A minor issue - rubber quality for kickstart and shifter is very poor - alternatives?

gpzkat

gpzkat

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It's a good sign that my N15 keeps on keepin' on, with very little to tend to. One thing that irks me a little is that the rubber footie bits fall apart pretty fast. I gave up on footpeg rubber; the bike is fine without them as it was originally, and the folding pegs just aren't made for it. But the kickstart rubber is shot, and the shifter rubber is on its way toward disintegration after only 2K miles.

I have had many vintage Japanese bikes with rubber bits that have lasted decades and many miles, sun exposure, etc. The Norton stuff seems to have a 1-2 year lifespan. I got them from a reputable, well-known source, but I suspect I know where they are made. Perhaps Andover's are higher quality? They are inexpensive, so I wonder... and shipping/tariff will add up. I wonder if anyone has found an alternative source, or perhaps a common Japanese bike replacement that will slip on for these two.
 
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gpzkat said:
It's a good sign that my N15 keeps on keepin' on, with very little to tend to. One thing that irks me a little is that the rubber footie bits fall apart pretty fast. I gave up on footpeg rubber; the bike is fine without them as it was originally, and the folding pegs just aren't made for it. But the kickstart rubber is shot, and the shifter rubber is on its way toward disintegration after only 2K miles.

I have had many vintage Japanese bikes with rubber bits that have lasted decades and many miles, sun exposure, etc. The Norton stuff seems to have a 1-2 year lifespan. I got them from a reputable, well-known source, but I suspect I know where they are made. Perhaps Andover's are higher quality? They are inexpensive, so I wonder... and shipping/tariff will add up. I wonder if anyone has found an alternative source, or perhaps a common Japanese bike replacement that will slip on for these two.
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My observation is that it is all of the aftermarket rubber that is woefully, short of quality, compared to the OEM's. I don't have an answer for your question, just know that they all suck. I bought dust boots for triumph forks, and they were absolutely dismal. The whole where the fork tube comes through looks like it was hand, trimmed, poorly with an X-Acto knife by someone with poor skills, and in a big hurry. Absolutely ridiculous.They were so bad That I asked around and found a set of decent used ones to put on there.
 
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