Does anybody know where to get a set of 35mm fork gaiters (boots) that actually fit an XS650? 1980 XS650G.
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Fork Gaiters
- Thread starter RustiePyles
- Start date
Shock covers from a 4x4 truck place can be a passable substitute. They have to be shortened by cutting 3 or 4 folds out, but they are good at 6 feet.
Good luck.
I just went through this.
tried the shock bellows at autozone - they did fit(ish) but they have a taper to them and look really cheesy. They look like you got em at autozone haha.
I ended up settling on a set of triumph gaiters and making a ring for the top. The bottom eliminates the dust cover and has a bead that sits in the groove.
the ones I got were made by emgo and were nice quality rubber.
I just went through this.
tried the shock bellows at autozone - they did fit(ish) but they have a taper to them and look really cheesy. They look like you got em at autozone haha.
I ended up settling on a set of triumph gaiters and making a ring for the top. The bottom eliminates the dust cover and has a bead that sits in the groove.
the ones I got were made by emgo and were nice quality rubber.
Yep. Shock boots work fine. I use the ones from 650 Central because they have a sharper crease on the bellows and look better than the cheaper ones with a more rounded crease. And yes, they need to be shortened.
Cheapies:
650 Central:
Cheapies:
650 Central:
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Do you know which Emgo boots you used? Making a rubber bushing for the top isn't a problem
I used these...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TRIUMPH-GA...5?pageci=ce206eee-2574-487c-b6ad-da4fa26e96c2
I think I like my spacer haha. Gonna sand off the numbers on the top but it seems to blend nicely. It’s a tight fit around the fork tube and the boot so no cheesy zip ties are needed.
havnt tested it in real life but I think it should work well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TRIUMPH-GA...5?pageci=ce206eee-2574-487c-b6ad-da4fa26e96c2
I think I like my spacer haha. Gonna sand off the numbers on the top but it seems to blend nicely. It’s a tight fit around the fork tube and the boot so no cheesy zip ties are needed.
havnt tested it in real life but I think it should work well.
Yes, truck shock gaiters. They're cheap (about $10 a pair) and very well made so last darn near forever. They've been on my one 650 since I rolled it out on my shed 15+ years ago, still in fine shape with no signs of deteriorating. Yes, they need to be shortened and they are tapered, but you end up cutting off most of the smaller tapered bellows at the top so I feel the taper is then barely noticeable .....
I recently also installed them on my "new" 650, my '83. Since the front end is all chromed out, I decided to go with a different color, the light gray .....
The ones I use are from Daystar .....
The bottom is a perfect fit on the 650 lower fork leg and the smaller top fits perfectly on the 35mm fork tube .....
So, you're wondering how do you shorten them but also preserve the nice fitting top and bottom? Well, it's pretty simple really, and quite ingenious if I do say so myself, lol. Hold the boot up to your fork and determine how many bellows you'll need to remove. It'll probably be about 6. Once that is removed, cut that nice fitting top and one bellow off of that .....
Now, stick the top with that smaller diameter bellow into the shortened bottom section. Since the gaiter tapers, that small top bellow fits perfectly inside the large bellow on your shortened gaiter .....
It's a perfect friction fit, no glue or anything needed. You also don't need any clamps or cable ties to hold it on the forks, but you can add lower clamps for looks if you like.
I recently also installed them on my "new" 650, my '83. Since the front end is all chromed out, I decided to go with a different color, the light gray .....
The ones I use are from Daystar .....
The bottom is a perfect fit on the 650 lower fork leg and the smaller top fits perfectly on the 35mm fork tube .....
So, you're wondering how do you shorten them but also preserve the nice fitting top and bottom? Well, it's pretty simple really, and quite ingenious if I do say so myself, lol. Hold the boot up to your fork and determine how many bellows you'll need to remove. It'll probably be about 6. Once that is removed, cut that nice fitting top and one bellow off of that .....
Now, stick the top with that smaller diameter bellow into the shortened bottom section. Since the gaiter tapers, that small top bellow fits perfectly inside the large bellow on your shortened gaiter .....
It's a perfect friction fit, no glue or anything needed. You also don't need any clamps or cable ties to hold it on the forks, but you can add lower clamps for looks if you like.
JJames
XS650 Addict
Looking good. I've always liked the look of gaiters. Surprising that no one makes them for the xs. Anyone know of other makes/models other than triumph that would fit the xs650.
Like most aftermarket repop rubber stuff, the quality can be pretty bad. The only XS650 that came with gaiters was the XS1, and the repops Mike's sells are paper thin and only last a few years, if that. That's what's nice about these truck shock ones, they're very durable.
CafePhil put these on the SpecialTwo..Not sure where they're from but it isnt MikeXS
Are the gaiters just for looks, or do they offer a functional purpose? Does the chrome rust when covered for so long?
Yes.
Stops rock chips and such on the fork tubes... keeps dirt out of the fork seals.... handy at hiding rust pits from existing rock chip dings.... and they look good.
Bikes I've had in the past with the gaiters.... slide one end up and wipe down the tube with an oily rag every month or so... no rust problems.
Without the gaiters, I try to routinely clean my fork tubes with an oil soaked rag. A fork oil soaked rag.
I've heard of filling pits in the forks with JB Weld. Gaiters will hide that sin nicely.
I've heard of filling pits in the forks with JB Weld. Gaiters will hide that sin nicely.
Back in the day... used to work on fork lifts. We'd fill in pits/nicks on the hydraulic pistons with silver solder. Dress down with a fine, single cut file and you couldn't see 'em. Salvaged many a piston that way. Never thought to try it on fork tubes.
Yes, they offer much more protection to the tubes and seals. I was first introduced to them on my old BMWs. I liked the cool, "old school" look and, of course, the added protection. I've tried to put them on every other bike I've owned since.
Yes.
Stops rock chips and such on the fork tubes... keeps dirt out of the fork seals.... handy at hiding rust pits from existing rock chip dings.... and they look good.
Bikes I've had in the past with the gaiters.... slide one end up and wipe down the tube with an oily rag every month or so... no rust problems.
I think they are used quite a bit to hide nasty forks haha.
Like Jim said - they do serve a real purpose though. I plan to do a lot of riding in sand and dirt and the hope is to keep the dirties out.
Thank you - They do look cool on the bikes shown above...
I would not recommend these.
They are Chinese junk. $4.99 with free shipping. The only problem is they are a exact fit.
The gators on the right of the pic are 2Fast moto. They are also a perfect fit but I did not like the way they looked.
They are Chinese junk. $4.99 with free shipping. The only problem is they are a exact fit. The gators on the right of the pic are 2Fast moto. They are also a perfect fit but I did not like the way they looked.
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Truck shock covers on my dearly departed.
