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Yellow_Cad
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 158
Location: Sacramento, CA
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 Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: Gaiters or not? |
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| I'm getting ready to rebuild my forks. I see that a lot of people go to gaiters and that apparently gaiters were stock on European bikes. I have always preferred the non-gaiter look but if it is overwhelmingly beneficial to use them, I would change that preference. What do you guys think on this? |
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79x100
Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 704
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:53 am Post subject: |
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I'm European and I don't like them ! They do protect the stanchions from stone chips but they also hide a multitude of sins.
There is a small breather hole normally at the rear (if there wasn't then the bellows would inflate !)
My experience is that fine grit and salty moisture are inevitably sucked in through the hole and of course once there, can't dry out and the resultant corrosion is not seen until it's too late.
I suspect that they came into fashion as a lightweight alternative to the tin shrouds at a time when stanchions were generally unchromed.
They can be handy for disguising an epoxy repair to pitted stanchions but that's about it in my opinion.
Wouldn't it be nice though if Commandos had proper rubber dust caps instead of those hard plastic things ? |
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BrianK
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 411
Location: Boston, MA USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:28 am Post subject: |
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I have them on mine and like them, both in form (looks) and function.
I have them on an airhead BMW too, and FWIW, it's the received wisdom among airheads that if you DON'T have them, you'll have to replace fork seals every couple/few years. |
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Ron L
Joined: 27 Feb 2004
Posts: 1147
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:26 am Post subject: |
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I have Commandos with full gaiters and the "wipers". The original wipers are difficult to put on, but soaking them in hot water makes them flexible enough to work with, or judicious use of a heat gun helps remove them. The full gaiters are easier to remove and replace.
I don't see any real advantage to one over the other, just aesthetics. As 79X100 points out they can hide worn or pitted tubes, but if you don't get proper sealing, it will soon leak out of these gaiters also, so it is only partially successful in this function.
The EMGO version of the short "wipers" are now made in rubber, but they seem to flex too much and don't stay put. The cheap Taiwan version of the bellows type tear easily and seem to rot rapidly when exposed to UV (sunshine). |
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norbsa48503
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 1031
Location: Flint, Michigan
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:53 am Post subject: |
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| We have bikes here in Michigan that have gone 15 years on one set of "Leak Proof"seals and full size Gators. They are still going no leaks, try that with your bug gut scrapers. Bug guts cut seals so if you have them on your head light you have them in your seals. So it depends on where you live a lot of lakes means a lot of bugs. |
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ML
Joined: 29 Jul 2007
Posts: 48
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:04 am Post subject: |
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If you want to try a pretty good alternative to the standard wiper boot over the fork seal, the original Honda CB750 one fits straight on the Norton leg and firm on the stanchion. Its a good product, visually similar to the more elongated OEM which is more rubbery and prone to disconnecting off the leg. (glued that sucker back on)
Mick |
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hewhoistoolazytologin
Joined: 18 Mar 2005
Posts: 672
Location: deep in the woods of Schnitzelland
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Gaiters and leak proof seals. Couple of air holes cut in the gaiters so they don't blow up. Undamaged forks and no pitting. 50,000 plus since 1981. Same gaiters , same seals.
Mounted the gaiters with the seals when I bought the third pair of legs and got sick of paying for them.
"Don't leave home without em" |
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Norton Commando Forum by Corporate Pages Web hosting using phpbb
The Unapproachable Norton Commando
At the end of 1967 the Norton Commando was announced.
The Norton Commando was greeted with a certain amount of scepticism because on first sight the commando appeared to comprise of the old Norton Dominator twin cylinder engine mounted at an inclined angle in a set of new cylinder parts.
It was not realized that the new Norton Commando Isolastic method of engine suspension damped out all engine vibration and produced a machine which had uncanny smoothness for a vertical twin. In due course the critics were silenced and the Norton Commando had the distinction of being regarded as the first of todays so called superbikes. There can be little doubt that the original design concept of the Norton Commando has proved correct, since comparatively few modifications of any real consequence have been made since production commenced during 1968.
Now nearly 40 years later Norton Commando riders like us are a breed of our own, and as far as we are concerned its still more fun to go for a blat on the old Norton Commando, and fast. As a Norton Commando owner and enthusiast, my goal here is to promote and give credit to those who keep the Norton name going.
It is more deserving to give credit to the Commando itself, for after all these years it continues to be respected. The original Commando designers like John Favill are those who deserve the credit for developing this incredible motorcycle.
The Norton Commando Roadster and Interstate of the late seventies, never died. Although the Norton Villiers factory dispersed the tradition lived on. Today Kenny Dreer in the USA is developing the new 952 CC Norton. What a great looking bike this is, and its engineering is still based on the original layout. It will be interesting to see how the new 952CC Norton does in todays tough motorcycle market. One thing is for sure, I would own one if I could afford it.
