$8.00 fork gaiters

I have been doing a lot of searching for any information about fork gaiters for my xj750, or similar bikes. I didn't find too much, so i decided to make a how to. the bike being worked on is an 83 xj750mk.

for the fork gaiters i picked up some rack and pinion bellows from o'rilely auto for $3.99 a piece. they have a nice little breather on the bottom of the bellow; so you DONT have to cut into the bellow to let air in and out. the part number is K6298.



















i cut the small end off and forced it over the top of the fork. it stretches over with a little work. pulled it down till the top of it reached an impression that was on the forks from where it was clamped down on that middle section between the forks. I stretched it over the bottom half and it snaps on tight. (you may not even need a zip tie on the bottom part). zip tied the top section and reinstalled the forks.

 

Very Nice!!
Thanks! This will come in handy this winter! Only thing I'd do different is use black zip ties instead.

 

Thanks for posting!

 

Love it!!!

Improvement over standard and for little money. This I have to do. It's now on the list!!

Big thanks. :lol:

 

That is one slick piece of McGuyvering!
Looks good.
+1 on the black Zip ties though, easy change.

 

planned on throwing some black ties on there once i picked up some. the ties i put on were included with the bellows and the contrast looked nicer for the photos.

 

Thanks for posting this!

 

Rancho-style shock absorber covers also work, are around the same price (if you hunt around) and you usually don't need to cut them.

Or you can get the Kawasaki boots (49006-1096) that fit all 36mm forks (a member has a new pair FS right now, but not @ $8 :wink: ).

 

Rancho-style shock absorber covers also work, are around the same price (if you hunt around) and you usually don't need to cut them.

Or you can get the Kawasaki boots (49006-1096) that fit all 36mm forks (a member has a new pair FS right now, but not @ $8 :wink: ).

 

Those Kawasaki boots fit 35MM forks. Not sure but the bellows may distort if stretched.

 

i'll keep everyone updated on how well they last.

 

Any word on how they've held up? I once got cheapo gaiters for my KLR and they cracked within days. I really want to do this, though.

 

they've only been on for about 15 days. they look pretty good. no tearing or deforming.

 

Nice thread, good pictures. Might be a nice touch Ill have to add once I have everything else is squared away.

 

so its been like 20 some days and i inspected the boots today.

at the tops of them due to stretching they are getting cracked a bit.



nothing below the zip tie yet though.

ill keep everyone updated.

 

I am going to try it on my rd350 for that price i can't complain if they don't last. My forks are 33mm not 34 but i don't think 1 mm will make a difference

 

if anything, i think smaller will be easier.

 

I put a set on my rd350 seem to work fine

 

Those still holding up? Bendoza, you're in Portland...How's the weather? I'm headed up that way for "the one motorcycle show". Should be nice and cold/wet/rainy...I think I'll be there for Saturday, possibly Sunday if we take the 1 all the way from SF, and don't push it too hard.

 

one of the two boots is still in perfect condition. it was the second one i purchased. it came in a different sized box and was much harder to stretch over the fork tube. the first one which slipped over very easily has suffered some cracks. its not falling apart or anything but i'll probably replace it this summer.

lately the weather has been taking a turn for the better. kinda sunny and just foggy in the morning. hoping for an early spring. and hopefully the weather will be nice for the show. the first year of the show, it was nice and people were speeding/dragging down the street infront of the building. it was pretty fun. i hope to go there on friday the seventh. ill be on the maxim. i'll look for yours.


ps. have a good ride.