Anyone have trouble with fork gaiters cracking??

[Tristan]

A couple years ago I installed a set from Ebay, I think they were manufactured by sun-tech or some brand with the word sun in the name. My bike sat completely unused for that time span, and when I came back to it both gaiters were cracked where they stretch around the fork and then split half way up the entire length.

A couple months ago I purchased a set of EMGO's from DCC and same issue, only this time it took about a month for the split to appear...luckily they were happy to give me a new set without even seeing a picture of my predicament...awesome folks they are.


Do you guys have any tricks to prevent splits? or am I just dealing with inferior products here?

 

[AgentX]

Mine split, too, around the base. Indian-made product so I'm sure not top quality, but the rubber stuff here seems generally alright. I hear it doesn't hold up well to solvents and oils as much as more refined product.

 

[kycaferacer]

I have a set from DCC on my CB450 and they are cracked all over also. Only had them around 3 months or so. Bike is stored inside whenever it's not ridden.

 

[Tristan]

Now that's a joke. I don't even want to install the new ones if they're just going to crack on me again. I guess it's time to find a new source for gaiters...preferably some actual Honda ones....not sure if a 750's would fit or look right though...any other models use gaiters, stock?

 

[Flugtechnik]

I have a set from DCC on my CB450 and they are cracked all over also. Only had them around 3 months or so. Bike is stored inside whenever it's not ridden.

Same here.

 

[Tristan]

Same here.

Funny, I asked them if the cracking was an isolated issue and they said no one has complained....hmmm

 

[Flugtechnik]

I haven't complained yet. Really just noticed it while disassembling my bike. I plan on showing Jason and/or Herm my gators at Barber so they can see for themselves. I have a feeling it is just poor quality rubber.

 

[neophyteCB450]

Sorry to reopen a dead thread, but did anyone find a good source for fork gaiters? Just got some form DCC and within 3 WEEKS (!!!) they started cracking. Big time bummer. Looking for a pair of high quality fork gaiters. Still have my 40+ year old gaiters that came with the CB500four (no cracks), but I am no longer running the stock headlight ears, so they wont work.

Anyone find any good options? I know they must be out there

 

[Toast]

I was using some Rancho "gaiters" (#1952) they were on the bike for a while and have been sitting outside since October. They still look new, and were cheaper then the DCC gaiters.

 

[neophyteCB450]

Cool, will give those a try.

 

[Scruffy]

Emgo rubber and exhaust parts are garbage. The best fork gaiters in the world are as close as your nearest auto/4x4 shop. Shock boots. Phenomenal color selection if you make the counterman break out a print catalog instead of playing with his computer. Black is overused...

Carburetor boot clamps work great to secure them and look 1000x better than hose clamps or zip ties... K&L Supply catalog once you mic out the size you need...

 

[Toast]

Haha yep. Those Rancho gaiters are for shocks but they fit vintage forks like they were made for it. And they do come in crazy colors if that's what you want.