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Skully
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 05:54 pm: |
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DarkHorseMoto, LLC is proud to present our new rear drive pulleys for Buell X bikes. The pulleys were designed and manufactured in the USA to mimic the look of the rear wheel. They are lighter than OEM to provide a reduction in unsprung mass. This two year journey began with an email from one of BadWeB’s own, Keith Korbin (Kedo). He felt that the rear drive pulley should match the look of the rear wheel. Keith provided us with a sketch that gave us a good start:
I turned Keith’s sketch over to another BadWeBer, Karsten Farley (Buell_41), to begin layout of the pulley in a 3D solid modeling program. I began layout of the groove (tooth) profile using the same software. The design was progressing nicely but the fun was about to begin: determining what loads the pulley must withstand. My goal was not only to match the look of the rear wheel, but to be lighter than the OEM pulley. Ultimately, I modeled the OEM pulley in 3D and then with the help of COSMOS (simulation software) and a friend who is a structural engineer, reverse engineered what loads it could handle. These loads were given to Kevin Krebs of Krebs Engineering who applied them to Karsten’s 3D solid model in ANSYS (simulation software) and checked it for stresses and deflections. After a few tweaks to the design, Karsten developed drawings and a manufacturer was selected.
Four prototype pulleys were built. All were hard coat anodized for durability and two were powder coated. All four were installed on Buell X bikes and have been tested on the road and track for a year. I have approximately 10,000 miles on mine. Based on the success of the prototypes, a run of production pulleys have been made. To be absolutely sure that I had what I wanted, I put one of the production pulleys on my bike with a brand new belt in preparation for a trip to the Texas Hill Country.
1400 miles later, the belt and pulley are both working perfectly. Finally, I felt the pulleys were ready to sell.
If someone had told me that it was going to take two years to bring this product to market, I’m not sure that I would have tackled it. Now, I’m glad that we did.
More information can be found on our website http://www.darkhorsemoto.com Click on the Accessories tab. Keith DarkHorseMoto, LLC Protecting and Propelling Buell® Motorcycles™ |
Birdy
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 06:15 pm: |
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Looks GREAT! and knowing how well the Sliders I got from you are (Haven't crash tested them yet!) The pulley should be sweet. Also good to know ya didn't just Cad it up, cut a bunch and start shipping them. |
Pmpski_1
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 06:20 pm: |
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WOW. If I didn't already have a chain conversion.... |
Az_m2
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 06:23 pm: |
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Very nice! Seeing this thread just prompted me to buy one of your temperature gauge dipsticks. Great products Keith . . . Chris |
Ochoa0042
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 06:33 pm: |
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BRAVO!!! |
Its_a_buell
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 06:48 pm: |
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WOW! is there any other word to describe this. it looks like the belt is just floating. definatly goin on mod list. thank you for such an incredible product. |
Teddagreek
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 06:48 pm: |
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What is stock weight compared to Dark Horse Moto? I've seen front pulley kits cut a ton of weight over the steel one's Again, Dark Horse Moto has out done its self! BTW would you sell it raw? |
Augustus74
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 06:55 pm: |
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Too bad nobody knows the paint code for the amber wheels. Have yet to see someone with something close. |
Point_doc
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 07:49 pm: |
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Keith, Nice work!! This pulley that you have made really adds a nice finished touch to the X-Bikes. |
Hogs
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 07:59 pm: |
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Nice Work, I like how the six spokes line up with the rim, Looks GooD...! Weight difference wd. be nice to know... |
03worc9r
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 08:09 pm: |
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That looks great! Let me know what I have to do be part of your product testing team. That would definitely be cool.
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Ft_bstrd
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 08:39 pm: |
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I don't have a bike any more, but I would buy one of those and make sweet love to it every night. Dats purdy!!!!!! |
Buford
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 09:27 pm: |
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Would love to get a rear sprocket of fewer teeth to lower rpms at cruise speeds if it would work ok... |
Sleez
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 10:35 pm: |
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gotta get one! |
Rpm4x4
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 10:56 pm: |
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I must have one! I may have to wait a while to get the cash but I will have one! |
Mastros2
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 10:57 pm: |
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Wow! Looks great! Off-topic... Keith, got the sliders! Thanks! |
Eicas
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 11:18 pm: |
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Guess I better start saving some more money, looks like a must have for me! |
Jonzin
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 11:25 pm: |
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Definitely on my wish list. |
Kedo
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 11:35 pm: |
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Mr. Thrash - It has been a haul, hasn't it? I am proud to have contributed to the project. The production unit has exceeded my expectations. You, and Dark Horse Moto are a class act. Thanks to Karsten and everybody else who had a hand in it! Congratulations one and all. |
Fastxb12r
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 11:35 pm: |
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WOW beautiful part I would love to have one but a BIT to rich for my blood unless it gave some major difference. I would be interested in a raw one at a lower price if you make one though. |
Kedo
| Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 11:54 pm: |
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P.S. the Dark Horse Moto pulley, combined with the rear brake caliper relocating bracket is too sexy for words. P.P.S. Fantastic slogan! Oh yea, I have over 4K miles on my prototype. |
Jakecheez
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 12:02 am: |
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nice work!!! great products, unbelievable.... |
Bo_sox
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 12:25 am: |
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Your hard work and engineering has paid off!!! The way the spokes line up with the spokes of the wheel is stunning! Great job and congrats! I'll be ordering one soon. |
Blake
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 12:51 am: |
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I've seen the above up close. It's nothing short of spectacular. Even the tool paths in the milling of the spokes' webbing has been painstakingly layed out in a very artful form. What would be meant specifically by the requests for a "blank"? |
Jakecheez
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 01:31 am: |
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The pulley looks awsome, but dang it's spendy! |
Court
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 06:03 am: |
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That is elegant! I'm really impressed with the thought and detail that went into development and it shows in the finished product. I can see that headed to the wish list. Well done to the entire team. Court |
Gentleman_jon
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 08:34 am: |
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That is really excellent. Details like that can really change the entire look of a bike. |
4cammer
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 08:41 am: |
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American manufacturing at its best. Wow that is nice. I already have your sliders, and now I know what I will be asking for xmas... |
Fastxb12r
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 09:01 am: |
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blake What would be meant specifically by the requests for a "blank"? I mean one that has not been anodized just the raw metal but still the same design}. |
Marko138
| Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 04:33 pm: |
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Looks incredible. Nice job. |