If we have To guess the secret to Rough Craft’s meteoric success, we’ll go with consistency. Frontman Winston Yeh’s dedication to his signature aesthetic is unwavering, he uses the same talented craftsmen for every project, and he only sources components from a carefully selected group of top companies. One of those companies is carbon wheel specialist TEK Black Stone—commonly referred to as BST.
Winston first used BST carbon fibre wheels on ‘Jab Launcher’ [below]—a performance-focused Ducati Scrambler cafe racer. The carbon fiber wheels’ styling matches the bike’s blacked-out look, and their low weight adds to the lightness.
Select Wheel of the Collection Specifically, it was “an obvious one,” according to Winston. “They’re the best carbon fiber motorcycle wheels out there, plus they come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit my needs.” (When asked why he’s never switched to another carbon fiber wheel brand, he just joked, “same as above.”)
The Jab Launcher is fitted with BST’s Mamba Tek wheels, measuring 17×3.5” up front and 17×6” out back. The Mamba Tek is a classic seven-spoke design, primarily designed for superbikes, drag racers and touring bikes. The rear wheels come in ‘regular’ and ‘offset’ options; Rough Crafts chose the latter to match the single-sided Ducati Monster swingarm they installed on the bike.
The Mamba Tek rear wheel is a beautiful thing on its own; its seven-spoke design looks almost sports car-like. That’s no coincidence—BST is also well versed in the art of automotive wheel construction, providing custom wheels to prestigious boutique brands like Ariel and Donkervoort.
Founded in Johannesburg, South Africa 23 years ago by Gary Turner and Terry Annecke, Blackstone TEK is a pioneer in the carbon fiber industry. Their wheels feature a hollow spoke design, using a pre-preg carbon fiber process borrowed from the aerospace industry. They are incredibly light (the Mamba Tek front wheel weighs just 2.75 kg). [6.06 lbs]), but they also meet DOT E, JWL and TÜV standards, alleviating any concerns about carbon fiber parts being fragile.
BST makes a number of off-the-shelf options, some of which you’ll find on production bikes from MV Agusta, Norton and Arch Motorcycle. But they also make custom wheels for industry giants like Ducati.
If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle with carbon fiber wheels, you know the positive impact they have on acceleration, braking, and handling—even if you’re not an expert. “I’m not the best rider,” Winston admits, “but even I can immediately notice the improved response and handling. Even just pushing the bike out of the garage, you can feel the difference.”
These benefits—and the sharp look of the BST rim—are why they’re often found in Rough Crafts’ more performance-oriented builds. The Mamba Tek can also be seen in the shop. ‘The Battle of Bologna’ Ducati Monster 821 and ‘Flat Titanium’ Ducati XDiavel S.
Other BST-equipped Ducati Rough Crafts builds include ‘Fire Slicer’ Hypermotard 939 and ‘The Peak Attack’ Monster 1200S [above]Both bikes use BST’s Rapid Tek split spoke rims, designed for superbikes and large V-twin motorcycles.
Because of his noise ‘Oriental Hook’ Honda CB1100 RS [above]Winston has opted for the classic five-spoke design of the Twin Tek collection. Originally designed for cruisers and scramblers, this is a simple wheel that will suit almost any style of bike.
Fitting carbon fiber wheels to high-performance Ducatis and neo-retro cafe racers is an obvious move, but Winston has been injecting a similar performance feel into Harley-Davidson custom bikes lately. “I’m obsessed with the idea of ‘neo-retro,’ ‘retro performance,’ or whatever you want to call it. Being able to combine something as cutting-edge as carbon fiber wheels with a retro-inspired custom build is a huge plus.”
The best example of this approach is ‘Lord Crow’ [above]—a custom Harley-Davidson Fat Boy that can best be described as a high-performance bobber. Winston equipped it with Öhlins suspension, Beringer brakes, a Rebuffini transmission, and a special set of BST wheels.
The front wheel is a Twin Tek product from the brand’s catalog, measuring 3.5×21”. But the 8.0×17” carbon fiber rear wheel is definitely unique. It’s an older design that BST no longer makes, but they still have the mold for—so they made it specifically for this build.
Winston’s clients know he’s discerning, which is why they often leave the finer details of each project up to him. “I usually decide what parts go on the bike,” he explains. “And as long as modern performance is part of the theme, I’ll budget for a BST—it really makes a big statement.”
Produced in collaboration with TEK Black Stone | Facebook | Instagram | Raw Craft | Image of JL Photography and BST
