Lower Headset Dust Cover

[PHXRDR]

I recently installed a suspension fork on my Gazelle Ultimate T10 (replacing the stock monoshock).
After two hundred miles I was "shocked" to see how much fine gravel had accumulated at the lower headset bearing, threatening over time to affect it.
I cut a strip of inner tube and (simply) super glued the end of it, it after some moderate tension on the strip.
There is no glue on the fork crown. The tension if the rubber holds it in place.

 

[6zfshdb]

Welcome to the forum!
Nice idea for bikes that need this type of protection. Thanks for posting.

Many bikes, including my Pedego and Trek models, have built in dust protectors for the headset bearings.
The headset on my Pedego for example has a plastic dust collar and the OEM suspension has a felt washer that fits into it:

When I replaced the OEM forks with Rockshox Gold, I just reused the felt washer:

The piece of innertube is a nice idea though for certain applications.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[PCeBiker]

I was "shocked" to see how much fine gravel had accumulated at the lower headset bearing, threatening over time to affect it.

I just caked the gap in the headset bearing with grease.
The fine gravel dust does stick to the grease, but I figure that being as the bearing just swivels back and forth, and doesn't spin in circles, that the grit won't migrate into the bearing?

I should inspect the grease inside to see if any crap got in, but I've got 100 other things to get done in the next few weeks before riding season arrives again.

 

[PCeBiker]

the OEM suspension has a felt washer that fits into it:

I like that idea !!

Maybe I can make my own version using felt and plastic squash plates to both seal the bearing, and add viscous friction to the movement to save me over $200 CAD for the Cane Creek steering damper ??