Topic: Possible experiment.... neoprene fork gaiters on CB550

[Hope]

Just ordered some more fork boots because the cheap Daystar rubber didn't hold up but a few months on my 550.  Now, less than a year after the Daystar fork boot install, I am going to change my fork boots.

I ordered from Old Bike Barn.  HOWEVER, if I get them in, and they are the same quality of the Daystar boots, I think I am going to check out these neoprene boots.  Yep, maybe I'll put some body suit material on my forks to protect them.

Anyone ever tried it?



http://shop.sealsavers.com/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=4

[my78k]

I would suggest dry suit material if you wanted to go that route. Wouldn't the plain neoprene hold water against the forks accelerating rusting etc?

Dry suit material is a double layer that holds the water out...

Just my thoughts...

Dennis

[Hope]

How to make the seal savers waterproof

Ok I found a way to make the shock bumper thing waterproof, since that was the ONLY complaint in the review section on it.

1. Take your guard off your bike and clean it extensively, or simply buy a new one they are very cheap.
2. Buy a can of footlocker or athletes world whatever, shoe spray that is a water repellent.
3. Spray that puppy but don’t really soak it you don’t have too. Do both sides too and it should be extremely waterproof.

I happen to have some of the footlocker stuff he references.

[Hope]

Now, who thinks this will look bad on my 550?  I think the velcro is going to make changing the gaitors a LOT easier!!!!

[Hope]

Well, OBB called and said they don't have the fork boots.  So, my order is canceled.  Who thinks these seal savers will work?

[TwoTired]

Well, OBB called and said they don't have the fork boots.  So, my order is canceled.  Who thinks these seal savers will work?

Do you have lots of risk getting stone chips in your forks?  Then yes.

Won't help forks already stone chipped.

Cheers,

[Hope]

No, mine aren't chipped up.  Might start looking for some OEM style boots.  Those Daystars didn't last but a few months.

[Hope]

Okay I decided not to put the cheap Daystars or those neoprene things on my bike.  Looking for Honda item # 51611-300-000

[Gordon]

Looking for Honda item # 51611-300-000

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/parts/by-part-number/partnumber_16010/

[Hope]

Looking for Honda item # 51611-300-000

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/parts/by-part-number/partnumber_16010/

Should I assume that boots are sold by the pairs?

[Gordon]

Should I assume that boots are sold by the pairs?

Considering the "not worth the paper it's printed on" American dollar, it would be really nice if they were, but I'm fairly certain they're sold individually. 

But for 40 bucks you get a really good set of gaiters that hold up very well over time and travel.  I got the boots for my 750 over four years ago from DSS and they still look and feel new. 

[Hope]

great.  I shot an email to DSS to find out how much shipping will be.

Thanks Gordon

[Hope]

Decided against the neoprene fork covers & went with some OEM quality fork boots for $27 shipped to my door.  These things are nice and thick like the OEM and they look just like the OEM.  MikesXS is a good guy to deal with. 

Here's the link: http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-suspension.php?category_id=6.2 
Scroll down to "fork gaiters"

The description will read "Fork Gaitors (Pr.) for 1970 XS1 650 but adaptable to All 1971-84 models (remove
stock dust covers). Give your 650 that “British” look. Provides great fork protection.
1970 models had a lip piece on the lower triple tree on which to clamp the boot, for
later models simply insert a piece of split rubber rad hose inside and clamp the
upper part of the boot to the fork tube. We suggest a breathing hole be punched on
a lower pleat also (face to rear) to allow venting of air. "

But I swear when you get these boots, they will have the Honda OEM part number on the bag as well as Part Part #27-1089 (Mike's SX part number).  These look just like the real deal.  It says CB350, CB450, CB500, CB550, CB750 on the packaging.
 



I got mine in yesterday and I am excited...  because I was sick with the quality of the Daystar boots and these are going to work & look much better on my bike than those thin, cracked Daystar boots.  (I was very disappointed when the Daystar boots cracked within a couple of months of putting them on).