Which aftermarket carbon is the most similar to DP?

[xplodee]

I've got an '09 m1100s and would like to add CF side covers (the ones that cover the sides of the oil cooler) in order to eliminate the nasty carbon canister and to add some more CF to the bike. I was curious which brand of aftermarket CF parts matches the DP weave the closest? I do NOT care whether it's fiberglass backed or not, let's be honest that really doesn't make a difference and we all buy CF for looks and not the couple grams it shaves off of the total weight (unless of course we're talking about wheels or subframes or something).

Any ideas?

[junior varsity]

...wheels, subframes, sbk fairings, sbk headlight/fairing brackets, airboxes, fuel tanks... all for weight savings and rigidity


to answer your question,

CM Composit, Carbon Dream, Tamburini Moto, MS Production, Ilmberger, Sebimoto, Shift-Tech, ATR Group, SFC Compositi, etc.   There are LOTS.

Much carbon requires some fiddling with to make it fit at the mounting holes. That's pretty normal. I'm sure Muskrat will chime in in about 2 seconds saying "DP" carbon will yellow, but news for ya: the shift-tech side panels by the seat on the M900 faded yellow too.

The thing is, Ducati doesn't make the carbon, one of these other vendors do (except for Shift-Tech here in the US). Knock yourself out.

[Rawr01]

i recently posted a related thread which i have since renamed "offbrand vs DP and premium carbon belly fairing dilema" and received some very usefull feedback that spared me the anger, disappiontment, and embarassment of purching some really bad sh*t.  

check it out: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=45407.0

[bunnyman666]

All carbon will yellow, period. There is no avoiding it. Whether we are talking pre-preg or wet-layup, carbon will yellow. The resin is a light amber if you look really hard. The resin was never really meant to stay unpainted; however, some resin does have a UV inhibitor that works marginally, as more people like the weave and builders have expressed the desire for some UV resistance (it just retards the inevitable yellowing of the resin). And remember this: the weave is 100% cosmetic. It can go over uni-directional fabric or fibreglass. It does add some strength to fibreglass parts...

But always remember this: carbon fibre parts are designed for weight reduction and stiffness compared to standard parts. It was never supposed to be for cosmetics.

[junior varsity]

But always remember this: carbon fibre parts are designed for weight reduction and stiffness compared to standard parts. It was never supposed to be for cosmetics.

agreed.

however, a UV protecting clear coat paint on top of the carbon will help slow down the yellowing significantly for cosmetic purposes.

i don't believe in cosmetic carbon veneer over fiberglass etc. Might as well use GRP and a carbon-look sticker. (i do however like things like carbon/kevlar as well as carbon/carbon

[moto]

We sell carbon from CM composit and CDT. CM is a supplier to Ducati. Both have the same exact weave as Ducati.

-M

[junior varsity]

^^^^   Good stuff.

[xplodee]

We sell carbon from CM composit and CDT. CM is a supplier to Ducati. Both have the same exact weave as Ducati.

-M

Checked your site but didn't see the pieces I'm looking for, the side covers which fit around the oil cooler and are molded without a space for the carbon canister.  Can you get those? If so please PM me with info.

T

[bunnyman666]

i don't believe in cosmetic carbon veneer over fiberglass etc. Might as well use GRP and a carbon-look sticker. (i do however like things like carbon/kevlar as well as carbon/carbon

You would crap yourself if you saw how much fibreglass is in some "carbon fibre" stuff, and how much dyed fibreglass is called "carbon fibre".

Hexcel's Texalium is nothing more than fibreglass with an aluminium overcoat; it isn't "white carbon".

You wouldn't believe how much crappy dyed or faux carbon is out there, especially from Asia, and you can't even tell it is unless you test it.

[junior varsity]

that does offend me. and of course, the best way to test it is to cut it and look at the powder.

[He Man]

ive seen fiberglass parts with a single sheet of carbon on top. Fenders made like this sell for $80 bucks and they even skimp on the fender!

You can usually tell just by the thickness and how easy you can get it to flex.

[bunnyman666]

You can usually tell just by the thickness and how easy you can get it to flex.

except for the carbon fenders on a '95 900SS sp- it is two layers of woven carbon: flimsy as the day is long.

[EVLTWN]

Carbonvani

[corey]

as with anything, you get what you pay for. cheap carbon sucks, period.
i went with shift-tech, and will never turn back.