Back online after some glitches but all good

Well, what a frustrating few days that I have encountered, modern technology is great, until it takes a spiralling fall into the abyss. I have been pretty good on my computer over the years, with no training as such, I just worked my way through any problems and if I was stuck, my web guru Christian Riggs, would help me out.

But, I had no idea that Google changed servers and the site went down, so no way of knowing how to get the site back online, my mate was such a brilliant help and its up but as its new software, the whole blog and typing format is nothing like I am used to, so forgive any mistakes as I am learning as I hen peck at this keyboard.

Things are busy here at the shop and I am trying to get a few more parts available over these next few weeks as it will not be long until the Festive season begins and I am as Busy as Santa trying to get all the presents out the door.

So, thanks for bearing with me over the last week as it was quite the trip getting everything back on line, but persistence paid off and we are all rolling along now, yeah, the rear brake may be binding a bit but I will smooth things out on the format here.

If you need any help with anything on my website or a problem with your Motorcycle etc, just drop me a line carpy@carpyscaferacers.com I am here to help, and have been for almost 25 years now.

Its Sunday but always something to work on

Here we are into the first week of October already, but the weather here in Southern California is not letting us experience Fall yet, it’s almost 100 today and that restricts the amount I can do outside or even in the barn, as its like an oven in there.

So, I thought whilst I take a cold drink and have the ceiling fan revving into the Red Zone, I would blog something here for you lot to read, as I get many emails informing me that they like the blogs etc.  So here goes.

Honda’s Brand new CGX150 is an air-cooled back-to-basics retro, based on the trusty CG125 machine.

I saw this in MCN and thought I would show it on my website as Id of loved this was I was a Teenager .

Words by By Ben Purvis

In an era that’s seen technology advancing at breakneck pace and even the cheapest of new bikes getting flat screen displays and phone connectivity, there’s something refreshing about a back-to-basics air-cooled single with no bells or whistles.

That’s exactly what’s expected from a new range of Honda CGX150 machines that’s due to be launched in China.

 

It is powered by an 11.8bhp air-cooled, two valve, 149cc single cylinder motor that is a direct descendant of the Original CG125 engine.

Revealed ahead of its official launch in a series of type-approval documents filed with Chinese authorities, the CGX150 will be offered in three distinct flavours: a café racer, a retro tourer and a basic roadster, all harking back to simpler times.

And while the 149cc capacity means the initial models are ill-suited to European markets with 125cc learner cut-offs, the engine is derived from the CG125 that helped whole generations of riders onto two wheels between 1975 and 2008.

A smaller 125cc version of the engine remains in production today, so building a Euro-suited 125cc version wouldn’t be a huge challenge if HONDA decided there was demand.

The new CGX150 will be made in a Wuyang-Honda partnership and is essentially a rose-tinted vision of what the CG125 might have become, retaining the old bike’s rugged simplicity but with a more modern chassis design, disc brakes and ABS.

In its simplest form the kerb weight, including fluids, is a meagre 125kg and even with only 11.8bhp it’s certified for a top speed of 61mph.

The café racer and Tourer versions both offer the same power and maximum speed, according to their type-approval documents, but differ in weight. The café racer seen in red, white and blue, with a retro humped seat cowl, red-painted frame and springs, bar-end mirrors gains 1kg for an all-in mass of just 126kg. All three versions use the same non-adjustable suspension and geometry, with a 1308mm wheelbase that gives them a slightly more grown-up shape than the original CG125, which had just 1200mm between the spindles.

TT is such a great spectator race

I have always loved the Isle of Man, I remember in 1975 heading out to Ramsay as a wild teenager and couldn’t wait to see and hear the likes of Rocket Ron Haslam, Mick Grant and Mike the Bike head on off for a 37 mile lap of the infamous Island Road Race.

There are a few old videos about I wanted to share today to give you some insight as to what turned my Dial as a teenager and gave me my inspiration to always been involved with Motorcycling.

I know many of you watch todays racing and are amazed at the speeds, when I was a teenager they were reaching around 140 Mph but if you have ridden any bike from the 1970’s, thats exhilarating indeed compared to todays modern technology.

So I thought I would add a few videos for you to watch today as its raining here and I was in the office.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Well, its that time of the year already, I will not be working at all in the Barn, its nice to celebrate Turkey day and I will make sure I shall to its fullest. Burp!

Hope you are celebrating too if you are in America that is, and so tomorrow, work will be flat out as the festive season will then be upon us.

Just wanted to take this time to wish you all a Very Happy Thanksgiving and than you all for your orders, I love my job and what I do, this Thanksgiving I sit, eat and feel thankful for all that this wonderful country lets me be a part of.

 

World’s Fastest NITROUS Street Bike…and how it started as a 1980 Suzuki GS 1100!

A must see for any Suzuki GS 1100 or Pro Street Motorcycle drag racing fan, we head to York, PA to get a good look at Brad Mummert’s restored 1980 Suzuki GS 1100 alongside the world’s fastest nitrous Pro Street motorcycle.

We do a deep dive into both motorcycles to see all the modifications from stock including the billet cylinder head and block, the custom throttle bodies and multi stage nitrous kit, hours of chassis fabrication, billet crankshaft installation, carbon fiber bodywork and a whole lot more.

Enjoy this inside look at one of the most impressive motorcycles in the world.

 

Exhaust Systems update

The time is flying her in Southern California, I am so busy right now, mostly with exhausts and making other parts for our beloved Machines, etc and I really appreciate you supporting me in these times that we are in right now.Volume is a little quiet but just wanted to say hello to ALL you out there.

The Sturgis Bike Build Begins on this old CB750 Honda Four

Been busy with a number of other things this week, but I thought I would make an effort and start doing some more chassis modifications on the SOHC 750 seeing as the weather has been really good for January.

Such a long way to go and having no game plan can be quite a task, this is not going to be an easy build as I may indeed change a few things as and when needed if I am not happy with the concept, the fun of creating a new Monster I guess.  Rome was not built in a day either, so ” Steady as she goes” and we shall see where this mysterious Machine takes me, as over the 2 decades I have been building here in California, every build gets tougher and tougher.

Frame rail cut and my own Custom insert bungs will be fitted but first have to cut 1 inch off either end of the rail to allow for length of weld in fitting, I just wanted to try something a little out there.

Hogged a little out of the upright as steel insert Bung needs to fit snug before I can weld them in place, I like to use air tools where I can, as they save so much time, rather than a round file LOL!

Here is my fitting, it sits nice and snug and will make it easier to fit and remove the engine , many of you will understand this as these inline four engines are fitted so tight into the frame, you would think that the tool kit would come with a shoe horn.

This is just before the side stand mount and I was happy to get these to fit nice and snug, and once everything is welded, the Rigidity will be there, these bungs are used in Roll cages a lot too.

Makes it a lot easier using this saw., I have had the saw many years, and always gets me out of trouble, the old stuff is always the best in my opinion and when cutting anything, take shorter cuts and test fit as its hard to add on when you have taken too much off.

Fitted in place and am super stoked at how it looks , a long way to go and what I really need to do is fit the engine in the frame, that way I can add all the engine mounts and make sure that the geometry is bang on before I start any welding etc.

Now, when these are inserted, what I shall also do is drill a hole though the frame and tubing in 4 places, that way I can get an extra few spots welds on it, as well as but jount welds all around the neck, but in slow spot welds as I dont want to cause any distortion with heat.

My engine bolt lines up and is nice and loose, not tight, so I will keep an eye on all this when I eventually fit the motor to check alignment out, so not going to rush this and , as I am doing this on my own, I will take my time fitting the motor, last time I nearly popped my Arse grapes out lifting that inline four up on my own and sliding into the frame.

Also, I need to clean up the engine mounts as they have old nasty paint on them, I will for the motor and build the bike, then- pull all apart, bead blast the frame, hand file it smooth and then hopefully either paint it or Chrome it, we shall see on pennies available.

Bit better but so much to do, hope that you are enjoying the little Blog as i begin this slow transformation of this inline Four 750 Honda.

Keanu Reeves talks about his Motorcycle infactuation Via GQ

He’s a big bike nerd just like us. Via GQ

Normally, when we talk about motorcycle-riding actors, our go-to is Tom Cruise. The high-octane actor is well known for making his own stunts, leaving CGI and motion capture behind. Keanu Reeves, on the other hand, is a low-key badass who has shown some serious action chops, especially thanks to the John Wick movie series. Plus, the guy can ride! He’s not only had the chance to show what he got in movies—more recently in John Wick: Parabellum, but he’s also co-founded his own motorcycle brand. Now, we get to have a look at his collection and around the Arch Motorcycle garage.

He starts off his GQ interview by asking how many bikes you need to own to be called a “collector”. In my opinion, “more than you can ride at once” is a good place to start, so two bikes and over is the start of something truly wonderful if you ask me. If we stick to that very personal definition, that makes Keanu Reeves a legit motorcycle collector. He has two pretty special bikes.

The first one he discusses and shows us around is his black 1973 Norton Commando 850 MKA2, which he said he bought in 1987. He explains that he grew up loving Nortons—can’t blame him! The second bike he owns is of course The Matrix Reloaded dark green 2004 Ducati 998 Reloaded Edition—a color specially prepared by the manufacturer in honor of the movie franchise.

During the interview, he lists some of movies he’s had a chance to ride in, including Chain ReactionMy Own Private Idaho (in which he rides on a yellow Norton), and, of course, John Wick: Parabellum. I recent trailer shows that a fight between good and evil will take place in the saddles of a fleet of Yamaha MT-09.

As the proud co-owner and co-founder of Arch Motorcycle, a motorcycle-oriented interview with Keanu Reeves wouldn’t be complete without a few words about his motorcycle brand. He explains how what started off as the customization contract for a Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide with Gard Hollinger’s shop turned into the prototype of what would turn into Arch Motorcycle’s KRGT-1 bike. He discusses how the company itself builds over 200 machined aluminum components for the bikes and how other components including the suspension, exhaust, and engine are sourced from different other manufacturers. He then introduces us to the Arch 1S, a sportier iteration of the GT with a slightly more aggressive riding posture.

Finally, Reeves shows us the Method 143 concept bike that uses a carbon fiber monocell chassis, a striking futuristic design. What’s on his motorcycle bucket list he has yet to do or own? Reeves lists owning a 1955 Vincent Black Shadow, and a Brough Superior of some sort as part of the list, as well as the experience of riding on a MotoGP bike. Now we feel like we just want to hang out with the guy.

 

Happy Independence Day

Let me take this opportunity to wish ALL of you a Happy Independence day and enjoy time with your family and friend.

I shall be working on my Hot Rod and Motorcycle and enjoying the food and festivities that this annual day brings us.

Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is another day in this great country.