fork gaitors that don't rot

[mikeb]

Jeff & Alan Hunter

maybe this? tho a somewhat concerning logo at the top
https://www.totalbikebits.com/product_locator/dealerdetails.php?id=195

[Tomcat]

The flexible air filter connection I bought for my bike is made from something more durable than rubber. I think it may be poly-something. I wonder if anyone is able to make grips and fork gaiters out of the same stuff.

I bought a filter rubber hose (YA7) from Jeff & Alan Hunter, anyone know if they do a better quality fork gaiter?

Looks like not.  Maybe send an Email to ask them if they do or could make them?
 http://www.barnstormers.co.nz/barnstormers/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Jeff-Hunter-PDF.pdf

[Jules]

Whats the issue with Wassell Mike?? I also had a look into Classic Bike parts in NSW and they list gaiters for A10, is that the issue, that Wassell make the rubber parts Or?? cheers

[mikeb]

Whats the issue with Wassell Mike?

its hard to know Jules, tho from my limited experience they don't always distribute parts that get the best reviews around here. I assume they distribute not make them. be nice it they said.

I think the larger problem is its hard to tell who makes what and where it comes from. Even SRM *appear* to distribute other people's stuff without citing the manufacturer. so hard to know what we are buying. Re the fork gaitors 42-5320 I've found on-line reference to them being manufactured (or just distributed?) by Taiwanese Emgo (their part number 45-39663), Arion Pacific Industries (who make or distribute a range of bike stuff, at least some poorly reviewed) and mysterious 'UK made' ones (said to be 'great quality' etc), but manufacturer unknown.

Personally I don't care where something is made. We'd have to agree some stuff from the UK is not exactly great (present marque excluded, of course), but brands do seek price points and get reputations.

Tim from our local britishmotorcycleparts.co.nz says he gave up buying the 'pretty' Taiwanese ones (rumored to have a higher plastic content) as they split quickly. He says he now distributes the (less attractive?) UK made ones without complaint. I might try them out and report back in four years 

next problem is getting some chrome stanchions when all the supply chains have got covid - not easy at this end of the world.

[berger]

it is all to do with money as we know, as for srm they may be good at what they do but I had a problem with unbranded rings they sent me a few years ago. the only thing they were good for was the bin. probably not there fault but another case of buying in and selling on.

[Jules]

yep I bought front mudguard stay from them a couple years ago that was supposed to be for the A10 deep valanced guard, but when it arrived it wasn't correct at all, completely wrong for that guard, to be fair he did apologise and offer to refund if I returned it, not much chance of that from Australia!!
Now back to gaiter failures, this article is worth a read for a better understanding of ozone vs UV attack of rubber..
There are two main degrading agents that attack tires and rubber trim. They are UV light waves and ozone. Both of these attack the long hydrocarbon chains of the rubber and, by breaking these bonds, shorten the molecules with resulting loss of elasticity and other problems. Tire manufacturers add two primary sacrificial protectants to the rubber. To protect against UV, they add carbon black. This is why tires dont come in designer colors to match your paint. The carbon black will turn white/gray as it absorbs the UV and dissipates the energy as heat. This is the basis of rubber parts turning gray as they age. To protect against ozone, tire manufacturers add a wax based, sacrificial protectant. The ozone attacks the wax and depletes it. As the tire rolls, additional wax is forced to the surface of the tire. This is referred to as blooming. This blooming refreshes the surface wax protectant. A tire that has not been flexed will have the wax depleted by the ozone and thus begin to degrade and suffer dry rot. The raw silicone oil that is the main ingredient in most of the nationally advertised, auto parts store, high gloss products may actually dissolve the wax and be the cause of premature tire sidewall cracking/failure. The quality tire/rubber dressings should contain a strong UV protectant to bolster the efforts of the carbon black and not contain any raw silicone oil. Many of the nationally advertised rubber and vinyl products also contain formaldehyde. If you plan on having a funeral for your vinyl/rubber, then you may wish to use one of these products.
Unfortunately it doesn't offer a solution perse' though …but it may give you some ideas of which product to try as a protectant....

[Rex]

[. We'd have to agree some stuff from the UK is not exactly great (present marque excluded, of course),

Worth remembering that some stuff labelled (or proclaimed to be) UK made is just more Taiwan crap. The current incarnation of Lucas is a good example of that.

[Jules]

I just read an article on the new Royal Enfield Continental GT, its café racer styling with clip on bars, rear sets etc and has gaiters on the forks - without knowing specifics wrt sizes they may be similar in size to what you guys need, they certainly "look" similar anyway and just maybe manufactured with "proper" material since they give a 3 yr warranty.
Just a thought.....