Steel Hand Bent Hoops for your frame

Happy Friday and hope that this Blog finds you well, happy and ready to tackle fitting a hoop to your frame .

I have been manufacturing these hoops for about 6 years now and sold over 500 of these flat ones and I also offer a 22 degree Kick up version too, these are for the Honda CB750 SOHC but will fit the CB500 right up to the DOHC cb750 frames, look on my parts pages and you will see both style of frame hoops.

Real easy to do too, simply cut off where you want the frame shortened but allowing for the length of hoop you require, cut frame tubes off and then hog inside of tubing to allow for my inserts to fit, then lay the hoop flush against the frame and determine how long or short you want the hoop, I make them 12 inches long to allow many different choices to cut off.

 

Cut hoop to required size and simply tap onto the insert until it butt joins, then simply weld the seam and for me I usually drill a small hole other side of the frame so I can see the insert and then spot weld that, and you are done.

I did it to this bike that I purchased from the Vesco family and the hoop suited this 1974 CB750K and was so easy to fit and weld up .

I chose to weld the tail light and license plate assembly to the back of the hoop for a more Custom look and clean the rear end up and have no clutter.

Looking good now and I am glad that I went this route on the bike, it was a fun build that I created at home in my garage.

The frame is more rigid than it was stock with the hoop welded in place and give the chassis a more refined look I think.

I was super pleased at the speed I could create this Custom Honda 750 and many people comment on this special build that I did for the OG show in LA earlier in the year.

I actually drilled a hole on the tubing to allow me to feed the wires of the light into the frame and come out on the side rails near to the harness, so a neater, cleaner look all around.

I enjoy using these frame hoops and there are 2 style to choose from and by me, not some oversea’s nasty stuff that you see on ebay etc, that is not made by Motorcycle enthusiasts.

So there you go, if you need frame hoops for your project, you know where to go now, these work great and designed by me right here in Southern California. Thanks for looking.

I also ship same day and Globally too, all of them come with a pair of inserts too.

Paignton Sea Front weekly Bike show by BMAD back home where I lived for a while and shows still going.

Well, back in my old seaside town where I resided for a few years in the south of the country, started a great Motorcycle fraternity up called BMAD, (Bikers, Make A Difference).

First founded By Kelvin and Jane Halloran in 2003, this event and meetings have continued to grow and function as a very successful meeting in Paignton Seafront, attracting many of the public to come and look at these great two wheeled machines and also the main objective is that it raises money to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children, also other worthy causes and charities within the TQ postcode area.


Funds are raised by hosting a three day festival on Paignton Esplanade over the May Day Bank Holiday (fri-sun), this includes live music, traders and of course bikes, Trikes and scooters!
We host 18 bike nights also on the Esplanade, these take place every Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm from the beginning of June through to the end of September, we are fully supported by bikers who make a donation on the gate for themselves and a pillion if applicable. Collection buckets are available for pedestrians to donate should they wish.

 


All monies raised by BMAD are used for charitable causes and all volunteers are unpaid.

General Information
We hold bike nights every Wednesday evening between the start of June and the end of September. Bikers donate £1:00 per person at the gate to park on the Esplanade and enjoy our bike night event.

In addition we hold a Bike Festival over the first May Bank Holiday weekend (fri-sun) and I have been to that a few years ago when I took a trip home as our MUM was dying from Cancer, that place was so cool, people remembered me from 30 years ago and it was like I had never left the Torbay area.

This bike meeting is always popular come rain or shine, the time I went , the weather was blowing hard, the air was colder than an Eskimo’s fridge and the H2o was starting to get stronger, but- everyone just enjoyed their-selves and rightly so, you cant let weather stop you from enjoying what you have a passion for.
What I love about it is that there is Old and New, so like Forrest Gump saying that life is like a Box of chocolates, Paignton sea front BMAD show is the same, as you just never know what you are going to get and as we look here a Cool Kawasaki 400 and the ring and ding ding of the RD400 and in restored condition, I can almost smell the Castrol R from here in California.
Road bikes, Classics and Customs, like this Bobber, there is always something for everyone and no attitudes either, a bang on meet up that others should learn from to be honest.
Mission
Our mission is to raise funds for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children within the TQ postcode area, to support local charities and other worthy causes.
This show is maybe 5 minutes walk from my old apartment and I used to love to walk along the seafront, buy a bag of fish and chips ans check all the bikes out along Paignton green.
Like I said, there is something for everyone, even this Lambretta got plenty of attention, mind you, many will not know what this model is, unless you are into Hair dryer Motors.
Good ole Motor Morini with Megaphones, as a teenager I loved to hear the sound of these V twins belting a long with their distinct roar.
So, a section for the Scooters were available, making this meet up a super friendly event and some rare ones at that.
The good Old 500. I had one of these in Blue, my first BIG bike, I traded it for a SL125 Honda and Ran a muck around East Anglia on it for a long time, those expansion chambers still ringing in my ears today!
Perfect pre unit that I would love to own too, hats off to the fella for bringing such a tasty treat along to this event, see if you can make the next one?
The meet up on the seafront is July 17th at 6pm Paignton seafront, hope you can make it and send me some cool pics.

The Orange Crate is a Project bike a Customer Just dropped off.

Well, working for yourself does have its advantages for sure, although, everyday can be a Monday, but having no clocking in machine and no boss to scream at you, out weighs the negatives that sometimes will come up being self employed.

The days sure do fly by and already its hump day, I have much to do and today I had a customer come round with his trailer and unload a project he picked up locally for a really cheap price, it is a 1977 CB750K Model, and he wants to get it running and get his license for AHMRA racing, and if he does, then he can hop the motor up and go for the Sportsman Class of racing.

Long way to go as yet but it is now unloaded and on my drive way and I have to now asses the situation and see what this may need, just to try and get running, and already I can see it does need a few things, like coils, plugs, exhaust, battery and ignitions switch etc.

I can see already that there will be issues, as there are no bolts on the clutch housing, other than a stock phillips head, so that will need some inspection to see why that is like that.

The Orange crush will be a strong bike once it is completed, it has had a long hard life but I am certain that if the motor runs, everything else is cake.

Needs some electrical to get to the stage where I can kick it in the guts and hear the motor roar into life but by next week I will have enough New parts to get this to a stage of seeing what happens when I fire this old 77 Puppy back up.

Customer is eager to have fun and get his knee down at Willow Springs , as AHRMA is a fun but competitive series and these old 500 pounders love to race.

First issue I see is that, at one time, this 77 threw a chain and it spooled up and smashed the casing open, a common thing on a badly adjusted chain and Honda used to sell replacement cases until they went to a 17 tooth sprocket. And the quick fix, if you could get the bits out of the gearbox, was to use JB weld, and this has that treatment. These run 50 pound pressure and may hold up but, until I get it all running, I cant tell, but will keep you all posted as I know you may of seen many like this, I know I have and they have lasted for years.

Some parts needed are Battery, Coils, Plugs, exhaust and ignition switch etc but all available through me LOL!

This 77 does have 74 forks on it but a 77 rim, although the rim is too wide for AHRMA so will run an earlier rim to cover that issue and of course add brakes etc.

This does need some work but an interesting challenge, I do not know the history of this and will need to investigate more but its nice that people come along with different projects and hopefully not only resurrect this big old 500 pounder, but get to watch it race around the track with other inline four nutters, stay tuned……

Summer is here and time to get back on 2 wheels

We are so lucky here in Southern California, we are blessed with Sunny days most of the year round, albeit the price we pay is we get Earthquakes and we got a couple of big buggers on July 4th and 5th, with a few aftershocks on their way.

But other than that, we are fortunate to have year round riding weather, but thats not the case for most of the other parts of the USA and the world etc, especially places like Canada etr.  They have a very short riding season and its this time of year that many riders are slinging their legs over the two wheeled creations and pounding the tarmac.

If you need parts, well I am here for you all, as well as any enquiries as to how to hopefully come up with an answer to a frustrating system on the bike, maybe Carburettor issue ? Bad coils? or what oil and plugs do you recommend etc.

 

My job is to help you get your machione on the road for the first time or, for the millionth time again, its all good and this really is the best time of year for the two wheeled industry.

I love what I do and if I can help you get you back on the road, then I am a happy Bloke, I can help you with many parts, I have been doing these cool Vintage Stke Tuck n Roll seat assemblys for the K series Honda’s for many years and they turn our great, fit well and are comfortable, but more than anything, made by me right here in California USA!

So, have a great Tuesday and if you need help you can email me at carpy@carpyscaferacers.com or even Text me on the same number for a faster response. I ship out the same day if I have the part in stock too.

I make parts for Triumphs too, so stay tuned to the website if you have a Twinline Motorcycle and need help with that as well, this seat style I make for the HONDA and the TRIUMPH and was the first to do this style many years ago and continue to push the enevelope in making new parts for the bikes out there .

Thanks for reading my Blog today, I try and keep you up to date with whats going on, if you have a 350 to a 1000 I can usually accomidate you and get you back on the road fast, but i also have a passion for Motorcycles, been into these bkes for decades and thats where I get a lot of experience from as I have ridden them for so long.

Have a fun Tuesday and hopefully you get some time to wrench or ride on your favorite machine out there.

 

Love what I do here in my Garage

Been doing this for close to 20 years now here in Southern California, always fun and challenging to say the least- I have lost count of the thousands of orders I have managed to be lucky enough to generate, through you people, I am stoked that you enjoy my blogs and my parts, as well as builds and my reply to emails when you are stuck with your bike.

I continue to push the proverbial envelope in this great and very competitive market that has now emerged in the two wheeled lifestyle, and its great to receive word from well known companies that let me know that I in some way have inspired them not to give up and keep trying.

I am trying to make more parts and stay tuned to my website as as soon as they are ready i shall do a quick Blog to show you have they fit and look etc and then put on the website to make available to you right away.

Thanks for all the great emails and texts etc, I am busy with a number of things, from Vapor Honing parts, to polishing and chroming, as well as making new parts, drilling hubs and working on my Vintage Hot rod too, never a dull life here in La Mirada thats for sure. Thank you again and as we enter into the 243rd year of this Great Country- I wish you all the very best and look forward to helping you any time.  Have a super week everyone.

 

Evening of Fireworks on the USS NIMITZ Aircraft Carrier CVN68

What an amazing time Jennifer and I had, aboard the USS NIMITZ Aircraft Carrier in Coronado-San Diego, to celebrate July 4th and sit on the actual flight-deck as the bombardment of pyrotechnics took their explosives high up into the ether via barges on the water that were surrounding us like Custers last stand.

As you may know, I was commissioned by the Captain a few years ago to create a cafe Motorcycle to keep Morale high and to incorporate some of the US Navy and the Nimitz into the bike, of which I did and everybody loved it, Jack still has the motorcycle and proudly has it on display.

Captain Schueller Personally invited Jennifer and I to accompany him on the flight deck of the Carrier and experience a night of fireworks with some of the crew and some officers and I could not turn that opportunity down, I mean who would right?

So, we drove down the 5 freeway to Coronado and met Captain Jack and his family and then headed out to the Nimitz, of which was 5 minutes away from his Married quarters.

I have been lucky enough to have traveled out on the Nimitz not once, but Twice and went out to Sea for a few hundred miles and watched what they do to protect this great country I live in, so to be invited back for this special occasion was quite an honor and something I shall not forget ever.

Here is a little information on her if you are interested.

USS Nimitz History
After her commissioning May 3, 1975, Nimitz’ first deployment began July 7, 1976 when she departed Norfolk for the
Mediterranean. Nimitz again sailed toward the Mediterranean Sea Dec. 1, 1977. Sept. 10, 1979, she was dispatched to
the Indian Ocean as tensions heightened after Iran took 52 U.S. hostages. Four months later, Operation Evening Light
was launched from Nimitz in an attempt to rescue the hostages. The rescue was aborted in the Iranian desert when the
number of operational helicopters fell below the minimum needed to complete the rescue.
Oct. 29, 1988, Nimitz began operating in the North Arabian Sea in support of Operation Earnest Will. Nimitz then
departed Bremerton on Feb. 25, 1991 for the Arabian Gulf, relieving USS Ranger (CV 61), during Operation Desert
Storm. Nimitz again deployed Feb. 1, 1993 to the Arabian Gulf, relieving USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as part of Operation
Southern Watch.
Sept. 1, 1997, Nimitz set out on an around-the-world cruise. During this deployment, Nimitz was ordered into the
Arabian Gulf to support Operation Southern Watch and various United Nations initiatives.
Nimitz arrived at her new homeport in San Diego Nov. 13, 2001. In 2003, Nimitz deployed in support of Operations
Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In May 2005, Nimitz embarked on a six-month deployment in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. After leaving the Gulf, the strike group participated in
Malabar 2005, an exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies. In 2007 and 2008, Nimitz CSG deployed in support of
the U.S. commitment to peace and stability in the region. Nimitz departed to the Persian Gulf for a scheduled eightmonth Western Pacific deployment on July 31, 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Nimitz arrived at her new homeport in Everett, Washington in March 2012. March 30, 2013, Nimitz deployed in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Nov. 3, 2014, Nimitz took part in naval aviation history when the Navy’s fifth
generation Joint Strike Fighter, F-35 Lightning, touched down on a carrier at sea for the first time.
Nimitz arrived at her new homeport in Bremerton, Washington Jan. 13, 2015. Beginning Jan. 15, 2016, Nimitz
underwent a 20-month extended incremental availability (EPIA). Nimitz began workups Oct. 10, 2016 for a 2017
deployment completing sea trials, and Tailored Ships Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA-FEP).
Nimitz returned to sea Jan. 28, 2017 to undergo its first Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) since 2010.
In April 2017 Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 completed its final pre-deployment assessment, Composite Training Unit
Exercise (COMPTUEX), marking the completion of a condensed Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC). Nimitz
deployed on a regularly scheduled deployment June 1 to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) and U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F) areas of
operations. Nimitz returned home from deployment on December 10, 2017. Nimitz entered dry dock six on March 1st,
2018, for a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

The aircraft carrier continues to be the centerpiece of the forces necessary for forward presence. Whenever there has been a crisis, the first question has been: “Where are the carriers?” Carriers suIt’s hard to explain, but the Nimitz is an immense Ship, it is basically a Floating Runway and small city on the water, and over 1000 feet long it is nothing short of stunning to stand on the deck from the stern and look towards the Bow.

 

• Four distilling units enable engineers to make more than 400,000 gallons of fresh water a day for use by the
propulsion plant, catapults and crew.
• Nimitz can stock at least 70 days of refrigerated and dry goods.
• Several tons of laundry is washed every day by Nimitz’s laundry, dry cleaning and tailoring services personnel.
• Nimitz’stwo barber shops trim more than 1,500 heads per week.
• Nuclear power allows the ship to store 50 percent more ammunition and almost twice as much aviation fuel as
the largest conventional steam carrier.
• Nimitz can hold 3.5 million gallons of fuel.
• Nimitz reaches more than 23 stories high from the keel to the top of the mast.
• The hangar bay extends for most of the ship’s length. It is used for major repairs and shelters aircraft.

Nimitz deployed on a regularly scheduled deployment June 1 to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) and U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F) areas
of operations. The deploying units from DESRON 9 accompanying Nimitz are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile
destroyers USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS
Kidd (DDG 100), and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59). Nimitz strike group is part
of U.S. 3rd Fleet, which leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an
effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd Fleet constantly coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on
their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Pacific theater of
operations.

Embarked aviation squadrons of CVW-11 are: Lemoore, California-based “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron
(VFA) 147, “Black Knights” of VFA 154, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA 146, San Diego-based “Death Rattlers” of Marine
Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, the Whidbey Island, Washington-based “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack
Squadron (VAQ) 142, Norfolk-based “Bluetails” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, and San Diegobased “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, “Wolfpack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron
(HSM) 75 and “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30.

Nimitz flew missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from July to October, launching 1,322 sorties and
dropping 904 pieces of ordnance from the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. During more than three months in the
region, the ship and its crew also supported the mission by building 1,112 pieces of ordnance and performing flight deck
operations during the day and at night.
Carrier Strike Force Operations
Nimitz participated in a three-carrier strike force exercise in the Western Pacific, Nov. 11-14. While at sea, Nimitz
conducted air defense drills, sea surveillance, replenishments at sea, defensive air combat training, close-in coordinated
maneuvers, and other training. The coordinated operations in international waters demonstrated the U.S. Navy’s unique
capability to operate multiple carrier strike groups as a coordinated strike force effort. This was the first time three
carrier strike groups operated together in the Western Pacific since exercises Valiant Shield 2006 and 2007 off the coast
of Guam. The exercise focused on the ability to rapidly bring together forces from three strike groups in response to any
regional situation.

Happy 4th Of July to you ALL !

Well, its that time of year already, tomorrow is the big day and Jennifer and I have been invited on the flight Deck of the USS Nimitz Aircraft carrier down in San Diego on Coronado island, to watch the fireworks blaze across the skies.  What an awesome honor, I built a Motorcycle for the captain of the Nimitz a few years ago and so nice for him to remember me and invite me down to meet the New Captain and take part in this great event.

Wishing you all a great Independence day and I shall post some photos if I am allowed to take any that is, of the time we had on that great Aircraft Carrier, its been a few years since I was last on it and am excited to go back aboard.

This build was great for me and it had many cool little attention to detail graphics to show it was about the Nimitz and the Seahawk HS6 Helicopter Jack flew too.

This is where I got the idea of the gauges and some of the switches to put on the Motorcycle, no easy task but I got it done in the end.

On the Deck of the Nimitz as we got ready to set sail, we were out for over 12 Hours that day, it was something I shall never forget.

CVN 68 is the last of the steam catapult Carriers, but this three football field long ship can haul major arse when it needs to.

And tomorrow Jennifer and I will be back aboard with the Captain, thats going to be a great day for us and we shall be thinking of Dakota as we climb aboard this massive Navy Aircraft carrier.

The Screaming Indians is Jacks Squadron and I airbrushed the Logo onto his side cover.

One of the Old signs by the Captains Headquarters, I painted this emblem on the gas tank as well as on my Original G1 Jacket too.

Here is the front end of the bike, the headlight represents the Rotors of the Helicopter that Jack fly’s all the time with the Navy Seals on Board.

Plenty of detail on this machine ,from the Gauges to the exhaust, this bike is tough, rugged but handles well, as it has Clubman handle bars and tarozzi rear sets.

Have as Fun and Safe 4th July everybody and will let you know how our day was on the Aircraft Carrier knocwn as CVN68 Nimitz Class.

Custom Drilling and Polishing Service

I probably have built close to 60 motorcycles over these 19 Years in Southern California, and many people have asked me about the detailed parts that I have created on the many Custom machines that I have completed.

I also have been drilling the rear brake hub for many years and have always liked the look when they are polished and fitted to the hub of the bike, they of course help with Heat Dissipation, and of course, gets rid of any brake dust.

So, after a few years I thought that as people kept on asking me about these rear brake hubs, I will offer a service to Customers for their bikes and i am happy to say I have drilled over 40 of these for Customers all over the globe.

No two Hub patterns are the same, I do not have a set pattern, I just go with my flow and see what happens and they always come out really well and get many comments about how the set the rear end off so well.

 

Also, Me and my Brother, were trained as polishers for Rolls Royce back in England in the late 1970’s and I have always enjoyed Polishing, something about ” You Can polish a Turd”.

Of which Right now i also offer my very own “Turd Polish” Of which has taken me 40 years to refine and have now sold quire a few cases of my product and they all contact me, informing me how awesome the magic past is as polishing Aluminum and Chrome, as well as Brass and Copper etc.

But, I had three orders for Drilled Brake Hub Covers this week and wanted to show you what they look like on here, just so you can see what I do.

If you need some inspiration with your machines rear brake hub, drop me a line as i can change the look of it and of course fit New brake shoes and springs, as well as New actuator arm too, just fit back on and you are ready to go.

Let me know if I can help?  The service is already on the website, so go check it out and if you like it, order one from me, takes about a week from the order but- You will be glad that you did thats for sure.

Other Parts that I offer to customers is a Custom Drilled and Polished Front Sprocket Cover, as the stock ones always look so drab, plus I enjoy doing this service.

Below, I take my time and just start as I mean to go on and over the years I have done over 50 of these covers for Customers and shipped all over the Globe.

Once I have go the pattern I like, well its time to take off the Block and then clean it and prepare it for polishing up to a Jewel finish.

So, this is the last you see it as a Dull color, time for my Turd polish and some good buffing and off we go.

like I said earlier, every one of these that I drill, is always a different pattern, that way, none are the same.

So, just let me know if there is something that I can do for you and your inline four machine, as I really enjoy making these Custom parts for people.

Thanks for looking and I shall be adding these services and more on the website, so keep checking back from time to time.