Topic: Riding in sub-zero temps - the problem -fork boots cracking

[andy750]

I dont mind riding in sub-zero temps and yesterday morning was 26F when I left the house. Bike (CB750K2) runs fine after warming up and as long as wearing a good jacket and gloves its not a problem....what is a problem though is FORK BOOTS! Installed new last year they are now cracking in the cold....they are very hard below freezing and when hitting a bump or braking (no diving) the creases in the boots are cracking  Anyone know of any remedies to stop this? Ive had to stop riding until it warms up so I dont rip them any more! Hopefully its going to warm up this week in any case.....

cheers
Andy

[BobbyR]

Andy, If the compound stiffens from the cold there is probably nothing you can do but let the fork tubes float inside them to eliminate the flex. Sure, you could warm them before you ride, but the air would chill them back down in no time at those temps. Anything you would try to treat them with would have to infiltrate the rubber right to the core. I will be up there next week for a couple or days next week and a few days week after. I too hope it warms up.

[andy750]

I think you are right Bobby. If you fancy a beer when you are here let me know and Ill get a few of us together for a Boston SOHC welcome party 

cheers
Andy

[BobbyR]

That would be nice Andy. This one will be two quick trips. They have me Teaching on Good Friday, I have to drive home and leave Easter Sunday to be back on Monday. I will give you the details in a PM next week.

[Gordon]

Are they after market boots or OEM?  The reason I ask is that I have OEM replacements I got from DSS, about four years ago, on my 750 and they haven't started cracking yet after four Winter's worth of sub-freezing riding.

Of course now that I said that, I'll see cracks on them tomorrow.

[andy750]

Ah good point Gordon...Ill need to check...usually I buy from DSS or BikeBandit - both OEM. Also Kghost sent me his spares in the mail (OEM) and when they arrived during a snowstorm they were rock hard and would have cracked had I flexed them....keeping them inside in the warm house sorted them out though.

Cracked on both bikes  (K4 are worse!)

Andy

[coyotecowboy]

Hey Andy, you might give the 4WD shock boot idea a try.  I've had them on pickups that got driven in horrible conditions (ranch pickups and in the oilpatch) and they hold up pretty decent.  If anything, they get torn off from brush first.

[azuredesign]

Even though I like the look of the accordian gaitors better, does it make any sense to consider the dust boots rather than the gaitors?
Parts n' More has them both for cheap.

I think if you can get enough front wheel clearance, you can just loosen the triple tree clamps and slid the whole front end down enough to replace the parts, but I'm not sure.

[dusterdude]

who cares about the freaking boots,andy have you lost your mind riding in that cold?