How to install carbon protections on swing arm/frame

[maxoverfred]

Quick (and easy) tutorial to install carbon protections on the swing arm or the frame of the R6 (2006 in this example).

Introduction:

Many suppliers offer carbon parts today at every price. As you know, carbon only can't protect against a crash, it can just avoid small stones impact if you decide to go outside of the track... As the frame on the R6 is black, the quality of carbon doesn't matter so much, it can be a light one, you will never see through (...). In other words, carbon protections are just there to make your bike beautiful... In my case, I have bought it on ebay (by a german supplier: 115 euros for the swing arm + 115 euros for the frame, quality is good, not excellent, but enough for me) So, let's start!

Preparation:

Before to start, just try to make the place required to adjust a first time your parts on the swing arm. It has to fit perfectly!
Remove footrests, exhaust, etc.
Than, remove the original rear fender (3 screws) + remove the 2 plastic parts that protect your swing arm from the moves on the footrests.
For the left side, depending of the parts you get, it's possible that you need to file a little bit the carbon part for the fender's screw (3-4 mm). On the right side, my part was covering more, so I had to make small hole in the part, to put the right screw for the fender.



Installation:

In order to avoid damages on the original paint, I have decided to cover the swing arm of "tape". My choice goes to Pattex Power tape (not sure you have it in US :o ). This tape is really strong and made of 3 layers.
I think it will reinforce the protection in case of a crash.












Once your part is correctly covered, just use a efficient glue (in my case, my choice goes to "Fix All" - black color* ) and put this glue into the carbon part, be careful to put it everywhere.

* Fix All High Tack is a high quality single component joint sealant with high adhesive strength and initial tack (more info: here)








Than, just adjust the part on your bike.

To keep the properties/efficienty of the glue, you need to fix strongly the part for 24hours. You can use strap or other things.







After 12 hours, the parts are already sticked.

Final pictures (parts for the frame in progress..)

[The Raven]

looking good so far

[mk3turb]

Nice

[Pyro85GT]

Looks cool so far. I like the R6 written in the glue

[maxoverfred]

Post updated

[dHanoon6]

shit, that looks really nice man, good write up

[natedogg624]

where do you find that carbon protector? links or anything?

can that cover the whole swingarm/frame? like if my frame and swingarm or chromed and i want it to be darker (powdercoated or otherwise) could this be a valid option or would it just look corny and i need to invest in real powdercoating?

[UberRacing]

looks great!

Where do you get the exhaust slider? I just low sided and scraped my exhaust but would like to get the slider for next time! Any information much appreciated.
Thanks!

[maxoverfred]

Originally Posted by UberRacing

looks great!
....I just low sided and scraped my exhaust but would like to get the slider for next time! Any information much appreciated.
Thanks!

Same as I did... before I take one, I crashed and my exhaust is a little bit damaged. You can buy these things on internet, or you can build one your self (I have done it with 2 zipstrip inside).

[maxoverfred]

Originally Posted by natedogg624

where do you find that carbon protector? links or anything?

Here is the link: here
As already said, for that price, don't expect a high quality of finition, there is only one layer of carbon, but to be honnest, it's ok on the bike and I will not invest more money in that except perhaps for carbon/kevlar parts )

Originally Posted by natedogg624

can that cover the whole swingarm/frame? like if my frame and swingarm or chromed and i want it to be darker (powdercoated or otherwise) could this be a valid option or would it just look corny and i need to invest in real powdercoating?

It will be better to invest in real powdercoating, the suppliers I have seen make only the parts you see (2 parts each time). So you can't cover all your frame.