How to prevent damage to the fork tubes?
I examined the fork tubes closely for damage, and could see some slight imperfections, tiny scratches, and a couple small chips, probably due to the gravel which is spread on the roads for better traction on snow. I HIGHLY recommend using something to help prevent damage to the fork tubes. Whether it is a hard plastic deflector similar to one used on Honda’s ST1100 (I think), or a bellows rubber like off road bikes, or as I purchased, some neoprene fork gaitors. I’m using the Triumph fork tube guards (#A9641010, – they’re the stock Thunderbird units anyway). They are slightly taller than the ST1100 guards and they’re pretty cheap (~$12). They fit my 91 just fine. They do need to be *slightly* rotated to clear, but they still cover all the shit coming at you from the front.
