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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Modding fork diameter to fit new turn signals.
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Message started by parkingcoordinator on 07/06/15 at 20:13:30

Title: Modding fork diameter to fit new turn signals.
Post by parkingcoordinator on 07/06/15 at 20:13:30

I'd like to install a couple turn signals I purchased from Ebay that wrap around the forks. Unfortunately they are slightly larger than my stock Savage forks. As I have read here, the forks are 38mm, my turn signals appear to be about 41.275mm. I've considered using exhaust wrap on the forks (I'm going for the Rat look anyways) but I'm concerned about them getting water logged and rusting the forks. I've even thought about just wrapping some high quality gaff (NOT duct!) tape around them but I'm afraid even that will fall apart over time.

Does anybody have any simple solutions for compensating for the 3 or so millimeters I need to lose?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Modding fork diameter to fit new turn signals.
Post by Kris01 on 07/06/15 at 20:20:08

Sheet of rubber cut to fit?

Title: Re: Modding fork diameter to fit new turn signals.
Post by KennyG on 07/06/15 at 20:21:00

Park,

Wrap the forks with rubber tape. I have used the tape that is used for heavy electric splices with success.

I suppose a strip of motorcycle inner tube and a little contact cement would work just as well.

Either the rubber tape or inner tube are as water resistant as you can get. And either will help with vibration.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Modding fork diameter to fit new turn signals.
Post by bobert_FSO on 07/06/15 at 20:25:24

I bought a flyshield for my Savage. It mounted to the fork tubes. The clamps were a "universal" fit and were larger than the fork tubes. The flyshield came with pieces of a firm, rubber-like material from about 1/32 to 1/8 inches thick. You picked the thickness to fill the gap between the clamp and the tube. The rubber was adhesive backed. You simply stuck the pieces to the inside of the clamp, then mounted the clamp on the fork tube. When I transferred the flyshield to my Kaw Vulcan 800, I peeled off the rubber and stuck thinner pieces on to match the thicker fork tubes of the Vulcan. I think this same method would work for your turn signals. I would imagine you could buy similar material at hobby stores or maybe even Walmart.

Title: Re: Modding fork diameter to fit new turn signals.
Post by old_rider on 07/06/15 at 21:08:27

Inner tube rubber, cut to size....

Title: Re: Modding fork diameter to fit new turn signals.
Post by parkingcoordinator on 07/06/15 at 21:19:45

Those sound like good solutions. I certainly have plenty of worthless spent tubes lying around so I'll go that route first. I'll post back with the final product after I finish. Thanks.

Title: Re: Modding fork diameter to fit new turn signals.
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 07/08/15 at 16:40:01

Adhesive backed rubber tape is the best solution....simple rubber strips from Home Depot will work as well.

http://www.grainger.com/category/rubber-sheets-and-strips/rubber/raw-materials/ecatalog/N-c1z

http://www.amazon.com/Neoprene-Rubber-adhesive-strip-thick/dp/B00EE9LKRA

http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/Raw-Materials/Rubber/Rubber-Strips?navid=12101797

The inner tube idea is of course, the cheapest...but that material is very thin and will compress quite a bit if you put on multiple layers. Might as well try it though!