Carbon Fibre restoration tips

[pbear62]

Thanks MV, You're right - the end caps are different (both ends), my hanger bracket bolts
go straight into the c/f as well though - must have a nut bonded inside?

[M.V.]

Thanks MV, You're right - the end caps are different (both ends), my hanger bracket bolts
go straight into the c/f as well though - must have a nut bonded inside?

Seems to be, yes. I stopped there because it was about to get messy

so . . . . remove both alloy ends, and turn the carbon tube end for end or over and under etc.
you could trim both ends and redrill for both caps;)
trim the baffle tube to suit
cheers
fung

woo hoo.

It's a good idea, apart from the seam on the c/f fibre running all the way along the can

[M.V.]

Ready to go! 100% workshop quality dust extraction system ready to go. Don't tell my wife

safety first.JPG

No turning back!

no turning back.JPG

How'd it go? Pretty good, not a great pic, but a clean cut Angle grinder with 1mm metal cutting disc.

clean cut.JPG

[M.V.]

Took about 3.25 inches off, in the old money. Question is, did I go too far enough?

B4 & After.JPG

Doesn't look like much, but my Leo Vince cans are longer & wider, so it should have the desired effect.

CF VS LV.JPG

Next is the blackening: pipes & end cap will be hit with VHT flat black, clear coat the cans, then I play the waiting game: black pop rivets need to come from the UK, I'll get some packing material locally when the rivets turn up.

Curiously, the bracket is held in place by a block of aluminium with threads, siliconed inside the can. Should be easy enough to reuse

[Mincehead]

Looks like you`ve got the measure of that wee job M.V. strange that they simply didn`t use a band around the can for a hanger / fixing though.
Mind, the fixing through the carbon should be very strong as long as the silicon never breaks hold and allows the bolts to rattle and elongate the sleeve eventually.

[M.V.]

Looks like you`ve got the measure of that wee job M.V. strange that they simply didn`t use a band around the can for a hanger / fixing though.
Mind, the fixing through the carbon should be very strong as long as the silicon never breaks hold and allows the bolts to rattle and elongate the sleeve eventually.

I think I've got it sorted

I actually prefer the look without the band, so I'm happy.

It's a metal bar, hard to explain but I'll put up a pic.

[M.V.]

It has been cold here, painting takes a long time, more so for the fact that the wax & grease remover doesn't evaporate very fast. Twice I have had to sand back the clear coat & start again because it went cloudy, so no pics of the carbon fibre, but it is coming along.

Oh well, third times a charm.

Everything is ready: muffler packing is here, internal baffles cut & re-welded, exhaust metal parts have been coated extremely very flat black:

ex1.JPG

Rivets I ordered from the UK turned out to have a 16mm flange, way too big, but, 250 of these arrived from the US:

ex2.JPG

Much better.

The wife caught me baking the coated parts in the oven, she just laughed, probably a keeper that one...

Should have the exhaust together by the end of the weekend, clear coat issues notwithstanding

Thought I'd better make a start on the radiator guard too.

ex3.JPG