Fork Gaiters

[Wobbly]

The quote below came from another thread in response to a photo of my 1979 RT/RS. I thought it justified it's own topic thread....

Wobbly needs some fork gaiters stat.

Although I worked at a BMW shop in the early 70's, I'm far from being a qualified BMW mechanic. And the missing 40+ intervening years now leaves me un-versed in all the upgrade paths you can make by combining parts from different model years to get optimal performance.

Would you care to expound on your statement ?

[Zombie Master]

The quote below came from another thread in response to a photo of my 1979 RT/RS. I thought it justified it's own topic thread....

Wobbly needs some fork gaiters stat.

Although I worked at a BMW shop in the early 70's, I'm far from being a qualified BMW mechanic. And the missing 40+ intervening years now leaves me un-versed in all the upgrade paths you can make by combining parts from different model years to get optimal performance.

Would you care to expound on your statement ?

The picture you posted of an RS has no fork tube protection. It's like walking around with you zipper open whilst wearing no underwear.

[SteveD]

It's all about protecting the fork chrome from rock chips and road damage. That in turn protects the fork seals.

[Steve in Golden]

I think Wobbly is aware that he should have them. But wants more info on how / where to get them.

So now I'm curious. If the gaiters are missing, do the forks have to come apart to install them?

[Rob]

So now I'm curious. If the gaiters are missing, do the forks have to come apart to install them?

Yep.

Someone used to make fabric gaiters that had a strip of velcro along their length, that allowed you to put them on easily. And apparently they still do.
https://www.google.com/search?q=cloth+v ... e&ie=UTF-8

I would rather have rubber gaiters, myself.

Here is Duane telling me that I need to pull my gaiters down as far as possible on the slider, to keep the gaiter from stealing some of my fork travel.



photo courtesy Randy

[jagarra]

Here are some 13 ribbers https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-FORK-GAITE ... o1&vxp=mtr

When you get the gaiters, make sure that the air hole that allows air into them is clear and not blocked (located on the top where the pin comes in from the triple clamp) , if not they crunch up when compressed and stay that way.

[Zombie Master]

https://www.google.ca/search?q=neoprene ... bWbKra87iM:

[Zombie Master]

I think Wobbly is aware that he should have them. But wants more info on how / where to get them.

So now I'm curious. If the gaiters are missing, do the forks have to come apart to install them?

No. You just pull them out of the triple trees and slide the new gaiters on. I bought a spare pair, but the originals are holding up fine with bi- yearly UV protectant application. But they are only 33 years old now.

[richard t]

the 13 rib was used on the /6 maybe 7s and older, the 11 rib on later the 11 rib are cheaper. maxs bmw, capital cycle and other like Tom Cutter sell them or can get them

[ME 109]

11 rib for the 81-4 as the casting on the slider for the reflector prevents pulling the gaiter down past the top of the slider.

And 10 mm travel at the most is lost to having 11 rib gaiters, and on an RS the front fender contacts the fairing before that 10mm comes into play.