Suzuki 2 Strokes

Does anyone have any recommendations for new fork gaitors?

For the past two years I have been buying ones for Triumph 650s purely on price - they do happen to fit though. However, they are lasting 12 months max before cracking open and I think this is unacceptable.

Back in the days of my youth, I never had to replace fork gaitors as they never cracked or tore, so I'm blaming modern materials on this one.

Therefore, can anyone (ideally RHS of the pond (facing north) given the extortionate postal charges incurred otherwise) recommend some gaitors/boots which will hopefully last me 24+ months

Cheers in advance

Edit:- I should obviously mention that they are needed for A T500J (1972) - sorry

You can still get them from the dealer, I have some 40+ year old originals still in great shape. Get a new set from Suzuki, they'll be good for another 40 years.

Just had a look. Not cheap! Over four times the price of my old ones, still if they last five years I'll be quids in.

Forty years is good going. Nothing external made of rubber on my bike has lasted 40 years despite the thing being stored in a lorry container for 35+ years of its life

I bought these seem very good quality cant say how long they will last because only fitted them a few months ago! They have the correct number of pleats too if you are a rivet counter too!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GT-750 ... 43c8f82a8e" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Does anyone have any recommendations for new fork gaitors?

For the past two years I have been buying ones for Triumph 650s purely on price - they do happen to fit though. However, they are lasting 12 months max before cracking open and I think this is unacceptable.

Back in the days of my youth, I never had to replace fork gaitors as they never cracked or tore, so I'm blaming modern materials on this one.

Therefore, can anyone (ideally RHS of the pond (facing north) given the extortionate postal charges incurred otherwise) recommend some gaitors/boots which will hopefully last me 24+ months

Cheers in advance

Hi

Note you live in Eastbourne, same as me!

I have exactly the same problem with the ones I buy for my 60's unit Triumphs. They last a year then they split which they never used to do. I have in the past got free replacements or refunds as you should get a couple of years, at least, but that does not solve the long term problem that the material used is poor quality.

Wotcher Sprint

I've just gone back through my records and the set I bought were from Motorcycle Products. No more

I'm thinking about GTandCBR's link but not sure I can trust a seller who can't spell "stretchy"!

I also am not sure about the claimed 40 year life span for genuine boots also quoted. My bike is 43 years old, it spent 35+ of those years in a shipping container, so no UV attack and every external rubber component, including those that don't move, like handlebar mounts, was cream crackered.

I am thinking though to go for the genuine stuff and hope they last five years so I'll be quids in.

When I was a nipper, fork boots never failed. What's the world come to etc..

have a look at Mikes XS under suspension.they have 35mm.cost nothing to look.

Unfortunately $21 postage on top plus import duty/VAT potentially, makes him a tad pricey, but thanks for the suggestion

I cut down a set of generic black motocross fork boots and zip tied them to the slider and fork tube.

Wouldn't do for a concours level bike, but they keep the grit out of the fork seals and cost $9.

Thanks for the recommendation. How long have you had them on the bike? - it is durability I'm after rather than price

Can't say yet. I haven't had them on long. The material (rubberized plastic?) is reasonably thick, probably because it's a motocross part, but my bike is a weekend rider, so they're not exposed to much abuse. I'll upload a photo when the BB will let me.

Hi whenever I have needed fork gaiters, I have always used Universal Rack Gaiters (for steering racks)
They can be cut to size as required, only cost a few quid, last for ever, and best of all are generally available off the shelf from your local motor factors.
No good if you are going to be showing your bike, but that doesn't bother me as I go for price and practicality on a daily rider.

Cheers Terry

Ooohh.. you could be on to something there - I've never had to replace my steering gaiters twice and I'm the type of person who hangs on to his car for years until the scrappy takes them away.

Have you got a link for something of suitable size?

tricky1962 wrote:Ooohh.. you could be on to something there - I've never had to replace my steering gaiters twice and I'm the type of person who hangs on to his car for years until the scrappy takes them away.

Have you got a link for something of suitable size?

I just get a set of universal ones, they have fitted almost every road bike I needed them on.
Think they may need too much of a stretch for trailies or modern stuff.
They even fitted on a cb900 custom that had ahem cough "slightly" pitted forks

eBay item number:

201384113628

or

http://www.bailcast.com/products/univer ... k-boot-kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The ebay ones are cheap, don't know quality.
The Bailcast stuff is good, I have used these.

Cheers Terry

I'm going to go for the Bailcast ones - they sound good to me