Fork Protectors, an alternative to Gaitors?

[Tev62]

If you are not mad on fork gaiters but want to protect your fork stanchions an alternative is to use a fork protector. I had a new pair lying around which I purchased in error and decided to see if they would fit the CB. Turns out they fit exactly so here they are on my 2017MY EX. I do like the look of gaiters, but these will do me for now and it takes two minutes to put them on, the forks don’t have to come off to install.

These were used on Triumph bikes from the mid 90’s but they still sell them new. Part number A9641010 which is a set of two with the nut and bolt. Lowest price I have seen them is £20 on ebay and up to £44 orderable by a Triumph dealer. For those with an eye you can see this is a pair of identical units, so the nut and bolt are the same side on each so one side you see the bolt head and the other you see the nut end.

I have seen cheaper, these for example but they don't look quite so well. https://www.louis.ie/artikel/fork-protec...r=10026885

What do you think? I'll run with them for now, I quite like the effect and they should go some way to protecting crud getting past the dust seal to the fork seals.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I believe they change the looks of the traditional CB more than gaiters, but the economics are favourable.

I just wished that in 2021 (deep into the 21st century folks!) fork seals would be superior to those of past decades.

[Tev62]

I had forgotten I had had them but after a commute to work today on the CB I noticed the fork station "tide mark" even though the day was dry just with a bit of dampness in the air. You could see the effect the dust seals were having pushing the road muck up. I'm not 100% convinced they suit the bike but I will leave them on and see if they grow on me.

[17-CB-002]

Excellent Find Tev62

[the Ferret]

First things I took OFF of my 2003 Bonneville, then I installed Kawasaki w650 fork gaiters on it lol

[Tev62]

Addendum - don't do this with these Triumph ones, they just catch the horn on heavy braking. They sit a tiny bit too far forward but other designs may not. There is a drain channel at the base of these at the front and it holds the blade slightly too far forward to clear the horn.

[the Ferret]

Dremel some off Tev

[Jfro5687_imp]

I bought a cheapo generic pair off eBay for about £10. They look smaller than the Triumph ones and sit nearer the fork tube, they are held on by black zip ties not a bolt but are plenty secure enough. Put them on my RS. They don’t catch anything (i.e. horns).

[Tev62]

I bought a cheapo generic pair off eBay for about £10. They look smaller than the Triumph ones and sit nearer the fork tube, they are held on by black zip ties not a bolt but are plenty secure enough. Put them on my RS. They don’t catch anything (i.e. horns).

I think they are the same ones I referenced in my post, good to know they fit, cheers jfro5678.

Dremel some off Tev

It's catching on a good length of it unfortunately, maybe about a cm. It is not the length causing the issue, it is the amount they stick out from the fork.

[CB1100RS_imp]

Addendum - don't do this with these Triumph ones, they just catch the horn on heavy braking. They sit a tiny bit too far forward but other designs may not. There is a drain channel at the base of these at the front and it holds the blade slightly too far forward to clear the horn.

I fitted these on my RS and just fitted two 10mm spacers under the horn bracket, sorts the problem.