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for Harley , Buell and performance V-twin customizers looking to save weight , add strength and improve handling , but for years have been the ‘ go to ’ for customizers for whom performance engineering has been the driving force in their design decisions at the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building . They are made using pre-preg carbon fiber - " preimpregnated " composite fibers where a thermoset polymer matrix material , such as epoxy , is already present . The fibers often take the form of a weave and the matrix is used to bond them together and to other components during manufacture . The thermoset matrix is only partially cured to allow easy handling ; this B-Stage material requires cold storage to prevent complete curing . B-Stage pre-preg is always stored in cooled areas since heat accelerates complete polymerization . Hence , composite structures built of pre-pregs will mostly require an oven or autoclave to cure . Pre-preg allows the wheel to be worked on a flat surface , in an industrial process , and then the impregnated fibers are formed to shape later - not something that can be done as well using the alternate hot injection process . Pre-preg also allows impregnation with a bulk amount of fiber and then store it in a cooled area ( below 20 ° C ) for an extended period of time for curing later . BST makes 5 and 7 spoke designs in aerospace FAR25 qualified materials ( as also supplied to Airbus , Boeing , Ferrari and McLaren among others ), providing complete aerospace critical standard traceability during manufacturing processes . All wheels are coded and serial-numbered for easy identification . Using fully automatic aerospace nesting and cutting machines , each wheel ' s pattern is cut and partnumbered simultaneously , guaranteeing correctness and uniformity . Far stronger than standard wheels , BST wheels are comfortably over-engineered for road use and they pass all known tests for their rims , corner , radial and torsional fatigue and impact test standards . Carbon wheels deliver at least a 50 percent weight saving over alloy wheels and centralize the weight due to the lighter rim , resulting in improved performance and handling . The smaller radius of
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gyration completely changes the acceleration and braking characteristics . Acceleration is improved and braking is much easier , with improved stopping distances as well , “ improvements that are real and noticed by everybody who rides with our wheels ,” says Gary . “ The steering is nimbler too , with the bike changing direction a lot more easily , and because of the lower un-sprung mass , the tire does less rebound work and the springs and shocks work sooner - so whereas going over something like a one-inch expansion joint was a jolt , the bike does not now feel it as much . Quite remarkable to feel and a very noticeable difference .” The end result , according to Gary , is the “ strongest , lightest and most durable wheels available , enormous performance and handling benefits , extended tire life , and improved acceleration , deceleration and braking performance . The bike will handle more easily with much faster turning into corners with absolutely no suspension modifications or adjustments whatsoever required . BST wheels are painted with an automotive grade clear coat ( with UV protection ) and finish options include matt black , high gloss , satin and even chrome look .
BLACKSTONE TEK Johannesburg , SOUTH AFRICA Tel : + 27 ( 0 ) 11 704 0026 marketing @ blackstonetek . com www . blackstonetek . com
The effects of inertia By Gary Turner
Lightweight wheels are without a doubt the best performance product that can be purchased for a motorcycle . Instant performance is gained in all major areas - it ' s something the rider feels immediately – it ' s instant gratification . When comparing wheels and weights , it is not always the overall weight that matters , but rather the weight distribution in each particular wheel which affects the performance of the wheel . A lighter rim means better performance . Carbon wheels generally have much lighter rims and carry the bulk of their weight in the hub – and the hub has little effect on the performance of the wheel . But weight is NOT the only consideration . Lighter wheels will make a major difference to the handling of a motorcycle , but they will also improve your acceleration and deceleration ( braking ). This is because the weight of the wheels isn ’ t at work in isolation . What is even much more important is the Rotational Inertia of the wheels , namely how much weight is close to the axle and how much weight is further away from the axle . Clearly the energy needed to turn wheels obviously comes from the engine . If you need less energy or power to turn your wheels , the available power accelerates the wheel quicker and you will end up with a higher maximum speed . The lighter the wheels , the less your unsprung mass . This means that your suspension has to work less to dampen the wheels and it will therefore track the ground surface much better , giving better control and performance . It is more difficult to move or steer a rotating mass than a stationary mass ( try to move a spinning bicycle wheel ). If you reduce the mass , and specifically the rotating inertia , the force required to move or steer the mass is reduced significantly . Putting lighter wheels on a motorcycle will reduce the steering forces significantly and therefore have a positive influence on driver fatigue . No other performance enhancing product gives the same benefit / price ratio .
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