Topic: HELP! Installing fork gaiters/boots on my K1 is getting me #@!#&!!!

[DesertKyorugi]

How do you get the fork ear's lock ring to go over the rubber gaiter to lock the rubber gaiter on the fork ear? I tried pushing the rubber gaiter inside the lock ring and then get the rubber lip to get on the fork ear, but then the lock ring can't slip over to the top to lock it.

Getting the lock ring to stay up on the fork ear first and I can't slip the rubber gaiter into the fork ear lips.

What gives?!!!? It is probably something simple but I have been wrestling it for an hour 

Please HELP!!!

[Don R]

 The rubber goes below the lock ring not behind (under) it.  Been there, did that learned hard myself.

[Don R]

 PS, turn the notched area to the inside. hold it up tight and the flange rubber slips over the headlight ear and butts against the bottom of the flange.

[DesertKyorugi]

PS, turn the notched area to the inside. hold it up tight and the flange rubber slips over the headlight ear and butts against the bottom of the flange.

Ok, hold up the lock ring with the notched area to the inside, slip the rubber over the fork ear lips and then push the lock ring down to lock it? I tried that once before but it is really hard to get the rubber to slip onto the fork ear lips. Not much room with the lock ring sitting close above.

I will give it another go tomorrow. Swapping the forks out has been a breeze compared to getting the gaiter on    Too pooped out and it is too hot now to work on the bike.

Thank you and please keep the tips and tricks coming cuz I gotta do this twice 

[BenelliSEI]

+1 to all the good advice, but I’ve also had one set of after market gaiters that never really fit properly. They were too thick and the OD wasn’t right. I ended up getting so frustrated, I polished up a good (older and used set) and they fit perfectly. Hopefully yours will work OK.......

[pjlogue]

Once you get the upper gator on the lip of the headlight bracket the lock ring will just kind of sit there.  It's not meant to really go down over the gator.  Just kind of hides the gator-bracket seam. 

-P.

[ekpent]

 Window cleaner or some other slippery liquid helps mounting those up also as does a heat gun depending on the situation. Careful use of a pick or flat side screwdriver or other devices works but don't punch a hole in them !
  Are yours an aftermarket item ?

[754]

Soap or oil works to get em on easy..

[DesertKyorugi]

Window cleaner or some other slippery liquid helps mounting those up also as does a heat gun depending on the situation. Careful use of a pick or flat side screwdriver or other devices works but don't punch a hole in them !
  Are yours an aftermarket item ?

Genuine Honda gaiters. Both my K1s didn't come with them so I have no idea how it is supposed to be on

[Don R]

 Get it started in one spot and work it around.

[DesertKyorugi]

Get it started in one spot and work it around.

Armed with the correct instruction and silicone spray, the gaiter is on in minutes.

Thank you all for your expert help!!!

[BenelliSEI]

Looking good! Well done.

[DesertKyorugi]

Looking good! Well done.

Thanks but now I have bitten off more than I can chew. No riding this weekend because I can't get the wheel bearing retainer ring off my rear wheel for swapping from 16" back to the correct 18" rear wheel. It is all chewed up and still not coming out 

[Don R]

 The proper drilling of the stakes in the hub is a must. I learned this the hard way too. I actually got the chrome rings over an aftermaket set of gaiters once. It was obvious after they were on that I had done it wrong.

[BenelliSEI]

Bearing retainer: Some are just pigs! I keep a new one in my “spares” permanently. If you have one, they usually come out! As a LAST RESORT, you can take a really sharp chisel and drive them inside out, away from the threads in the hub. They are brittle and will crack in one spot. Then drive it in towards the centre (where the shaft goes) and it will “peel away” from the hub. Only hit the ring, don’t damage the threads!

[DesertKyorugi]

The proper drilling of the stakes in the hub is a must. I learned this the hard way too. I actually got the chrome rings over an aftermaket set of gaiters once. It was obvious after they were on that I had done it wrong.

I drilled it pretty well I think. It just barely moves every time I hit it with a punch and it is painfully slow to turn.

Bearing retainer: Some are just pigs! I keep a new one in my “spares” permanently. If you have one, they usually come out! As a LAST RESORT, you can take a really sharp chisel and drive them inside out, away from the threads in the hub. They are brittle and will crack in one spot. Then drive it in towards the centre (where the shaft goes) and it will “peel away” from the hub. Only hit the ring, don’t damage the threads!

That is good to know. It may have to come to that if I can't get it off tomorrow. I ordered a replacement retainer and will probably either make a custom tool or buy one for  future planning since the retainer is $26 a piece.

[DesertKyorugi]

Well, this one is definitely a pig @#!@#**! Two separate long sessions of pounding to get it out.

I am buying the tool for the next one.