Author |
Message |
Mrrickbo
| Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 09:25 am: |
|
So, I wanted to get some opinions on the wants to have carbon replacement parts. I have had the strong urge to try and make the body parts myself. I consider myself to be pretty good with my hands. I know I will have some trial and error. Just looking to see if there is a want or need for these. |
Xodot
| Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 09:35 am: |
|
I believe you will always find a market for a unique quality product that is competitively priced. I would be interested in buying some of your "trial and error" parts that are not good enough for show but good enough for track. There are enough track riders here to perhaps consume some of your product while you are ramping up your expertise. Once you get great at the process then you will attract the other Buellers who want them for street use. There you go for what it's worth that's my opinion - and it might not be worth much!! Good luck X. |
Vinb
| Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 11:20 am: |
|
Cool I was thinking of making the belt guards out of blue carbon fiber since I have a white R. |
Froggy
| Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 11:33 am: |
|
There definitely is a market, especially for little things like master cylinder covers. If you do end up making stuff and you want to sell them on here, you will need to send a PM to Blake and become a sponsor. |
Tougelabs
| Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 11:41 am: |
|
Frame and swing arm covers would do well ! |
Mrrickbo
| Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 11:53 am: |
|
Its going to take a little while before I can start. I have to get (or make my own) equipment. Then, make the molds to lay the carbon out to have the proper shapes and do some QA on the products. Maybe have some of the weekend warrior buellers do some testing. Foggy- I will look into that once I start getting it going. Thanks for the info! |
Bigevildoer
| Posted on Friday, April 15, 2011 - 10:19 am: |
|
+32 on the Frame and Swing Arm Covers... |
99buellx1
| Posted on Friday, April 15, 2011 - 10:26 am: |
|
Shark fin for the stock swingarm. |
Arcticcr
| Posted on Friday, April 15, 2011 - 01:02 pm: |
|
Make these side fairings / belly pan out of CF and you'll . . . . . . make 1 million dollars!!! Just kidding, but you'll make ok money and more importantly, you'll make a lot of people, like myself VERY happy!!! Jay |
Stirz007
| Posted on Friday, April 22, 2011 - 01:13 pm: |
|
Mr. Rick I can't recall exactly who/when, but someone else on here had shared some fab photos and notes for some CF goodies he made. Vacuum bagging, but no autoclave I think... |
Tougelabs
| Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 05:45 am: |
|
I'm actually really interested in learning as well. Mainly for my own "issues" I need a dash and center console made for my TT track car as well as door panels and some other misc stuff so in total probably 5k in carbon that would cost me 400 bucks maybe ? Anyone have a good supply site ? info etc ? Just a way to point me in the right direction. I have a lot of fabrication background as well as a degree in design and a minor in fashion design so I'm kinda confident...kinda ! I already purchased a huge table and awesome lighting for the extra room in my apt |
Mrrickbo
| Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 10:03 am: |
|
Well, after doing some research I found three ways of doing it. One, the best and most expensive is Autoclave. Next, is like Autoclave but without pre-preg carbon and the oven. It uses vacuum bagging, but the vacuum pulls the resin through the carbon. It works, from what I read, but not as consistent as the pre-preg stuff. This method is what I'm thinking about trying to do. Three is just like laying up fiberglass. This is the most inconsistent, it has the human error. You have to lay down the resin by hand with a brush. I know some of us could lay it evenly, but if its not done right it could have weak spots. That's the info I know so far. |
Musclecargod
| Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 07:55 pm: |
|
As far as suppliers goes, check out the "Composites Sourcebook". Its a composites white pages, it should be available online. I have dealt with a company called FibreGlast that sells direct online, with good results. It can be tricky to buy small quantities, and that is there focus. I recommend experimenting with layups and go from there. I would start with a low viscosity polyester resin/fiberglass mat test panel. Just remember you need good ventilation, and don't buy more resin/hardener than you need, it has a limited shelf life and can be difficult to dispose of. If you have any specific questions/or parts you would like to build I can point you in the right direction. |
|