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But FORK BOOTS ???? Fugetabotit !
Messing with the T-Bolt yesterday after a ride to get the oil temp good and hot prior to removing the test rig. Glanced at the fork boots,….. OH NO! Not again?? I had posted my good expectations at the last replacement Feb 28, 2022. So these “10 year” boots lasted about 1 year. And this is on a bike that does not see the sun all that much!! Has anyone here had better results with actual boots on their bike? I’m not annoyed at the supplier, as I think they are all trying to deal with the issue. In fact, at the time I bought 2 sets to be ready! This will be the 1st time I ask for warranty replacements on failed “lifetime” or “10 Year” boots. I can then have a rotating stock……. And a rotating PITA replacement process.

Oh no that's a bit of a worry, I have exactly the same problem with my A65 and purchased a set of replacements a while ago, but haven't got round to fitting them yet.

I seem to remember doing some research on new fork gaitors when I bought the replacements, and as far as I can remember, the new ones are supposed to be made of real rubber and don't split like the plasticized versions commonly available.

Whether the replacements will work without splitting is unknown so far as I haven't fitted them, but they look OK on the shelf.

In contrast, my B44 has a similar looking pair of rubber fork gaitors which have lasted at least 15 years, I can only assume they are of OEM quality to last so long.

KC…..I was just thinking about this the other day. Rich B had mentioned failing fork boots on Lannis’ scrambler thread.

I get mine from Peter Quick at BSA Unit Singles. He used to offer two types. One made in USA and one made in the UK. I’d have to go back and check which he sent me because I just asked for the best IHO.

Mine have lasted years BUT……..after looking at your photos I “think” I might know why.

IF you purchased that second set around the same time as the ones that failed?

It looks like the bike is parked on the center stand (?) and the boots are held extended. The bike ( my sidecar rig) I have the boots on has been on the lift for a few years waiting on Ed V to get around to finishing an engine for it. I did a fork swap to a later TLS brake…..put the boots on but never attached both ends….plus it’s on its wheels not the center stand.

Wonder if they are just making them too short and the strain when the front wheel is off the ground is just too much?

I have (1) NOS boot here in the shop……my guess is late 60s. Never been mounted and it still looks like new. Without measuring it, it does seem thicker than the current ones.

A few years back I blamed Armor All for my boots failing until I quit using it and they still split.

You hear folks saying BMW boots last but I’ve ever tried them.

Not any help but just to let you know……I feel your pain

Same problem. Oi vey

I have had the Emgo boots fail in the package! These were definitely not Emgo And the rubber actually felt much better out of the package. I am sure this is a result of the worldwide effort to eliminate chemicals in production.

Yup, the fork bellows do leave longevity to be desired.
On the other hand, I have mounted a set of Wassell heavy duty bellows three years ago, the ones with the whitish appearance ou of th bag. I have given them a wipe over with silicone grease and they are still fine, no cracks, no dis-integration.

Although I do consider Wassell definitely my favourite supplier and usually avoid their goods as far as possible, I have to admit having been positively surprised.

Cheers!

Phil

This doesn't speak to the greater or lesser quality of various gaiters, but I've been treating mine with this stuff called P-80 Emulsion Rubber Lubricant, with apparently positive results. That is, the gaiters on my A65 have lasted many years, and they still look and feel supple.

I discovered P-80 because we had some at the shop where I work, but I see that it's available online, in various size bottles:
https://www.ipcol.com/products/assembly-lubricants/

Mark, I've never tried P-80 on fork boots.........but I will.

Thanks to Mr Healy (again) I've been using it for years on seals, grommets, rubber buffers/bumpers/bushes.......anything where a rubber lube helps with installation.

I started soaking my gaiters in Vinylex for a couple weeks before installing them, and haven't had a failure for about 10 years now. I do store my bikes on the center stand.

Now I've probably jinxed it, and I'll go out anf find them all split. :-(

I've had good service from Andover Norton fork boots. Both of mine are disc front ends, but I suppose they make them for early forks as well.
I could also be that the disc front end does not use clamps to hold either end of the boot in place. I use a tire dressing to keep mine spiffy.

I use some silicone rubber lubricant. It is the semi transparent type rather than white. I put on a rubber glove and work it round the boot in situ and I have had no trouble from splits. I found that the cheaper ones lasted longer than those that, apparently, have a better rubber mix.

Because I am a penny pincher I have used super glue to fix odd splits in the past. It works well and the boots last a bit longer.



Dave

PLEASE NOTE:
Have been informed there was not a “10 Year” warranty associated with these boots. My mistake. Cheers!! 🤪

When I first built my 68' Lightning the rubber boots I bought from Chris Knight motorcycles lasted really well (c2007), they lasted really well but had a wear mark on them and I decided to replace them (to spruce up the bikes apearance). The newer ones lasted 5 minutes.

I replaced them with the CBS ones with the 10 year wty, I think this one was about 6-7 years ago now and they still look good. I have since acquired some original ones which are still nice. They are also correct for 68' which 99% of vendors ones are not (even the CBS ones) because the 68 has the big O-ring on the fork oil seal holder it should have a thick groove in them, non of the ones to market have this but had the "rubber o ring" shape instead which I beleive is correct for 69-70...

Either way they still fit OK, but are under a bit more stretch when the forks are at full extension.

The only new ones I have seen which are correct for 68' are the Wassel HD ones, however these dont last very long.

Back to the P80 though....

The original items if undamaged still work fine whilst being in harsh environments... Shouldn't really have to soak new ones in P-80 for them to do the job that they should be doing. You also dont see Honda/BMW etc (modern bikes) which have gaitors fitted have to change them as frequently.