Topic: Pattern Parts!!

[The Lone Builder]

The pic says it all!!

From top to bottom is a pattern fork boot after 700 kms: a 40 year old original and a new OEM replacement.

The good news is that the supplier of the pattern part refunded my money and allowed me to use it against the OEM part.

The old boot was a bit harder to fit than the new one, but a hairdryer helped.

I think I'll stick to OEM in future.

Sean

[bryanj]

Ive had those rubber ones do that but the ones i had were NOS so probably 30 years old!

[PeWe]

The cracked one is new aftermarket? If yes, from where?
If from Cruzinimage or an aftermarket dealer in Canada I'm not surprised.
I have new from David Silver I plan to use on my K2 build. If they can be in the zone of cracking rubbers, I'll use old, very old Honda.

[MauiK3]

Mine from Yamiya seem fine, very high quality.

[The Lone Builder]

They were not from Canada or Cruzinimage.

I was well treated by the supplier so I don't really want to shame him - maybe I just got a bad set.

The new one is from DSS and seems fine.

I ended up using one 40yr old and the new one.

During my rebuild I also had issues with some other pattern parts and from now on, I'll go with OEM, unless there is a strong recommendation from someone re a particular part.

[Old Moe Toe]

I was unimpressed by a pattern airbox for a KO I bought. Have heard the yamiya ones are good though.

[The Lone Builder]

Just thought I’d finish this story off.

In Dec ‘18 I fitted one new and one 40-year old fork boot.

The old one finally cracked a year later in Jan ‘19 after nearly 12,500 miles. I repaired this using gaffer tape, which lasted a further 800 miles before other splits necessitated a more lasting approach; the gaffer tape however was still intact!

The definitive repair involved use of an old inner tube and some cable ties. So far this has lasted 1,400 miles and looks like it’ll get me the remaining 200 miles to home. 

[PeWe]

Did the cheapo bad ones have vent holes as they should?

My K2 has gators from DSS and they look fine after a year and 3500 km.

Your bad one look more like  plastic instead of a type of rubber.

[PeWe]

Are you back in Ireland now?
I wish you all health.
The real danger now is when not riding the bike!

[Deltarider]

The real danger now is when not riding the bike!

Good one, Pewe.
Oh... and BTW, my OEM boots are 44 years old and as new. They have seen heat in Italy, Greece and Spain. At home bike is parked in garage.

[The Lone Builder]

The crappy ones had holes alright; didn’t help much  . The old hard one was an original rubber part.

I’m in Wales now; leaving for Ireland on Tue morning and will be back in Belfast in the afternoon, all being well.