is carbon fiber overated??

[XtremeAir125]

i noticed today at dspracing.com all their products are carbon fiber, and when i checked the prices i was blown away!! $200 for a clutch cover??!! i mean c'mon who cares if it saves an ounce of weight?? the only thing id probably buy thats carbon fiber would be the fork guards, or ignition cover. wonder what you all think about this?

 

[bake]

Having constant neck problems sure makes me like my AXO carbonfiber helmet

 

[XtremeAir125]

i do like carbon fiber helmets, but im talking about carbon fiber bike parts like clutch covers, chain guides, disc guards, etc.......

 

[dirt bike dave]

e-line carbon fiber clutch covers are $70, compared to $45-$50 for the stockers. If they are stronger, lighter and look better, an extra $20 to $25 doesn't seem like too much if you busted your stock one.

 

[ButtonFly]

Carbon fiber has some great properties, the biggest dirtbike application being the obvious lightweight nature. If having the lightest bike around is a concern, this might be something to think about. There are problems with it though. Since it is a fibrous material, the grain direction is important. Carbon fiber can crack along these boundaries, and when it cracks, it can create splinters. It doesn't usually fail by tearing or creasing, mostly due to the nature of the binder, usually an epoxy or poly resin. Splintering carbon is a bad thing, as it gets very SHARP. Most of that involved cost you quoted is likely man hours involved in creating a part like that. Since a lot of DB aftermarket parts are handmade, or limited production, the cost is higher. Getting your own carbon fiber and laying up your own parts is possible, and not too hard with a prepreg mat, (SPENDY for the layperson), so most people that really need that lightness are willing to pay. Carbon also looks AWESOME. In one sense carbon and Ti are to dirtbikes what chrome is to harleys. Do you REALLY need carbon parts? Spend 200 on a membership at the gym, and I guarantee it will be more worth it... But if you have to have it...

 

[XtremeAir125]

dirtbike dave- where can i buy those carbon fiber clutch covers for $60? Yeh, they look cool and are stronger and lighter, but since I the DSP Racing line of CF products, I was kinda shocked at the prices, yeh id buy carbon fiber if it was alot cheaper than DSP...

 

[dirt bike dave]

$70 for the clutch cover, not $60. Here ya go.

http://www.elineaccessories.com/CarbonFiberParts.asp

 

[Max Factor]

WARNING - Some (not all) cheaper carbon fiber products are actually plain fiberglass with carbon fiber layed over the top for looks.
Buyer beware, ask the question.

 

[Buzz Bomb]

If I were you, I'd stick to metal clutch and ignition covers such as Boyeson and Pro Circuit. I don't see how carbon fiber would be strong enough for ignition and clutch cover. My friend had an E-Line carbon fiber skidplate, and the mounts melted off!

 

[XtremeAir125]

buzz bomb- that's why you weld the skid plate on........

 

[Buzz Bomb]

Huh? Welded on? I've never seen a skidplate that was welded on?? Usually they come with mounts.

 

[XtremeAir125]

buzz bomb- check out www.dspracing.com and go under the YZ125/250 and look at the glide plates, it will say: Glide Plate

Carbon fiber construction.
Identical to those used on the works bikes of Henry and McGrath.
Includes mounting hardware and requires welding for installation.All others include clamp-on hardware.

 

[Buzz Bomb]

Ummm, when did I mention that my friend had a YZ? Didn't think so. :silly:

 

[XtremeAir125]

you said that you never seen a skidplate that had to be welded on.....but the YZ dspracing glide plate has to be....sorry for the mishap.

 

[Max Factor]

Xtreme - It is referring to the mounts for the guide plate require welding to the frame. There are no existing mounts on the bike to screw the plate to.

You can't weld carbon fiber to steel.

 

[dirt bike dave]

I checked and the e-line is a protective cover to fit over the stocker. Sorry for any confusion.