Fork protectors

[frodef]

I just saw johnny post this, and it reminded me: I have similar fork protectors on my bike, except they are not fastened at the bottom like these are with those metal hose-clamps. Mine are just hanging there, leaving a small gap at the bottom, meaning less protection but also that I have easy accessibility to look for fork leakage... Should I close it like it's done here? What's the strategy to detect fork (seal) leakages with this setup?

[Scott_]

I would suspect that there is a small drain/weep hole in the rubber. Probably on the back side.
It allows for 2 functions.
Drainage of any fluids, oil or condensation. And allows for air exchange when the forks are compressed so you are not blowing them up like a balloon or sucking them in like a vacuum.

[CubPilot]

Well ya see that there hole in the font of the left fork "protector"? that lets all things inside outside, air, water, oil and the like.

[frodef]

But the leak has to be pretty substantial before oil starts leaking out of that hole, no?

[frankenduck]

Why do you have the hole on the front, not the back?