K11 Owners Group

[Freedom45]

Back in the /5 days, the accordion style rubber boot served to protect the fork tube and seals from premature wear. Stylistically, they were dropped at some point, leaving the fork naked to debris or to accumulate nasty abrasive things like bug shells and dirt. For me, an easy fix was to adopt the fork seal protectors from the Honda ST1100 or, today, the Triumph. They simply clip to the top of the fork slider and are held in place by a clamp similar to a radiator clamp.

Fork seal life has been extended considerably for me, although I regularly will wipe down the fork just above the slider, usually at the beginning of the day's ride. This gives me about 50 to 70K of riding before replacing seals.

[jpberens1994K1100RS]

Covering the whole fork slider gives the ultimate protecion.
These K1100's seem SUPER sensitive to anything on the forks.
I had on the Traxxion guards which clamp to the lower leg and stop debris from directly hitting the working area of the fork leg>
I had a replaced seal fail within a year.
That was enough for me and I was tearing into it to put in new springs anyway so the leak was just the excuse I needed.

Added the Rancho boots #1952 I believe that number is correct. I goofed when installing them and forgot to VENT them. I used a hose clamp on the lower leg to hold it in place, and the top fits tight enough to the fork leg it needs nothing to stay in place.
I went for a test ride and when I stopped the boots looke like the were melted? The vaccum built up and collapsed them! Looked funny but they were OK.
So to vent them, and I wanted a REALLY small vent, I poked a hole with an awl in the decending part of the second from the top pleat. Then I cut a 1/2" long section from an empty Bic pen ink cartridge. I pushed this though the hole & Crazy glued it in place. With the vent in place no more sucked in fork boots.
I rode in some very heavy rain and though some road construction both wet & dry. I got everything really cruddy. After a month I un-did the lower clamp to check, all nice & clean & dry like brand spanking new.
I'm not super thrilled with the booted look, but I know it works better than anything else for protecting the seals & slide area.
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1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

[Geoff]

I've used these Traxxion guards for a few years with no problems.


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2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic

[Phil Marvin]

Hi,
The Traxxion guards MAY work. Some like them. I had to replace leaking fork seals on my first K1100LT and two of my K75's. When I replaced the seals, I installed gaiters. On the K1100LT, I used the BMW gaiters for a /6 or /7, at around $20 each (at the time). On the K75's, I have used Rancho 1952 or Rancho 1952 clones at around $8 for the pair. The BMW and Rancho/Rancho clone gaiters are all doing well and none of the fork seals has leaked after installing the gaiters.

As far as venting the gaiters, I heated a nail red hot and poked/melted a hole into the gaiters at the back near the top. It seems to work.
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Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

[jpberens1994K1100RS]

I did not think I'd like the boots. I had the traxxion's and they are cool, BUT!!! I ride through some muck! Heavy rain, road construction etc. The K1100's are a weighty ride, but I don't mind when it squirms around a wee bit on gravel & mud. Just as long as I can get it stopped.
Through all that yuck, the tubes NOW stay pristine clean. I really think the boots must buff the fork leg a little as well during operation.
My bike is dark grey 670 paint code. I do not care for attaching the boots with zip ties, so I used stainless hose clamps I rattle can'd them with truck bed liner. Same stuff I used on the belly pan.
It's been a month now, still looks good! Works even better.
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1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge