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Message started by vroom1776 on 09/22/05 at 14:51:25

Title: Fork Boots
Post by vroom1776 on 09/22/05 at 14:51:25

Hey folks,

I did a 7,000 day search on "fork boots". No luck. Looked at 90% of the links in "where to buy..." thread in the technical corner... no luck. Google... some luck... but I don't want to ship them in from Australia...

We have 38 mm forks... What about the DRs? If those have 38 mm forks, I could just get a pair from bikebandit or something... anyone think they will be too long?

thanks,

K

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by sluggo on 09/22/05 at 15:02:40

that subject to my knowledge has not been discussed that much. i just wipe my forks down after each ride. i did notice that the new s40 has a set of deflectors that protect the first couple of inches of the forks, enough that when you brake and forks compress they are bug free.

old dead bugs can really do a number on the fork seals.

not really the answere you were looking for, but an alternative never the less.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by babbalou on 09/22/05 at 15:21:45

I put fork boots on saturday & I really like the way they look. Kinda retro. Got them from Dennis Kirk. They're made by Daystar & the Daystar part # is: F00058. The Dennis Kirk part # is: 58-626. Perfect fit!

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=58626

Use a little soapy water or Armorall on the small ends & they slide on easier.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/22/05 at 15:45:55

babbalou wrote:

Nice find. Thanks!

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by bentwheel on 09/22/05 at 19:37:32

Hey Babbalou;
I hope you didn't get the pink ones. :P

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by babbalou on 09/22/05 at 19:45:50

Yeah, the Harley guys where I work woulda had some fun with that. ;D I got the black ones.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by diesel on 09/22/05 at 21:16:36

looked at the s/40 tube shields, cut 2 white shields out of a white suzy oil bottle, attached them with 2 SS hose clamps. dont look that bad, keeps crispy critters of 'bout 3" of the tubes. would post pic iffen I had capeability to do so. Bill aka diesel.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by Max_Morley on 09/22/05 at 21:30:46

I got the offroad neoprene ones that you trim to fit and they close with hook and loop style material. The are tight on the lowers and slide on the upper fork tubes, solving the bugs damaging the forks seals issue. Inexpensive fix, parts came from Tucker Rocky catalog as I remember.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by vroom1776 on 09/23/05 at 07:53:37

Bingo!

This forum ROCKS! ;D

... and I just bought 1/8" diamond plate aluminum to make a new seat with... work work work but fun work!

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by Aktlingit on 10/21/05 at 13:11:24

I have installed on both of my LS650 fork boots purchased from Tucker Rocky Series 83 and 58 black travel 9-11" price $15-$20.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by jbrough7 on 10/21/05 at 17:06:16

That is fantastic - thanks for all the tips, guys and gals - I was just hemmin' and hawin' about getting a couple of fork boots and there they was! You people sure are #1!!!!!!!!!!! ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by SeeAPierce on 10/22/05 at 19:16:19

Does anyone have pictures of boots installed? Thinking about this, but would love to see it before I make the change...Thanks!

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by Kropatchek on 10/23/05 at 04:07:46

Wander through this site. It's in German but you will find the pictures with the boots installed.
Greetz
Kropatchek ;D

http://www.savage-distel.de

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by verslagen1 on 03/31/07 at 21:39:04

For those of you looking for color boots:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Daystar-Shock-Boots-Shock-Absorber-Fork-Boot-Qty-2_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33585QQitemZ180100578362QQrdZ1

;D

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by serowbot on 03/31/07 at 23:38:25

Here's pics of mine with msr daystar "series 58" boots. http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=RubberSideDown;action=display;num=1173226011

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by verslagen1 on 03/31/07 at 23:53:14

How do they fit? A little tight or just right?

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by serowbot on 04/01/07 at 00:02:46

Dead-on perfect fit on mine! Just remember not to tip the fork tubes down during r &r or you'll pour fork oil on your floor (got that tip from this site, thanks!). I did my install one tube at a time.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by smokey02 on 04/01/07 at 07:53:36

Kropatchek wrote:

Wander through this site. It's in German but you will find the pictures with the boots installed.
Greetz
Kropatchek ;D

http://www.savage-distel.de

Thanks Kropatchek
I'm working my way thru the links page, some truly amazing pics at these sites - some really different looks for the thumper
http://www.savage-distel.de/links.htm

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by hutch on 04/01/07 at 14:00:52

I just ordered Daystar part #F00083 series fork boots in royal blue from RideGear.com #F-52734 is their # You can get them in black from several places, but Ride Gear is the only place I found them in Blue. They have 11" travel and are 6" relaxed, and 3" compressed.The Daystar F00058 are 16" travel and 11"relaxed,5" compressed, and were meant for long travel dirt bike forks on the Honda XR200. I measured from the bottom of the tree to where the S-40 shields are (7-1/2")and the #F00058will be stretched out just about 1-1/2" from the relaxed position, putting them in the middle of the travel just like they should be. Being stretched out slightly when sitting keeps them from rolling up into them selves when the forks shorten in length due to bumps. If they are to long, they will rip or distort prematurely,from over compression.I called Daystar Products and Dennis Kirk has all the boots listed with the wrong lengths. The only one that is right is the 234, and 83 . If you look at any bike that came stock with fork boots, you will see that they are stretched out slightly from the relaxed position when the bike is sitting with no weight on it. Daystar no longer makes them in blue only in black. I was lucky to find someone with the blue ones still in stock. Be sure to use ArmorAll often to keep them from cracking. I hate taking my forks out to change boots any sooner than I have to. Now I just hope the guy at Daystar was right about the dimensions. I always seem to find the guy that gets everything wrong. Remember my luck. Hutch

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by hutch on 04/02/07 at 08:34:28

I just wanted to bring to your attention that anyone that went by Dennis Kirk quoted lengths for fork boots have the WRONG ones. With all the years of Triumphs,BSA, Royal Enfield and dirt bikes with fork boots I have owned, I knew something was wrong. I called Daystar again and they said that for a fork like the Savage with 5.5" travel you need a boot with 9-11 extended length. The F00058 boot has a 16" extended lenght, not 11 like DK says. The F00058 is 5" TOTALY collapsed. I was told that running them on a 5.5" travel fork will destroy them in short order. The recomended boots are the F00083, or the F00070 Grand Prix Universal. I was told that the 58 series should be stretched to 11 or more inches to be mounted correctly. That would put them at the fender mount on the Savage. I just wanted to bring this to your attention, BEFORE OTHERS BUY THE WRONG ONES. If you have already installed or ordered them, you can thank DENNIS KIRK for the misprint. One other thing about fork boots. You must keep them soft(Armorall) and check for cracks. If you see any cracks water and dirt will collect inside the boots causing rust, which will tear up the seals in no time. Check them often. Pull the bottom off and wipe down your fork tube at the seal area and they will do their job for a VERY LONG TIME. Hope this helps. Following is a pic of the F00058 boots installed on with the correct STRETCHED length and on the correct bike, which is a Honda XR 200 R with 10" of fork travel, not 5" of travel like the Savage.
http://www.lagosnet.com.br/motoclasse/xr200.jpg
Hutch

BTW this is why I quit dealing with Dennis Kirk a few years ago. I always was sending the "wrong" part back.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by monkee72 on 04/02/07 at 10:58:33

Also, my bad run in with fork boots was I saw some on e-bay, for Trumps and the likes, I ordered and when they arrived the lower diameter was fine, fit right over the seals, however, the upper half a little on the sloppy side, I had to fab some rubber "donuts" and now they fit fine. They look ok, not as nice as the ones I see here, where people ordered the correct ones, but I guess they'll still serve the same purpose anyway.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by hutch on 04/02/07 at 11:25:00

monkee72 wrote:

If F00058 Daystar were installed on the Savage, THEY ARE NOT THE CORRECT ONES and will not last very long.That is a quote from Daystar.I was also told that forkboots that are kept pliable and are the correct length should last for 4-5 years. If they show any sign of cracking before then, they either were not taken care of, or were of incorrect length. You can call them at 1-800-595-7659 Hutch

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by Phelonius on 04/04/07 at 11:42:21

Considering that stones and airborne debris puts dents in the surface that eads to leaking seals, and bug guts are even worse since they are corrosive, I firmly believe that the manufacturer should put boots on before it is sold to the public. However, most buyers are impressed by the look of polished metal fork legs so the manufacturers just omit them and save money in the deal too.
I just ordered a set from a supplier of dirt bike thingies.
I will put a note here after I find out how well they fit.
BTW, I just welded a couple of sidecar lugs onto my frame. They look like they belong there. I should have the hack completed soon.

Phelonius

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by Savage_Rob on 04/04/07 at 11:53:03

I have a set I bought from Dennis Kirk but haven't needed to pull the forks yet. One of these days I need to learn how to change the fork oil (no leaks or anything, just age) and I'll add the boots then. Otherwise, I do have stainless fork protectors attached to my SuperBrace.

Title: Re: Fork Boots
Post by hutch on 04/04/07 at 13:22:12

Phelonius, I know what you mean about should be standard equipment. The 1967 Royal Enfield I am restoring has the original fork boots. The owner bought the bike new in 1967. One fork seal is leaking. That boot has a slit in it. The other side is still perfect and not leaking. All you have to remember about the right length of the boot is that it should be the distance from the bottom tree ,to your mounting point on lower leg, plus 2-3 inches. The boot should be almost FULLY extended when the front of the bike is off the ground. I f it isn't fully extended it is to long. The correct length for the Savage is 9-11". The F00058 is 16" not 11" like Dennis Kirk's catalog says.