Fork boot vs dust cover

[Lepttack]

I've got to replace my fork dust covers/caps (top pic), do the "cafe fork boots" do the same thing as a dust cover or are they just for show on the fork?

 

[Sandrew]

They're both meant for keeping the dust away. Take whichever you like the best (gaitors ofc).

 

[Lepttack]

Ok, thanks

 

[HoughMade]

I don't think you use one or the other, you use both if you use gaiters.

The dust seals keep schmutz from the fork upper from getting inside the lower. The gaiters keep schmutz from from getting on the uppers to begin with. However, I would never run without the standard dust seals.

 

[OliverB]

The auto shock boots my son put on the '79 I now have eliminate the need for dust covers. In fact, the boots would not fit properly with the dust covers installed. Depends on the dimensions of the boots you use. These fit perfectly in the groove where the dust covers would be.

 

[Sandrew]

My gaitors are from very stretchy rubber and sit very tight over the fork legs... a lot tighter than original dust covers sat (if I even had the original cover to begin with).