BST Carbon Front Wheel on 5th Gen !

I'm working on a project VFR800FiY & have been overhauling/upgrading it over the last few months. One thing I'd like to change is the six spoke front wheel for a five spoke & have been in communication with BST & they have a wheel that would do the job, but not specifically for the VFR, so its not an off the shelf purchase.

I've upgraded the front suspension with Traxxion Dynamics cartridges & a new Nitron Race rear shock is in the process of being fitted, that should sort the basic handling out !

For the carbon wheel, I need to fit spacers between the CBR600RR hub in the wheel & the existing discs, I've drawn these up in CAD & I'm waiting for them to be CNC'd, before I can run up the prototype fitment.

I was just wondering if anyone else would be interested in this ?

I had another slightly crazy idea for the rear, as I don't like the BST single sided rear wheel & like the standard 5 spoke wheel, I've asked Hydro Graphics to price up a Carbon coat for it , depending on the price it might be worth doing !!

Let me know what you think.

When I get round to doing these I'll put up some pics.

Chris.

 

It'll be neat, but unless this is a track only bike I would advise against carbon wheels for regular street use. The money you'll drop into BST wheels could go to many other tasteful mods, but if money is no object have at it! Post pics for sure!

 

Why advise against Carbon for regular street use ? They are stronger than your standard wheels Fact, they ahve been destruction tested to meet the same EU criteria that any European motorcycle wheel must pass.

They do make a specially light version for racing & that should NOT be used on the street.

It's not a money no object thing, its a special building thing & I decided to stop P'ing in the wind & just get on & get it done !

 

I have no personal issue with them, but just as magnesium wheels bend extremely easy, carbon fiber wheels have some noted issues that are under fire as well......for the performance gains I doubt it's worth the safety risk. There are many threads about carbon wheels exploding for no reason, here are a few: Carbon wheel- Ducati Up North

Blackstone Tec Carbon Fiber wheels...worth the money? - Speedzilla Motorcycle Message Forums

I'm all for modding bikes, if you really want them get them. I've never heard of an OEM wheel exploding for no reason.

 

Well I've read the rantings of a bunch of poorly informed people in that thread & the expert analysis that clearly states the cause of the damage was the crash, not the other way round.

I used to make carbon prepreg & our sister company made the prepreg into many things, but the most important thing was floor panels for Boeing, my colleagues & I made all the floor panels for the 747. 757, 767's in the mid 80's & a hexcell 8'x4' panel that weighed a couple of kilo's, which I could lift with one hand, could be balanced between 2 bricks & walked across with minimal deflection ! I'd advise all those people that think carbon fibre is brittle or weak to avoid flying from now on.

I also used to make Formula 1 front wing struts & model racing yacht masts, both of which weigh nothing & put up with a load of abuse, but the best indication of the strength of carbon fibre for most people is to watch fishermen with carbon rods which flex within an inch of there lives & rebound back to normal hundreds of thousands of times with no delamination or breakages ! I like CF if its made properly !

Ya pays ya money & makes your choice.

 

Exactly my point. Those were just off the cuff examples btw. The rear wheel explosion was not crash related. You also mentioned the EU testing on the wheels, the problem with those tests are they test them the same way they test the metal wheels which is not an adequate test as you can't visibly see the CF damage the same as the metal etc. The people I've known with CF wheels have had no problems what-so-ever. I've had Marchesini Magnesium wheels with no issues. Do what you want and enjoy it, I was just sharing the "discussion" that has erupted over CF wheels throughout the MC community. Ride safe.