Stupid fake carbon fiber.

[benVFR]

Ok.. so after seeing another thread on fake carbon fiber stick on crap for dashboards and triple trees.

I just priced out the fake stuff vs. the real stuff.

The fake tapeworks.com, decalkits.com, etc.. fake carbon fiber sheets are now MORE expensive then the real thing.

Yes, you can cut out and make your own real carbon fiber stick on kits for less then it costs to get the fake stuff! Exactly the same setup, a sheet you cut out and then just stick on, no need to mess with epoxy yourself.

And that is even with the real stuff being really hard to get due to Boeing sucking up practically the entire world supply of CF right now!

[bigred875]

thats funny, does the fake stuff look as good as the real? maybe is it easier to use and precut?

[joeswamp]

Personally I prefer fake woodgrain, like the big stickers they used to put on the sides of cars in the 70's.

[benVFR]

The fake stuff is several layers of vinyl with a carbon fiber pattern printed on one of the inner layers, with clear vinyl on top.

The only way the real stuff is price competitive is with the very very thin (0.012-0.02in) sheets, which you cut with scissors, probably easier to cut then the vinyl. The real stuff weighs absolutely nothing and is really strong though.

Either can be gotten with an adhesive backing.

A 1mm thick piece of CF is pretty expensive but far far stronger then OEM plastics, etc.. by the time you're at 1mm thick you need a saw to cut it and you can't bend it at all.

Still.. for $20 you could make a "real" stick on CF thing for your triple tree, etc..

I got Burt Rutans book a couple years ago one of these days I will actually order some sheets and try to make something. I'm just not that good at making stuff! If you were good with clay, sewing, etc.. you could probably make some pretty sweet stuff.

[Tabby]

I absolutely refuse to put any fake carbon fiber on my bike. Likewise, I won't put any real carbon fiber on it if it doesn't make it go faster, or handle better.
What a waste of good carbon fiber if it used for useless "Bling".

[Punjistick]

But wont real carbon fiber turn yellow in the sun without a coat of epoxy? Or is it the epoxy that turns yellow, I forget which.

[Tabby]

I think it is the epoxy that turns.

[FireFly]

I got a carbon fiber micron can, Not for bling..............But to prevent leg burns on a hot pipe. There are a couple of Tiny knicks on the ends of the canister right where the CF contacts the metal end caps.

[OreoGaborio]

Love it when you see a bike COVERED in both real and fake carbon fiber... that's always good for a chuckle.

example: a bike owned by this guy "ZZRrocket" over on sportbikes.net... thing looks like a demo bike out of a "1001 Useless, Crappy and Overpriced Add-ons for your bike" catalog. He's got real CF sheets on the sides of his tank where his legs rest on it and a fake CF tank protector w/ fake CF fuel cap stickers.

[richw]

You can get sheets a Mc master-Carr
shiny epoxy carbon fiber

still ghey though if just for "looks"

[SVRACER01]

I got a carbon fiber micron can, Not for bling..............But to prevent leg burns on a hot pipe. There are a couple of Tiny knicks on the ends of the canister right where the CF contacts the metal end caps.

thats because MICRON IS JUNK

[beet]

Hey Ben what about this Geelong Carbon Craft - Online Store - VFR 800 TANK PROTECTOR (UP TO 2001)
ooooooops Geelong Carbon Craft - Online Store - VFR 800 TANK PROTECTOR (2002-2007)

[The Snowman]

I actually found a real carbon yoke protector on eBay.ca. It was less than $30, shipped.
Shop eBay Canada Store - SKUR Custom Carbon Fiber::

[beet]

Australias $ is weak I bet you can get this stuff shipped for the exchange rate

[RandyO]

I think it is the epoxy that turns.

real carbon fiber has to be UV protected, that's one of the few negatives of CF

in not only turns shades of color, it's very slowly evaporating, not as fast as a styrofoam cup in bright sunlight, but same idea

if you coat is with a clearcoat that is not a UV protectant, the CF will age under the clearcoat

[Tabby]

Thanks Randy.

[FireFly]

thats because MICRON IS JUNK

Honestly, do u really think micron is garbage?? serious oppinion....

[SVRACER01]

yes. i do. i really wish i could show you pictures of what poor craftsmanship from these individuals i have encountered. ask pete, or anyone else that races with us. they seem ok for the street. but when my 70hp SV6 blows a HOLE through the side of a C/F can from Micron.... its junk.