If we had to guess the secret to Rough Craft’s blistering success, we’d go with consistency. Frontman Winston Yeh’s dedication to his signature aesthetic is unwavering, he employs the same talented craftsmen on every project, and he only uses parts from a carefully curated pool of top-shelf companies. One of those companies is the carbon wheel specialist Blackstone TEK—commonly known as BST.
Winston first used BST carbon fiber wheels on ‘Jab Launcher’ [below]—a Ducati Scrambler café racer with an emphasis on performance. The look of carbon fiber wheels matched the sleek black look of the bike, and their low weight helped to add lightness.
Picking BST’s wheels specifically was “a no-brainer,” according to Winston. “It’s the best carbon fiber motorcycle wheel that exists, plus they have many different sizes and styles to fit my needs.” (When asked why he’s never switched to another brand of carbon fiber wheel, he simply quips “same as above.”)
Jab Launcher was specced with BST’s Mamba Tek wheels, measuring 17×3.5” at the front and a beefy 17×6” at the back. The Mamba Tek is a classic seven-spoke design, primarily designed for superbikes, drag racers, and touring bikes. The rear wheel comes in ‘conventional’ and ‘offset’ options; Rough Crafts picked the latter to match the single-sided Ducati Monster swingarm that they had fitted to the bike.
The single-sided Mamba Tek rear wheel is a thing of beauty; its seven-spoke design appears almost sports car-like. That’s no accident either—BST is also well-versed in the art of automotive wheel building, and supplies bespoke 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’re impossibly light (the Mamba Tek front wheel weighs a paltry 2.75 kg [6.06 lbs]), but they also meet with DOT E, JWL, and TÜV standards, dispelling any fears of carbon fiber parts being fragile.
BST produces several off-the-shelf options, some of which you’ll find on production bikes from MV Agusta, Norton, and Arch Motorcycle. But they also produce wheels to spec for industry heavyweights like Ducati.
If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle with carbon fiber wheels, you’ll know the positive effect 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 tell instantly the responsiveness and handling are improved. Even just pushing the bike out of the garage, you can feel the difference.”
These benefits—and the sharp look of BST’s rims—are why they often find their way onto Rough Crafts’ more performance-orientated builds. The Mamba Tek can also be seen on the shop’s ‘Bologna Dogfight’ Ducati Monster 821 and ‘Flatout Titan’ Ducati XDiavel S.
Other BST-equipped Rough Crafts Ducati builds include the ‘Igneous Ripper’ Hypermotard 939 and ‘Apex Assault’ Monster 1200S [above]. Both of those bikes use BST’s split-spoke Rapid Tek hoops, designed for superbikes and hopped-up V-twins.
For his rowdy ‘Oriental Uppercut’ Honda CB1100 RS [above], Winston opted for the classic five-spoke design of the BST Twin Tek. Originally designed for cruisers and scrambler builds, it’s an understated wheel that’ll suit just about any build.
Putting carbon fiber wheels on high-performing Ducatis and neo-retro café racers is an obvious move, but Winston has been imbuing Harley-Davidson customs with that same performance vibe of late. “I’m obsessed with the idea of ‘neo-vintage,’ ‘performance retro,’ or whatever you want to call it. Being able to mix something cutting-edge like carbon fiber wheels with a vintage-styled custom build is a big plus.”
The best example of this approach is ‘Sovereign Raven’ [above]—a custom Harley-Davidson Fat Boy that can best be described as a performance bobber. Winston fitted it with Öhlins suspension, Beringer brakes, Rebuffini switchgear, and a special set of BST wheels.
The front wheel is the brand’s catalog Twin Tek item, measuring 3.5×21”. But the solid 8.0×17” carbon fiber rear wheel is a one-off. It’s an older design that BST no longer produces, but still has the mold for—so they whipped it up especially for this build.
Winston’s discernment is well known by his clients, which is why they often leave the minutiae of each project up to his discretion. “I usually decide what parts to use on the bikes,” he explains. “And as long as modern performance is part of the theme, I’ll squeeze the budget for a set of BSTs—it really does make a big statement.”
Produced in partnership with Blackstone TEK | Facebook | Instagram | Rough Crafts | Images by JL Photography and BST
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