KawasakiTrax Community
General Category => CLASSIFIEDS: buy, sell or trade here => Topic started by: gixxer6 on June 16, 2019, 08:10:49 AM
-
The K is the exact size and shape as the original and is raised. $70 shipped (more outside of the USA)
-
So the cap fit all Kawasaki snowmobiles?
-
Im not familiar with some of the Kawasaki models, but I know they will fit Interceptors, Invaders, Intruders, and LTDs.
-
Remarkable. What plastic did you use?
My sense is that the original caps, and the original fuel tanks, cracked because of poor resin/resin processing additive choice. We saw this phenomena in the polyethylene manufactured in the 80's. In our industry we call it Environmental Stress Crack - where the material has a brittle failure before there is any elongation. It was a function of multiple factors including high molecular weight resin (0.948 and above) and the use of processing agents like sodium bicarbonate. The industry has switched to lower molecular weight resins, beefier antioxidant packages, and elimination of the sodium bicarbonate.
-
These are a customized aftermarket cap. I am unsure what plastic the aftermarket company used originally. I considered at 3 options:
1. Remolding a cap with the "K", this would be best for high volume (tens of thousands) but I suspect only a few hundred at the most would sell even if priced low. The initial cost of creating a mold cost in the neighborhood of $10,000.
2. 3D printing new caps. This was a little more feasible than option #1, but the cost of having a 3D image of the cap created would have been quite a bit. The added cost of having them printed with a high enough quality printer would have made them extremely expensive.
3. Customizing an existing aftermarket cap. This was the only feasible option, and being they are such low quantities the price still ends up being higher than most would like.
IF I had enough interest in these to make larger quantities the price would come down some. But they will never be as inexpensive as the $15-$20 kimpex caps.
I always thought that the original "K" caps cracked because guys would crank the cap too tight in an attempt to align the "K". I suppose they could be made of a slightly different material, but I doubt it. I don't think there were many options in plastic material types (at least ones that will withstand gas) back then.
-
Cost of materials was lower than expected so I was able to drop the price from $75 down to $70 shipped. :)
-
This might be the reason to why the filler necks cracked to. After looking at a few, Kawasaki should of made them thicker. Some crack and some do not. But I think you are right guys would tighten them too much.
-
Put me in for one.
-
Put me in for one.
Will do. Thanks Doug.
-
I started out making these in a very small quantity, 11 with 3 of them for my own sleds. At this quantity I can sell them for $70 w/ free shipping (as noted above). I looked at doing these in a larger quantity. Making a batch of 50 I could price them at $45 each PLUS shipping cost. So far I've had very little interest in them, but have one that committed to 4 or 5 if the price were reduced to $45. IF I can get enough interest I will move forward with a batch of 50. Anyone?
-
Put me in for one also !
-
Guys when you see these you will want more. Tom did a awesome job with these. I bought two and I can personally tell you I love them. I am the one who wants more of them. I'm going to use them on my two sleds when I take them to the Nationals in August.
-
Did the Interceptor's come with the K caps? My low mileage Interceptor had the flat cap when I purchased it from the original owner?
-
Thanks Doug!
750, I am unsure which models came with the "K" caps...I thought it was the earlier models that came with them until they realized that guys would crank them down too tight to make the K straight with the sled and crack the caps and filler necks? Maybe someone can confirm this? What I do know, is that they are EXTREMELY rare...I have been at this for 15 years and have only ever seen 4 of them, 3 of which were cracked, the 1 that wasn't happened to be a NOS one that I came across (and will be going on #366 8)).
-
I'd be interested in several. Also, are they missing the circular ridge around the periphery, that the original has?
And if so, could that be incorporated?
Thanks!
-
It does not ridge. I have thought about different ways of adding it but haven't succeeded yet.
I haven't really had enough interest in them to justify doing a larger quantity batch. But I do have a few of the first batch left. $65 plus shipping.
-
Couldn't the mold just be modified slightly to incorporate the ridge?
Not nit picking it all, they look great! Just wondered if there was a way to make them nearly indistinguishable from the OEM version!
-
I am not having these molded, they are a modified aftermarket cap.
I looked at ways to add the ring, all would add cost. Would you be willing to pay more if I were to add the ring?
-
Smart idea, I hadn't thought of that. Good way to do it and save building a mold. I'm sure building a mold would be pricey also.
Not sure...... I'm cheap like every sledder. Lol. In all honesty, they look really good regardless.
-
Yeah, I work in the manufacturing/plastics industry and have had to have some plastic injection molds made. I can tell you it would be AT LEAST $10k to have a mold made. :o
That's my conclusion as well they look damn good and are near perfect, why add the ring and drive up the cost.
Let me know if you want one. Thanks
-
Yes i would like one if you still have some......
But i would need it shipped to Canada...
Regards
Dan
-
Yes i would like one if you still have some......
But i would need it shipped to Canada...
Regards
Dan
Dan, Yes I still have a handful. Message me your shipping address and I will get you an actual cost.
-
Caps look great! I still have my cracked original. Do you still offer them for sale? Presume $70 US for one. I'm from Canada. Please advise if the costs have possibly come down with the demand for some. Thanks, -Craig
-
I still have a handful of these. Unfortunately the cost has not come down, there doesnt seem to be high enough demand for them to justify doing larger quantities. If you would like one, the cost is $63USD plus actual shipping cost.
-
Update:
I have had more interest in these so I am making another small batch. Price will be $70 each plus shipping cost. Please let me know if you are interested so I can adjust my batch size. Thanks!
-
hi,l'd like to take one to stay in canada thank you
-
hi,l'd like to take one to stay in canada thank you
Sorry Mikegt, I don't have any more of these made and don't have plans to make more. Thanks.