Carbon Fiber Body Panels--Do Your Homework!!! - Ducati.ms

Steve C · Oct 7th, 2011, 6:28 am

(Warning--Kinda Long) So late last year I had a get off at VIR due to a locked front caliper, damage to the bike consisted of a busted tank cover and scuffed nose/beak. So like any good motorcyclist I knew this was a perfect excuse to buy some Carbon Fiber replacements even though I could have gotten one new side panel from flea bay and painted the nose. Being a fairly cheap bastid I did the typical internet search and tried to balance cost and quality. I ended up ordering for a well advertised company who promptly informed me it would be 5 to 6 weeks for my parts to be mfg'd and shipped. I said WTF but agreed to wait, #1 mistake. When the parts did arrive, direct from China, the quality was really poor, so I sent a couple of the pieces back at my expense, #2 mistake. I waited and waited, no replacements parts ever showed up. Finally I said F it and contacted the company and amazingly they agreed to refund the purchase if I would send the remaining parts back, once again at my expense. Sooooooo, I still don't have a refund, but it's in the mail

. So I started the research process over again, found some stuff at Houston Superbikes, emailed and then called them, nice folks. Parts shipped the same day I ordered them and showed up in two days. Quality is excellent, 100% better than the previous "stuff". So do your research, talk to folks and don't let price and hoped for quality lead you down the wrong path like it did me.

el tardo · Oct 7th, 2011, 6:37 am

lets see some pics of the new carbon parts on the bike!!

999s · Oct 7th, 2011, 6:48 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by el tardo

lets see some pics of the new carbon parts on the bike!!

+1! It ain't real without pics!

Seventh Son · Oct 7th, 2011, 8:58 am

Well, it happened to me too. I ordered some China made carbon fibre stuff from ebay. When it arrived, I opened the package and got a shock of my life. The finishing, fit and quality is pure rubbish. I paid good money to improve the looks of my 1 mth old HM EVO SP!! Not to make it look uglier!!! I sent back the shipment and they gave me a refund. I swore never to be cheap again. Ordered some Shiftech stuff and live happily ever after.

08hyper · Oct 7th, 2011, 9:05 am

What was the name of the company with the bad carbon? Please post it so others don't make the same mistake. Thanks, Aloha Alex

Liberator · Oct 7th, 2011, 9:58 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by seventh son

ordered some shiftech stuff and live happily ever after.

+1

Steve C · Oct 7th, 2011, 11:29 am

I'll get some pictures up over the weekend after I get the stuff bolted on, honest

. The stateside (California) guys were decent, it's just the source that is the issue. They responded promptly to emails etc., just never could get me the replacement parts. I understqand their stuff for the Japanese brands is quite good. Mostly my fault, should have sent it all back as soon as I received it for a refund and not try to live with it and save the return shipping cost. They actually did offer me a partial refund to keep the stuff but just never got the new pieces in. I have some lower fork Ducati CF protectors and they actually fit worse than the stuff I just returned.

NikMusolino · Oct 7th, 2011, 2:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve C

I ended up ordering ... direct from China

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seventh Son

Well, it happened to me too. I ordered some China made carbon fibre stuff from ebay.

The Chinese hate the roundeye. Why would You order from China!

I ordered Crown Moto USA carbon... The Fit is excellent, but the weave was shiza. Fortunately, I had them painted glossy black with red Ducati decal under clear coat.

Chouch · Oct 7th, 2011, 3:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikMusolino

I ordered Crown Moto USA carbon... The Fit is excellent, but the weave was shiza. Fortunately, I had them painted glossy black with red Ducati decal under clear coat.

I was wondering about that seller on ebay.
I'm considering a wrap over the carbon, so the weave is not really an issue.
Knowing that the fitting is ok confort me in the choice.

What parts did you ordered from them ?

**dieselndixie** · Oct 7th, 2011, 3:03 pm

We use and sell the CDT and Ilmberger carbon only. The CDT elite series is what we have on our Streetfighter, Hyper and 1098S. All carbon is not created equally as you have found. Some carbon we have seen before, didnt look like it was even worth the time it took to make it. Also, be aware that some carbon is considered RACE carbon, so it wont be finished or clear coated.

Ducati Hypermotard Carbon