question about covers for forks

[Sibbo]

I have just had a fun time cleaning my fork seals, as they were weeping a small bit. I always wipe down the fork legs after a run, but the other weekend it was particularly muddy and wet and I think some mud got in past the dust scrapper.

Now my question is: What are the negative points to having fork gaiters/boots in place of the plastic fork slider things?

I am sure it will keep most of the mud and crap of the leg and can be pushed up to clean the fork leg. I know the sliders look cool, but I don’t care about looks, it is about function.

BTW I am riding MX, that is why the forks get real dirty.

[Muzzard]

Waterproof grease under the dirt scraper...
Fit some good quality neoprene gaiters to wipe off excess before the leg is compressed into the staunchion.

[Sibbo]

I always put the grease under the dust scraper, it came out brown after the mudy day.

I think the wetsuit material gaitors would not wipe off muddy water that has dried on the hot fork leg (after a run). It would just get mud and shit under it and scratch the fork leg. Am I wrong?

In one of my old bike manuals, it says the fork leg (the smooth bit) is the staunchion and the larger bit is called something else. Who is wrong? :?

[Muzzard]

Call em what you want Sibbo the friggin forks mate! :roll:

[Sibbo]

someone does not like being wrong :laughing:

Back to the original question, would running the old school (excuse me DR-Z riders, where they come standard :rofl: ) rubber gaiters have any negative effects?

[Wobbly]

Rubber gators are ok, but they still get crap behind them as they normally have holes in them to allow for expelling air.

I'd have a look at the neoprene jiggers that Muzz is talking about, but look at full length ones ie. the type that totally cover the slider (zip tie on the bottom of the axel/foot casting and on to the outer casing). They should stop anything abrasive getting in and can be sealed around their periphery with a spot of silicone if you really want to ensure no intrusion.

[Muzzard]

I am quite often wrong with things Sibbo, and are also usually the first to admit it too...
Correct terminology for the series of current USD forks is simply, inner and outer tubes.. ;) You should know that anyway Sibbo being a Yamaha man.

[Flash]

Fork seals inherently rub - wear. It is what they do to try to keep dirt out and oil in. Sooner or later they go past there best and need replacing and in certain conditions that is more often than other times.
Just for the record mud fucks things!! That simple, so if you want to ride in the mud everything is going to wear out quicker!
You may also have a little bit of dirt under the seal it self,(which can cause weeping) what you can do it get a very thin feeler guage and use it in a circular motion cleaning it as you go this can sometimes fix it. Stay away from the rubber fork "protectors" as they only help stone chips on the chrome.
Just try and keep the space between the dust seal and the oil seal very clean, don't put any brease or shit in there it "will" get dirt in there as well then it will turn to grinding paste and fuck the fork legs as well as the seals

I have had some problems in the past with fork seals :)

[Lee1170]

Fork seals... I cant belive i have joined the #1 boring thread on the net...
:la:.............................................. ................................................ :lol:

[Flash]

It's only boring if you haven't had any fork seal probs

[Wobbly]

Geez Lee, next you'll be complaining about the thread I'm about to start about agitation methods to mix different weight fork oils :D

[Lee1170]

agitation methods to mix different weight fork oils?

Now thats what I'm talkin about!
:cry: