Author Topic: Thinking about getting some fullbore reps made.. (Read 4303 times)

Brett · « **on:** December 23, 2013, 02:16:05 AM »

So here's the deal guys, I found out I have like 6 thermo vacuum plants within an hour to an hour and a half from me and I shot them e-mails trying to get a ballpark of what it would cost for a mold. Now I know you might be thinking "but Brett, how will you find out fullbores secret plastic formula?!" Well my sister is a chemist and she said with a small test piece she can break the plastic down to the base components and tell me how much of each ingredient is in there. So assuming the molds don't cost me my firstborn child, there's a good chance of this happening. I'm not looking to make a profit, I just love these plastics.

Thanks for looking!

-Brett-

Brett · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2013, 02:57:12 AM »

If not I'd just trim it off of my current set from somewhere

-Brett-

fergmyster · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2013, 03:57:57 AM »

Would be very cool if this works fingers crossed.

bnau267 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2013, 10:04:04 AM »

Vacuum is the only way to go if someone wants to tackle it. The OEMs are no longer protected which is why I ran this past several suppliers whom I've worked with over the years. PS - there is a reason why Maiers are not as wide as Honda OEM. That was one way to avoid being sued. I have 2 perfect sets of OEMs minus some light spider webbing. They could be copied very easily. Over $100k to get high quality OEM fender tooling. Could source from China but it would still be $50-70. Could go with aluminum tooling both not sure how many runs we'd get before the tooling is shot (probably enough to pay off the tooling). The capital would be very hard to get financed being that the product is essentially obsolete and the demand is impossible verify especially with 250R/Hybrids limited in competitive racing. Thus, vacuum is the only reasonable way to go (in my opinion) unless someone has the cash or access to a 100 ton press and a tool & die shop. The plastic formula is the easy part but figuring out the cure time and temp will take some time and money. I did a full workup on the fender sets with a couple different suppliers (USA Made). The best thing that could happen is to get Maier to purchase the FB molds and let Laker go out of business. I hate to sound ruthless but there isn't enough demand (committed buyers) to invest in the tooling and compete/pay it off. Personally, I think we should hammer Maier with emails asking them to buy out FB design/molds. Yes, the cost model would need fine tuned some (finance guys)...but these are averages from three contacts who have been doing this for 30 plus years. I've been in Supply Chain for twenty years now and have been involved in many many new products being developed and feel comfortable with this analysis...

Sky · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2013, 10:20:56 AM »

Someone has been doing their homework. Great job Bneau. Hope it works out for you. I love to see new adventurous projects based off of Passion.

bnau267 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2013, 10:43:00 AM »

Quote from: Sky;20566

Someone has been doing their homework. Great job Bneau. Hope it works out for you. I love to see new adventurous projects based off of Passion.

I can't get enough preorders (i.e Smart Carb) to make it worth while and don't have a $100K to invest. I would jump on the Brett bandwagon in a heartbeat though. I do have a China contact looking at this....but everyone seems to want USA (i get it). However, R's were made in Japan! I gave up talking to FB and have been focused on getting Maier to make contact with them. Ideally, I'd love for Maier to offer the FB fronts/rears and call it a race series. They have come a long way....

Brett · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2013, 11:23:54 AM »

Thanks guys for being more supportive than I thought you would be haha. If I can get molds made for sub 10k prices I will go forward on this. I'm not worried about getting sued since all I really own is my 250R, bmx bike and my Volkswagen. I would sell these for maybe 50 bucks more than what it cost per thing after I broke down pricing just to cover shipping. Hell Since I'm a parts hoarder I'd even do trades as well

Thanks guys!

-Brett-

pinned250r · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2013, 11:49:28 AM »

Quote from: Brett;20571

Thanks guys for being more supportive than I thought you would be haha. If I can get molds made for sub 10k prices I will go forward on this. I'm not worried about getting sued since all I really own is my 250R, bmx bike and my Volkswagen. I would sell these for maybe 50 bucks more than what it cost per thing after I broke down pricing just to cover shipping. Hell Since I'm a parts hoarder I'd even do trades as well

Thanks guys!

-Brett-

Imagine that, if we could buy brand new plastics for $400 shipped!!!!

bnau267 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2013, 03:13:58 PM »

Quote from: Brett;20571

Thanks guys for being more supportive than I thought you would be haha. If I can get molds made for sub 10k prices I will go forward on this. I'm not worried about getting sued since all I really own is my 250R, bmx bike and my Volkswagen. I would sell these for maybe 50 bucks more than what it cost per thing after I broke down pricing just to cover shipping. Hell Since I'm a parts hoarder I'd even do trades as well

Thanks guys!

-Brett-

I hope you pull it off Brett. No way in a million years would you need to worry about Honda. They wouldn't want to mess with loyal customers during a bad market on a product they have no interest in. I would be careful with FB though because no one really understands their situation. The good news is that they probably don't have any money to go after anyone. The bad news is that they probably have someone trying to collect money who does....LOL. I'd buy a set if you get someone on board. Good luck man....

Rupp250 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2013, 10:32:11 PM »

Brett, not to rain on your parade, but assuming that the plastics are vulcanized, the base chemical composition will not be easily discovered.

Higgy87trx425 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2013, 12:25:47 AM »

Sounds like a pipe dream, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't buy a set!! I'm all in for a set of the clear FB. I once had them talked into making me a set about 3 years ago, but failed to pull the trigger. One of my BIGGEST regrets!! Keep us posted!
Thanks Higgy

Brett · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2013, 02:04:15 AM »

Quote from: Rupp250;20623

Brett, not to rain on your parade, but assuming that the plastics are vulcanized, the base chemical composition will not be easily discovered.

I know but every idea has to start somewhere. I know, but I have faith in my sister to find out what mix they used on the plastic

-Brett-

Rupp250 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2013, 10:18:25 AM »

Try talking to http://WWW.MGMPLASTICS.COM

The owner is on another forum that I frequent. He is very knowledgeable about the topic. Plus he is into the sport so he will know what you are talking about.