Marketing A Tool

Any folks here actively involved in such a pursuit?

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What tool did you have in mind ? I think the main issue will be convincing a manufacturer there is a market in sufficient volume for it to be cost effective 

Agreed, but the usefulness and market interest should be well evaluated before approaching a manufacturer, correct?

Would also need to determine what material is suitable for the tool to be made from...

At this point the functional prototype material is primarily aluminum, but that part of the tool could possibly be 3-D printed...

Might be getting ahead of myself, but this is exactly where I am with the tool that permitted me to find the valve guide issue in the video  below:

photos.app.goo.gl/sQsvTUhpmbzRVYVh8


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I don't have any collegiate higher learning paperwork to plagiarize from Daveo so nothing fancy in Marketing Terminology. Really just common sense things you've surely already considered. I've only had one "Job", having to file a W-2/W-9, in my entire life. Restaurant job when i was maybe 15/16yrs old. So i've been marketing my whole life under no supervision, scary at times for sure. So just consider what influence your "tool" will have with the end user. It's comparative perhaps already produced similiar "tool" or technique that may not require it. It's Mass Appeal of potential buyers that will justify all the incurred set-up and production costs per unit. Most production shops require a minimum run cost, that cost can be substantial! You might consider, if a totally unique/beneficial twist on whatever application, a Patent Pending application. While just a provisional piece of paper filed thru the USPTO it does carry some weight or dates your original concept. I had one for a polymer based replacement of asphalt/concrete 20 some years ago. Not too hard to do considering i'm not that intelligent and did it ha. Selling to end-user. That is the tricky one! Who would be using your tool? If too specific to one particular dated model/machine you won't have much of a market..period. But overall, keep R&Ding and having fun. More "professional" help can be sought at a minimal cost thru seminars offered thru a program called SCORE. Service Core of Retired Executives.            

This tool facilitates valve spring and seal access while the engine remains assembled in the frame with the camshafts removed.

Designed for a KZ1100 J-motor,  it should likewise work on others with a similar valve train configuration.

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Build it and they will come a knocking Daveo! I'm sure you've considered the advantages/disadvantages of this compared to just removing the head since valvetrain has already been dropped out. As you're aware a simple valve guide seal renew is often just the tip of the iceberg of other needed valve guides and valve seating issues. From my experiences "just" having to replace seal(s) wouldn't of fixed anything on these 4cyls. But keep experimenting, i know i do all the time. Not all things are covered in a FSM. My distain for paper gaskets used on the VM Mikuni carbs has lead me to this resolve. Not anything to really Patent but more of a modification of existing bits to fend off those weeping original gaskets that leave brown stains down your float bowls. Have Fun Daveo!!         

Nice solution for the gasket problem.

O-rings may be ideally suited for my tool as well, but that would require having grooves machined...which probably is not a big deal.

I would seriously consider replacing old valve springs and seals if a feasy method (short of head removal) was available...

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Cylinder 3 exhaust

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...Come to think of it, might swap these in the next time I'm under cover...


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I like the simple but effective nature of it

Nice and tidy Daveo! Thought it was going to be more elaborate?  Want some of those keeper retainers in Blue hehe.

Can't seem to shake the good feelings I have about this tool...

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