Honda CX500 & GL500 Forum

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12-10-2007, 4:20 PM mildhog Joined on 11-21-2007 Chesapeake, VA Posts 535 Fork Boots Looking at Dan's Motorcycle Repair Course, he recommends fork boots. Never seen any on the gl500's. Is this a good idea? Haven't found any specifically for the CX/GL's. Thanks. Arnie in VA 1982 GL500I Silverwing 1983 GL650    Report

12-11-2007, 12:32 PM G Steyn Joined on 08-17-2007 Posts 68 Re: Fork Boots mildhog, I have done this on my little CX, the boots come from a small off-road bike, and if I remember correctly the fork diameter was 38mm. I don't think that they would make a large difference, but I installed them while I was busy with my forks.... Greetings Only a BIKER understands why a dog sticks his head out of a window!!!!!    Report

12-11-2007, 12:49 PM mildhog Joined on 11-21-2007 Chesapeake, VA Posts 535 Re: Fork Boots G,  I like it.  I have the forks off now for an overhaul which is why I asked the question.  Think I'll put some on for the extra protection unless anyone out there knows of a reason not to do it.  Thanks for the response. m/h   Arnie in VA 1982 GL500I Silverwing 1983 GL650    Report

12-11-2007, 1:25 PM Randall-in-Mpls Joined on 07-06-2007 Minneapolis, MN Posts 1,311 Re: Fork Boots Here's a set on eBay that I'm considering. I haven't compared prices with other suppliers, though. Can anyone recommend some from a Honda dirtbike that I could add to my order for OEM fork seals? R '78 CX500 - The Black Maggot CX500 Factory Service Manual 1978 CX500 Parts Manual    Report

12-11-2007, 3:37 PM mildhog Joined on 11-21-2007 Chesapeake, VA Posts 535 Re: Fork Boots Are those the right size? They aren't too specific about the diameter when I was looking at them. m/h Arnie in VA 1982 GL500I Silverwing 1983 GL650    Report

12-11-2007, 4:04 PM Randall-in-Mpls Joined on 07-06-2007 Minneapolis, MN Posts 1,311 Re: Fork Boots I can't tell you any more than what the listing says, "fits 30-40mm forks."  I have no idea of the quality.  I had put them in my watch list, to look at more closely later, when I start gathering parts for my fork service in early spring. R '78 CX500 - The Black Maggot CX500 Factory Service Manual 1978 CX500 Parts Manual    Report

12-11-2007, 5:01 PM TwoW4B2C4V Joined on 11-15-2007 Posts 509 Re: Fork Boots I've seen the "Rancho" shock boots for pickemup trucks in the local FLAPS, wonder if these will also work as fork boots? Please reply if you don't get this message. 01/20/13    Report

12-11-2007, 8:33 PM dean Joined on 06-13-2007 Pittsboro, NC Posts 290 Re: Fork Boots why would one want fork boots? are they supposed to serve a purpose? 83 Gl650I    Report

12-11-2007, 9:59 PM mildhog Joined on 11-21-2007 Chesapeake, VA Posts 535 Re: Fork Boots "We didn't bother putting stupid sayings on our points covers, but we did put covers on our fork tubes. They were called Fork Gators or Fork Boots and they kept the dirt out of fork seals and flying rocks from dinging our fork tubes. Now, no one seems to ride much but we got to look trick. So Fork Gaters which worked so well in the past aren't put on anymore. The point is this. If your fork tubes are dinged and rough they will wear out any new fork seals we put in. The cure is new fork tubes. If the forks look OK, and you ride a lot, it might be a good idea to put on some gators ! " From Dan's Motorcycle Repair Course Arnie in VA 1982 GL500I Silverwing 1983 GL650    Report

12-12-2007, 3:02 AM G Steyn Joined on 08-17-2007 Posts 68 Re: Fork Boots For the rider not riding frequently, I don't think it would be much of a bennifit. If you do a lot of high speed riding in traffic, It might be worth your while. I have put them on, because I would like to preserve the CX for as long as possible, and the fact that I have just rechromed the forks. It is easier to remove them, than to install them. They can only do your poor forkseals good..... Only a BIKER understands why a dog sticks his head out of a window!!!!!    Report

12-16-2007, 8:17 AM Sidecar Bob Joined on 03-02-2006 Kawartha Lakes, Ontario Posts 1,118 Re: Fork Boots  TwoW4B2C4V wrote: I've seen the "Rancho" shock boots for pickemup trucks in the local FLAPS, wonder if these will also work as fork boots? I think those may what mine are. As I said on a previous discussion, they were sold as off road truck shock boots. I got them at Canadian Tire over 15 years ago and have been on every winter machine since. I no longer have to remove surface rust from the forks every spring and the fluid is in much better shape when I replace it every couple of years than it was after one year without them. GX650EI + Velorex 700 (winter), '83 GL1000 (summer) '84 CB750SC Nighthawk (died - anyone need parts?)    Report

12-16-2007, 8:27 AM Sidecar Bob Joined on 03-02-2006 Kawartha Lakes, Ontario Posts 1,118 Re: Fork Boots Note that the bottom ends of my boots are pulled down over the original dust boots. I cut off the bottoms of them so that I could pull the last rib out straight to go over the tops of the forks in order to keep dirt & road salt from working it's way inside the boots. The original straight parts on the bottoms of them were made to go over a grooved end of the shock body and fasten with a zip tie, but they didn't go far enough over the tops of the forks to stay put. They are still stretchy enough after all these years to work well with just about any size of forks you have. The small ends should be fairly tight to grip the tubes enough so that they don't move down and leave the tubes uncovered. GX650EI + Velorex 700 (winter), '83 GL1000 (summer) '84 CB750SC Nighthawk (died - anyone need parts?)    Report

01-12-2008, 1:53 AM Anonymous Use Royal Enfield boots Every bike I get I source fork boots for them. Not too bothered about being old fashioned, I just know what a pain changing seals are. They also stop water getting down into your fork oil which will mess up the damping and corrode the inside of the forks. I've got 350 Enfield boots on mine. They are a bit tight at the base (heat them in hot water first) but quality seems good. Most of all they were about 1/2 the price of anything else. I use thin black cable ties to keep a good seal top and bottom. Keep the air/drain hole in the boots towards the rear. I'll be putting VM 34mm round slide Mikuni's on the bike after I have changed over the stator and be keen to post a picture somehow on the site. Not sure how though. Could anyone tell me how?. I'm on pickteam@xtra.co.nz Cheers Glyn

01-12-2008, 3:26 AM Reg in Bristol Joined on 03-11-2006 Bristol UK Posts 348 Re: Fork Boots I have fork gaiters from an MZ ETZ 250 on the project bike and they fit well on a standard CX with 34mm ish forks I removed the original dust seals which were splitting anyway and the gaiters fit snugly over the stanchions and lower fork legs At last ! I got off me ass and built it    Report

01-12-2008, 5:22 AM Sidecar Bob Joined on 03-02-2006 Kawartha Lakes, Ontario Posts 1,118 Re: Fork Boots I have no idea where one would find Enfield or MZ parts. Off road truck parts, on the other hand, are available in any good sized town - at least in North America, anyway. Pics are easy: - Start a free account at photobucket. - Open the post or edit page on the forum in one window and your photobucket account in a separate window. - When you are looking at your photobucket album, click on "IMG code" in the list below the thumbnail of the pic you wish to post. A small window that says "Copied" will open as you click. - Select the location in the message field where you want your pic to appear and press Ctrl + V (or right click the location & select Paste). The IMG Code will appear in the field. If you click "Preview" at the bottom of the page you can see what it will look like before you post it. GX650EI + Velorex 700 (winter), '83 GL1000 (summer) '84 CB750SC Nighthawk (died - anyone need parts?)    Report

01-14-2008, 11:04 PM dreamthief Joined on 01-15-2008 Northeast, KS Posts 54 Re: Fork Boots I haven't ever done anything to the forks before, but my bike needs them done. I think I may put these on as I am planning on using my bike as my primary means of transportation all riding season.    Report

03-27-2008, 9:31 PM krglorioso Joined on 03-26-2008 Posts 18 Re: Fork Boots When I bought my '81 SilverWing 500 from my best friend (original owner) 16 months ago it had only 9000 miles and undamaged fork tubes. I am an "old guy" riding since 1953 and I just can't abide naked fork tubes waiting for stones to nick them and destroy the fork seals. I used a pair of very nice looking early Norton Commando "Euro Style" fork boots available from British Only in Michigan and elsewhere. Find them at a Brit bike dealers for about US$30. They fit perfectly and I am very happy with mine. Ralph Santa Rosa, CA    Report

03-28-2008, 12:27 AM Panther Joined on 05-09-2006 Las Vegas, NV Posts 323 Re: Fork Boots Sidecar Bob, Is that a turbo front wheel? Why that one and why only one front brake disc? Peace & Light >^..^< .......... '83 GL650swi "My Little Grey Lady" '82 GL500swi parts bike '78 DT175 '86 LS650 Milady's bike    Report

03-28-2008, 5:15 AM Sidecar Bob Joined on 03-02-2006 Kawartha Lakes, Ontario Posts 1,118 Re: Fork Boots Believe itor not, my sidecar machine is a CX650E. That's a CX650E front wheel, but I suspect it's the same as a turbo wheel. The rear wheel is from a CX500 (long story). My sidecar machines are always set up for driving in bad conditions on slippery roads. When you apply the brakes the sidecar wants to keep moving so it pushes the bike sideways. The front tire only has so much available traction and when you combine the braking force available from dual discs with countering the sidecar's push it is just too easy to lock up the front wheel and loose control on a road covered with snow/ice. Besides, the single caliper is easier to maintain... GX650EI + Velorex 700 (winter), '83 GL1000 (summer) '84 CB750SC Nighthawk (died - anyone need parts?)    Report

03-28-2008, 8:25 AM Timothy_D Joined on 04-22-2006 Santa Rosa, CA Posts 815 Re: Fork Boots I use 71-75 Norton Commando boots on my turbos.  The bottom portion floats over the fork wiper, but the top is nice and snug. When I got Rat, the fork tubes were completely destroyed, and I had to buy new ones because there were no e-bay forks at the time.  Fork tubes aren't cheap, so I hunted down a fork boot with a "close enough" length and fork diameter. The Commando boots fit the bill nicely. Two CX500 Turbos, GL650I, CX650C, CX650E. Why do I own five bikes? Because I'm not married. DUH! (and I haven't taken a vacation in two years. . . . )    Report

06-15-2008, 6:35 AM DaWei Joined on 11-25-2006 Atlantic County, NJ Posts 446 Re: Fork Boots  Randall-in-Mpls wrote: [/url] Still available Dave in NJ '80 CX500 C - out of action, pending Triple Bypass '78 CX500 - needs NJDMV Title before 20-Aug-09    Report

06-15-2008, 11:14 AM Randall-in-Mpls Joined on 07-06-2007 Minneapolis, MN Posts 1,311 Re: Fork Boots