Does your cafe have fork boots on it?? SHOW ME PLEASE!

[TonUpSoldier]

I wanna see how they look on various bikes...i have a set, but im not sure about em..

 

[Tim]

Here's my slightly modified CB550F with the gaitors. I personally like them alot, but won't be running them on my 650 project. You need in my opinion the proper headlight ears for them. Just clamping them to the forks with a hose clamp at the top doesn't cut it for me.

 

[TonUpSoldier]

Lookin good Tim. I think i can slide mine up under the old nameplate to hide the top edge properly..i dunno..does the tapered end go over the fork lowers or up top? Or does it matter?? I think it would look better with the tappered end at the bottom...Also i read that you can use some radiator hose under neath so that you dont have to use the hose clamps.

 

[Chip]

 

[coolatula]

Gaiters are ok,but I never really cared for the look.
When I was growing up most people would take them off as they liked the look better.
They are fine as long as you inspect them and the fork tubes regularly(especially if you power wash it),keep the bike out of the weather/garaged.
If the bike is a on/off road Scrambler style where you are riding with others on gravel/sandy roads then I could see the benefit of using them.
In the long run they could cause more harm than good if you don't inspect and maintain your bike regularly.

My CB200T had a set on them when I picked it up,they were ripped and I of course feared the worse.
The bike sat outside for a long,long time both at the guy's house I got it from and the salvage yard he got it from.
Well,I got the bike home and the first thing I checked was the fork tubes and you guessed it RUST and lots of it, all the way to the raw steel under the chrome. The fork tubes are pretty much unusable and would cost more to repair than to replace.
All the water,dust/dirt,leaves,bugs etc. got trapped in the torn gaiters and had nowhere to go. If the bike didn't have gaiters they wouldn't have ripped(DUH) and my forks may have,just may have been salvageable. I have seen this time and time again with bikes sitting in salvage yards.
When I see a old bike with gaiters I go over and more times than not there is more damage CAUSED by using them then they ever prevented.

I have 7-8 other bikes waiting to be dismantled that sat out just as long or longer than the CB did and the forks on most of them are usable.
Just my thoughts on the matter,but personally on a street bike I won't use them.

 

[Scarcat]

The gaters are a very specific look. I like them for the look and the fact that they keep my forks clean.

 

[savannahcafe]

And this is how I did it

Take some fuel line, cut to length to wrap all the way around tube, insert wire tie, pull tight with pliers, pull boot over fuel line. A water tight fit.

 

[CBHandle]

I love fork boots.

And Savannah, I've said it before, but I love your bike. 8)

 

[locOleoN]

And this is how I did it

NOW THAT IS A BLOODY AMAZING IDEA!!!!

 

[Mortikan]

here's my boots. I had bought dust covers from mikes xs. I have 34mm front forks and the covers he had must have been sitting around for a while. they did not look dry when I put them on but less than a month they cracked and I pulled them off. For now until I get my front drum brake worked out I am running these boots. I bought them and gut them up the back wrapped them around the forks and use size 3 black tie wraps between each fold to get then to stay. they float nice and protect the areas they are suppose to.
so there they stay for now

 

[Uncle Ernie]

.

 

[Drifter]

And this is how I did it

Take some fuel line, cut to length to wrap all the way around tube, insert wire tie, pull tight with pliers, pull boot over fuel line. A water tight fit.

I can't see pics there...just red Xes. Show me again please.

Dave
Ace of Clubs

 

[joea]

hi, you can always add some trick gaiter straps (clips) that were used on the early triumphs,bsa's etc..i use them on custom cafe's i build...i fabricate all parts from s/s so they don't corrode and look good...joe @ v cycle

 

[DetroitRockCity]

i like the look, they seem real rock'n'roll to me...


here they are on my CB500:

 

[joea]

here is a close up of a gaitor strap installed..they can have the head up or down for clearances.you thread the strap through the slit in the bolt and wind it up till it is tight. they are s/s in a brushed finish but can be polished to look like chrome..

 

[Tim]

So, where would one acquire such nice peices?

 

[TonUpSoldier]

indeed...i need them. Please tell.

 

[joea]

hi, for the people who contacted me about the straps i do have/make them plus other items.
my web site is www.joesvcycle.com ,go to the contact page to ask about items or custom fabrication..joe

 

[shoe48]

No price listed for them Joe ?

 

[joea]

hi, they are 25 per set (two straps)...joe @ v cycle