Question for those who installed Carbon Parts

[Ezayakyala]

Considering buying some of the bigger pieces from moto composites like the Radiator shroud and the full tail piece..etc.

How have you found the finish to hold up over time? Swirling in the clear coat?

 

[A1A Rider]

Well, any "heat shield" ones will have the clear coat turn a tad yellow and yellow will be clear but yellowish, specifically visible in direct sun, not so much in the evening. Also, the yellowishness will be uneven.

The regular parts, that are not heat adjacent, still can turn yellow from UV - theoretically. My bike is hidden from sunlight, probably will keep it safe from change. Guess, not good for parking in the street under the sun, specifically, sun like in Florida, Texas, New Mexico..

Hypothetically, the more expensive the prices from the manufacturer, perhaps, you can expect a better more expensive filler that might resist turning yellow. But there is no way to say. Are they using better materials or just jacking the price...?

But you can rejuvenate parts with a buffing machine or wet sanding. Messy but possible.

I bought a good deal of these parts. No issue so far.

Generally, you can re-coat and rebuff. More flexible repair wise than you think, as long as the carbon fiber mesh is in good condition.

Already installed radiator and the rear tail one, and more.

 

[Nashvegas]

I have quite a few carbon pieces and I have not had any problem with swirling or fading. But I am careful to use gentle polishes and microfiber cloths.

 

[Einar]

These days I use SiO2 to protect everything and have a garage. Back in the day I had CF on a Ducati that sat in the sun and it pitted and turned frosty whitish on the surface.

 

[Nashvegas]

The first thing you definitely want to do is put a good coat of car wax on it. Find a good one that touts UV protection and anti-oxidation. That will go a long way to help protect the clear coat. Car waxes can definitely send you down a rabbit hole, I have a whole shelf of them. I put wax on everything except the black engine parts. I use Adams detail spray for a general wipe down before rides. Really good stuff. Also use a gentle car wash formula when you do give her a full bath. Dawn detergent works great, too great! It will strip every bit of wax off and you will be back to square one. Sorry if I sound preachy but I’ve definitely been there, done that, just because I didn’t know any better. Ride on!

 

[Kevin frazier]

The first thing you definitely want to do is put a good coat of car wax on it. Find a good one that touts UV protection and anti-oxidation. That will go a long way to help protect the clear coat. Car waxes can definitely send you down a rabbit hole, I have a whole shelf of them. I put wax on everything except the black engine parts. I use Adams detail spray for a general wipe down before rides. Really good stuff. Also use a gentle car wash formula when you do give her a full bath. Dawn detergent works great, too great! It will strip every bit of wax off and you will be back to square one. Sorry if I sound preachy but I’ve definitely been there, done that, just because I didn’t know any better. Ride on!

What time does the detail shop open

 

[RUN666]

As for me, I chose another route more less expensive: very high-quality paint with a carbon look and no problem!
I even had the exhaust heat shields painted. Given the weight of the bike, I don't see the point of saving 200 or 300 grams... a diet on the part of the rider would be more appropriate

 

[Gimlet]

I've had a number of high-end carbon parts (mostly Full-Six) on my Ducati for over ten years and there's been no discolouring or fading. It also has Termignoni carbon exhaust cans and they're fine as well. Buy quality, not cheap online knock-offs. I would probably avoid carbon heat shields on headers and collectors though. That's the hottest part of the bike and it's asking an awful lot from carbon.

 

[2023R3GT]

saving a few hundred grams by spending hundreds of dollars is kind of silly tbh.
spending hundreds of dollars to improve the looks by adding CF is kind of the same.. does it look nice, sure! is it worth it? that’s up to you…

I’ve added CF to other bikes in the past and never had any issues.

 

[Gimlet]

saving a few hundred grams by spending hundreds of dollars is kind of silly tbh.
spending hundreds of dollars to improve the looks by adding CF is kind of the same.. does it look nice, sure! is it worth it? that’s up to you…

I’ve added CF to other bikes in the past and never had any issues.

I want to lose as many of the grey brushed aluminium-look plastics as possible as I think they look horrible. Carbon is the most cost effective way of doing it. I could replace many of these body parts with black original Triumph parts for Storm models, but good aftermarket carbon is actually cheaper.
The metal parts I can repaint but the plastics are better replaced with carbon in my view. The weight saving is a minor bonus but not the main objective.
However, you can overdo carbon, especially with highly chequer-patterned stuff.