Topic: Any information on these spring retainers?

[5thofhonda]

Was perusing eBay and came across an auction for these from a company called VVMCO. $60 for a set of titanium retainers, while APE runs over twice that. Anyone have information?  I emailed the seller but waiting to hear back.

http://www.vvmco.com/#!product/prd14/3488718911/honda-cb-750-titanium-valve-spring-retainers

[5thofhonda]

Seller claims cost is so low because design, manufacture, and marketing is all done by him, meaning no overhead. Also said they are "Grade 5" titanium.  Any thoughts?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Try pricing Kibblewhite's! No info on this dude.

Guess you'll be the forum tester.

[5thofhonda]

Try pricing Kibblewhite's! No info on this dude.

Guess you'll be the forum tester.

That's what makes me nervous. $60 for parts found for $160 everywhere else. Not sure I want to be the guinea pig.

[HondaMan]

Titanium is not easily machined: it usually has to be cast to size (or close to it) and then polished or slightly machined to finish fit. Just the cost of tooling (bits and disposables) for machining titanium retainers would cost more than $60 per set?

Just my thoughts...

At the company (machine shop and machine builder) where I worked for almost 15 years, the owner had (has?) a dream of making titanium bicycle chains for competitors. He has the latest CNC machining centers there. Yet even he says that this would make the chains cost more than $4000 apiece if they machined the parts to make a 140-link chain, as it wears out the cutter bits so fast. I asked him if he would like to prototype a 100-link #530 chain for my Honda to test his theory, but I never could get him to start on it....

[kmb69]

Mark, your next post will be #7414. How ironic.

Most Titanium, excepting the Beta C alloy, is readily machined. Comes in bar, plate, tubing, and other shapes.

This guy's parts look really nice. I am going to buy a set and check them out. If they meet the required dimensional tolerances, they will be a very good buy.

Off to eBay to buy a set. Will post my findings.

No Buy it Now on eBay. Actually bought them for a few bucks less off his website.

[5thofhonda]

If I had money to throw around, I'd gladly give them a shot. Keep me posted when you get yours.

[Retro Rocket]

Mark, your next post will be #7414. How ironic.

Most Titanium, excepting the Beta C alloy, is readily machined. Comes in bar, plate, tubing, and other shapes.

This guy's parts look really nice. I am going to buy a set and check them out. If they meet the required dimensional tolerances, they will be a very good buy.

Off to eBay to buy a set. Will post my findings.

No Buy it Now on eBay. Actually bought them for a few bucks less off his website.

Yes, keep us updated, I could do with a couple of sets of these, could be a good find...

[754]

It's not the worst to machine...but the material. Cost is way higher than aluminum or CroMo.
Mark I have never heard of machined chain..sideplates are usually. Stamped.. Cheapest method..

Probably 10 or more a minute on a single die.... Way higher on multiple dies..

[kmb69]

It's not the worst to machine...but the material. Cost is way higher than aluminum or CroMo.
Mark I have never heard of machined chain..sideplates are usually. Stamped.. Cheapest method..

Probably 10 or more a minute on a single die.... Way higher on multiple dies..

Ditto Frank.

Not to mention that since Titanium galls badly against most other materials, especially itself, it would be a poor choice for chain material IMHO. It requires special coatings to prevent galling.

[cb750k2JP]

So did anyone find out if these are good find?
I bought a set and using it on my engine build.
I can't tell if it's good or not.
If anyone have a set let me know your opinions.

Thanks in advance.