Shock Socks

[doctorsmudge]

Evening all,
I'm about to become the rather proud owner of a 10 plate GSA Anniversary. Like most GS owners I'm paranoid about how easily these things corrode so I want to take precautions against this. I have a list of things I want to get and high up on the list are shock socks. However, I am having problems finding a supplier and those that I have found dont seem to have any that protect the ESA equipment on the shockers.
Now I know there will be people that say they are a waste of money, dont work etc etc, but i will not be put off their merits. So, does anyone know of a manufacturer or supplier of a shock sock that not only covers the shaft/seal/spring, but also offers protection to the elements of the ESA components on the shock.
Opinions would be most welcome.

yours gratefully

Smudge

 

[Schtum]

As far as I know you won't find any kind of shock protector which will also cover the ESA gubbins. I take it that you're already planning on fitting a Mudsling.

How about make a paper pattern, buy some neoprene and get it stitched into something that will do the job.....?

 

[ghiribizzo]

I'd be wary about the fact that such a construction would keep condensation in and cause corrosion.
I suspect that you'd do better just being diligent with your cleaning. That doesn't mean the most powerful jet wash you can get!

 

[cookie]

I'd be wary about the fact that such a construction would keep condensation in and cause corrosion.
I suspect that you'd do better just being diligent with your cleaning. That doesn't mean the most powerful jet wash you can get!

Had them on two GSAs over several years and not got any corrosion.

 

[Bendy toy]

Any grit that does get under the sock will grind though the spring paint in no time. Not to mention the stiffer strip where the velcro runs.

IMO they are perhaps ok on a bike that regularly goes offroad, but then has a proper clean and the shock socks removed every time. TBH, if they were really so good the enduro MX boys would be using them.

 

[cookie]

Any grit that does get under the sock will grind though the spring paint in no time. Not to mention the stiffer strip where the velcro runs.

IMO they are perhaps ok on a bike that regularly goes offroad, but then has a proper clean and the shock socks removed every time. TBH, if they were really so good the enduro MX boys would be using them.

i almost never clean my GS. i occasionally (once a year maybe) have a look under the shock socks to see if there's a problem.
they were fitted on my last bike, front and rear, for nearly 4 years/25K and my present bike nearly 2 years/11K. same wilbers shocks on both bikes.
if i was being picky i'd say there was very minor corrosion, but it's on the exposed parts of the shock, not under the sock.

no paint has been damaged on the spring.

while your opinion does sound very plausible, it is not actually what i have experienced in practice.

i use ACF50 on the bike, but not the shocks, and there's no corrosion on that either

 

[doctorsmudge]

Sock Socks

Thanks for the replies.
As far as I'm aware the shock socks are being used by the off roaders, but baring in mind they may race for four or five hours at most on an enduro they get a thorough cleaning every time. A lot of GS's dont have that privilege.
Every person I've spoken to that deals with rebuilding shockers says they are a good thing. I dont think its so much about the paint being kept on the spring as much as it is keeping the crud away from the seals and damping rod to avoid wear and corrosion there.
R&G do a smart looking and snug fitting sock but it doesn't cover the ESA gubbins, hence the original question, however I take on board the comment about the risk of condensation building with in if its totally enclosed.
Re MUDSLINGER. My friend has one fitted on his GS and recommends it, however he found another MUDSLINGER type device that was half the price, identical in shape, purpose etc just didn't have MUDSLINGER written on it so that is another essential purchase.
Plus, me being a tart I'm going to add a PUIG hugger, before anyone says anything, I know it has mixed reviews, I know its exspensive but it looks stunning. (in my opinion anyway).
So.......... other than R&G does anyone have a recommendation on Shock Sock manufacturers?

Many thanks

Smudge

 

[cookie]

So.......... other than R&G does anyone have a recommendation on Shock Sock manufacturers?

Many thanks

Smudge

mine are Traxxion Dynamics. can't remember where i got them.

 

[oldenoughtoknowbetter]

Shock socks

Daren at MCT once told me that neoprene wraps can cause overheating and potential failure. If Daren says that then it's good enough for me!

 

[Wrinkly]

Evening all,
I'm about to become the rather proud owner of a 10 plate GSA Anniversary. Like most GS owners I'm paranoid about how easily these things corrode so I want to take precautions against this.

Smudge

Never ever understood it.

If you ride your bike 12mts a year and stick it away wet and full of salt it's going to corrode.

I ride my bike 12mts of the year I don't go in for covering it with acf50 or anything else like that.
What I do is to give it a good clean and polish April and September rinse it in cold water when I return from a journey in the winter.

It's just been through it's second winter and apart from some very minor rusting on one of the fork clamp bolts it remains free on any blemishes.

These bikes do not corrode before your eyes if you just use a bit of common sense when it comes to looking after them.

Steve

 

[cookie]

Daren at MCT once told me that neoprene wraps can cause overheating and potential failure. If Daren says that then it's good enough for me!

mine aren't neoprene

 

[oldnfat]

The general view of the local KTM shop is not to recommend socks for off road....although I have no evidence one way or another as to the failure rate.

With the relatively common reports around rear shock failures on the GS it would be interesting to see if there was any correlation between those that have fitted a mudsling and those that haven't...I guess we will never know.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I remember good old rubber fork gaiters, with holes in at the bottom to let the crud out

In fact my 15 year Honda XR has them factory fitted - they seem to work ok

The rear shock has a huge plastic mudflap to protect it from most of the crap too, again factory fitted

Once upon a time, all bikes were this sturdy.......................until the 'bean counter' accountants starting running motorcycle manufacturing

 

[rocky burns]

Made my own on the Hp2 out of a 99pence wetsuit from ebay

 

[Bendy toy]

As the Wilbers guys said the socks are a good idea, who am I to argue. Give it a good dose of ACF-50 to be on the safe side.
My GS is an 08 that had been garaged and hardly used in salt. It's got the standard engine paint failure from front wheel stone chips. A good length fender extender would have stopped that. It also has some frame paint chips where the zip tied protection has rubbed and the odd bolt head is less that perfect.

I have fitted a hugger (Ilmberger) , fender extender and number plate flip plate. The main issue is the gap between hugger and standard rear shovel. It needs a close fitting mudguard as used to be fitted on British bikes front wheels. Finding anything wide enough is the issue.

But in comparison to my Yamaha Diversion, it's not bad. That had a rotten rear swing arm no paint on top rear shock mount plus paint flaking off the engine and from fork plus the standard rotten exhaust

I think the BMW is much better finished.

I recently sold the Divvie at nearly 15 years old but these paint issues were when it was not much older than my GSA.

Conveniently I have a great powder coating company nearby. Do it properly. Do it once. In my case powder and stove enamel cost little more than paint, but last much better.

 

[doctorsmudge]

Thanks for all your help and comments gentlemen. I think I'll settle for the R&G product. They seem a decent snug fit around the shock body. Just wish there was one that protected the vulnerable sensor at the bottom of the shocks.
Cheers

 

[monster monster]

Try www.dirtskins.com, much better value than R&G, but expensive postage from the states.

 

[Bendy toy]

Use lots of ACF-50 on the shocks before fitting the socks.