BradLoomis
12-13-2008, 01:50 PM
OK guys and gals, I have been flooded with PM's, E-mails and phone calls about the carbon fiber products we are working on. I am going to try an answer all of the questions I have been fielding in this post.
1. Generically speaking, carbon fiber is over 4 times stronger than steel per lb with 1/4 the weight per volume. Carbon fiber is over 7 times stronger than aluminum per lb w/ 1/2 the weight per volume. When you weld steel, you weeken the matrix of it about 10%. Aluminum is weakened by about 50% by the same welding. I bond the carbon fiber to the aluminum which means that I don't weaken the starting structure and only make it stronger.
2. Tierods - I designed the tierods to be able to flex to absorb the impact energy that would normaly bend a steel or aluminum tierod, like a fishing rod. They are lighter than anything on the market, but was not designed to be that way.
3. Steering Stem - These are designed to be able to torque to absorb the quick snap energy that a steering dampner is used to absorb. If you don't have to use a dampner, that is less weight and less turning resistance that every dampner has. Dave Carter has built an aluminum antivibe top and is working on making an adjustable tierod mount surface bottom that will allow you to get rid of virtually every bit of bumpsteer. Lightweight, stronger and because it is not welded, repairable if a catostrophic crash does occur. Still in testing.
4. Swaybars - less than 1/3 the weight of any swaybar assembly out there. Daryl Rath was "intrumental" in helping me to design this, I built to his specs of what was needed. What we found out was not on was it lighter, but that the twisting action of the carbon fiber bar was better than that of the spring steel bar. Daryl, Tim Farr, Harold Goodman, Frankie Batista could tell you without looking at the swaybar whether or not it was a carbon fiber one.
5. Reinforced Rims - Are around the same strength as bead lock, with a lighter weight than a standard reinforced rim. Bead locs are not needed on most front rims, but are ran because of the strength not because of the risk of debeading the front tire. The rear rims of any mini doesn't need to be a beadlock either, but are ran for the strength. Theses rims are as strong as beadlocks w/ with the same weight as Douglas Blue Labels. Still in testing.
6. 2 Stroke Silencers - Drop the decibals by anywhere from 2 -5 in testing according to AMA/ATVA testing standards.
7. Engine Mounts - lighter and able to flex with the frame, without breaking. Still in testing.
8. Axle - 3lbs of weight at 44" width. Ability to torque and flex better than steel or aluminum. Still in testing.
I am not trying to sell a part because it is carbon fiber, I am trying to make the ultimate parts. Carbon fiber just happens to be the material I know the best with my families background. It also helps that the material is really that good.
1. Generically speaking, carbon fiber is over 4 times stronger than steel per lb with 1/4 the weight per volume. Carbon fiber is over 7 times stronger than aluminum per lb w/ 1/2 the weight per volume. When you weld steel, you weeken the matrix of it about 10%. Aluminum is weakened by about 50% by the same welding. I bond the carbon fiber to the aluminum which means that I don't weaken the starting structure and only make it stronger.
2. Tierods - I designed the tierods to be able to flex to absorb the impact energy that would normaly bend a steel or aluminum tierod, like a fishing rod. They are lighter than anything on the market, but was not designed to be that way.
3. Steering Stem - These are designed to be able to torque to absorb the quick snap energy that a steering dampner is used to absorb. If you don't have to use a dampner, that is less weight and less turning resistance that every dampner has. Dave Carter has built an aluminum antivibe top and is working on making an adjustable tierod mount surface bottom that will allow you to get rid of virtually every bit of bumpsteer. Lightweight, stronger and because it is not welded, repairable if a catostrophic crash does occur. Still in testing.
4. Swaybars - less than 1/3 the weight of any swaybar assembly out there. Daryl Rath was "intrumental" in helping me to design this, I built to his specs of what was needed. What we found out was not on was it lighter, but that the twisting action of the carbon fiber bar was better than that of the spring steel bar. Daryl, Tim Farr, Harold Goodman, Frankie Batista could tell you without looking at the swaybar whether or not it was a carbon fiber one.
5. Reinforced Rims - Are around the same strength as bead lock, with a lighter weight than a standard reinforced rim. Bead locs are not needed on most front rims, but are ran because of the strength not because of the risk of debeading the front tire. The rear rims of any mini doesn't need to be a beadlock either, but are ran for the strength. Theses rims are as strong as beadlocks w/ with the same weight as Douglas Blue Labels. Still in testing.
6. 2 Stroke Silencers - Drop the decibals by anywhere from 2 -5 in testing according to AMA/ATVA testing standards.
7. Engine Mounts - lighter and able to flex with the frame, without breaking. Still in testing.
8. Axle - 3lbs of weight at 44" width. Ability to torque and flex better than steel or aluminum. Still in testing.
I am not trying to sell a part because it is carbon fiber, I am trying to make the ultimate parts. Carbon fiber just happens to be the material I know the best with my families background. It also helps that the material is really that good.