1976 R75/6 fork gators

[cseltz]

I am replacing the rubber gators on my front forks this winter. The front forks were completely overhauled a couple years ago but since the gators were new in 2013, it never occurred to me that they might need replacement. Is there a consensus on the easiest approach (top down or bottom up)? Thanks in advance!

 

[20774]

I replaced the ones on my /7 a number of years ago. I did it from the bottom up. Still had to go through the fork alignment process to ensure no stiction. You have to remove the fender which is a built-in fork brace.

 

[beemerguru]

I replaced the ones on my /7 a number of years ago. I did it from the bottom up. Still had to go through the fork alignment process to ensure no stiction. You have to remove the fender which is a built-in fork brace.

This also gives you a chance to replace or clean the plastic stop (which might be dissolved into some goo or little plastic bit) that fits in the bottom 36mm screw plug. You'll also need a new big copper crush ring for the plug and a new crush washer for the 13mm nut that holds the pipe into the plug. Don't lose that bottom nut..13mm fine thread.

 

[stevenrankin]

Bottom up

I always go bottom up. LOL, too heavy to remove the top down. Either way, you still have to do the check on alignment as Kurt mentions. St.

 

[cseltz]

Plastic stop should be okay. Everything including the springs was new a couple years ago. It had 11 pleat gators when I got the bike and I replaced them with 11 pleat in 2013. I’m wondering if 13 pleat might be less stressed and might last longer. I’m also interested in whatever treatment folks are using to preserve the rubber.

 

[20774]

According to Snowbum, the /7 began the use of the 11-rib gaiters, so yours should have 13-rib. Be sure you have the breather system in use which lets the area breathe as the forks move up and down. There's a roll-pin in the lower yoke which mates to a hole in the upper rim of the gaiter.

I would probably use something like Armour All on them. My bike is garaged all the time and I'm not riding as much as I used to, so the gaiters are not exposed that much. Plus the weather in South Texas isn't as extreme as other places.

 

[cseltz]

The seals are only a few years old. Is it recommended they be replaced every time the forks are taken apart? They appear to be in perfectly good condition.

 

[20774]

I would gage that on how well they have been working so far and how much you have to do in order to replace them. If it takes quite a bit of effort to get to them for replacement, then I might be inclined to change them "while you're in there". Otherwise, wait until you have a problem!

 

[cseltz]

Yes. That makes sense. I've added 2 new ones to my parts order. Thanks

 

[stevenrankin]

I use Armor All on my plastic stuff gaiters included. It seems to work pretty good. St.

 

[cseltz]

I use Armor All on my plastic stuff gaiters included. It seems to work pretty good. St.

I will absolutely include this in my routine. I notice that all the rubber parts I replaced 10 years ago are now in worse shape than the 30+ year old parts I replaced were when I did the initial overhaul. The bike is kept in a garage and not left exposed to the weather ever. It doesn't even freeze in the winter!