Where Have All the Gators Gone?

An explanation is needed for why fork seals leakage is a constant headache
on all of today's bikes. It was not always so.

Look at any bike built prior to about 30 years ago and you will note that
forks had an accordian-like rubber dust boot called a "gator". It
prevented the sliding fork tubes from collecting dust and grime which
abrades the rubber seals which retain the fluid within the fork dampening
mechanism. Once the seals are damaged, the forks leak. Gators surround
the telescoping fork members and prevent damage, greatly prolonging the
life of the seals.

Why do you suppose gators fell by the wayside? The answer is simply
"style" over function. Naked forks are supposed to look sleek and sexy, I
suppose; whereas gators make your bike look like the old fashioned 'cycle
your grandpa used to put-put along the old brick roads.

Are you listening, H-D? Buell? BMW? Triumph? Norton? BSA? Royal
Enfield? Cushman?

 

No, it was a "gaiter".

"Gaiters" were replaced by rubber dust seals above the oil seal when
all the manufacturers adopted the "Ceriani look" in 1960's. Old
deteriorated natural rubber gaiters looked like shit anyway, and riders
would just tear them off when they got rotten.

Nobody is "listening" to your self-absorbed raving. Nomen Nescio. If
you want
gaiters, go find a motorbike that has gaiters, buy a pair and put them
on your motorbike. But, did you ever notice that gaiters have air holes
in them, and that they suck in dirty air and blow it out as the forks
extend and compress?

 

'I vas dere, charlie`, and the seals used to fail pretty
regularly anyway, gaitors or no.
The plastics have gotten a whole lot better and are
more wear and U.V. resistant then they used to be.
Gaitors on a modern bike would be more trouble
then they'd be worth.
"Good old days my ass."
MadDog