Handy tips that may Help you out in a Pinch.

Posted on February 22, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

22 Feb

Hello All

Many people email me about issues that have and if I can help or advise on how to get something removed from a bike and most of the time I have an answer, I have been doing this as a kid and now 54 years young- I am still learning, but here are a few tips that may help u, sorry for the quality but I was just using my I-Phone, but- You get the concept.
Below is just an easy tip on how I remove any Nut or Bolt that is so tight, I cant move it by hand, many of you work at home in the Shed or garage and this can really help big time in these predicaments.

Below is a 2 parts as I couldnt hold the wrench and video on my phone at the same time but you will see that I rebuild Many HONDA CB750’s and A lot of Customers ask me how I remove the rear wheel Bearing retainer, as you have to do this to be able to get the Roller Bearing out.
So here is what I do.

Part 2 as I kept dropping the wrench Ha Ha Ha.

Thanks for watching, hope it helped out?

Totti Motori is a great builder from Italy

Posted on February 21, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

21 Feb

Roberto Totti of Bologna is one of Italy’s most prolific custom bike builders, and he’s been getting a lot of attention lately on the interwebs. One of his latest motorcycles is the 1508 Hot Rod, inspired by American custom cars from the 1960s. (The 1508 comes from the date the frame was built, 15 August.) The 750cc engine comes from a Triumph T120, with the head apparently turned 180 degrees to maintain pressure in the carburettors.

The Bonneville T120 was Edward Turner’s last production design at Triumph (in retirement Turner designed the Triumph Bandit/BSA Fury which did not pass the prototype stage before BSA went under). The new motorcycle was conceived and developed so quickly that it was not included in the 1959 Triumph catalogue. With a 649 cc (39.6 cu in) parallel-twin (two-cylinder) engine the T120 was based on the Triumph Tiger T110 and was fitted with the Tiger’s optional twin 1 3/16 in Amal monobloc carburettors as standard, along with that model’s high-performance inlet camshaft. Launched in 1959 by Triumph as “The Best Motorcycle in the World”, the Bonneville T120 was aimed mainly at the lucrative US market where enthusiasts were demanding extra performance.

Initially produced with a pre-unit construction engine which enabled the bike to achieve 115 mph (185 km/h) without further modification, the power tended to induce high speed wobbles from the single downtube frame,so in 1963 a stiffer and more compact unit construction model was introduced, with additional bracing at the steering head and swinging arm.The steering angle was altered and improved forks were fitted a couple of years later, which, together with the increased stiffness enabled overall performance to match that of the Bonneville’s rivals.

In 1967 Triumph posted its most successful year in the United States with an estimated 28,000 T120s sold,.In 1968 the T120 gained a new and more reliable ignition system. From 1971, T120 models used a new frame which contained the engine oil instead of using a separate tank (this became known as the oil in frame/’OIF’ version). A five-speed gearbox finally was fully available by 1972, but competition from larger-capacity motorcycles led to the T120 being superseded by the 750 cc Bonneville T140.

Production of the 650 continued until 1973, when the workers at Triumph’s Meriden headquarters staged a sit-in until 1975. In 1974 fewer than 1000 of the 650cc assembled machines were released by the workers, with another 38 in 1975. Production of the T120 was not resumed following the sit-in, the Meriden Motorcycle Co-Operative created after the dispute concentrating upon the 750cc twins instead. In the Harry Potter Films,on was used as Rubeus Hagrid’s’s Flying Motorbike.

This sure is a classic look yet so different to many out there. Below is yet another style.

Looking forward to seeing more of his creations.

TON UP GARAGE HOT ROD TRIUMPH – Awesome Machine –

Posted on February 20, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

20 Feb

Daniel and Pedro are the names behind Ton-Up Garage, one of Portugal’s leading custom bike builders, two guys who consider themselves total petrolheads, loving anything with an engine. Being able to draw influences from all aspects of motoring allowed Daniel and Pedro to come up with the ‘Hot-Rod’, a truly fantastic custom Triumph Bonneville.

A Classic Twin finding it’s influences in the “crazy years between the 30s and 50s, the golden era off Hot Rodding”. A refreshing custom born into a scene which could be described as a little stagnant – though no sports bike, this air cooled Triumph embodies a need for speed, fast acceleration and hold on tight thrill seeking.

The Hot Rod’s side-on profile is something to behold, low and beautifully sculpted. It’s clear the frame has been shortened and looped, tightening up the Bonneville’s lines. The air/battery box has been removed, as have any redundant brackets, leaving behind the desired exposed frame – now finished in silver, visually lightening this hot rodded Triumph Twin.

Many agree that the early carb model Hinckley Triumph Twin is the pick of the bunch, technically simple and tuneable with the most basic of tools. That simplicity allowed for the swopping of the tank for a much lower and more streamline custom item, which not just hugs the cam cover of the 865cc engine, but envelops it – a tank finished in a classic paint scheme, described as creating a sensation of movement.

The custom seat cowl is upholstered in black leather and grey trim, and continues the lines to the rear of the Triumph, enveloping the new frame loop before culminating in a small stop and tail light. Under which is the new custom made battery box containing a lithium battery, and the Twins minimal electrical system, which now includes a RFID keyless ignition system.

Usually the unsightly rectifier can be found strapped to the Triumph Twins bottom yoke, on display like some sort of homage to half arsed design. Many relocate the rectifier to the frame rail where it can stay cool, but isn’t as unsightly – but here on the Hot Rod the unit has been upgraded and moved to under the seat cowl, protected from what the 18” rear wheel, wrapped in Firestone Deluxe Champions throws up by a custom made mudguard/numberplate holder suspended millimetres off the rear tire.

At the front is a matching 18” wheel, again wrapped in retro Firestone rubber, with the dust being kept off the classic bottom mounted 5¾” headlight, and out of the riders face by a custom bobbed mudguard. Up top is a Motogadget Tiny speedo, telling the rider all he need know at speed, which leads us on to the handlebars, a specific choice as Daniel and Pedro dint want “to use the most common models…”These were fitted with custom CnC’d grips, capped with Motogadget M-Blaze indicators.

Switches on this build have been kept to a minimum, with the stock items being replaced by micro switches, with a big red start button being fed through the steering stem, finishing the controls are a set of retro cable brake and clutch levers, with the brake lever operating the hydraulic system hidden under the tank.

The rear brake also operates differently, rather than being fed under and along the swing-arm, its being fed through the swing-arms hollow spindle bolts, located just forward of the new rear sets and serrated foot-pegs, and out the other side and down to the rear brake calliper. “We’ve tried to have a lot of technical details different from previous models, we’ve built and have the bike as clean as possible. These are new challenges we give to ourselves to go further on the builds we do”.

The Air-Cooled 865cc carb fed engine hasn’t missed out, being fitted with a classical styled stainless steel exhausts system and velocity stacks painted white to match the tank and seat cowl. The stock sprocket cover has thankfully been replaced by a custom item featuring a cut-out Ton Up logo. A much needed suspension upgrade finishes the Hot rod off, being fitted with a set of Öhlins shocks and springs.

A fantastic and attractive build by Daniel and Pedro, demonstrating that custom builders on the continent are leading the way when it comes to modifying the Hinckley Triumph Twin!

From Bonnefication.

Bimota CB750 Honda SOHC INLINE FOUR

Posted on February 19, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

19 Feb

In September 1972, Massimo Tamburini crashed his Honda 750 Four at the Misano racetrack. The accident left him with three broken ribs. If the accident hadn’t occurred, Bimota may never have come into existence. While Massimo was recuperating, he constructed a tubular steel frame that could withstand the horsepower being produced by the big Japanese manufacturer’s engines. The frame Massimo constructed lowered the center of gravity and reduced the weight of the original Honda. With the creation of the HB1, the Bimota was born. Only ten of these bikes were ever produced.

The Bimota name was derived from its founder’s initials; Bianchi, Morri and Tamburini. However, it was the enthusiasm and engineering excellence of Massimo Tamburini that carried the Company to success. In the 1970s, Bimota produced racing frames that caught the attention of serious bike racers. Frames such as the YB1, YB2, YB3 and HDB1, HDB2 and SB1, were of superior quality and the perception of what a racing bike should be was changed forever.

Only 10 of the HB1 were built. None of them was designed to be street legal, they were all meant to be race bikes. The mos it beginst famous driver was Luigi Anelli, who raced a HB1 in 1973. Today, this is probably the most sought after special framed Honda CB 750 SOHC/4 bike.

………..now it begins.

1975 Bimota HB1 Clone

1 of 1 and only one in USA

Article by James McBride Silodrome

Article by Chris Hunter Bikeexif

Photography by Ryan Handt Ryan Handt

Carbon Fiber version or Original white

Completed Sept 27, 2016

Lots detail on my Instagram

Bimota HB1 (Honda – Bimota 1) CB750 Clone

Bimota’s first Japanese / Italian hybrid

HB1 custom frame by Framecrafters

Carbon fiber tank, Seat fender and front fender

Over 50 custom designed parts all hand made

This is a true Stressed-member frame.

Photo below is of 1 of only 10 original Bimota HB1 750 ever built from BX-1 kit.

It appears there may only be 4 in existence and this clone.

Specifications:

Engine:

Engine CB750K4 1974

Honda CB750 Engine 100% Rebuilt

Engine detailed by Rob

Megacycle Cam

K&N Air Filter

Custom Oil Pressure Gauge by Rob

Custom oil tank by Ian Halcott Twinline Motorcycles

Custom oil lines with custom CNC engine adaptors by Rob

Dynatek Electronic Ignition

4X4 Custom Mandrel bent exhaust with hand bent megaphone silencers, Magni Style

Custom CNC exhaust hangers by Rob

Titanium and Stainless Steel fasteners

Frame:

Custom HB1 stressed-member frame by FrameCrafters.net , CNC frame parts by Rob

HB1 Carbon Fiber tank

Ducati petcocks

Carbon Fiber seat with leather upholstery and tail glove compartment

Carbon Fiber front fender

Paint and decals as original

Custom front and rear axles

Original type custom CNC eccentric chain adjuster by Rob

Custom axle spacer by Rob

Custom CNC brake disc spacers by Rob

Suspension +

Marzocchi shocks

Brembo front calipers

Caliper mounts designed and CNC by Rob

Dual front disc brakes with modified hub by Rob

Drilled rotors by Rob

Brembo caliper – rear disc brakes

Brembo rear master cylinder

Brembo master cylinder mount by Rob

New CB750 Front brake master cylinder

Custom made brake lines front and rear by Hel Performance

Fully tuneable Ceriani GP35R forks

Custom adjustable offset triple tree, 45mm +/- 2.5mm or +/- 5mm by Rob

Tommaselli Clip-Ons

Tarozzi rear sets

Custom shift and brake rods by Rob

Excel Aluminum shoulder rim

Stainless Steel spokes by Buchanan

Bridgestone BT45 tires

Road race grips

Electrical

MotoGadget M-Unit with Custom wiring

Micro Processor operated supervised circuits
Hazard warning lights
Internal fusing with current monitoring with automatic circuit shut down
Semiconductor switching
Automatic turn signal shut-off
Programmable flasher Digital brake light modulator with flashing sequence
Integrated Starter relay Automatic headlight turn off during starter routine
Integrated horn relay
Integrated alarm system
LED circuit indicators for active circuits

Ceriani headlight mount with integrated led turn signals

Custom Front Led turn signals by Rob

Classic tail light housing with LED lighting and signals

Original CB750 headlight with Halogen Tri-Bar lamp

Original CB750 Handle bar controls

Original CB750 Tachometer with custom Bimota HB1 dial by Rob

Dakota Digital Speedometer

Custom Dashboard and indicators by Rob

Anti-Gravity lithium battery

Custom CNC battery/solenoid tray by Rob

Solid State regulator/rectifier integrated into custom CNC starter cover

This is original Bimota HB1

So much great professional work and a Killer Motor, this will ride and handle like any Race bike and a rare sight to see these days, below is more photos of this superb Bimota to make your day go by a little easier Just check the photos below in the Gallery. From Husky Restorations.

Tech Tip, how to Undo Tight Bolt by Hand.

Posted on February 17, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

17 Feb

Hey there, happy Friday to you all from an actually Rainy Southern California, something that is quite rare these days but we need to rain so I dont mind the H20 coming down in buckets right now.

So- As to make the most of this wet day I had a few things that I needed to do and one of them was to take an old Sprocket and chain Guard off a CB750K rear Hub.

Now- many people ask me for a few tips and I shall be answering a few of these questions over the next few days in blogs etc, but today I had to remove these parts of the Rear wheel Hub and the nuts on here were factory tightened.

Now, if you have no air tools and the Nuts on the hub or anything that you need to remove are tighter than a Scotsman Wallet, then, here is a little trick I do when I need to get something that tight undone and using minimum tools.

I use my regular socket and wrench and then I grab an old Fork tube and slip that over the wrench handle.

This Leverage now produces close to 2 Tons of pressure and is known as a Fulcrum.

This has worked for me for over 40 years now, my old man taught me and you may know an easier way if you don’t have power tools, but for me it is so easy to do and wanted to share today.
This works on ANYTHING, give it a go, you will surprise yourself.

Thanks for watching and have a great weekend.

A quick look at the bikes of Yester -Year when I was a teenager.

Posted on February 16, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

16 Feb

Well, seeing as it is Throw Back Thursday, here is a great little video of some super bikes of the day, I am sure that many of you will remember most of these unique machines that scared the crap out of you when you wound the throttle on.

Happy Monday, Here’s some cool Video’s

Posted on February 13, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

13 Feb

Wow- Monday already and I guess it was a hard start for you lot today as it was for me too, and I think today I shall continue with a few more videos to try and help your workday fly by, or at least give you something different to look at on your lunch break etc.

Below is a video from back in the day about road safety, always fun to watch as our machines have changed a lot , as well as the traffic speeds too.

It is from Los Angeles in the 1960’s and boy, to see no traffic in the towns is weird these days, it also makes me laugh when the public service film and the AMA both tell you to. “Dress Neatly” as they want you to give a good impression to your neighbors. ha ha ha

And how about this, some rare footage called “Rode Safely” This was filmed back in 1955 in Liverpool, and its some cool footage to watch on a Monday and shows how things were so much different back then, compared to today’s traffic and Laws etc.

I had to laugh at the “staged crashes” and the Old style of hand signals that have changed in the highway Code back home. This is as funny as hell to watch and I am certain that these 13 minutes will have you cracking up.

Onto part 2 now of “Rode Safely”

16 minutes of awesome footage, and for me this was thoroughly entertaining, showing me what Back home like in 1955, when there was only half a million Motorcycles being ridden on the British roads.

Enjoy

Be safe out there but you don’t have to dress neatly OK? LOL.

The Leather Boys

Posted on February 11, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

11 Feb

An old iconic movie that is worth a watch once at least, just for the bikes, birds, and the Clothes and music as well as the Burn ups.

Dot (Rita Tushingham) is a girl who marries motorcycle maven Reggie (Colin Campbell) to escape her parents’ influence.

The marriage gets off to a rocky start and completely slides downhill after the honeymoon is plagued by bad weather.

Dot refuses to have anything to do with household responsibilities and cooks only canned beans.

Reggie loses interest in sex with Dot because of her actions, and after moving in with his grandmother, he begins to hang around Pete (Dudley Sutton). The two friends ride their motorcycles and begin to spend even more time together, and eventually Reggie realizes that Pete is a homosexual.

Dot tells Reggie she is pregnant in an attempt to get him back — with no result, but when Reggie comes home to find his wife in bed with another man, he decides to go off to sea with Pete.

Pete leaves Reggie shaken and alone when he goes off with a group of sailors out to satisfy their same-sex lust. The film was controversial at the time of its initial release. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

The movie is very dated but back then was very unique, I like the Ace Cafe parts and the riding, the acting stinks but it was a B movie but great music and clothes too.

Ton up boys

Posted on February 10, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

10 Feb

Well, every now and again I will post some articles or some video of the Rockers etc back from where i was born in London as people ask me about the History of the Ton Up Cafe Racers.

So here are a few videos for you to tide you over the weekend.

Have fun on your machine.

The Glory days.

Litle Movie for you.

My mate roland sands and what he does.

Over the water to Brazil now.

Something a little different.

And now for something a little more out there!!!!

More History for you.