Gluing the rubber fork boots to the fairing

[headtube]

Since I've had the fairing off the bike to do some minor repairs (a bit of fibreglass), I need to glue the fork boots back in place. What product does the forum use to keep those pesky boots (cups) from flopping about? When applying the glue do you place it on the boot, or the fairing? Or both? This could be messy.

[Rob Farmer]

Bathroom sealing silicone has always worked well for me. I use the clear stuff and squeeze it into the bead of the boot. Wipe off the excess with a wet finger, the rest will dry transparent, leave it overnight before you use the bike.

[DaveBall]

I have replaced lots of these. they can be a royal paint to get on properly. I heat the edges up a bit with a hair dryer so that they are a bit more pliable, get them in place in the fairing. Once I am certain that they are seated properly, I use a cotter pin removal tool to lift the edge on the inside of the fairing and put a few drops of the gel Gorilla Glue in there, then let it sit over night. Then using a very sharp razor blade I remove any excess glue that may have squeezed out. This usually will last till the next time I have to remove the fairing and boots.

Lots of people use Crazy Glue and many other types of all purpose glues. I find the real trick is getting the boot seated on the fairing. Sometimes they just don't want to line up correctly with the lip on the fairing into the groove in the boot. This is when a little directed heat can really help.

[bmweuro]

Clean everything very well and Crazy Glue every couple of inches.

[R100RT Mark]

I find that Permatex 81850 Black Super Weatherstrip Adhesive works very well. Comes in a 5 oz. tube for about $6.00. It is a traditional contact adhesive type.

I have also used this adhesive with great success to hold together a favorite pair of BMW Sneaker 3 that were coming apart around the shift lever reinforcement – has lasted six months/3,000 miles so far.

[jdiaz]

I used gorilla snot (3M something in orange) and it didn't work worth a damn. I never did figure it out before selling the bike.

[boxerboy81]

If you use the gaitors on the forks, I'd leave 'em out.

[ME 109]

Originally Posted by boxerboy81

If you use the gaitors on the forks, I'd leave 'em out.

If the boots are left out, the heater doesn't work as good.

[AK Bob]

Best stuff I've used so far was " The Right Stuff " from NAPA. It is black too soit looks ok too.

[DoktorT]

Must say that after cleaning all the old goop and glue off mine, then working carefully to roll the boot with very high thumb pressure to fully seat the groove all the way around, they stay in place just fine. Glue just isn't needed IF you get that goove fully seated AFTER you remove all residues of past glue/goop from both the boot and faring.

Very easy to think it is fully on when it is half engaged. Tenacity and technique are required for full engagement, which works just perfect when you get there. Push very hard with thumbs while rolling the edge to get full engagement all the way around the perimeter. No glue needed at all.

[boxerboy81]

Originally Posted by ME 109

If the boots are left out, the heater doesn't work as good.

Maybe, but the aircon is a little more efficient!

[Ron Bernert]

3M trim adhesive. Works good for me. I've removed them for fork service, cleaned the grooves and re-applied. Never had saggy rubbers yet.

[bmweuro]

If you only glue them in 6-8 spots they will stay in and you can remove them a lot easier.