| Author | Message | ||
     Crazyhawk99 |
I know there are a couple more threads related to case savers, but I wanted to reach out and see how much interest there would be in a product similar to that in the link provided. Let me say straight up that I am in no way involved monetarily in this or any manufacturing process. I have Machineart "case savers" on my BMW R1200GS and really like them. They are made of some type of synthetic "plastic", better described on the company's link. In my opinion, they seem like they would hold up quite well in a slide. The material is hard, but doesn't appear brittle. Given the lack of available products for the 1125 cases, I thought of this company. I have emailed them to see if they would be interested in designing them for the 1125. As you can imagine, their main concern is the number of buyers to cover cost/profit margins, given Buell is no longer in production. http://machineartmoto.com/shopsite_sc/xhead.html The target cost would be approx $150, give or take. I am hoping to keep this thread constructive. As stated, I have nothing at stake here. I am only in search of an (more) affordable option to the Taylormade product. I am in no way slamming the Taylormade CF covers. From what I have seen, they look nice and owners seem to be happy with them. | ||
| Metalrabbit |
I like that look personally,, it would hide on the bike better, maybe a lil horsey to catch your attention. You would probably only need one for each side,, not sure but I already tested the left  | ||
| Pittsburgh_guy |
I would be interested for 150. Plus those look awesome. -Andy | ||
| Skully |
Greg, As you mentioned above, we are working on case savers for the 1125 series based on input from the good folks here at BadWeB. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/539226.html?1266283997 If there is something in particular feature(s) that you are interested in, I would appreciate your feedback. Keith DarkHorseMoto, LLC Protecting and Propelling Buell(R) Motorcycles(TM) A Proud Sponsor of BadWeB http://www.darkhorsemoto.com | ||
| Old_mil |
I'd be interested as well. | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
Keith... you might have some competition!! better get those case savers done ASAP!!!  just like with the axle sliders, I'll pre-order a set if you need! (Message edited by xtreme6669 on March 01, 2010) | ||
| Crazyhawk99 |
Keith, By no means am I trying to steal your thunder. As mentioned in my thread, I have these on my GS and they look good, seem durable, yet not bulky and the price is reasonable (subjective I know). I thought a picture of them as shown on the link would promote pros/cons as to the construction, material and visual appeal. I really don't think that Machineart will produce them because of the cost involved in an unknown brand (Buell) market for them. As for your original post asking for ideas, I did +1 to the case saver suggestion and followed the thread, but I never saw anything back from you on what you had decided to produce to include a rough description of the product design (formed synthetic, CF, forged allum, approx cost, etc...) If you have more prelim details at this time, I would be interested to hear them. As I mentioned in my thread on that other forum, you have a loyal customer base for good reason. Greg | ||
| Skully |
Bring it on! Competition is good. In the end, our products are only as good as the feedback received. Keith | ||
| Skully |
Fair enough. Based on feedback received to date, we are working on machined, anodized case savers, with the sales price at $200/set. We hope to have a computer generated photos to show shortly. Keith (Message edited by skully on March 01, 2010) | ||
| Kevinjgray88 |
hey keith i will pre order as well if needed. just please make them for the rev b. and of course stator | ||
| Prowler |
I'd certainly be interested in a set similar to the machineartmoto parts in a composite material (or something similar to Yosh parts in aluminum) if the price is kept reasonable (under $200). I have no interest in a couple of those little buttons to replace the O.E. case buttons for $60-$100...I can make those myself with a bucks worth of 2024 on the lathe in ten minutes........ (Message edited by prowler on March 01, 2010) | ||
| Nattyx1 |
FYI I'm running a set of Dark Horse sliders front and rear on my CR. Would love to see a well-enginereed, equally sano set of case savers for my CR from these guys.  | ||
| A_s_r |
I am helping Keith out with the design, and should have a solid model to show in the next day or so. I am using these aluminum Yosh case savers as my go-by.   I've spent the majority of my time thus far gathering information, so the remainder of the modeling should go quickly. | ||
| Kevinjgray88 |
does the cap come with | ||
| Nattyx1 |
Seems to me the trick with these and similar items is the wall thickness -- you don't want em to deflect into/against the case they're trying to protect or be so brittle that they shatter. Right? And...what about combining materials? Like aluminum for the main structure and a delrin "outer plate" that bolts on and is replaceable - sort of like toe sliders on boots? Two good reasons for this idea: 1 -- if you have a relatively mellow low side, you just chuck the delrin bits, order new ones (way cheaper than the whole setup). Ba da bing, good as new. And 2 - you don't start fires with aluminum sparks. See attached pic of barbequed R6 -- this one went flambe because the sharp design edge surface on the gas tank slid directly on the pavement. If the guy had sliders on the bike - it wouldn't have happened. I'm not saying (obviously) that case savers will have anything to do with keeping fuel in the bike, but imagine a summertime slide in a California (or similar) canyon. Sparks travel with bike into roadside brush/weeds. Let's say you're injured just enough that pulling 500lbs of dead weight up and out of bushes by yourself isn't possible... and all of a sudden, the shit ignites, and there's your bike in a proverbial burning bush. Plausible?  | ||
| Nattyx1 |
One more thought -- these beemer parts that Crazyhawk pointed to are essentially strong-as-hell plastic. Clearly a different material/tool/skillset than working with machined aluminum, but given my previous post perhaps a better way to go? This is from their product description: "-Heads are quality molded in Xenoy, a polycarbonate and polyester alloy that is impact, temperature, & chemical resistant." | ||
| Skully |
Actually, we have discussed a replaceable Delrin slider for just the reasons you list. I have an extensive background in designing and manufacturing composite parts from carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar. Carbon fiber, IMHO, is a terrible choice for this purpose as it is too brittle and is expensive. Fiberglass or Kevlar would be better choices. Tooling would have to be designed and fabricated and then each case saver would have to be layed up by hand and then machined. I can't provide any decent quality for $200/set. These are just some of the reasons we chose billet aluminum. Plastic could be a viable solution but for a limited market, the tooling costs are prohibitive. Keith | ||
| Crazyhawk99 |
Keith, Thanks for the prelim info on your prototypes. They definitely sound promising. I will be anxious to see the prototype. $200 isn't out of the park either. I am sure with your established rep, you will do well. That is why I floated the Machineart idea. I am that impressed with and confident in the ones on my GS. I am sure when my sliders arrive, I will be one of your loyal following. Have you decided on anodize colors that will be available? Greg | ||
| Crazyhawk99 |
Anybody have any new input? Trying to keep the thread alive before re-engaging the company with a pitch. | ||
| Moosestang |
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but aluminum does not spark. A delrin puck sounds nice, but now you are complicating things and adding to the cost. If it's a minor lowside, then just buff it out! So you have not contacted Machineart about these? Seems a waste of a post, because they are likely not interested. (Message edited by moosestang on March 04, 2010) | ||
| Jaimec |
Some guy named Erik Buell sells a clutch and stator cover... are these what you're looking for? | ||
| Crazyhawk99 |
Jaimec, Read the thread from the top and it will be more clear. Greg | ||
| Moosestang |
Just double checked with google. Aluminum does not throw sparks. I've put enough to a grinding wheel to know, but it never hurts to be sure. You won't need to worry about sparks catching any brush on fire. The headers will take care of that all by themselves. The ones from EBR are $300 and made by taylormade. We are looking for a cheaper alternative. (Message edited by moosestang on March 04, 2010) | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Plastic could be a viable solution but for a limited market, the tooling costs are prohibitive. Skully, awwww... Come on, I'd build you a nice plastic injection mold  | ||
| Jaimec |
The Taylor-made CF covers cost less than replacing the pieces themselves. DAMHIK... | ||
| Crazyhawk99 |
Jaimec, There is no dispute of that. I think you are missing the point. There is interested for an alternative to CF and also in something in the pricerange of $200 or less. | ||
| Jaimec |
Nope, not missing the point at all. I am in the process of replacing a clutch cover so I know how expensive they are... to me, ANYTHING that costs less than that is a viable alternative. But instead of plastics or aluminum... wouldn't fibreglass be easier to work with and less expensive to produce? | ||
| Froggy |
Yes, but the proposed savers from DHM would be $200 for a pair, and possibly with replaceable derlin buttons to reduce the repair costs. Still, the carbon Taylormade covers are nice and work. | ||
| Mac_inger |
Id rather replace the cover then put those CFs on my CR. Alternatives are good. | ||
| Family_buells |
I'm working on casting my own case guards out of urethane. It's easy to tailor the characteristics of the urethane to meet your needs. I'm looking to make the guards fairly stiff and abrasion resistant similar to a Delrin or Nylon. | ||
| Family_buells |
Hmmm |
