PHOTO: Innovation at its best! The BST generic wheel allows for one wheel to fit many different motorcycles. This interchangeability is achieved using both a brake adaptor and sprocket carrier which can be changed, depending on the motorcycle

BLACKSTONE Tek, based in North Riding, Johannesburg, has won this year’s JEC Europe Innovation Award in the sports & leisure category, for its generic carbon fibre rear motorcycle wheel. Blackstone Tek was one of just 18 companies around the world honoured for their innovation.

Traditionally motorcycle wheels are created for a specific motorcycle, however, the BST generic wheel allows for one wheel to fit many different motorcycles. This interchangeability is achieved using both a brake adaptor and sprocket carrier which can be changed, depending on the motorcycle.

In addition to the generic nature of the wheel, many of the aluminium parts previously used in the assembly of carbon fibre wheels have been replaced with carbon fibre. This reduces the amount of aluminium in the wheel assembly by 32%, allowing for a lighter and optimized structure.

‘Out of autoclave’ curing process drives down costs

In addition to these key improvements, many improvements in the manufacture of the wheel have been made, including the development of an ‘out of autoclave’ curing process for the curing of the pre-impregnated material used to create the wheel. The process also includes the oven curing of a wheel using a purpose built, internal and external pressure device which can be removed and reused on subsequent wheels.  

The ‘out of autoclave’ curing of the wheel will reduce the production costs involved in manufacturing the wheel and enable quicker turnaround time for moulds. This is due to the minimization of consumable bagging material in the wheel, as well as decreasing the production time of the wheel. In addition, due to the ability to control the curing process of the wheel, the scrap rate involved will drop substantially.

BST now developing a matching generic front wheel

Blackstone Tek’s generic carbon fibre wheel has been developed and tested since late 2012. The company is now developing a generic front wheel which is still in prototype phase.

The ‘out of autoclave’ curing of the wheel has been implemented and provided a promising result, a control system to better manage the pressuring of the system is being developed to improve the system.  The generic wheel range is expected to be launched in South Africa and abroad mid-2015.

Currently Blackstone Tek wheels are sold throughout the world with approximately 1500 wheels sold each year.

Blackstone Tek was born out of the extensive experience of its founders in the motorcycle racing industry, aeronautical engineering, composites knowledge and aerospace fields. The company has many years’ experience working with carbon fibre and carbon composites in the aeronautical industry, and combine all this knowledge to create the best parts for motorcycles – wheels, tanks, frames, sub-frames, fenders – for road and race environments.

www.blackstonetek.com