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Ducati GT1000 and SportClassic Fork Guards
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by Rick K. for webBikeWorld.com
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GT1000
Blog Home | Owner Comments (Below)
I received an email a few weeks ago from Paul Smith
(no, not that Paul Smith), letting me know about
some GT1000 SportClassic fork guards he had for sale.
Paul makes the fork guards, which will fit the Ducati
Sport 1000, Sport 1000 S and the GT1000.
He does not have a website, and other than some very
basic ordering information (and a price), I don't have
much more information on the product.
The fork guards are made from aluminum plate that I
measure at 1.27 mm (0.05 in) thick. They appear to
have gone through multiple machining processes including
cutting, forming, drilling, deburring and/or
edge polishing. The surface is unfinished
aluminum, so they could be polished, anodized or
painted.
I'm not sure if the small amount of internal fork
tube that is left unexposed at the bottom of the "upside-down" forks on the
GT1000 really need protection, but mine do seem to get
pretty dirty, as you can see in the photo below.
Dirt can ruin the fork seals as the fork moves up and
down, and stones or other debris could possibly also
harm the fork tube, so protecting them isn't a bad idea.
I like the look of the uncovered upside-down forks on
the GT1000, and these fork guards hide the smaller inner
fork tube from sight, so it took me a while to get used to
the new look with the guards installed,
especially from the front, where the forks now look like
a single solid tube.
The fork guards are very easy to install. Before you start
though, make sure that the forks and the surrounding
area are cleaned and degreased.
Then simply remove the two Allen screws that hold the
fender to the aluminum fender support on each side,
place the fork guard over the top and replace the
screws. I used a touch of blue Loctite just to
make sure the screws stay put, because it appeared that
Ducati used some type of thread locking compound on them
at the factory.
The screws do not need to be over-tightened; I didn't
bother looking up a torque spec for them, and I'm not
sure if there is one, but it didn't take much torque to
remove them, so I only tightened them until they bottomed out
and then just a touch more.
The fork guards do a good job of protecting the
bottom section of fork tube. I may paint the
aluminum just for kicks -- the paint
could easily be removed if I don't like it.
These Ducati SportClassic fork
guards are made in Scotland, and they cost £43 including
worldwide postage. That's roughly $63.00 USD at
current exchange rates.
This may or may not seem expensive, and it all depends upon how you look at it.
After all, these are hand-made to order, limited
production units. He apparently does not have
stock on hand, and I'm not sure how long it takes to
make a new pair. He just happened to have this
single set when I contacted him.
If you're interested, send Paul the dosh via PayPal or
contact him at paulrsmith028@aol.com.
Dirty fork tubes need protection!
GT1000 fork guards installed, right side.
GT1000 fork guards from the front.
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 Also from Paul
"Thanks for the write-up on your
authoritative site. Your positive comments are
much appreciated.
Just for future reference, I
have designed a set for the Paul Smart (Paul Smith fork
protectors for the Paul Smart!).
The new design does not obliterate
the prestigious Öhlins sticker at the foot of the fork
leg and show a little more of the fork leg (than the
GT1000 fork protectors).
For that reason I think
they look better from the front, too, but I suppose
that's subjective (and I'm biased, of course!)." |
Update on Paul Smith and Custom
Ducati
March 29, 2009 - "Since you featured my Paul Smith
Fork Protectors I have been inundated with requests
from Sport Classic lovers seeking to buy a set.
As a result, I decided to set up a more professional
operation.
I have just launched
CustomDucati, a website featuring SportClassic
steering dampers, oil cooler screens and more.
I have also redesigned the fork
guards, which fit all the bikes in the Sport Classic
range (you will recall the last model allowed a full
view of the Öhlins stickers on the Paul Smart LE).
I am also about to launch a Paul
Smith Oil Cooler/Radiator guard that will fit the
Sport Classics, many Monsters, and the Hypermotard.
Both products are featured on my site.
The latest design of fork protectors is machine-made
and, as a result, can be offered at the highly
competitive price of £38 plus £5 post and packing.
Fits in seconds, protects for years."
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Product
Review:
Ducati SportClassic Fork Guards |
| Available
From:
CustomDucati |
Suggested Retail Price: £43 incl. worldwide
postage |
| Colors: Untreated
aluminum |
Made in: Scotland |
| Review Date:
November 2008 |
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From Michele in Italy (02/09): "It's Michele from
Italy. Finally, I have purchased and fitted a pair of
the Paul Smith's fork guards, and I am very satisfied of
it. They look very well on my red GT, and they
have employed only a week to arrive here in Italy.
The price is good, if you consider that they are
handicraft. Good purchase!! I suggest to
GT1000 and Sport 1000 owners. All the best from
Bologna (Italy)."
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