K11 Owners Group

Ernie-NH · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 10:57 am Post subject: Gaiters ( ie: Fork tube boots )

Good morning all...

Any one know the degree of difficulty or the procedure for installing gaiters on the K1100LT fork tubes ?? "how to" Tips ?? etc....

Best regards all.......// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

slyderx · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:14 pm Post subject:

why? gaiters can trap water..corrode and cause pitting?
_________________
slyderx

K1100LT (1992)
ZRX1200R ( yummy)

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 6:05 pm Post subject:

Well, Ernie you have a couple of options.
To install the gaiter as a "whole" you have to drop the fork out of the triple tree, or drop the fork lower.
When I put mine on the 1st time, I slit the gaiter from top to bottom, put it on the fork, then using a leather punch I made some holes along the cut line and used some zip ties and tied it back together.

Either way you will need a drain hole at the bottom of the gaiter. It served 2 functions. 1, allows any liquid to drain. Either oil or condensate or rain, etc....
2, allows for air to flow in/out during compression/release of fork travel.

There are other a couple of other options for fork protection.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

slyderx · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 6:24 pm Post subject:

yip keep your forks clean and polished.
_________________
slyderx

K1100LT (1992)
ZRX1200R ( yummy)

552255 · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:01 am Post subject:

I cut mine apart and "sewed" them up with several small black zip ties, rotate towards rear and you really dont notice anything amiss...and its vented!

My understanding was to keep the bug guts off the slider, etc. Not so much as needing to be sealed up tight--for maybe a dirt bike application--but tube removal is the preferred way to be sure. May as well install new seals?
_________________
1997 K1100LT-SE
1996 K1100RS-SE
"Black & Silver Duo"
Lincoln, NE

rbm · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject:

Gaiters primarily protect the upper stanchions from stone chips and dirt that ruin the chromed surface and cause premature failure of the seals.

Gaiters shouldn't trap moisture and cause corrosion if they are vented properly (allow water vapour out but do not allow water in).

Instead of gaiters, these fork protectors work well:

http://www.traxxion.com/

They are easy to install without needing to remove the fork stanchions and they protect the seals the same as gaiters would. They just don't look retro -- if that is an objective for you going to gaiters.
_________________
- Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

Niemand · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject: I went with the BMW gaiters.

I used the ones from the early 90s R100GS. (31422311077) They are already well vented, and fit perfectly with no modifications needed.

As for installation, I added mine during a fork rebuild. This would essentially be the same as dropping the forks to slide them on from above, except you would obviously have much less disassembly required if not replacing seals and such.

They simply slid right down, and fit snugly around the upper end of the fork lowers. No clamps or zip ties were required, and they have not moved a bit or caused any issues since being installed.

I don't recall the differences between your LT and my RS as far as front fender assembly, but on the RS one would have to temporarily remove the top cover of the fork brace on the top of the fender to fit them.
_________________
Niemand

1994 K1100RS
2023 DR650SE

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:06 pm Post subject:

Ernie,

I have done 2 sets.

Easier to do on a lift (like in my garage) with a wheel clamp.

Would be great to meet here and do your gaiters then a ride.

Let me know.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Niemand · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:21 pm Post subject:

John's post reminded me of something I left out of my reply...

I used a jack under the engine for stability. (No lift here unfortunately.) I've read about plenty of folks simply using the center stand and weighting the rear, but I am not too comfortable with that. Plus the jack allowed me to get a little extra height to aid in wheel and fork removal.
_________________
Niemand

1994 K1100RS
2023 DR650SE

Ernie-NH · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 9:54 am Post subject:

!!

Hi John...

Sounds like a great idea. I'll get the 'gaiters' first and we'll set up a date before the snow flies ! If possible, maybe do a 'photo-HOW 2' for the stickies, which is a suggestion Phil made when I first asked about the gaiters he installed. Will stay in touch !

Best regards all, and many thanks for your inputs and opinions !

Ride safe all ........// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:27 pm Post subject:

Ernie,

Excellent!. Let me know. Right now I think that all of September is spoken for, but early October looks open.

I'll supply the heated space, the lift and the tools. You bring the gaiters and do the work and I'll do my best Gwen/camera imitation. Laughing

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

RAL88 · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:43 pm Post subject:

Hey Ernie,

I have a new set of Rancho 1952's laying around if you would like them.

PM me your address and I will ship them out to you.
_________________
Rich

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R