[R1formetoo]

Hell guys. I've been looking into carrying spools on our site because customers continually ask if we sell the spools when we sell them a spool stand. After looking into selling other business' spools, I determined that the best route to go was machining my own spools to sell. I'm posting a few pictures of the ones I plan to sell on our site for $19.99 a pair (mounted on my R1) and also a picture of the spools that were on it. I didn't really like the conventional spool that was on it because they look rather nappy once well scratched up and because the manufacturer made the slot too wide, it allows the bike to swing from side to side slightly, which I do not like. These spools I also plan to send with stainless hardware and thread lock already on the threads. Once again my other spools were not stainless and I got tired of looking at the rust. So I'm essentially posting this thread to ask what you guys think. Do you think they will sell well with the spool stands I offer? As usual they would be warrantied for life as all of our products are. Keep in mind that no dimensions are set at this point. I may choose to make them slightly thinner or what not. A big thanks in advance for all the feedback.

Ian Gilmore
Redline Engineering
www.redlinestands.com
[email protected]
901-351-4764

 

[R1formetoo]

posting pics now, I hope

 

[R1formetoo]

Heres the spools I replaced

 

[R1formetoo]

The new spools installed

 

[R1formetoo]

Come on fellas, I need opinions.

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

dpenoyer and moto, come on guys, I really need some feedback here. I don't want to spend $5000 on a lathe if I'm not going to sell any of them.

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

Good idea, your talking about anodizing I suppose. I guess I'd like to stay away from that if possible, because I would then have to make many many sets in advance and send them out for different color coatings. This would be a pretty big inconvienence. Do you think the average Joe will say, "Ahh screw the color, I'll take the aluminum color since thats all you sell?"

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

Moto and Sandbagger, this is the kind of feedback I need. Thanks a bunch. By my count I'd have to sell some 300 pairs of spools to pay for the lathe so this isn't something I should just guess at.

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

Moto, I don't see why not and Sand, sounds coolio to me.

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

Fair enough, then how do you make them black. Anodize them, haven't seen black anodizing, does it exist? Any other ideas. And in reference to Moto's comment, I thought about that and its a good idea. They are about 1.25 inches long at the moment, you think thats long enough to effectively save a swingarm? I'll be glad to make a few sets of different length spools (when I get a lathe) and send them to someone who can then install them and push his bike over and see if they work. j/k

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

Earache, I haven't bought a lathe yet and when/if I buy one, I will be sure to get one that will be big enough to do whatever job I might ever want to do. I also never buy cheap equipment to use on a daily basis which pretty much rules out anything under a cost of $2000. Also Earache, what was the most effective method you found in cutting the pieces (saw or lathe)? And what are DRO's? Hideout, go ahead and get yourself a set and pick some spools up from www.tobefast.com because at the earliest, it would be a few weeks down the road, and thats pushin it. Thanks everyone.

Ian Gilmore
Redline

 

[R1formetoo]

Sounds great, I used a cutoff tool to make the last ones and it did pretty good. I'll check into the different types of aluminum they sell because I never thought about ease of machining. Thanks.

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

WheelSpin, thats a great idea but it raises the question. Is this going to make the product so expensive that no one will buy it? I think it would then be smart to offer just a plain jane spool and also a seperate swingarm slider. And another thing, do people really drop their bikes so often that this is neccessary? Seems to me if I actually dropped my bike I'd just buy another pair of $20 spools if I just couldn't stand the scratches. Thanks for the idea and I'll think about it.

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

No, he means the opposite, aluminum on the inside with a plastic covered end that is easily replaced.

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

Juerg, that will be investigated this coming week. Whats the thing in the picture and what did the machine shop charge you to cut those delrin parts?

ian

 

[R1formetoo]

Hey Earache, you care to comment on any experience as to whether or not Smithy makes a good lathe? They sell a 39 inch lathe for roughly $3000 with a cnc upgrade kit for an extra $3300. I just wonder if its a quality machine or not.

Ian

 

[R1formetoo]

Glad to hear you like our stands and thanks for the input.

Ian