Body work time

sheepofblue · 10-18-2005, 7:35 PM

I am considering three brands for the RC

Hot Bodies can get a good price from 2 places
Cheetah can get a good price
Opp Racing despite advice considering a glass upper with Carbon lower, more cost.

Also I am not planning on a tank or tail currently as I want the trunk on the tail for my computer and passenger sheep needs to be able to hang on

southpark460 · 10-18-2005, 7:44 PM

I have been extremely unhappy with the fit and finish on the Hotbodies stuff. Picked it up for $525. The upper and lower went together without too much fighting. But the upper is so skewed it isn't funny! I drilled out the mounts for the stay last night and they barely line up. And when I went to align the windscreed... Not even close. And the tail needed some major modifications to clear all of the components on the subframe. Should have bought Armour Bodies...

Scratch · 10-18-2005, 7:49 PM

I was extremely pleased with Catalyst Racing Composites. Even for a first time bodywork installer the stuff was real easy to work with. Everything lined up perfectly. The finish looks like it will be real easy to work with/paint. It's durable based on some garage testing where I bent and twisted it before installation just to see how strong it was. If I had to do it all again I'd buy the same exact thing for whatever that's worth. Good luck on your choice, I didn't want to dremel or tweak anything to get it to fit right, worked out well.

ReaperAZ · 10-19-2005, 1:45 PM

The Catalyst Racing Composites I have seen are awesome. If I had the coin I'd get that for sure.

http://www.catalystracingcomposites.com/

evl_twn · 10-19-2005, 1:50 PM

Sharkskinz?

mr_rua · 10-31-2005, 9:07 AM

Avoid HotBodies Plastic like the plague. I got their stuff for my F4i and have had so many fitment issues with the lower (belly pan). I had to cut and dremel quite a few spots (exhaust, shifter, etc...) to make it fit to the bike.

luvtolean · 10-31-2005, 9:21 AM

None.

Sharkskinz or Airtech.

Spend some money for quality you cheap bastid.

sheepofblue · 10-31-2005, 9:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

None.

Sharkskinz or Airtech.

Spend some money for quality you cheap bastid.

I thought Opp Racing was pretty good quality

Although it looks like the Airtech lower lets you use the kick stand...

luvtolean · 10-31-2005, 10:01 AM

Don't know anything about them. Since the other two were crap low quality guys I have experience with, I figured OPP was too.

I've never hung Airtech but Abtech's looked very good.

I can tell you Sharkskinz is exceptionally good stuff. It mounts more easily than any I've used. The primer is nicely done and easy to prep. And it crashes really well.

sheepofblue · 10-31-2005, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Don't know anything about them. Since the other two were crap low quality guys I have experience with, I figured OPP was too.

I've never hung Airtech but Abtech's looked very good.

I can tell you Sharkskinz is exceptionally good stuff. It mounts more easily than any I've used. The primer is nicely done and easy to prep. And it crashes really well.

Actually the list was simple
Hot Bodies = STT discount
Cheetah = Parts Unlimited (cheap to sheep)
Opp Racing = Carbon lower

I think I can get Sharkskinz also from Tucker Rocky (not sure they listed RCs though) but that is a recent and new thing.

luvtolean · 10-31-2005, 10:25 AM

All I'll say about the carbon is that it's more brittle than fibreglass, and if the manufacturer doesn't take care (in fabric and resin choices), it crashes poorly. No idea how OPP does.

What's wrong from ordering direct from Sharkskinz or Airtech?

sheepofblue · 10-31-2005, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

All I'll say about the carbon is that it's more brittle than fibreglass, and if the manufacturer doesn't take care (in fabric and resin choices), it crashes poorly. No idea how OPP does.

What's wrong from ordering direct from Sharkskinz or Airtech?

Opp makes big claims on the resin and such.

Nothing other than I can likely get Sharkskinz for less by not ordering direct

beyond that I am sworn to not telling (other than it is all legal and ethical)

Scratch · 10-31-2005, 10:50 AM

Read somewhere that OPP wasn't the easiest place to deal with, could be wrong though.

Good call on the kickstand, my catalyst supersport fairings did not come cut out for the stand so I removed it

Not sure if they sell them pre-cut out like that or not but I didn't get it that way.

I would agree, spend the extra money on either catalyst or sharkskinz.

Mine's still all primered (just fitted mine, nothing else yet) do you want a pic of the catalyst stuff?

sheepofblue · 10-31-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scratch

Read somewhere that OPP wasn't the easiest place to deal with, could be wrong though.

Good call on the kickstand, my catalyst supersport fairings did not come cut out for the stand so I removed it

Not sure if they sell them pre-cut out like that or not but I didn't get it that way.

I would agree, spend the extra money on either catalyst or sharkskinz.

Mine's still all primered (just fitted mine, nothing else yet) do you want a pic of the catalyst stuff?

Thanks but if I vary from my list is would be Airtech. The ability to use a kickstand and still have a compliant oil catch

they are the only one I have seen claiming this. Of course if I do not go CF I might get NinerPilots used ones (I think Sharkskinz

) they fit and work good although I give up the kickstand. Just need Blue paint

NinerPilot · 10-31-2005, 11:09 AM

I say you pick you up a set of pre-drilled and fabbed Multi-tech's...

Acctually the only brand of new stuff I have delt with is Armour Bodies and they were most excellent.
Chris

Scratch · 10-31-2005, 4:55 PM

I think you're all good then. Hear nothing but good things about Airtech and Armour Bodies. I don't think it would be too big of a deal to just cutout space for your kickstand no matter which set you get. Start out with a hole-saw and then just use a saw blade to fan out the straight cuts from the circle you made at the kickstand joint.

Either way it sounds like you have things pretty well figured out. Enjoy whatever you get and review it if you can?