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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: factory pilot on November 09, 2015, 10:05 AM

Title: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: factory pilot on November 09, 2015, 10:05 AM
Okay lads... So I know what they are and what they do ... But what do they look like on a build ?
Anyone got any photos they could post up?
I love to put new/different parts on each of my builds but they've got to enhance a build ... Just wanted to know if they look cool or not once fitted?

Cheers in advance, Ant
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: Gnarlyscoots on November 09, 2015, 10:15 AM
They are thin pieces of sheet metal pressed to fit under the crown race on the fork, and supposed to stop dirt or grit getting into the space that is left open on a looseball headset cup, thus destroying the bearings and the bearing cup/crown race.

A lot of racer/riders stopped using them back then because if/when you came off and your knee, or any part of your body for that fact, came down in the area that the dirt skirt is, it will leave a nasty slice.

I know of a few who tapped the edge upwards to avoid this, but then water would get into the headset and just sit there.

They do look nice to fitted to carpet queens though, if that is your thing, but not really an essential item to a race bike  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: factory pilot on November 09, 2015, 11:05 AM
Thanks for the detailed info :daumenhoch:... It's going to potentially go on a carpet queen but I get your point about the reality of these things ...
If you were unmasked or barefaced  it could potentially rip your face in half for sure!

Anyone got a picture of one mounted?

Cheers again Ant :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: pickle on November 09, 2015, 11:26 AM
Here you go my good man  :)  my Assassin has one
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: factory pilot on November 09, 2015, 11:29 AM
Thanks for the pictures Rob... Got to say I think they look kinda cool!  :daumenhoch: 
  8)

Did any famous riders use these BITD? Harry Leary? Greg Hill? Swoop Rupe?

Any info is much appreciated lads!
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: pickle on November 09, 2015, 12:01 PM
No idea about riders using them but I think they look cool as well.    :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: region11 on November 09, 2015, 02:09 PM
I think they look pretty cool...I had one back in the day.  Not sure if they did much to protect against racing in British winter conditions!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/hutch1970/77C31B6D-6DD3-4114-8DEC-4E23816420F3_zpsayfmfoz3.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/hutch1970/media/77C31B6D-6DD3-4114-8DEC-4E23816420F3_zpsayfmfoz3.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/hutch1970/E5B71E1F-4B54-4FA0-8EE5-F37B4EADAF11_zpsm2gy3yzm.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/hutch1970/media/E5B71E1F-4B54-4FA0-8EE5-F37B4EADAF11_zpsm2gy3yzm.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/hutch1970/4958CFCC-CBFF-4983-A39E-960F48CEF3AD_zpsx9jj6g43.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/hutch1970/media/4958CFCC-CBFF-4983-A39E-960F48CEF3AD_zpsx9jj6g43.jpg.html)
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: southern andy on November 09, 2015, 07:37 PM
Let's be honest, they were useless. A total waste of time just like those daft rubber chain protector things.

But......

Yes I did run them on all my race bikes  :LolLolLolLol:

And......

Yes I would put one on a show bike if I could get a NOS one for reasonable pennies. Just for looks though.
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: factory pilot on November 09, 2015, 08:03 PM
Cheers for all the info, thoughts and pictures guys!

After doing a bit of research I found out that both Eric Rupe ( on his profile ) and Greg Hill ( on his GHP ) both ran with these!    :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: factory pilot on November 10, 2015, 10:20 AM
Just found this ... Guess that's why he rode with one!
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: deeman on November 17, 2015, 12:34 AM
 :LolLolLolLol: riders would run anything if they were paid enough to do it! Learn something new every day...i thought these went on th BB to act as a shield...if you didn't have a sealed bb.... :idiot2: :idiot2:
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: factory pilot on November 17, 2015, 12:12 PM
:LolLolLolLol: riders would run anything if they were paid enough to do it! Learn something new every day...i thought these went on th BB to act as a shield...if you didn't have a sealed bb.... :idiot2: :idiot2:

Don't be ashamed I also thought they were like a bottom bracket boot for ages !  :(
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: monkian on November 17, 2015, 05:18 PM
Hey Ant, any idea what the date of that SST Ad is? I'm just wondering when they first came about.


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Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: deeman on November 17, 2015, 06:21 PM
:LolLolLolLol: riders would run anything if they were paid enough to do it! Learn something new every day...i thought these went on th BB to act as a shield...if you didn't have a sealed bb.... :idiot2: :idiot2:

Don't be ashamed I also thought they were like a bottom bracket boot for ages !  :(

 :LolLolLolLol: cool, not just me!!
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: factory pilot on November 18, 2015, 12:15 PM
Hey Ant, any idea what the date of that SST Ad is? I'm just wondering when they first came about.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That advert is from a copy of Bmx Action ( U.S. ) dated March 84
 I know they were around in 83 cos riders had them then as well :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: animal on November 19, 2015, 07:12 PM
I still have the scars from these grrrr.  Soon got binned  "wantit"
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: 58 delray on November 23, 2015, 11:21 AM
this pic was taken in early 82 and i was using one on this bike, you can just see the dark line of it in the pic.
(http://imagehosting.rodsnsods.co.uk/11345249931195370.jpg)
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: factory pilot on November 23, 2015, 12:31 PM
Great picture mate ! Love it !
Title: Re: SST Dirt Skirts
Post by: pickle on November 23, 2015, 12:45 PM
ACE!   :daumenhoch:
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