Hello, I am very interested in exploring how I might make something like this aluminum rack for my Suzuki Vstrom in CF
https://ravetechmotorcycles.com/store/en/suzuki-dl650-v-strom/32-dl1000-dl650-2018-aluminium-top-plate-.html

Would the Pre preg materials be the most easy to work with and cost effective? I have a household oven at my shop I use for powder coating. It seems to fluctuate a bit when turned on,  but maybe it would be stable at 120C. Could I use a plywood mould to form it on? I'd like the rack to be about 3/16" in thickness. Seems to me the CF would be quite expensive to build up that thick. Are there other materials you use to build up thickness? I do not have a vacuum pump but do have a large compressor. Would it make more sense to buy a vacuum generator for the odd one off project? 
Suggestions greatly appreciated.

That could be done by pretty much any method.  I would probably get some aluminium sheet and fold it into that shape to give you a mould which you can infuse the sheet.  If your carbon layup gives the same thickness as the aluminium then it should be just as stiff if not stiffer while being significantly lighter..  You could also do some cut outs to save weight if needs be.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant