Donald Pender’s Fork Wipers

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Luke Turner

Luke Turner

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Has anyone bought & installed Donald Pender’s fork wipers? They look like an attractive solution to perishable rubber gaiters. I’ve had a search on the forum but I can’t see any reviews or photos.
 
kommando said:
In the UK with the amount of rain no matter how good the wipers are grit will embed into the wipers and they will then eat into the chrome. Gaiter's are best in the UK until we can turn the rain off.
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My old man’s Commando is a strict fair weather bike! ☔️
 
kommando said:
In the UK with the amount of rain no matter how good the wipers are grit will embed into the wipers and they will then eat into the chrome. Gaiter's are best in the UK until we can turn the rain off.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely accurate.
And, without question, a better choice for longevity, this old millwright knows it.
However, getting by the visual antiquity and stigma, is another matter. I just can't.
I've bought them, just can't bring myself to install them.
Exposed telescopic forks are as far back as I can go.
 
Those wipers look very much like the modification I made to my Roadholders back in the late 60's. I simply placed a second stock seal in front of the original, holding it in place by drilling new holes in the fork slider.
After rebuilding my forks recently, I found no significant wear in the bushes. Perhaps that can be attributed to the wiper seal. The original oil seals, however, were in utter failure...... perhaps that can be attributed to 54 years passing from first modification to rebuild. I choose to remove the wipers on rebuild to eliminate the friction of the wiper.

Slick
 
concours said:
You are absolutely accurate.
And, without question, a better choice for longevity, this old millwright knows it.
However, getting by the visual antiquity and stigma, is another matter. I just can't.
I've bought them, just can't bring myself to install them.
Exposed telescopic forks are as far back as I can go.
Click to expand...
Personal taste. It's a funny thing! I prefer the look of the gators. Forks look beefier. :)
 
The original seals on the Norton are single lipped seals, BSA and Triumph of the sa
Fast Eddie said:
One big thing that puts me off gators is the thought of having to strip the front end when they split / crack etc.

Out of interest, which are the best ones ?
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My last set of Andover Norton gaiters were bought in 1985 and I only replaced them when I rebuilt the forks in 2015 as they were dull looking. That's 30 years and still functioning with no splits or tears, just a bit matt and old looking but some time with a polish etc would return them as useable on a daily runner.
 
I just bought a new set of AN gaiters. Quality hasn't changed. They are perfect fitment (on CNW fork seal retainers) and are heavy duty but still pliable without being overly stiff or plasticy
 
Fast Eddie said:
One big thing that puts me off gators is the thought of having to strip the front end when they split / crack etc.

Out of interest, which are the best ones ?
Click to expand...
The better gaiters do last and they keep the fork tube clean so the seals last as well - no more leaks. Mine have been on for 15 years and no cracking.
 
Mine are 8yo and still fine. There's a product called GummiPflege, used by car enthusiasts to regain the original flexibility and shape on soft-top sealing rubbers. It also restores the colour. I used a bit of that on the gators last year. Probably do it every couple of years.
 
Mart UK said:
Mine are 8yo and still fine. There's a product called GummiPflege, used by car enthusiasts to regain the original flexibility and shape on soft-top sealing rubbers. It also restores the colour. I used a bit of that on the gators last year. Probably do it every couple of years.
Click to expand...
Just ordered some - thanks for the heads-up!😁
 
I have used Norton gaiters on my Daytona 900 since new in 96. They have kept the stanchions in perfect condition, and the seals lasts forever. 186.000 km and counting.

SR
 
Yep, just got a set and the quality is still excellent (IMO)
 
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