The B.B. Cafe

I have lost count of the Motorcycles that I have created here over the 18 years in business, some I have been lucky enough to take some photos of but many I have not, but I try and take pics where ever I can as many people ask about projects that I am creating.

I enjoy building bikes out of old rusty hunks of steel and this one is no exception, it was a non running machine and I am glad that I have resurrected this Classic 1974 Honda CB750K, as you can see, it had an old custom seat and a beaten up old Kerker exhaust, the desert does take a toll on any machine thats been parked up for a long time, but- iy can all be fixed and this was the start of the BB cafe project for my Customer in Australia.

It was a solid old machine but had had a hard time over the 40 years of its life and these get neglected when stored out of the way, so- a perfect opportunity to turn this old girl into a Thoroughbred once more.

I had a Customer fly in from Down Under as he wanted to discuss commissioning me to create a Cafe style Motorcycle to his requirements and then once built here, I will ship it off to Australia thats about 7,194.45 mi  from our house to his.

So this is how she came out, I have built this just as he wanted and I am stoked with the way she looks, a Thoroughbred of a machine and ready to open up on the Tarmac.

Plenty to look at but I shall try and explain some of the things that I did here at www.carpyscaferacers.com so you will be clear on the parts used to create this great machine you see.

I used many of My own parts that I have designed over the years and of course offer on my website, the headlight with the built in LED turn signals that Glow up Amber when used is a great addition to any machine, I was the First to ever go this route many years ago, have sold over 1000 of these units and still going strong, also has a Halogen bulb to help you at night.

I painted the bucket, Gas tanks, side Covers and the seat and fork ears a Gloss Black, as well as the head light Bucket, the Rims and some parts of the wheel hubs too. You can also see I removed the Original side reflectors that came from the factory and made my own screw in badge embelishers. New gators and Holders too, no expense spared on this build.

New cables as well and the whole frame was stripped, cleaned and coated with high Gloss Powder coating.

Motor was pulled apart and rebuilt, stock but new guides and internal cam chain etc, I then painted the engine in my own mix of High temp Engine paint and I too offer this product on the website, I put together with Stainless Steel Allen bolts to give a nice offset to the black. Made up my Custom Oil lines as well.

I have always loved the finned speed equipment as I am a Hot Rodder too, so machines a Finned cap for the oil Dip stick, I think it sets the bike off from the many out there.

Keeping with the Classic era, Brand New gauges added and my Custom Alloy Mount, I also added a neutral light in the middle of the steering stem nut and fitted my polished aluminum Bar clamps to hold my own set of Clubman handlebars, with new cables, adjuster and master cylinder.

A lot of attention to detail as you can see, I fitted Tarozzi rear sets, I sell them on my website too, I always fit one of my Custom Oil Pressure Gauges on the motor, that way you can see if you are getting good oil pressure all the time, finned covers and of course, my 4 into 1 Exhaust system that I have been selling for over 17 years now. The rear brake was rebuilt using non Asbestos EBC brake shoes and new springs with a polished outer hub, looks great as an offset to the black rims.

Rebuilt front forks and painted lowers, with New tires and front mudguard, this really has that Classic look of Cafe bikes back in the day when I rode them in the UK as a teenager, tearing up the streets with all my mates on various brand machines.

Totally rebuilt and tuned carburetors were fitted and these are fully detailed to match the motorcycle, then used Steel Dragons set up for Airbox and this runs great and smooth.

For show only, this kick starter was drilled and chromed, the rear sets prevent you from a full kick but this has an electric starter and I supplied another solid kick starter if he needs it, but this was for show and it does look very cool indeed, you can also see I fitted a breather filter to the bike with the chrome cap that runs from the valve cover.

I hand letter the tank, B.B. is for Black Beauty as thats what the Customer named it and I pin Lined around an old SS gas tank, I removed the original gas tank flat and filler and then used one of my Stainless Steel Aircraft gas caps for better styling, the tank was hammered by me and smoothed before adding the Gloss Black enamel paint.

Custom rear shocks that are also raised 2 inches with Finned Piggy backs help the bumps and my Clubman seat assembly that I make and offer is sat upon the frame that hides the battery etc, I used snaps on the Tuck n Roll cover, that way you can easily get to the battery and of course you can put your insurance card under the foam for easy access if needed.

Hand pounded tank and New wire harness, handlebar controls and new cables through out make sure that this bike is always on point in its life on the road in Australia.

Drilled front brake Rotor, rebuilt and polished front Caliper, custom parts all over the bike makes this a great head turner and the Customer is stoked to finally see the finish of the dream.

It turned out really well and runs true and strong, looking forward to showing some photos later when it is in Australia in a few weeks time, as I am getting ready to take this motorcycle to the shippers and let it get loaded up on the boat to take across the waters to the other side of the world.

Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement, means a lot and once again, another old bike is saved from the junk yard.

If I can help with a build or just parts for your inline four, just drop me a line carpy@carpyscaferacers.com or a dime or even a text at 714-598-8392 and I will do my very best to get you what you need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18 Years has Flown by.

18 years has flown by since I first started building bikes here in California and people remember the Black K5 Honda Cafe I created and for quite some time I had emails from customers informing me that they have had my bike as their screen saver at home or at work.  I will never forget that and my passion has always been with Motorcycles and parts.  I strive to continue is offering more parts for the bikes I create as well as a few other brands too.

Below is the old K5 I had from bits and pieces and wanted to create a cool Caff bike to ride around on whilst I built other bikes and my Hot Rod.

 

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Below: As you can see it turned out so different than the bikes that were out on the road at that time and boy did it turn heads.

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This was a fun bike, I rode it to many places and took it to over 30 shows, later on making the cover of Motorcycle Classics Magazine, I still love that bike. It sure was a blast to ride.

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So thank you for supporting me for all these years, I am thinking of building something similar for my 20th anniversary, so will start to collect parts as the Original is in Canada.

I shall continue to make parts like Exhausts and seats etc as well as offering bars, mirrors, lights and all the other goodies that you may want for your project.

 

I love what I do and enjoy helping customers out with their builds, this is a fun time in my life and I look forward to designing more Custom parts to offer.

Cannot believe that this time has gone so fast, over 1000 exhausts sold, 4000 turn signals, 200 Swing arms, 600 headlights, 2000 handlebars and continue selling.

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I have always helped people and enjoy talking on the phone or by email etc and offering everything from parts to complete builds.

The Cyclone was a fun CB750 Honda I created for a gentleman in Texas, and still has it today.


Another old video I did at the shop with the GCR cafe Bike I created.

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How I tune the Carbs on sohc 750- 4 models.

Here is one of my Razor exhaust systems.

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Here is the 550 I built and has my side winder on it.

Little Brat bike, motor had not run in over 30 years, this was the first time it had started up.

So drop me a line or a Dime and I will help all that I can.

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Another of my exhausts.

Thank you so much for supporting me, even if it is just to read the blogs.

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Just to wake you up, an 8 CB750 I built into a fun Brat bike.

The HTML bike with one off exhausts, have a Great week everyone.

Enjoy your two wheeled machine and have fun with your build.

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Below are a few of my favorite machines I have created.

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The Anvil was a tough Motorcycle that ran really hard and what ever you did to it, the bike just carried on and on.

Road Warrior

The Road Warrior was a great bike I created for Captain jack Schuller who was on the USS Nimitz, I got to go out twice on that aircraft carrier and will never forget that experience.

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Next up is, My Royal Enfield, that was a tough little 535cc bike that had a great sound with my unique exhaust.

 

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Below is the Tenacious Ton Alloy Honda cafe that took me many years to get it how I wanted and boy the hand made 4 into 2 Dunstall style cans sounded awesome.teardrop1a

Next is the Revolver, this was a wicked machine that had all the Bells and Whistles and I sent to a Customer in Australia, she owned a Hair Salon and sure loved Motorcycles.

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Another is the Brushed Steel 550 Brat Bike with my Side winder exhaust system, this ran hard and true.

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I could put more but I have a bike to work on this morning, but thanks again for ALL your support, and look forward to helping you again.

I will finish off with the Bike I built for MIKE DIRNT of the Band GREENDAY he saw my Black and Gold bike and came to see me and he still has the bike to this day.

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Peace and Grease to you all.

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The Harlequin Honda CB750F Custom Bike

Been playing around with this build for a while but it is now starting to get into a good looking Custom Machine, so thought I would add these pics today to show you where I am at on the Super Sport. Its a 1975 SS and was stock but needed some help along the way and its turning into a cool Custom.

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The steel seat I made and rolled the rear on the Plenisher at home, it came out well and am happy with this, its sturdy and I recessed a tear drop for a Custom Tailight I shall use.

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Plenty of clear coat on this so when the final buff happens it should really dazzle in the sunlight.

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Sitting in the Garage, as I am working on the exhaust this week, I have ceramic coated it already but will be using the Titanium 2 inch DEI heat wrapping on the header and the Tail pipe is wrapped up on the table as I chromed that part.

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I have put many things on this machine and when completed will do a full Blog and what was done and changed etc, just wanted to make this a great Custom with 70’s metalflake candy paint.

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It is coming along nicely and am coming to the end of this build, still a few bits and pieces like electrical things and so fourth but it is worth the effort to see this completed.

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Still changing a few things around but I think that we are on the home straight away now and can see the finish line around the next bend, been a blast though so far. But stay tuned as I will show more when all completed.

CB750 Creation ” The BRATSTER”

Over the years I have built a number of inline Four machines as you may well know, I have always liked these Motorcycles because I used them as a Courier Bike back in the UK, they were Affordable and reliable and lastly they were an awesome Platform to be able to adapt to how you wanted the machine to look.

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Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder, but with this bike when I first picked it up, it was in a bad way and needed help, but, trying to change something on a shoe string budget is some times almost impossible, so when I pushed this bike onto the Concrete and saw the potential, well I had to at least give a go eh.?

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This old Girl was a 1974 CB750 and many many Moons ago it was Created to be a Land Speed Racer, I have a little or know information on if it ran, where it ran or what speeds, it was very poorly made and to be honest, too Bloody dangerous for me to sling my leg over and have a go up on the dry lakes for any record.

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It had no title and was leaking oil and looking very sorry for itself when I parked this 500 pounder up, but once I had made a Brew, sat back and thought for a bit, I knew I could at least resurrect this CB750K Model in to some sort of head turner.

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So, with pen and paper in hand I jotted down a few ideas and came up with the idea of building a fun little Brat style Bike that would have a Chunky look and feel but real fun to ride.

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After a day of Mulling around , I decided that I would get the Motor running first and if that runs I will then go from there as this may take some time as it was not a commission for a build but a cry of help as I bought a few bikes off a buddy who needed space in his Garage, so this would be an on going bike and Not at all a show bike, just a tough Motorcycle that would probably suprise a few motorcycles at the lights as it buggered off into the sun set whilst you are watching it disappear into the distance..

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The bike had a terrible set of gas tanks made from old alloy Cylinders that were Bolted to some old Nuts that were welded to the frame, there were parts hanging off that shouldn’t even be on there, so I decided that this would be a Brat style and I am going to change oil and plugs, add some coils and Battery and rebuild a set Carbs to see what we have hear, as there are no carburetors on this bike at all. So off I went in search of some carbs, and took an old blocked up set I had as spares apart, cleaned, re-jeted and fitted to the old Dry lakes Bike.

 

Below I have fitted Carbs and a exhaust to see how she runs and it is now tuned and am happy about the sound and crisp response that my 4 into 1 systems make.

My ears were ringing and actually Blew the Sub-woofer out in the workshop because the bass not was so strong, but a minor price to pay to now know this motor runs hard and true.

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So, as the rear end of the bike was missing, I thought I would massage one of my rear Hoops I make onto this frame and create a Brat style bike that will be so much fun to ride around on.

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An easy job and looks great, so I can later make a Flat seat with New Foam and Diamond stitching to give it that Brat look that is so popular right now over here.

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The old 16 inch rim had a massive sprocket, I think 170 or 200 teeth, erm, not for the street for sure , else it would wheelie everywhere ha ha, so removed the rims and rebuilt a new set but Polished the Hubs from this bike and laced with stainless spokes.

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Now that looks a lot better and now ready for the Rubber to go onto the outside, this time I thought I would spare no expense on the tires as they are an important part to make sure these keep you on the tarmac, so opted for a Set Of Cokers Tires and I am going to make a Diamond stitched seat later so wanted tires to match in a way.

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I also removed the forks, rebuilt and fitted New upper tubes, as well as Rebuild brake caliper and refurbishing the old rusty brake rotor too.

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A lot cleaner that it was when it first limped into my hands and am real happy at the way this is coming along, as I said, no show bike so not removing the motor and painting a frame, this will be a fun bike with a few new parts or refurbished ones at the very least.

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Above, I repainted the Motor and detailed it with Stainless steel Allen bolts and I wanted wrinkle paint this time to help dissipate the heat when riding.

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Getting there, Rebuilt Carbs, new boots and a cool Aluminum Airbox made this Motor breath and respond so well, its the devil in the detail or carboration that wins the race.

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Now the job of fitting Headers and so many choices from the styles that I have created for these 500 pounder machines, but the bike is taking shape now and I really like the way it is going.

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The Motor looks great, I also added a cool Oil tank with a Battery Box already inside it, so this will really look trick and can hide some of the electrical in it too and clean the frame up some more.

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I wanted to use my Newest design exhaust system, the Side Winder, this breathes like a New Nose and wanted to also Hot Rod it out by wrapping the headers in Titanium Heat wrap, it sure came out well and this will look great perched in front of that inline four engine.

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Now, that is a lot better and glad that I went this route, I have sold lots of this heat wrap and this is the first time that I have used it and as its Titanium it doesn’t fall apart like that cheap fiberglass stuff thats out there does.

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On the Arse end of the header I wanted to fit my New Sidewinder tail pipe with the Yoshi style Baffle, and boy does it look great and super stoked that I did go in this direction.

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Next up I need to make a seat pan to cover the Battery tray and oil tank up and will go simple with some 18 Gage steel and then will add foam and upholster in a Light Tan Naugahyde material with Diamond stitching.

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Simplicity is the name of the game for this machine and I am now cutting the foam to fit the seat pan that I just made, this is almost there, maybe another half an inch of foam then upholster.

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I am now happy with the thickness of the Foam and am looking forward to seeing this with a Light Tan seat ontop of the frame, I feel it will be a good contrast. so lets go and see.

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Way better now, I also added a Blue frame to go with the old 1970’s painted gas tank i found and think its a good combination for this creation, it is a tough machine for sure.

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The Brat sits well and with the Custom Oil tank that I now offer on the website, it runs well and uncluttered like man I see.

Added some NEW Handle Bar switches to make sure that all works well and stays like that, no faded grey crap like you see on so many on the internet these days.

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My Custom made license plate frame with Hot Rod stop tail light assembly looks great and another thing I produce and sell on the website.

Tail light tells you when you need to stop too, neat eh?

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This bike runs hard and strong and was so good to see it back up and running again, after years and years of neglect, if she had a face she would be smiling, that I am certain of.

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The Bike also has my Own Handlebars that I designed and had mandrel bent and chromed, and gives that bike that Period look of the day, it sits well and rides so comfortably too.

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A strong machine and this has already been sold to a customer and is now residing in Canada, my fruits of labor paid off and the new owner is super stoked to get this bike from me.

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My Bulldog Bailey standing guard as I get some snaps, before it heads of to Maple Country.

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Hope you liked this little resurrection? I sure had fun creating this Motorcycle and Glad somebody is enjoying it right now.

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Added a Fog light for that European look and something the New owner is going to need up there in Canada, so just another cool touch to show this motorcycle Bratster off a little more.

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A tough little Machine with plenty of swag, and I am sure that it will get many looks in the warmer months.

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Big transformation and I did more work than I thought I would do and sold it way too cheaply but hey, its all fun at the end of the day and I enjoyed creating this bike.

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If you want a Motorcycle created, or just parts etc, drop me a line carpy@carpyscaferacers.com I am always glad to help or just advise, and you can also call or text me with questions on 714-598-8392 and I will do my very best at helping you with your own creation.

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Thanks for reading my Blog on building this machine , and many others I have created and still continue to.

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I fitted 2.5 Analog gauges and also made a Neutral light that is fitted into the steering stem nut, plus New master cylinder, New levers cables and Grips.

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Another thing I did was add my headlight ears that I sell on here as well as the cool headlight with the internal LED Turn Signals, as that cleans the front end up, I fitted my Fork Brace too to stiffen the frnt end as I removed the fender, many dont do this and have floppy forks.

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The heat Wrap I now sell on the website too, in Black or Tan, both look great and clean up your old headers to revamp them, 50 feet is enough for your headers and I used two inch wrap.

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Thanks again and another Build leaves my place and I am now looking at another creation, appreciate all the cool comments whilst i was building this, have a great week.

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Life behind Bars

Well, 17 years seems to have flown by and here I am, still playing with two wheeled contraptions.

As a kid , I was fascinated with Motorbikes and at any opportunity I would drop everything to watch , hear or just read about these mechanical machines.

I have lived all over the world and seen some fantastic motorcycles and knew that one day I would be lucky enough to reside in the United States of America .

So, in 2000 I entered California and the first Motorcycle I created was a 1976 CB750 of which I gave the Cafe Racer styling.

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The livery was in the style of the 1970’s Formula 1 John Player Special Team of Gold and Black.

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This motorcycle caused a huge stir in the American Motorcycle community and put me on the map as as Motorcycle designer and builder.

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17 years later and my 50th creation is almost completed , I wanted to build another CB750 and this time use some crazy Candy flake colors of which covered most of the Hondas of SOHC guise.

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This time I chose a 1975 CB750F model Super Sport and went with a Black Wrinkle Finish Engine, Dressed out with Stainless Steel Allen Head Bolts throughout.

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I also designed a Brand New 4 into 1 Exhaust System that made the Header pipes swing out to the right hand side and then tightly under the chassis and a unique short turn out tail pipe.

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I took the stock gas tank and cut out the filler neck and welded it flat, then welded a Harley Gas Cap bung in its place to give this tank a cool smooth appearance .

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Next up I took some 18 Gauge steel and hand bent the seat base to the style I was looking for, then I cut another piece of steel into a half circle and hand pounded it on a sand bad and then used my Air Plenisher and shaped it into a cowl, then tig welded to seat base, once that was done I then cut a teardrop shape out of the rear of that cowl, to allow for a unique Tailight for the bike.

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I upholstered this seat base with Brown Naugahyde and did tuck n roll design.

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I rebuilt the front forks and machined the  lowers to have finned grooves in them, rebuilt the front and rear wheels with polished Hubs and stainless Steel spokes and shoved New Rubber on them.

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With 14.5 inch New Shocks makes sure the rear end keeps smooth and some Italian Rear sets clamp tightly to the frame. But still More to do and wanted to show you some progress photos, Hope you like what I am doing here, a little out there but, that makes it more fun. Stay tuned to my Blogs on more as I will ALWAYS be messing around with 2 wheeled Machines.

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