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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
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Message started by BouleTard on 06/04/09 at 09:34:27

Title: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by BouleTard on 06/04/09 at 09:34:27

One of the few things I want to eventually ADD to my bike is a Tkat fork brace (if I can possibly get one). But I have an S40 and want to keep the protection offered by the plastic guards. So if you put on a fork brace, is there still room to clamp the gaiters on? If so, what is a good source for gaiters that will fit?

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/04/09 at 10:03:16

You could get some thin stainless, cut out a profile, bend to fit & make your own lower tube protectors to replace the ones you will hack off to put the brace on. Just have to drill & tap 4 places to screw them down. I dont see enough room to put top to bottom gaiters on with a brace.

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by BouleTard on 06/04/09 at 10:52:38

I figured since the tkat braces have that upper flange for mounting wipers, that might be a good place to clamp gaiters on:

http://www.tkat.com/forkbrace/side_by_side.GIF

If not, I bet the stainless protectors could be screwed to the flange.. thanks for the tip.

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by verslagen1 on 06/04/09 at 12:05:42

I've asked tkat regarding the extended lip fork brace shown.
And he wasn't willing to just add them w/o some development.

I want to find a tube that fits on the id of the fork brace and JB weld in place.

I've used the gaiters w/o the mounting flange shown, by cutting off the bottom lip up to the 1st convolution. No they are not centered on the tube but they do fit and minimize the dirt that collects on the tube.

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by Phelonius on 06/04/09 at 12:57:16

I use gaitors but no fork brace. I wouldn't JB them. Just cinch them tightly with a wire loom tie. (zip tie)
Be sure there is a vent hole in the back side at the lowest bellows to vent condensation. as it accordions, the vent prevents it from puffing out and shifting position.

Phelonius

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by verslagen1 on 06/04/09 at 14:23:10

19212C252627203C3A490 wrote:

If you had a tkat fork brace, the one he makes for us does not have the upturned lip shown above, what the hell are you going to zip tie it to?

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by Max_Morley on 06/04/09 at 15:45:02

My gaiters are long enough that they sit on the fork brace and against the lower tree just fine. The Sidecar tug has a superbrace and it is drilled for available bug shields. Max

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by babbalou on 06/05/09 at 18:45:39

Awhile back I had the Tkat fork brace (worked great!) & fork gaitors. I thought of glueing them to the fork brace but decided to just let them rest on top. Worked fine. Once in awhile one gaitor would stick to the fork & sit an inch or 2 above the brace so I sprayed a little Armorall inside the gaitors & they stayed down. I liked the look. I'll see if I can dig up an old pic. Might be awhile. I just finished a bottle of wine. Hey, it's Friday! ;) Ride safe.

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by babbalou on 06/05/09 at 18:54:18

3C3F3C3C3F32312B5E0 wrote:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s38/juan_banjovy/bikepics-517087-full.jpg Dang, well I guess this was before I got the fork brace. Been awhile. :-/

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by BouleTard on 06/05/09 at 21:03:41

Cool, where'd you get them, and were they pretty durable?

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by diamond jim on 06/05/09 at 21:15:37

4F42584148594C5F492D0 wrote:

Cool, where'd you get them...?

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/forum/images/import/plus1.gif

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by verslagen1 on 06/06/09 at 07:46:07

look for daystar on fleabay, the ones for vintage or atv, I think those will fit.

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by babbalou on 06/06/09 at 08:20:41

4F42584148594C5F492D0 wrote:

Cool, where'd you get them, and were they pretty durable?

I got them from Dennis Kirk. They're Daystar series 58. http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=58626 I cut off that straight part on the bottom, just didn't like the way it looked. I used them for about 1 1/2 years before I traded in the S40 but the gaitors looked like they'd go another 4-5 years, maybe more if I didn't park it in the sun at work. (I should mention that the straight part on the bottom fits onto the fork tubes if you don't use a fork brace)

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by BouleTard on 06/06/09 at 10:55:32

Thanks guys, it does look like daystars are the way to go. They also have series 83 and 234 with similar diameters and range of lengths. I think babbalou's series 58s will probably work best if the bottoms are left unclamped. The finer pleats look like they will provide the most consistent downforce on the unclamped end, which should keep them in fairly good contact while not chafeing the wipers. Plus there are several extra pleats, so you can keep trimming them until the best lower diameter and gaiter length is found.

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by High-Def on 06/06/09 at 10:58:47

Is a fork brace really needed? Do we get THAT much flex?

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by BouleTard on 06/06/09 at 11:06:59

64454B440168494A2C0 wrote:

Is a fork brace really needed? Do we get THAT much flex?

I didn't think so, but according to this thread (http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1180722129/0) they kick ass.

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/06/09 at 11:07:27

You'll definitely see a change in handling, even if you arent a peg draggin corner playin wildman.

Title: Re: Anyone running a fork brace + gaiters?
Post by High-Def on 06/06/09 at 11:50:20

647B7D7A6760516151697B773C0E0 wrote:

You'll definitely see a change in handling, even if you arent a peg draggin corner playin wildman.

Well I read the entire thread and...I guess you guys sold me on another part ::) Now I just gotta get the funds together. :-/ Ahhh to much at once I need to finish my rear fender change out first.