Very Light Weight Carbon Fiber Parts

[beeze455]

Some of you have seen my posts and know I like to tinker. I also tinker on a lot of other things that gives me knowledge in many areas. I have really been thinking about Carbon Fiber more and more. I also have ideas about many other things.

I more and more get upset with aftermarket companies producing junk and items that simply do not fit. I have been in business for years and the integrity of the snowmobile business really upsets me.

So I have been tossing around the idea of doing this and selling some parts on a low key basis. Good quality parts made by me and shipped by me, so no 1 800 number and other crap like that. Sent and recieved within a few days and a part my name will be on.

My simple goal would be to make parts to make enough money to buy turbos and the latest new shock or something. My marketing would be by reputation and trust me it would grow.

Are people ready for the pricy Carbon Fiber parts?

 

[Nikolai]

I would like a carbon fiber tube chassis. Chromoly is outdated.

 

[beeze455]

LOL, I would too! Thinking parts people can actually afford. Relocate kit, seat bracket and other items. I may get into other items and almost eveything would be focusing on the front--you would be my best customer.

 

[Confused?]

I could be interested... How much would u say for a seat bracket?

 

[beeze455]

Just guaging interest right now. Nothing would be for sale for most likely a year. Those parts would be some of the basic ones. A-arms and other components requiring billet alum connections would be 2 years.

Why not a a light gas cap? Why not a lighter stronger oil container? Why not a lighter stonger steering stem?

 

[judger101]

if you started building them, im sure you would have plenty of interest in these types of parts

 

[Alatalo]

I more and more get upset with aftermarket companies producing junk and items that simply do not fit. I have been in business for years and the integrity of the snowmobile business really upsets me.

I know what you are talking about. With the exception of OFT and a very few other high quality snowmobile specific companies, I feel exactly the same way. I am into streetbikes and motorcycle race bikes as well and I would put it this way - if some of the lower quality snowmobile specific companies would be in the motorcycle market, they would be out of business within a month...! Aftermarket parts that does not fit without additional grinding, drilling, bending, tinkering and elbow greasing are simply not accepted in the motorcycle world. They would be returned immediately and the company producing them would have a very bad reputation within very short...! Basically, nobody in the motorcycle world will accept anything but high quality aftermarket parts that drop right into place...

Regarding carbon fibre parts, I would be interested in functional parts only where the use of carbon fibre actually improves the part. I would not be interested in yet another company producing hoods, side panels and reverse handles that are no better functioning and no lighter than the OEM parts. People only interested in the carbon fibre look might as well use vinyl wrap at a fraction of the cost of real carbon fibre...If you could produce a properly designed, mega-stiff steering subframe you would get my attention...

 

[Off Trail Mike]

Beeze:

Sounds great..a CF builder on the east coast! I tend to agree with Alatalo, in that functionality should be key. My list:

Tunnel block offs.....I'd buy one tomorrow as I am building one now!
Rear Tunnel Section. Absolutely no reason for that not to be CF...integrate a rear bumper too.
Seat Support
Tank cover...I'd say tank too, but that would be mega $'s
A-Arms

OTM

 

[DaveB]

I've seen a few of this outfit's machines running around Revy...nice stuff, but $$$.

http://www.carbonsled.com/1200 CARBON TURBO MOD.htm

 

[OVR4D]

I'd like a CF tunnel rack to hold a waterproof case (like a Pelican case) and/or a small fuel jug ... and with the light gauge aluminum being used in our tunnels these days, I'd like a rack that attaches to the bumper instead of the tunnel, preferably with a quick-release system (like Doo's LinQ or Poo's lock-n-ride) so you can remove it without tools when you don't need the extra storage or fuel.

 

[sleddedd]

Carbon fiber is great on F1 race cars as long as they don't get a hit, then watch what happens. I saw a guy on a polaris loose his rear bumper while being pulled out by a Yammie, guess what the bumper is made of Carbon Fiber. Get lighter and break more parts. Also a friend with a Polaris carried a 14" chain saw on rear of his sled, went over a bump and bent the tunnel. You can only go so light then it bends. The Yammie maybe heavier but no bends, that why I have one, it never breaks or breaks down!!!!!!!!

Sledd Edd

 

[RTX]

if you could do a belly pan set up for the apex and nytro like RPM composites has done for the new doo's and cats i am convinced it would be a big seller.
if you have not seen thier belly pans, check out www.rpmcomposites.com
this stuff is trick, light and bulletproof.

 

[beeze455]

Carbon fiber is great on F1 race cars as long as they don't get a hit, then watch what happens. I saw a guy on a polaris loose his rear bumper while being pulled out by a Yammie, guess what the bumper is made of Carbon Fiber. Get lighter and break more parts. Also a friend with a Polaris carried a 14" chain saw on rear of his sled, went over a bump and bent the tunnel. You can only go so light then it bends. The Yammie maybe heavier but no bends, that why I have one, it never breaks or breaks down!!!!!!!!

Sledd Edd

"Get lighter and break more parts." is just plain wrong and ignorant. Carbon Fiber is very rigid and will shatter on high impact and that is why kevlar infused composites are used also. I could go into detail, but I think you should do research on your own. This post is a little harsh, but you should not be spreading this mis-information.

 

[yukon yamaha]

I would love to see some CF parts, But I would like to see parts that can be changed for weight..... rails?, clutch cover on the primary, i have always wanted the plastic hoop with the light done, a-arms would be very cool!

 

[sleddedd]

Here' the skinny on carbon fiber
Carbon fiber isn't necessarily a "weak" or "fragile" material. If you had a tube of the same diameter and thickness of typical CF as a typical steel frame tube, that CF tube would be extremely strong and durable.

Metals like steel and aluminum are isotropic materials. That means their mechanical properties are identical in all directions. If you have a cube of steel, it will respond the same way regardless which direction you pull or push on it.

Carbon fiber is a composite material. It consist of tons of little bundles of the fibers held together with an epoxy.

A block of steel is, well, like steel, but carbon fiber is like a big bundle of straws glued together. In one direction, it is extremely strong, but if you push or pull to the side, it will collapse. In that one dimension where it is strong, it is vastly stronger than steel. However, in other directions it's rather flimsy!!!!! you be the judge! It would be good for a lot of things to lighten a sled, and some other things not so much!