EICMA was a big show for South African carbon specialist BST (Blackstone Tek). Not only did it debut a new Pierre Terblanche designed thing of beauty in its hyperTEK electric motorcycle, but two stunning new wheel designs too.
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| The BST hyperTek, designed by Pierre Terblanche |
The BST brief was simple - "design and build the lightest motorcycle wheel possible". The GP TEK front wheel weighs only 3.9 lbs/1.8 kg and the rear wheel is only 5.29 lbs/2.4 kg (depending on fitment). Using specialised carbon fibre to tailor the cornering stiffness, the hubs are manufactured using 6000 grade aircraft aluminium and the fasteners are grade 5 titanium.
Backed by RFID tag traceability throughout its lifespan, a new BST painted and serviceable coating between the tyre and the rim protects the wheel from damage during tyre changing.
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| GP Tek |
The front load rating is 330 lbs/150 kg and available in 17 x 3.50/17 x 3.75/17 x 4.00. The rear is available in 17 x 6.00/17 x 6.25.
The Torque TEK is for American V-twins (H-D, Indian and custom cruisers), said to be the strongest motorcycle wheel BST manufactures - with a front load rating of 518 lbs/235 kg and 904 lbs/410 kg at the rear.
The split midway on the spoke optimises the support of the outer rim to fit the strength and power of custom choppers and Harley-Davidsons. The Torque Tek design is not only strong, but also very light - tipping the scales from only 10.58 lbs/4.80 kg (depending on the fitment), and it too has the new BST painted and serviceable coating between the tyre and rim to protect the wheel during tyre changing.
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| Torque Tek |
Depending on fitment sizes, the front weighs in at 10.69 lbs/4.85 kg and the rear at 10.85 lbs/4.8 kg. The front load rating is 518 lbs/235 kg, with 904 lbs/410 kg at the rear. The front is available in five size options from 16 x 3.50 to 26 x 3.50; the rear in four options from 16 x 5.00 to 18 x 5.50.
www.blackstonetek.com
