Hi. I'm looking to upgrade the exhaust heat shield for a carbon one and Ducati does not offer this like they do with other parts. Can anyone recommend a brand that is closest to the factory matte carbon? So far I'm aware of Fullsix and RPM Carbon. Thanks in advance.
Matte Carbon recommendations for 2022+
- Thread starter gtomachine710
- Start date
Joined Jul 2020
6K Posts | 3K+
Midwest
Ilmberger carbon fiber, who is the OEM for Ducati would be an exact match. It is more of a satin than matte, despite them calling it matte.
Fullsix matte is definitely matte, but they offer satin as an option. I ordered a carbon belly pan and it was a perfect fit.
Motocomposites out of Canada has reasonably priced stuff, but it may require some fitting.
The wings I got from there fit perfectly and were half the price of the Ducati ones. I did have to chase the threads on them as there was some cured resin on them.
The front fender from them fit fine, but I had to use a little epoxy to keep the stud which the bracket for the brake lines attaches to from spinning.
The rear fender fit good, but they didn’t include the special extended bolt needed to fit it. I didn’t know that was even a thing but I ordered one from Ducati. There was a slight run on one of the edges, but I knocked it down with some 800 grit and sprayed it with matte clear.
The tail from Motocomposites was fine, but they didn’t include the rubber piece which interfaces with the black plastic tab on top of the taillight which keeps it from rattling. I harvested it from my OEM solo tail. Not a huge annoyance but a solo tail that needs that part has less sales appeal.
The nose and upper fairings from Motocomposites were complete abortions. They looked good but didn’t fit.
I’m going to coat all the CF parts I have with a ceramic sealer that has UV protection in it. UV can yellow CF parts, so you’ll want to consider that in where you park the bike and how you care for it.
You can always spray a satin or matte clear on all the parts to even them out. For that matter you could use a mild polish for automotive paint to bring a matte up to a clear.
Fullsix matte is definitely matte, but they offer satin as an option. I ordered a carbon belly pan and it was a perfect fit.
Motocomposites out of Canada has reasonably priced stuff, but it may require some fitting.
The wings I got from there fit perfectly and were half the price of the Ducati ones. I did have to chase the threads on them as there was some cured resin on them.
The front fender from them fit fine, but I had to use a little epoxy to keep the stud which the bracket for the brake lines attaches to from spinning.
The rear fender fit good, but they didn’t include the special extended bolt needed to fit it. I didn’t know that was even a thing but I ordered one from Ducati. There was a slight run on one of the edges, but I knocked it down with some 800 grit and sprayed it with matte clear.
The tail from Motocomposites was fine, but they didn’t include the rubber piece which interfaces with the black plastic tab on top of the taillight which keeps it from rattling. I harvested it from my OEM solo tail. Not a huge annoyance but a solo tail that needs that part has less sales appeal.
The nose and upper fairings from Motocomposites were complete abortions. They looked good but didn’t fit.
I’m going to coat all the CF parts I have with a ceramic sealer that has UV protection in it. UV can yellow CF parts, so you’ll want to consider that in where you park the bike and how you care for it.
You can always spray a satin or matte clear on all the parts to even them out. For that matter you could use a mild polish for automotive paint to bring a matte up to a clear.
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Thanks for all the input. I didn't know Ilmberger also made the oem carbon for Ducati like they do with BMW. If that's the case I'll look into getting of theirs. Not sure if anyone actually stocks them. I think it's normally a 4-6 week wait time from when you place an order.
Joined Jul 2020
6K Posts | 3K+
Midwest
I did ordered a Ilmberger nose and upper fairings but the uppers arrived damage. I don’t now if it was bad QC or something that happened in shipping. I ordered them through Motovation USA who notified me of the damage and refunded my order in full. I highly recommend them.
Sorry to hear that. You likely waited a while for them to arrive as well. I messaged them earlier today and was told once the order is placed that there is a 4-7 week lead time.
Joined Nov 2022
213 Posts | 128+
Australia
Back in 2019 I ordered and paid $650 AUD for a genuine M carbon front guard for my new S1000RR. Was pretty disappointed when it arrived and was made in Thailand. Ilmberger used to manufacture all their carbon up to that point it seemed.
bp_SFV4 has it well and truly covered but can confirm the matte Ilmberger belly extension I bought is obviously an exact match for my genuine ducati rear fender.
Joined Jul 2020
6K Posts | 3K+
Midwest
I think Motocomposites uses an overseas factory. CF parts are very labor intensive and involve a lot of single use plastics. It's a very wasteful process as is. Forged stuff is better in this regard, but not as attractive. Handling the prepreg sheets is difficult as they must be stored frozen and cured, preferably and sometimes by necessity, in an autoclave.
If you're making a bracket to hold a brake reservoir then maybe it's a feasible project but you aren't going to make something as complicated as a Panigale fairing if your garage to the same standard as a professional shop. The money is in the trimming process though. That's exactly where my Motocomposites upper and nose fairings were lacking.
The Easy Composites Ltd. YouTube channel has a lot of videos to get one acquainted with the process.
www.youtube.com
If you're making a bracket to hold a brake reservoir then maybe it's a feasible project but you aren't going to make something as complicated as a Panigale fairing if your garage to the same standard as a professional shop. The money is in the trimming process though. That's exactly where my Motocomposites upper and nose fairings were lacking.
The Easy Composites Ltd. YouTube channel has a lot of videos to get one acquainted with the process.
Easy Composites Ltd
Easy Composites Ltd is one of the World's premier suppliers of advanced composite materials and equipment. We believe in providing the best possible technical information and advice to help customers all over the world achieve better products and master cutting edge techniques. One way in which...
www.youtube.com
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Joined Jul 2020
6K Posts | 3K+
Midwest
I'm sorry, but just from the thumbnail, those parts look like ..... They appear to be made from a lot of small pieces and the grain of the carbon fiber doesn't line up. I'd even argue those (lower two-piece fairings) would be the some easiest parts to make given their geometry.
It was very poor advice to suggest these things could be made at home without properly attributing that statement to actual experience or a reliable source.
Have you made anything out of carbon fiber?
It was very poor advice to suggest these things could be made at home without properly attributing that statement to actual experience or a reliable source.
Have you made anything out of carbon fiber?
Joined Jul 2020
6K Posts | 3K+
Midwest
So I take that as a no, that you haven't made anything out of carbon fiber.
Layering up a series of small napkins of CF doesn't make for an attractive part and is an easy way of getting around the challenges of working with CF.
Please post pics of the carbon fiber parts you made.
Layering up a series of small napkins of CF doesn't make for an attractive part and is an easy way of getting around the challenges of working with CF.
Please post pics of the carbon fiber parts you made.
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Joined Nov 2018
4K Posts | 3K+
N
Now you are showing how little you know, Ive made a lot of parts from carbon but in an unrelated industry. Carbon is incredibly strong, the fairings only have to be .5mm for strength but that's too thin for abrasion, as for the mosaic finish, check it out its quite popular and he puts an inner layer on as well.
Its a version of "Forged" carbon i.e just fibres in a random direction, fine for parts like fairings and also parts with a lot of density like levers but the proper use of carbon's properties are obtained by scheduled layups with the fibres oriented for the load paths. For fairings WGAF about load paths! since its primarily about lightness and abrasion resistance in the first instance and cosmetics for the bling brigade.
Fibreglass is a superior though heavier fairing material because its tough, cheap and field repairable but carbon wins for lightness and unpainted looks.
If I was so inclined to make something so basic as an exhaust shield, Id absolutely DIY it because a. I have access too as much pre preg offcuts from big projects as I like, B I have vacuum bagging gear and C I can commandeer the oven when the boss is away for work
Joined Jul 2020
6K Posts | 3K+
Midwest
To the guy in that video layered up fibers directionally for the load paths in a motorcycle fairing? Come on dude... That mosaic look is popular? Who are you kidding? I've looked at just about every carbon fiber manufacturer who's making parts for motorcycles and no one offers that ugly nonsense.
So no pics of what you've actually made then?
That mosaic look is popular? Who are you kidding? I've looked at just about every carbon fiber manufacturer who's making parts for motorcycles and no one offers that ugly nonsense. So no pics of what you've actually made then?
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Joined Nov 2018
4K Posts | 3K+
N
To the guy in that video layered up fibers directionally for the load paths in a motorcycle fairing? Come on dude...
So no pics of what you've actually made then?
SP sometimes you just like being a ...., no one said he aligned the fibres, I said you don't need to for fairings- that pattern is for his own enjoyment, aesthetics are entirely personal and while its not my taste, its not eye bleach either. I don't take pictures of work projects and if I did I wouldn't share them either, do you take pictures of the big mac and fries you serve?
Joined Nov 2018
4K Posts | 3K+
N
Self righteousness is a very common trait so don't feel special, anyway 30 seconds of google brings up a chinese heat shield that for the price who cares if it fails and why DIY when you can get them so cheap! 98.46SG$ 30% OFF|For Ducati Panigale Streetfighter V4 V4S 2018 2021 2022 Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Exhaust Heat Shield Cover For AKRAPOVIC EXHAUST| | - AliExpress
This is for a low akra but i am sure that there are plenty of other styles available
This is for a low akra but i am sure that there are plenty of other styles available
Joined Jul 2020
6K Posts | 3K+
Midwest
I don’t know what your financial situation is, but bargain shopping for Chinese parts doesn’t seem to fit with owning a $30K+ Italian motorcycle.
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