[Richard230]

I installed a set of rock shields, such as are shown in the photo a few posts above. But I used ones from a Suzuki SV650. They are shorter and don't seem to hit the brake junction on the lower triple clamp of the left fork as the larger shields will do. They are a perfect fit as the 650GS forks seem to be of very similar design and diameter as the ones on the SV. I don't know what their price is as I found mine in my closet.

 

[EmmBeeDee]

I installed a set of rock shields, such as are shown in the photo a few posts above. But I used ones from a Suzuki SV650. They are shorter and don't seem to hit the brake junction on the lower triple clamp of the left fork as the larger shields will do. They are a perfect fit as the 650GS forks seem to be of very similar design and diameter as the ones on the SV. I don't know what their price is as I found mine in my closet.

Can you check your closet and see if there's another pair in there for me?

Pictures?

 

[Richard230]

Mike, your picture post above is exactly what I have on my bike. They are also sold by Suzuki and probably other brands, as many bikes use these stone guards to protect their fork sliders and also use the same diameter Showa forks that is used by the 650. That height is working for me. Triumph sells a set that are about an inch taller and I would be worried that the plastic guard on the left fork would hit the brake junction. I recommend using the lower ones like you posted. Rubber billows may protect better in dusty conditions, but I wipe my fork tubes down every week or so and only ride my bike on the street, so the stone guards are probably better for my use.

 

[EmmBeeDee]

Mike, your picture post above is exactly what I have on my bike. They are also sold by Suzuki and probably other brands, as many bikes use these stone guards to protect their fork sliders and also use the same diameter Showa forks that is used by the 650. That height is working for me. Triumph sells a set that are about an inch taller and I would be worried that the plastic guard on the left fork would hit the brake junction. I recommend using the lower ones like you posted. Rubber billows may protect better in dusty conditions, but I wipe my fork tubes down every week or so and only ride my bike on the street, so the stone guards are probably better for my use.

I had to go into the shop today to order a new set of seals for the old F650GS Single we have - they've finally started weeping a little. My son's going to be the one riding the single from now on and he doesn't want me to put gaiters on - says they look dorky.

My Triumph fork protectors have not shown up yet as well. There's probably a surge in demand. []

Interesting to note Suzuki sells them too - wonder how much they're selling them for?

 

[Richard230]

Mike, check out Bikebandit.com for Japanese bike part prices. You can order parts from them and I have had very good luck with quick delivery and reasonable prices - compared with my local dealer. I don't know if they deliver to Canada, though.

 

[EmmBeeDee]

I had to go into the shop today to order a new set of seals for the old F650GS Single we have - they've finally started weeping a little. My son's going to be the one riding the single from now on and he doesn't want me to put gaiters on - says they look dorky.

My Triumph fork protectors have not shown up yet as well. There's probably a surge in demand. []

Well the F650GS single fork saga is more complicated, perhaps reason enough to put gaiters on the bike after all. The bushings in the forks were quite worn and required replacement so it wasn't just a "seal job". Still waiting for the parts though they should be at the Post Office by Monday.

Did get the Triumph fork protectors though, and put them on the F658GS:

And for those of you who thought the tall fork protectors would foul the brake hose junction under the fork, I think there's clearance. The protectors sit a little more than 1" out from the tube as seen below:

And the junction is a little less than 1":

 

[EmmBeeDee]

Go For The Low Protectors If You Go This Route

The tall Triumph fork protectors are too high and touch various bits on the underside of the fork at full compression so if you're planning to get the deflectors, get the short ones. I had to take 1 3/8" off these so they wouldn't go near the brake hose junction or ABS hose.

Wasn't obvious until I got the bike out and hit the brakes hard...

 

[pigpen]

The tall Triumph fork protectors are too high and touch various bits on the underside of the fork at full compression so if you're planning to get the deflectors, get the short ones. I had to take 1 3/8" off these so they wouldn't go near the brake hose junction or ABS hose.

Wasn't obvious until I got the bike out and hit the brakes hard...

Thanks for the heads up. The accordion gaiters are already on their way and there is no sign of the Triumph ones. I will probably put the accordion ones on as they will be better for the all year riding I do and keep the Triumph ones in stock for who knows what contingency.

Fred

 

[John Spartan]

Thanks for the information in this thread - I decided to go with the Wunderlich bellows-type protectors as IMO they offer the best protection and will be waiting to be put on the bike once it gets here in a little over a month.

Side bar questions - how difficult is it to remove the forks to properly install these gaiters? Does the BMW service manual explain how to do this? If straight forward, I'll do it myself.

Thanks for all replies!

 

[pigpen]

Thanks for the information in this thread - I decided to go with the Wunderlich bellows-type protectors as IMO they offer the best protection and will be waiting to be put on the bike once it gets here in a little over a month.

Side bar questions - how difficult is it to remove the forks to properly install these gaiters? Does the BMW service manual explain how to do this? If straight forward, I'll do it myself.

Thanks for all replies!

I installed mine in about an hour with only one minor hitch. Working the fender back onto the forks once the gaitors were on was a bit tricky and took some patience but there was no real gotchas. I am sure if you have a service manual there will be some specifics about torrques and order of events, etc. but doing the job is pretty straightforward if you have a modicum of wrenching experience. Just be sure to support the caliper instead of letting it hang from the brake hose and be gentle on the abs sensor.

Hope that helps,
Fred

 

[John Spartan]

[thumb]Thanks, Fred. I will be checking out the service manual and planning a logical sequence of steps to disassemble the forks and proceed from there.

 

[pigpen]

[thumb]Thanks, Fred. I will be checking out the service manual and planning a logical sequence of steps to disassemble the forks and proceed from there.

You are welcome.

No need to disassemble the forks! Just remove the from the bike. BIG DIFFERENCE!

Good luck, it is pretty straight forward, just be sure you support the front of the bike well. I used the center stand and then a floor jack under the motor just to hold the bike up.

Fred

 

[jrwooden]

Anybody try these?

NOJ ... "install in seconds" ?

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=43209

 

[Richard230]

I have been using those NoJo fork protectors for about 20 years on several of my bikes that did not come with hard stone guards. My daughter still has my old 1986 VFR700FII and those fork tube sleves are still on her bike after at least 20 years and 82K miles. Her forks have never been serviced (other than an oil change) and still work fine. They don't look that all that great, but are cheap and easy to install on any standard front suspension in minutes. I recommend them.

 

[soph9]

bump

any new recommendations as for fork protectors these days? I don't want to remove our forks...

 

[Giodog2000]

Pulling the forks out and replace is really not a big deal. Only takes about 1 hr, 2hr tops, and very easy.

 

[lmclamore]

Pulling the forks out and replace is really not a big deal. Only takes about 1 hr, 2hr tops, and very easy.

True if you have some type of stable jack arrangement to get the front up or tilted back enough to allow the fork legs to slide out from the triple clamp.

 

[AlanI]

Observed an interesting little manoeuvre the other day whilst visiting my dealer. The mechanic had wheeled the bike onto a ramp in order to lift it to a working height. He first placed the bike onto it's centre stand followed by the attaching of 2 straps to each corner of the luggage rack. Pulling back on these straps had the effect of pulling down the back end which of course lifted the front end. After securing the straps he set about removing the front wheel and forks at which point I got bored and went for a cup of coffee. The straps idea appeared sound though and all it needs of course is a fixed object low down to secure it to.

 

[soph9]

one could always hammer into the cement of the garage some d rings to use as anchors....or, in our case use our other bike as one anchor and use the garage door rail as the other...something like that...[]

 

[GSMike]

any new recommendations as for fork protectors these days? I don't want to remove our forks...[/QUOTE]

Leslie, I have another option although it's not a rubber gaitor. The fork seals on the F650 singles used to be a high maintenance item and true gaitor's were thought to contribute to overheating issues. I installed neoprene/velcro protectors called Fork Seal Skins from a company in Arizona at $20 USD/set and mailed direct. They were available in several colours and easy to instal [< 5 mins total]. Had a pair on the bike for three years, no seal leaks and the stanchions still look like new [see pics - sorry no close ups].

bump