| Author | Message | ||
     Cro13 |
I just bought a new piece of carbon fiber for my bike and the fit is less than perfect. I have never bought a piece that wasn’t just bolt on. Can I work with these pieces? Heat gun or some other way to form it better? Any help would be appreciated. I’m headed out today but will check for answers in the AM. Carter XB9R And yes, in anticipation of some of your posts, I do know that carbon fiber is the chrome of the sport bike world and by buying and installing I am now a poser. | ||
| Kevyn |
Depending on placement issues, you can fit it in place and redrill/slightly elongate the holes or trim to fit if that's what's necessary or...? | ||
| Glitch |
I just bought a new piece of carbon fiber for my bike and the fit is less than perfect. What piece? Why won't it fit? Need...more...info... | ||
| Daves |
Did you get from me? Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Iowa | ||
| Cro13 |
Daves, No, I didn't get it from you. You don't offer it or I would have. Your reputation was why I bought from you; your service is why I always check to see if you sell it before buying anywhere else. Glitch, I would rather not say where I got it. I work in a company that started small (3 people) it struggled to be a mid size manufacturing company. At one point in the early 90's a decision was made to invest allot into a new product it was brought to market. One of the initial reviewers didn't like it (trying to settle an old score) it literally almost killed the company. People had to be laid off, hours were cut. It was six months before satisfied customers became vocal and the demand for the product really kicked in. Everyone was hired back; things have been great ever since. All of that to say this, I don’t want to say that a product is bad or doesn’t fit if I’m the only one having problems. I’m not the most mechanical person so it could be just me. The part is very countered and it seams that when the top and sides sit flush the bottom does not and vice versa. It seams like if I could heat it up and bend it ever so slightly it would fit well. I just don’t know if I can do that to carbon fiber. I don’t want to ruin a $100+ part Thanks again, Carter edited by cro13 on September 04, 2003 | ||
| Buelliedan |
Carbon Fiber cannot just be heated up and bent. The stuff is very heat resistant. | ||
| Glitch |
I would rather not say where I got it. Not worried about where ya got it, just can't help ya with a piece of carbon fiber that doesn't fit. What I needed to know was what don't fit where... Carbon is ridged, brittle, and heat resistant... If we knew what shape it is, what it's trying to fit, we could come up with a solution (hopefully). | ||
| Mikej |
Cro, If it is close but not quite right it could be cured or setup wrong from the company you got it from. Have you tried contacting them to ask if your fit issue is possibly a problem with the part. Many legitimate companies would want to know if their parts are not fitting for the customer early in their introduction phase. Try contacting your source for the part and ask if they can offer you a replacement part and see if the replacement fits better. At one place I contracted at we had protyped in some parts that fit when first brought in but after a few weeks would warp slightly once fully cured and caused problems. We informed the company that built them, they changed their component mix and process, the problem was resolved. We then redesigned the main product the part was used on and went a different direction, but that's what the prototype process is all about anyway. Regardless, contact the manufacturer and see what they say. Just a thought. | ||
| Cro13 |
Mikej, I have a call in now, so I'm just waiting for their response. Once I get their answer I'll feel free to discuss the specific details here. Bulliedan answered my main question. It looks like there’s not much I can do to remedy the problem myself. Thanks again, Carter | ||
| Skully |
Cro13, Whether the part can be thermally formed is based not so much on the fiber type (the cloth, in this case carbon fiber), but on the matrix (resin). If the resin in this case is epoxy, it cannot be reformed with heat. Epoxy is a *thermoset*. Some plastics are *thermoplastics* and can be reformed or even returned to their liquid states with the application of heat. Depending on what is wrong with the part and what the manufacturer is willing to do, I may be able to help. I make my living designing and manufacturing composite parts including carbon fiber.  Keith | ||
| Cro13 |
Great news! The carbon fiber pieces that I purchased are the new head light bezels from American Sport Bike. I am very glad to say that the problem was not with their product. The problem was with the inept fool trying to install them (yours truly) The pieces are very high quality, and they fit perfectly. The guy, I forget his name, didn’t even laugh at me while explaining what I was doing wrong (he’s got to be laughing his butt off now) Great product and excellent service! Skully, Glitch, Buelliedan, Mikej Thank all of you for the help and offers of help. I'm in the hearing health care field it's the one thing I do know well, if there is ever a need let me know. Carter | ||
| Buelliedan |
Carter, sounds like you talked to Tat at American Sport Bike. He's the owner and is one of the best Buell supporters out there!! | ||
| Glitch |
Great news! on the part fitting... Guess we'll have to work on the inept thing another time  Now go out and ride, that's what I'm headed out to do right now... | ||
| Nevco1 |
Now this is one of the most enlightening and refreshing issues I have seen addressed. Nothing but positive questions and answers. Am really pleased to see the results. Congrats to Tat and Daves. Tat for taking the time to explain and Dave for inquiring if it was something he may have sold. Both are truly amazing responses considering the world we live in today! | ||
| Dynarider |
Carbon fiber wont get you home  I love twisting that old saying around. | ||
| Glitch |
Carbon fiber wont get you home You sure about that?  | ||
| Darthane |
LOL...Cro, were you trying to put them in backwards? | ||
| Daves |
Glad you got it figured out. Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Cro13 |
Darthane, I've already admitted my total lack of mechanical ability. Must you rub it in Okay, if you must know. I thought that they were skins that just cover the original pieces. They are so light and thin, You can see my point right  Make fun, go ahead I can take it. This is why I make hearing components not motorcycle parts. Carter | ||
| Glitch |
Carter: The only stupid question is the question you don't ask. | ||
| Mikej |
There is no embarassment in not knowing something. What you assumed is an easy assumption to make. I'm just waiting for someone who buys the c/f frame protectors for their XB to post asking how to remove the sides of the gas tank to install the frame protectors. Hang in there, as soon as you learn something new there will always be something else new to learn about too. The more you know the more you realize how little you really know. | ||
| Bomber |
and learning if so damn much FUN! thass why I like this board so much . . . .the data:hot air ratio is so much better than any other I can think of (and even most of the hot air is at least amusing) | ||
| Mikej |
ps, I think you should have bought the LowLow version of the XB there.   That's a great photo, send a copy to Erik. | ||
| Glitch |
I'm just waiting for someone who buys the c/f frame protectors for their XB to post asking how to remove the sides of the gas tank to install the frame protectors. It's easy really...all you need is 10 yards of flight line and a bottle of K9P, when it's time to clean up all the ohms you spill (and you know you will) be sure to use an approved prop wash. | ||
| Darthane |
Heh...Carter, no shame. Everyone here's done something silly and Homer-esque...some of us just try to keep it quiet! Anyone who has worked on their bike and not at some point uttered the infamous "Doh!" is flat out LYING. Hell, until you explained I always thought they were covers as well (I should point out that other than the picture on the website I've never seen a pair). Did you have to pry the flat black ones out? They're just sticky-taped in, aren't they? Bryan | ||
| Uwgriz |
I was thinking a torch should slice right through... Edit: The tank that is, not the bezels although it would probably remove those as well... edited by uwgriz on September 05, 2003 | ||
| Cro13 |
I forgot that was in my profile. The picture is my son Connor he looks so small in that picture. He started school yesterday. Time goes by so fast. He loves to ride with his dad on the Buell. I was talking to my boss about this whole thing and he made the point that we all have our own little area of expertise. Case in point the professor who purchased one of our most expensive hearing aids and is furious the next morning when it’s dead. Our guy on the phone asks “what were the circumstances” the prof. replies “I got out of the pool and it just wouldn’t work” The guy is brilliant and a moron at the same time. Of course, like most of you here my boss is just trying to make me feel better. By the way, I just looked out the window and love how the new bezels look. I’m such a poser. Carter | ||
| Crusty |
It won't get ME home. I can't afford those wheels.
I must be a poser too, 'cause I love looking out the window at my bike. |
