| Author | Message | ||
     Barkandbite |
Hi Dave (and all other interested parties...) I received my "birthday package" via UPS today from DaveS and inside the box was this set of Free Spirits Carbon Fiber Frame Covers. I have seen the Trojan products as well as a couple of other vendor's C/F covers and these were unlike most I had seen. Firstly, as you can see from the photos below, they don't quite cover the entire frame -- there's about 3/4" of open frame left once mounted. I'm not sure it would make any difference in a crash, but the others I have seen cover/curl around the entire face of the frame and go all the way down to the edge of the peg mounts. This appears to be standard layup (old style) molding, and not pre-preg so strength in a slide is TBD. There are sections that can be seen through when held to the light despite the black painted backing. There are some fitment issues wherein the "wonderful" Buell frame weld slag makes it difficult to fit the pieces properly. Try as I might I have a bit of a wonk on the right side and it just won't fit properly. All in all the parts are nice and well made. There are no bubbles or pits in the clearcoat and the pattern is consistent and linear. I'd like to hear other's perspectives. I would also like to know just how to secure them to the frame? Epoxy? Bueller.    | ||
| Barkandbite |
One more...  | ||
| Roc |
I would secure with silicone, like caulk. The fit can be fixed by sanding but I would not drill it, depending on the resin it could crack. Didn't they come with instructions? | ||
| Darthane |
Ahh...Dave, are those the ones you sent to me? I thought they wrapped over the lower edge of the frame? Are they a different supplier? | ||
| Daves |
I have used 3M double sided car molding tape and they hold great. Put lots of strips on the carbon first,wipe the frame down with some windex,let it dry,stick them on. Lots less messy than caulk and it sticks right away. I switched suppliers about a year ago after I stopped getting them from Trojan. The gap at the bottom won't be an issue in a crash as that's not where the frame hits and the durability has been proven to be good for protecting the frame. When installing just hold it in position for about 15 seconds and they will stick and fit nicely. Dave | ||
| Darthane |
Ahh, that's what I figured. Not worried about it in a crash (any more than normal, anyways). Just not what I was expecting (not a bad thing). I can't wait to install all that stuff I ordered! | ||
| Bads1 |
I used tape just as Dave has said and have no problems.If you use caulk or something of that nature and you want to pull them off then you have a huge mess on your frame....no thanks. | ||
| Captainplanet |
I saw a bike that went down with the Carbon Sliders this last weekend at Central Texas Buell in Austin. It must have slid quite a ways when it went down. The slider had worn down through to the frame. The frame was bent underneath. At this point I am viewing these sliders as a good cover up for frame damage, but not so sure they will protect a lot in a crash. I'm not saying they won't help, as I am sure they will, but the bike I saw had frame damage and a destroyed slider as well. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me that day. I wish I could have taken some pics. | ||
| Bomber |
if the slag (or weld splatter) is getting in the way of proper fitment, sand/grind/chew the slag down? no slider or any design will protect every scoot from every "event" . . . . it's just another piece of insurance and gear to hopefully minimize damage | ||
| Glitch |
The slider had worn down through to the frame. Imagine if there had not been a slider to get ground down. | ||
| M1combat |
Maybe it's because my frame was made early in the '04 production run but I don't have any slag at all. I have weld beads sure, but no buckshot at all. The weld beads are BEAUTIFUL I might add. The first thing most welders do when they look at the bike is comment on the quality of the welds. | ||
| Boulderbiker |
M1, likewise on my welds, but mines also an '04 from last fall like yours. | ||
| Barkandbite |
Dave -- I re-read my post and I realized that this may have come across as negative. I did not mean so, but I was surprised when the covers did not fit across the entire frame. Aesthetically they look like stick-ons rather than wrapping around the entire frame. I'm sure they will grow on me when I update the oil cooler and air intake scoops accordingly. Thanks for the double stick tape recommendation, I think I'll try that. I am worried about that gap on the right side since it's almost 1/2 inch. I'll see what I can do. Besides which, my LSL sliders will rip the motor out of the frame long before it hits the CF covers  HA! Thanks for the prompt and excellent service. Chris | ||
| Daves |
 Dave | ||
| Darthane |
I do have one follow-up question. the Trojan ones are C/F and Kevlar. Are these? | ||
| Daves |
They have an extra layer of something at the point where the frame usually hits the ground on th inside of the protector. I do not know if it is Kevlar? I will email Italy and find out for you. Dave | ||
| Darthane |
Thanks! No offense, but if they're not Kevlar I'd rather not have them. C/F by itself isn't going to do diddly squat even in a tip-over. | ||
| Daves |
No problem Darth, if you don't like them, send them back and I'll gladly refund the $$ I have emailed the company to see if they are kevlar or not for you. I'll keep you posted. Dave | ||
| Daves |
Straight from Italy, Hi Dave No, we don’t use Kevlar inside, but the reason is not for save money. If your customer is concerned, worry or what ever, I will find picture of protectors used by HD-Italy in occasion of the 24/25 April Buell-Academy Our protector was on ten bike, and three fall. I was totally impress from result You will judge from the picture. About the “lay up method” the secret of the toughness is on the very-special resin, that not only will hold very well the crash-hurtle, but it’s also immune from the sun effect and the heat. Basically it means that, if it’s not damaged from a crash, this frame protector will never get an old look. Because is possible, soon they get dull to be polish Have a nice day Marcello I'll have him send me the pictures and forward them to you Darth. Dave | ||
| Stealthxb |
just post em Dave! | ||
| Daves |
If I can figure out how to do it I will. Or I'll send them to you too. Dave | ||
| Darthane |
Thanks, Dave. I'll have to wait to make the decision until I see them when I get home in early August. Would that still be alright? | ||
| Daves |
You bet! Dave | ||
| Barkandbite |
Darthane - I'll post pictures of the units (backside) this evening. There is a reinforcement 'strip' on the backside. CHris | ||
| Darthane |
Sweet, thanks to both of you. |
