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Posted:  23 Jan 2008 01:04	[?]
Administrator Currently Offline Join Date: Oct 2006	Posts:  493 Reputation:  12 [?] User Rank: Colonel
I recently sacrificed my Buell to the carbon fiber Gods. Most of my plastic was completely ruined to have custom carbon fiber molds made to sell on buellxb.com and  BuellParts.net. I now have prototypes made. The question is... UV protection or no UV protection?  The parts look beautiful in natural carbon fiber. I've been told that the carbon fiber will turn slightly gold when exposed to the sun for a long period. The UV protection will add weight, but may be better for appearance. The UV protection doesn't matter if you're going to have the parts painted. It will also add cost to the parts. Does anyone have any thoughts? Suggestions? The air box cover is being molded from my 2005 Buell XB12Scg. Does anyone know if fitment is different for various years and models? Firebolt, Lightning, Ulysses?

Posted:  24 Jan 2008 20:51	[?]
Moderator Currently Offline Join Date: Oct 2006	Posts:  1592 Reputation:  21 [?] User Rank: Four-Star General
UV Protection is a must if it isnt going to be painted.  Thats why there are cheap CF hoods for cars and nice ones.  The cheap ones dont have UV protection, and they fade within a year. The airboxs will fit all years.  Only difference is the changed them slightly by putting the vent in the front when they changed the inner air box style in '05, but they will physically fit all years.

Posted:  25 Jan 2008 05:35	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Sep 2007	Posts:  200 Reputation:  1 [?] User Rank: Captain
I had some non protected carbon on a Yamaha I used to have and it turned really yellow, it was ugly! it only took a few months definitely protect it. you could offer a version for paint and one to run raw if you wanted to have a low cost option

Posted:  25 Jan 2008 05:42	[?]
Administrator Currently Offline Join Date: Oct 2006	Posts:  493 Reputation:  12 [?] User Rank: Colonel
Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like I'm going to have all the carbon fiber parts clear-coated and UV protected.

Posted:  22 Jul 2008 16:50	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jul 2008	Posts:  23 Reputation:  2 [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
you can also get UV protected Epoxies that should protect them just as well. The other thing (I'm just learning about doing CF and Kevlar Layups) is that you need to be careful of what you use as a mold release if you plan to have them clear-coated afterwards.  Clear-coat won't stick to many epoxies and it will have lots of issues sticking to anything if you use wax based releasing agents. That wax absolutely MUST be sanded off prior to applying any finish (clear or not). I'm starting to look into making my own molds and slowly start building out my 'bolt with CF pieces. Anyone that has experience doing this type of work I would greatly appreciate any advice they have to offer. I've done some fiberglassing but never tried my hand at CF/Kevlar. Has anyone tried making pieces using the CF/Kevlar hybrid fabrics?  There are some REALLY nice color options available at a few different suppliers that I'm really interested in trying out. If anyone has any experience with this stuff I'd really appreciate a heads up one what the results look like and if there are any gotchas to it.

Posted:  22 Jul 2008 22:58	[?]
Moderator Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2007	Posts:  2302 Reputation:  43 [?] User Rank: Five-Star General
offer both = problem solved

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