or carbon fiber sheet placed on top to add additional protection.some stiffness in the middle and style design which will modernize the overall look.

Pics?

[Chuey]

An airhead bike without fork gaiters looks to me like a fat lady with skinny legs......exaggerated skinny legs.

I like to see the gaiters on the fork because it makes the fork look proportional to my eye. For me, the protection is a side benefit.

Let's not talk about the jugs just yet!

Chuey

[Zombie Master]

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