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Old Aug 9, 2014 | 10:53 AM
  #1  
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Default Fork Seal Protectors

Ok, maybe someone has brought this at sometime. Where I live, HD parts are really expensive and I mean double or tripple the USA prices plus labor. I want to protect my forks from rocks or chips or whatever..you guys know as once the forks get chipped, seals get bad and later you need to replace the tubes.

I plan to buy those neoprene/velcro seal protectors. Planning to install double protectors. One for conventional forks and another for upside forks covering over the first one. I have been looking at the Shock Sox label as these have a wrap around stretch velcro strap that wraps around the neoprene protector for tightening and fixing to the fork.

The idea of installing the double protectot (upside down over the conventional one) is to ensure against debris entering from above (first sox) and cause damage from dirt and grim entering the fork dust cover and seal. Please let me know if this is nonsense or any other applicable comments, as well as any other make that might work better with my 2012 Dyna Fat Bob.


 
Old Aug 9, 2014 | 10:58 AM
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Gaiters or boots might look better.
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/2300012
 
Old Aug 9, 2014 | 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by upflying
Gaiters or boots might look better.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2014 | 02:26 PM
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I agree, but then I have to remove brake calipers, deal with the ABS, front tire, loosen the forks to pull them down, and later reassemble. But, yes....they would look nicer.

Still, not interest in doing all that work if these Soxs might work.
 
Old Aug 9, 2014 | 06:56 PM
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Do you travel dirt roads most of the time? Those things are designed for dirt bikes man, and the only thing uglier is a set of fork gators.
You're way over-thinking this. Leave those things alone and just ride your scoot. You'll probably get several hundred thousand miles on it before the fork seals ever go bad.
 
Old Aug 9, 2014 | 08:51 PM
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my wife made them out of the same material that under-armor shirts are made of. she got it at a fabric store. they are Velcro on the back side so i can take them off easily. the pic shows gray zip ties but there are black ones on it now.
 
Old Aug 9, 2014 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by stockglock1927
my wife made them out of the same material that under-armor shirts are made of. she got it at a fabric store. they are Velcro on the back side so i can take them off easily. the pic shows gray zip ties but there are black ones on it now.
Wifey got skillz , nice.
 
Old Aug 10, 2014 | 08:32 AM
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IMO typically dirt never enters the fork through the seal.

Was does occur are rocks chipping the fork tubes (the "shiny" part) cutting/ breaking the seal and causing a leak.

I agree "gaiter tubes" would work best.
 
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Old Aug 10, 2014 | 01:01 PM
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[/QUOTE]



I'll be damned... there IS something uglier than fork gaters.
Went to a car/bike show at a local strip club and saw a Heritage with home made wood saddlebags - what a great addition those would be with some fork gators........
Boys, I have maybe a million miles on HD's and have never had a fork seal fail from rock chips on the fork tubes. I also service several bud's bikes and have never replaced any of them either.
Of course they're your bikes, so do whatever blows your skirt up. Just don't get angry if someone points and laughs.
 
Old Aug 10, 2014 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by O-Town D
Nice. What did you do to the upper part of the forks - is it powder coated, paint or just some kind of vinyl wrap?
 



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