Carbon Fiber rear hugger interest???

I chopped mine last night - thanks for the idea BLZ2DWL

I was surprised how rigid it is and looks a hellava lot better.

Maybe I'll etch in a faux CF weave tonight

Chris

How did you cut it and make it look smooth? What tools, sand paper, etc.? Thanks

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by corsastrada &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How did you cut it and make it look smooth? What tools, sand paper, etc.? Thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>

Having it look pretty isn't the point of tinkering is it ???

I used a scroll saw, tin snips, compass and a bench grinder with a fine grit wheel, to clean up the edges. The 'plastic' for the fender doesn't melt or get soft but, I was mindful of it anyway.

It's not as finished looking as the original but for what and where it is I'm happy with it.

BTW - I'd be curious to know how you did yours Brennan...

Chris


Modified by chaas67 at 10:12 PM 12/9/2004

Definetly the best trim job I've seen.
The guy from BFP needs to see it.
jdale

I just trimmed my this weekend. Looks fantastic. Very pleased.

I think we owe Brennan a beer for this idea.....


Chris

OK guys, I found a guy who said he'd be into making these things... probably just stock shape, and those of us who are inclined to attacking their bike with sharp objects can cut away to their heart's content.

BFP it isn't, unfortunately they haven't seemed to horribly interested in actually making/selling these things over the past year and change that this thread has been around.

Tom @ Feathercarbon.com is the guy. He says he could recreate these for $200 for a set of the chainguard/rear fender. Or $170 if 5 of us prepay.

Nowwwwww... the monkey wrench here is that the 2002+ 900/1000 fenders/chainguards are different from the earlier models (aluminum swingarm only, I don't know about the steel one). I've got a fender/chainguard from a 2002 that I can send in as a pattern for the later models, if anybody w/ one of the 99-02 bikes is interested he'd need a fender/chainguard as a pattern. The stock parts would probably get destroyed in the process too.

The carbon weave he said he could use would match the DP carbon (2x2 twill weave).

So there... now that Brennan has enlightened everyone on chopping up their stock parts... we can now do the same in CARBON .

Is it very easy to cut carbon fiber? I'd be afraid of it shredding and getting ruined if I tried to cut it. What would it take to do the job right, other than some artistic ability and manual dexterity?

I've cut some with a hacksaw before, then sanded it down to final shape (my heel guards). Came out really nice... and no, it didn't splinter or fray or anything.

Carbon is itchy nasty stuff that you want to be VERY careful about modifying in any way that produces dust. I have cut a few pieces and will not do any of it without skin covering and respiratory protection. I wet cut whenever possible and cover the area to be cut with masking tape. I use a dremel with the tool extension run to my slop sink.

As far as Feathercarbon goes: Very inconsistent. I have seen pretty good looking parts and also terrible parts that look like they were made in someone's basement. I don't think Tom uses autoclaves, etc that the top of the line guys use.

Damn, that sucks... got a couple other emails out to companies too, haven't heard back from them though. And a couple places were talking like $600+ , and having to buy the molds and everything.
Suggestions?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jpuck91 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Damn, that sucks... got a couple other emails out to companies too, haven't heard back from them though...Suggestions?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Suggestions - YES! Actually I came across a CF manufacturing company that is trying to get into the Ducati market. They make show quality parts for custom and muscle cars. I have only seen their parts in pics, but from what I can tell they look as good as Benfer's at the same price point. I am supposed to get back to him with a bunch of OEM plastic parts to use as samples. I sent him a link to this thread and he was very interested to get started, but I didn't want to pull my fender off mid season. Its off now and I am going to trim it BLZ-style before sending it out.

I've got a rear fender/chainguard from a 2002 that I could donate also if he'd be interested in recreating that... keep us posted.
See if he'd be interested in making up a few sets of the SS front air ducts too .
Post a link to the site or IM me, I'd like to see what they've got.

http://www.carbonwerks.com/

I have an e-mail out to the guy and I'll post his replies here. Stay tuned!!

I trimmed the fender last weekend:





Very easy as promised. I am still waiting to hear back from Carbonwerks as to whether they are still interested in fabbing up a few of these.

I finally took some more pictures. Tell me someone is getting this made in CF to match my new high mount CF DP cans!

Brennan

nice!

but you'll be cleaning your & the bike's backside if you ride in the wet, dirt, etc... (don't ask how I know this)

Yeah, but its worth it. It's been trimmed for years. I can't even remember what it used to look like!

Brennan

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BLZ2DWL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I finally took some more pictures. Tell me someone is getting this made in CF to match my new high mount CF DP cans!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

NickD and I have been barking up that tree for a while... still workin on it!!

Brennan, Nice bike & pics but how bout one straight from the right side while bike is on side stand?

-- And how bad is the dirt/water splash up with this fender?

Thanks,
Al