Hitchcocks Forum

Hi folks,
I'm new on here but I bought a used Bullet Classic EFI about 18 months ago so I'm getting to know it!!

I did a fork rebuild before Christmas and I decided to fit gaiters for dust protection.
I fitted the nice chunky ones (part number 146167), they clip over shortened fork shrouds and look pretty cool in my opinion!
After some pretty awful rain recently I've just discovered that they are full of water. I guess the water is getting in at the top of the shroud?
Can anybody shed any light on this problem?
Thanks.

When you fitted the fork gaiters did you make sure the drain hole in them was at the bottom rear.

Papasmurf, there's not a drain hole in them, however I do plan on adding them!
But, because the fork seals are set inside the leg there will still be a water trap there.
I really want to stop the water getting in in the first place!

Hopefully this is a picture!!

forks 2 by keith ambridge, on Flickr

The trouble with fork gaiters is if they are totally sealed, they will inflate then pop off or burst when the suspension compresses. If they are not totally sealed, water can get in. I remember the ones on my old Jawa motorbike having a "breather hose" attached to them with a little grommet to solve this exact problem, the ends of the hoses were pushed up the centre of the steering stem so they couldn't breathe in water.



One possible solution to this issue is to fill the void above the fork seal with plumbers silicone. It'll easily pry out in one big lump with a screwdriver when you want to change the seals and prevents that water trap forming.