Forks pitting.

[mysterious_rider]

Hello guys, I've started to notice some pinhole sized pitting on my fork legs. It isn't enough to make the seals weep, so I was wondering what's the best way to stop it from getting worse?

I was thinking of some fork gaiters (plastic). With some gasket sealant and a hose clip at the top to stop rain getting in.

I don't want to have to rechrome the legs in a few years or so.

Suggestions?
____________________
KAWASAKIIIII

[P.addy]

Neoprene fork gaiters, or plastic if you are really cheap

KTM had plastic ones, I won't change them as they cover blown seals if and when they do go pop

[Rogerborg]

First thing I put on Ze Beemer was rubber gaiters. I can't see myself not adding them to any bike that I'm intending to keep for more than a few months.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Entertwainer]

if you dont mind the look, ariete do full length fork gaiters - not cheap plastic sh*t. installed on mine before winter kicked in - dry as bones 99% of the time - use a couple of jubilee clips top and bottom to stop them going wonky.

also, it hides the blown seal on one of my forks. i cant be arsed to fix it. its only a CG FFS.
____________________
Honda CG 125 W - Turkish - 1998 - 2015 RIP

[Kickstart]

Hi

It isn't the pitting that directly causes a leak, rather the pitting damages the seals so they leak. Can take a while.

Gaiters might well stop the pits getting worse, but if the pits are in an area the seals go over then they are living on borrowed time.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[mysterious_rider]

Yeah I don't think the pitting is on the suspension part just yet (but its very close).

Yes I understand how pitting will damage seals

Once rust has taken hold it'll get damaged soon.

You said fork gaiters clamped top and bottom? How the hell did they breathe... Did you just let them suck up in a vacuum?

I was thinking use the plastic ones, seal the top with a clip/gasket seal, and smear grease on the inside chrome under the gaiter.

That way, at least the rust shouldn't get any worse (can use a drill attachment and polish the rust off first I guess).

Bit better than letting the elements rot it.

See what I had on a previous bike water just got inside the gaiter and rusted it up anyway.
____________________
KAWASAKIIIII

[Kickstart]

Hi

Vaseline is normally recommended for protecting fork chrome.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I don't like gaiters (but then, I don't have to ride in rain). They *can* trap moisture. Also, I prefer to be able to see what's going on (a wipe with the fabled oily rag a few times a week should be all you need on a dry miles bike). One of my bikes does have gaiters though - and looks much better with than without. So it gets to keep 'em. The rest don't though.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Boris the spider]

The gaitors I bought for the YBR were decent ones. Cable tied on tightly. No crap or rain can get in.
They have a small hole in each ( positioned behind the fork ) They let air in and out as the forks work.
Can hear the puff noise when shoving bike back and forward with front brake on.
____________________
Yes I'm a pig....And yes... The working public do pay my wages. Tho I contribute to your benefits you lazy c##t. You do not pay my wages. So go fcuk yourself.