Topic: Carbon Fiber Wheels (Read 7243 times)

100GOLD · « **on:** August 25, 2008, 05:48:05 PM »

I did a search and found no mention of anyone doing this. I'm very interested in a set of these for 2 reasons. The obvious is weight reduction overall and the real advantage of course would be less rotational mass

Does anyone know of an aftermarket supplier for carbon fiber wheels?

AXIL · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2008, 08:09:04 PM »

i hope not.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2008, 08:41:13 PM »

Quote from: 100GOLD on August 25, 2008, 05:48:05 PM

I did a search and found no mention of anyone doing this. I'm very interested in a set of these for 2 reasons. The obvious is weight reduction overall and the real advantage of course would be less rotational mass

Does anyone know of an aftermarket supplier for carbon fiber wheels?

Doubt you'll find much out there for a HD, unless it's a Vrod. Weight savings and rotational mass don't mean much on an 850lb bagger with a batwing fairing, and POS suspension from the factory, percentage wise...

Put 'em on a Ducati, and now you're talking

spydglide · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2008, 08:52:31 PM »

Quote from: TCnBham on August 25, 2008, 08:41:13 PM

Doubt you'll find much out there for a HD, unless it's a Vrod. Weight savings and rotational mass don't mean much on an 850lb bagger with a batwing fairing, and POS suspension from the factory, percentage wise...

Put 'em on a Ducati, and now you're talking

Besides...

.....you can't 'chrome um'.

har! spyder

Fired00d · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2008, 09:00:22 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on August 25, 2008, 08:52:31 PM

Besides... .....you can't 'chrome um'. har! spyder

Hehehehe, and we know that wouldn't work for a lot of us around here.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Capo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2008, 09:54:10 PM »

Quote from: TCnBham on August 25, 2008, 08:41:13 PM

Doubt you'll find much out there for a HD, unless it's a Vrod. Weight savings and rotational mass don't mean much on an 850lb bagger with a batwing fairing, and POS suspension from the factory, percentage wise...

Put 'em on a Ducati, and now you're talking

No chrome? PASS

Hotrodstitcher · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2008, 10:03:39 PM »

Check these out...

https://www.klockwerkscycles.com/parts/index.php?id=151&pg=***KLOCK%20WERKS%20WFB%20PARTS***

RobertinArgyle · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2008, 10:46:25 AM »

Howard at motorcyclemetal.com sells the BST carbon fiber wheels for Harleys ...

100GOLD · « **Reply #8 on:** August 26, 2008, 07:12:09 PM »

Thankyou Robertinargyle! That is exactly what I was looking for.

As far as chrome on a scoot goes, yes, it's purty. I'll just say this, there's ridin' n' slidin' and there's profilin'. It all depends on what you get off on. To each their own!

spydglide · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2008, 11:19:30 PM »

Quote from: 100GOLD on August 26, 2008, 07:12:09 PM

Thankyou Robertinargyle! That is exactly what I was looking for.

As far as chrome on a scoot goes, yes, it's purty. I'll just say this, there's ridin' n' slidin' and there's profilin'. It all depends on what you get off on. To each their own!

Well, I'm past the age of being able to 'tuck & roll', so I guess I'll have to pass on the ride' n' slidin' and just chrome the whole danged thang now!

har!

spyder

murphy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2008, 11:25:19 PM »

Carbon Fiber wheels? What next? A wearable motorcy... uhhhh, disregard!

NYSport · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2013, 09:39:31 PM »

Some of us like performance, we bought CVOs after all, as well as show. Carbon fiber wheels will definitely add a performance edge to a CVO. Acceleration, braking and turn in will all be greatly improved. I'm looking for a tire to go with BST carbon wheels now.

skratch · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2013, 11:49:22 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on August 25, 2008, 08:52:31 PM

Besides... .....you can't 'chrome um'. har! spyder

you know chrome won't get you home...

but it will get you laid

NYSport · « **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2013, 09:05:25 AM »

I trying to get a reading on whether or not our stock tire size will fit on the BST 19x3 wheel. I found a few sites that indicate that there is a range of wheel sizes will the same tire size. Anyone have any confirmation?

ride1 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2013, 11:52:21 PM »

The following link may be of some help: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php?tires=110-90r18-100-80r19

NYSport · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2013, 01:50:38 PM »

Thanks!

grc · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2013, 08:14:56 PM »

Quote from: NYSport on April 14, 2013, 09:05:25 AM

I trying to get a reading on whether or not our stock tire size will fit on the BST 19x3 wheel. I found a few sites that indicate that there is a range of wheel sizes will the same tire size. Anyone have any confirmation?

You need to look at the specs for the brand and model of the actual tire to determine the correct rim width. Some tires of the same size designation from different brands call for different rim widths, depending on each companies design parameters. It is best to stick with the recommended rim width for the brand of tire you intend to use. In the case of the Dunlop 130/60B19, they recommend a 3.50" rim width.

Jerry

NYSport · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2013, 09:58:43 PM »

Thanks. I really want to figure out whether this is going to work the way I think it should. I want to get some measurable performance benefits out of this project.

grc · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2013, 10:25:02 PM »

Quote from: NYSport on April 12, 2013, 09:39:31 PM

Some of us like performance, we bought CVOs after all, as well as show. Carbon fiber wheels will definitely add a performance edge to a CVO. Acceleration, braking and turn in will all be greatly improved. I'm looking for a tire to go with BST carbon wheels now.

How much actual weight difference can you document between the stock wheel versus the carbon fiber wheel? For it to "greatly improve" acceleration it would have to be a huge difference. Improved braking would depend on a lot more than just a reduction in rotational mass, like available traction and the actual brake components. The reduction in unsprung weight should provide a handling benefit, but unless you plan to upgrade the suspension along with the wheels I'd imagine the difference in the real world wouldn't justify the price.

If money is no object and you just want to do this as some sort of grand experiment in improving Harley handling, go for it. But try not to fall for all the hype from folks selling overpriced "solutions" that don't and can't solve the basic design limitations of a Harley.

JMHO - Jerry

NYSport · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2013, 02:39:47 PM »

Thanks again Jerry. I think part of it is part of the American DNA, and part of it is based on results I got from suspension improvements I got on the track. Again I'm not trying to turn the RG into a track machine but I think there is some real room for improvement. Cost to benefit is probably a losing proposition as you identified. In my case, rather than chrome and sound systems, both good things, I'm more excited by performance, handling and power. Power is pretty good with the full sac x pipe and a great dyno tune by Rosa's cycle, so it's on to suspension/handling improvements. I installed RICOR and Race Tech components in the forks and have Ohlins shocks, both noticeable improvements over stock.

Tom

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:37:22 PM »

Quote from: NYSport on April 18, 2013, 02:39:47 PM

Thanks again Jerry. I think part of it is part of the American DNA, and part of it is based on results I got from suspension improvements I got on the track. Again I'm not trying to turn the RG into a track machine but I think there is some real room for improvement. Cost to benefit is probably a losing proposition as you identified. In my case, rather than chrome and sound systems, both good things, I'm more excited by performance, handling and power. Power is pretty good with the full sac x pipe and a great dyno tune by Rosa's cycle, so it's on to suspension/handling improvements. I installed RICOR and Race Tech components in the forks and have Ohlins shocks, both noticeable improvements over stock.

Tom

If you're into tweaks like this, you really should take a look at the Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 Cartridges for the front forks. Race track bred. On a scale of 1-10 for things you can do to a HD front forks, they are the 10. Nothing else compares. Some are 7 on the scale. I'd rate what you have as at best a 5. Since I've never ridden a bike with the Ohlins rear shocks, and don't know what model you have, can't comment. But I can give you my opinion...Bitubo Shocks are about the best I've ever ridden on. Also sold through Traxxion Dynamics. Compression damping and rebound damping, along with the spring, of course. On a 950lb bike, you'll notice more from those things than you'll ever notice from lighter wheels, IMO.

I am not a spokesperson for Traxxion Dynamics, I just know with 100% certainty that they sell good chit that works, with excellent customer service, and the results will be as close to perfection as you'll ever get on a HD touring bike as far as handling.

NYSport · « **Reply #21 on:** April 19, 2013, 05:18:51 PM »

I agree the RICOR and Race Tech set up is better than stock but not nearly as good as Traxxion. I have been talking to Ohlins about cartridge kits for the touring HD's and they are working on it, that why I did the interim step with the RICORs . I have had good luck with Ohlins and prefer a 30mm cartridge to the Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 Cartridges. A big plus for Ohlins is their customer service, never had anything except great service and support from them. That said, if they don't produce something before too long I will look at Traxxion again.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #22 on:** April 20, 2013, 09:55:00 AM »

http://www.traxxion.com/20mmvs25mmcartridge.aspx

Author Topic: Carbon Fiber Wheels (Read 7243 times)