Topic: Fork boot popped off...

[csendker]

...the bottom popped off one of my fork boots.  I've been trying on & off for two nights to get it back on with no luck.  Is there a method to this madness that I'm missing?  Help.

[Bob Wessner]

Are these the rubber accordion types? If so, as I recall on my 750 (had to replace mine) there's a groove around the fork at the bottom and a corresponding lip on the lower inside of the boot. It slips into the groove. Hope I got this right, it was over a year ago.

[csendker]

Yes, accordion type.  There's a groove on the fork and a corresponding lip inside the boot.  There's also a notch in the fork and a notch in lip inside the boot, why, I'm not sure.  For the life of me I can't get the boot 'expanded' enough to slip over the fork.

[Bill Vaughan]

Just a guess, but could those be aftermarket boots?  The bottom collar (below the accordian section) looks to be much longer than that of the stock Honda boot.

[Bob Wessner]

I' withl Bill on the aftermarket suspicion. The lower bit of the boot looks too slender as well, which is why you can't stretch it over the fork body. Where did you get the boots?

[dusterdude]

as far as stretching it over the fork,heat the rubber with a blow dryer that should make it pliable enough to fit it over the fork.

[csendker]

They came with the forks.  I would concur with the aftermarket thought as they look to be in pretty good shape for supposedly being 36 years old.  It did occur to me that the one that's on is really stretched out.  And they are also a lot shineyer than what's on my 550.  No little holes either (Bob: thanks for the tip, I checked my 550 and one had the holes facing forward...)  In my search for an answer, I found an older thread about using aftermarket truck boots from JC Whitney on a 550.  I looked them up, but they only seem to have red nowadays.  I'll keep trying (good idea about the heat DD) while I begin a search for a new set.

[TwoTired]

Okay, here is how I would get them back on.

Stretch and pull down the boot on the least accessible side and hold it there with ones hand.  With a blunted right angle scribe slide the tip up under the fork boot between it and the fork lower.  You can now pull the rubber out and away from the fork and slide or walk the boot over and around the fork lower top edge.

Some silicone spary might help with the scriber.  But, it won't help your hand grip, so strategic placement is recommended.

Cheers,

[Bob Wessner]

csendker,

If you are interested in returning them to stock (and they will be a lot easier to get on), and they have them for the 550, they shouldn't be too expensive. The pair for my 750 weren't. Just a thought.

[csendker]

they have them for the 550

Alas, this is for my 175 project.  However, lots of the good ideas here, I think I'll try later tonight when I get my chores done.  I have found some new ones, so if all else fails...

[csendker]

Well I finally got back to this last night.  I used a combination of a hair dryer (thanks DD) and lever technique (thanks TT).  I decided to forgo the silicon at first.  Never needed the second try, as it went back on with very little difficulty.  Thanks all.