My Old Thruxton was a Fun Machine

Having a day to remember this afternoon, remembering my 2013 Triumph Thruxton that I bought as stock as the Proverbial Rock in Brea and then set about changing a few things as I went along and get it to the style and menacing Gnarly Growl of the mufflers as I hit the apex of a curve somewhere in Southern California. Below, even after a couple of weeks of owning this Thruxton, I hadmade some Monarch Megaphons out of stainless steel and changed the Shocks to a set of TEC piggy backs.

Although the stock Thruxton is so much fun to ride, I just cannot leave stuff alone, I have always tinkered with anything I have owned to try and make it look different and this Thruxton was going to get some sort of make over, but, I didnt want it off the road for long as I use it all the time. Thus a long timed transformation begun and boy what a Fun time I had with this little 900 machine.

Well, by the time came for me to enter the DGR, the bikes Livery had already changed and many modifications had gone by, but this was a great look that I came up with that reminded me of the old JPS formula 1 days and I rode the heck out of the twinline in this guise.

Now this was still ongoing and was not happy until I had changed a few more things but, I still kept this girl on the road, she loved to be ridden and ridden hard, and I got all the moneys worth out of this Thruxton and it was just a fun motorcycle to jump on and go.

I rode this machine in all sorts of conditions and Triumph did a superb job designing this 900 engine as it took what ever I threw at it and more.

It would be nice to keep every bike you owned but I am no Jay Leno, but at least I have some photos that I took to remember some of the fun machines I was lucky enough to own and ride a lot.

I have ridden this to many places and in the Boiling Sun or pouring Rain, the bike only ever failed a couple of times and that was a Puncture and a set of Blown Shocks, other than that, this just ran and ran.

Many a time I took the back Canyon twisty roads out to the Chino Air Museum, as I love ww2 Aircraft, its always fun riding out here and gets the cobwebs of the week blown cleanly out as you hit the curves on Carbon Canyon Road.

But a fun machine and something i wanted to share with you lot today as I sit at home ans catch up on orders for people bikes that they are completing in this Pandemic time we are all in.

I made a rear Cowl from Aluminum and set a Lincoln Zephyr style tear drop LED tail Light in the back, as this Cowl would also store my gloves, Goggles and documents inside.

I loved this set up and was finally happy at the final guise, it did turn many heads I must admit and never got pulled by Mr Plod either funnily enough.

This time Soft Tanned and aged leather was used with 2 inches of High Density Memory Foam to make sure my Arse did not get numb on our long rides that Jennifer and I took.

This bike sat well now, big 5.5 rear tire made sure that this stuck to the tarmac and a set of Berringer brakes up front on a wave rotor made sure I stopped in time.

The Full Stainless Steel Italian Zards Barked well and I wrapped the front in Space EX sleeves that kept my legs from burning and it really worked well to be honest.

I needed that Fog light on many occasions and it gave my Trumpy that European look, I sell the fog light kit still today to people all over the globe, as well as the headlight with internal LED signals, I hand made the fender from an old BSA model.

Another one of My Products that I designed and manufactured, was the Knuckle Duster Heel guard, I had sold many of these and they really do add some cool detail to the bike, many of which people forget about. I also drilled and welded tubes in the swing arm and chromed for that Custom look.

This was a nice ride height for me and took some time to dial in to how I wanted it but now in this guise it would whip into the corners like a Go kart.

I hoped you liked a little insight into my Triumph Thruxton EFi 900 Cafe Racer machine? I sure had a Blast getting this to how it is now.

Hope that you lot get some time in the saddle this Summer and enjoy what we are so lucky to have and share the commeraderie of the road with other like minded people.

Sure be nice to see some of you when we are out on our travels, we have made so many friends in this industry and always glad to meet other enthusiasts such as your selves.

It is always good to get out and when I get back, my mind is clear and I am ready to design and make new parts once again, this has been a fun 20 years doing what I do.

If there is anything I can do to help you along with your machine, just drop us a line at carpy@carpyscaferacers.com or text on 714-598-8392 as I am here to help.

Thanks for reading my Blog today, its fun to do, takes a bit of time but always worth it if I cheer your day up a little bit.

Peace N Grease to Each and Every one of You!

 

 

 

 

 

My Triumph Scrambler

Its always fun using your own machine when you need to pop out for some parts or visit a customer etc and today was a fun one for me, as I thought that I would take the Scrambler out for a little jaunt.

I had to pick a few pieces of hardware up and pop into the Chrome Platers, traffic seemed as busy as ever and it made sense to throw my leg over my 2016 Triumph Scrambler and get around to the places I needed to a whole lot faster than if I took my Van.

I love all motorcycles and today as I have my Scrambler and had recently fitted an Ammo Box to the side of the rig, well I wanted to make use of such an item and it sure got its work cut out today.

These Trumpys are a pretty Tall Motorcycle but, as I am 5″11 I can tippy toe it at a stop light, it is a really well made machine and has tons of what I call linear power and I feel pretty safe on this iron steed, compared to my Thruxton.

I removed the stock seat in favor of a more Custom look shorter version that has a rear luggage rack attached, eventually I hope to find a Vintage Miltary Ammo style box that will secure to it and give me more loading space as thats always a bonus to have, especially on long trips.

She sits high and I like it that way, I now get to see where I am going and can take in some of the Scenery, where as the Thruxton was fun, but all I ever saw was 6000 revs on the Tach , as I was always laying over the tank as I had clip on’s fitted.

I added my Own style Fog light, One- because it gives it a more rigged look, Two- I like the European styling of a Fog light, and three- This will be used on poor visabilty , ie in Fog or at night in the rain etc, be Seen- be Safe is my Philosophy.

I will eventually paint the Ammo Box in the same Matte Blue of the bikes livery and then add Dakota’s unit Id numbers as he is in Assault Craft Unit 4 in the NAVY.

Above, I do not like these stock Plastic turn signals, so I think I shall change the whole headlight assembly eventually, as well as the Black Fork ears and maybe later the gauges too.

Also added an old Vintage Copper and Brass Fire extinguisher, just for those I need some help moments and I dig it to be honest as I have had that extinguisher in my shops for years, it may not be your cup of Tea, but this really is a fun motorcycle for me and will be travelling many many miles to see some of the great areas of the states like the National Parks etc.

I will also be taking off the rear Fender and fit a smaller LED Tail light under the seat, just to tidy things up and of course I shall have a set of reverse Cone megaphones onto the Exhaust at a later date as its way too quiet at present.

I love the look and style of My fog lamp and have sold many of these over the years and now it gets dark early its good to run this when visibility is bad and it gets me noticed for sure.

I shall be removing stock parts and making my own to add to this bike and look forward to taking some cool trips on this and Jennifer on her Bonneville, its going to be a blast.

Right now I have to go to the post office to drop off some Christmas cards, so what better way than to take my own steed and go for a ride?

 

 

 

 

MY TRIUMPH 2013 Thruxton 900 FOR SALE $7000

For sale :
2013 Triumph Thruxton. 714-598-8392 call or text . email: carpy@carpyscaferacers.com

 

This is my personal Motorcycle , I’m going to be buying a New Machine to Ride with my Girl and my Cafe Bike is now Available.

Handles great in corners and will be missed for sure.
Been riding up by Grand Canyon and JOSHUA Tree as well as many other places . Been in magazines and some TV stuff and even movie ads.
Classic look with Polished Alloy Parts everywhere . If you like Nostalgia, then here it is with a Capital N.

Many people know this bike and she rides really smoothly, the gear transition is smooth and direct, it has strong linear power due to different sprocket set up and of course it has the power Commander, and the air injection removed, the Zard Pipes make her breathe oh so well.

Wave Rotors help slow it down with Custom Berringer 4 pot Caliper at the front is a great set up that is way better than the stock version, I also designed and made the rear Caliper bracket to change the Rear caliper from a bottom mount to a top one, so at least they both look the Status Quo and do not get cluttered up with leaves and road grime like the factory ones do.

Has a Bigger polished Alloy Motone Gas tank which is a couple of Pints wider and allows for more miles of smiles, I ride it pretty hard and it has tons of Go in her and with them Custom Canyon TT alloy Rims, all that rubber grips the road and gives you so much more maneuverability than the skinny stock rims.

The rear wheel is 5.5 inches wide with a nice 170 rear tire of which I am fitting a Brand New one this week.

New Leather Seat with Diamond stitching and a hand made rear Allow cowl that has a secret compartment to keep all ya fear in like gloves, goggles, paper work, scarf and tools, of which I use it to store all the time is a bonus here as its so useful. And was the First to Fit a Fog Light set up as I wanted that Old School European look to the bike and have sold maybe 200 of them Fog Light kits since, Be seen is my Philosophy.

I also frenched a LED teardrop Tail light, it functions as a Running light and a Brake light and its nice and Bright, looks fantastic, also have LED Turn signals front and back to make sure people see which way you are going.

Steering stabilzer at the front soaks up unwanted potholes and the clip on’s are a good fit for the triple tree, I have Custom Grips to so your hands do not tire as well as Custom Mirrors to let you know who is behind you. But also notice I have Works performance shocks, these were $1500 alone and the pipes were another $1500 as well as $3000 for the wheel set up.

I also changed out the headlight for a 7 inch chrome one and fitted a 6000 Lumens LED bulb and the headlight has LED internal signals that change from clear to amber when you hit the button.

Alloy Side cover, and a hand made alloy Bash plate complete the Livery of this TT style machine really well.

I stripped the stock swing arm and changed it about, drilled the holes and inserted strengthening tubes in the side and then chromed the whole thing and boy does it look cool and sets off that big rear wheel. I also designed and made the Knuckle Duster Heel Guard and have sold many over sea’s, these look great.

it has form and function and the Zard pipes are stainless and from Italy, they sound awesome as it is now tuned and with the power commander she is great in any elevation too.

 

I have done almost 12,000 Miles on the bike and she runs pretty hard, I always use expensive Motul Oil for her as thats what Triumph use, I know its $70 a gallon but I want Longevity out of this engine, no cheap oil for the sake of saving money, good oil and regular services keep this running right. I also only use Triumph Oil Filters and iridium Spark plugs, this has K&N Filters too.

This bike has a lot of character and gets many looks, if I had a bigger Garage I would keep her but, with a few more bikes and a Hot Rod, I simply cannot justify keeping her covered up and it needs a new home.

Here is a list of things that I have done or fitted to the bike below.

Polished Alloy Tank 2 pints bigger.
Hand Made Alloy cowl.
LED Tail Light.
Custom Leather Seat with storage compartment .

Custom Swing Arm and Chromed
Custom Alloy Rear Caliper Bracket that moves caliper to top of Rotor.

Ribbed Fork Gators.

Custom Alloy TT Rims wide wheel kit. 5.5 inch wide . $3000
Wave Rotors.
Beringer 4 Pot Front Brake Caliper.
Custom front Alloy Fender.

Chrome Headlight with 6000 Lumens LED bulb and LED internal signals.

Works Performance $1500 Rear shocks .
Clip on Handlebars 
Custom Levers 
Custom Mirrors 

Custom Grips
LED Rear Signals 

18 Tooth Front Sprocket 
TEC Steering Stabilizer
Custom Upper Triple Tree
Lithium Battery 
Power Commander 
Zard Stainless Steel Exhausts $1600
Titanium Heat Wraps 
Custom Fog Light
Custom Knuckle Duster Heel Guard
Speed Merchant Finned Trans Cover
Speed Merchant Finned Shift Cover 
Speed Merchant Engine Cover
Air Injection Removal 
Rear Fender Elimination Kit
K&L filters 
Custom Alloy Sump Pan with Bottle Opener
Alloy Side Covers 
Custom Horn
New 170 Rear Tire
Only used Motul oil 
Custom Foot Pegs
Regularly Serviced
Oil Pressure Gauge

Knuckle Duster Heel Guard

X-Ring Chain.

A great Motorcycle that always has made me smile, many many times, but I am looking at a different style machine and this is a good opportunity for someone to enjoy a purpose built cafe racer.

It runs great, no oil leaks and is comfortable too. You can email me on carpy@carpyscaferacers.com or you can text or call me on 714-598-8392.

 

 

Unique Motorcycle.
11,800 miles

Hiawatha the Bonneville that’s Sharper than a Tomahawk!

Well, you see many different style of Motorcycles around the globe that have taken a good and strong foot hold on the Cafe Racer, Brat, Bobber, Tracker, Custom look, and this is no exception.

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I obviously have been into these style bikes as a kid, when I was 12, me and my brother had a french Mobylette, Dad bought it for $20 and it had no seat, we removed the Mudguards, and headlight and fitted Dirt bike handle bars and use a skateboard deck for the seat and, a Brat was Born, and over 40 odd years later, they are still being created today.

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Dubbed the “Hiawatha” after the native Americans the platform of choice was a 2007 Bonneville, Not the last of the Mohicans but, the last of the carburetor motors as in 2008 the Fuel Injected models arrived.

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This bike was being built by the Ton up garage for a Client out in Lisbon, and a second hand 2007 Bonny was located as the Platform to create a unique Brat style machine for the Customer.

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First off was to strip parts off the machine they no longer needed, the seat was taken off and the frame rails were altered to allow for a Custom seat base to be fabricated, once that was completed, it was upholstered with memory foam and stitched in the old school style Tuck n Roll, with a grey Naugahyde material for a long lasting comfortable ride, as well as being able to take his partner on the back as and when desired.

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A set of much wider Western style Handlebars were fitted, as well as removing the old Master cylinder for the clutch and a hydraulic version fitted, this really cleans the front end up and with the smaller Speedometer and headlight, the bike has a really different stance.  Magura hydraulic master cylinder clutch and brake are a good quality set up and will help stop this machine way faster than the stock set up and with less hand pressure.

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At this part of the blog I like to point out, “Each to their own” Some people will like what they have done, some may not, its all in the eye of the beholder, I hear many complain about the big bulbous tires and small head light, its a style, like some of you like wear hoodies and Converse, so give this bike a chance.

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Many complain that it will ride so badly, well, unless you have built and ridden one, you will never know, I have built many and, although way different to modern tires, you get used to drop off in corners. This is a Custom Brat style build, not a T.T. machine, so a slower speed to take the area in, rather than a Ton Up Rocket.

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I personally love this Custom created machine from a work of art, its unique and very well thought out, I love fat tires, just look back to early 1940’s Harleys, they had fat tires, I think that these do have a certain equal proportion to the machine and sitting on 16 inch tires will sit level now.

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The engine had a little bit of tune up and then painted black, of which I like, the carbs were re-jetted as Up-swept Megaphones were fitted and the headers were wrapped for that old race track look, I like this too, many dont, like I said, “each to their own”. Also New K&N Filters were added to help these Carbs breath more easily.

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The wire harness was modified and the battery was replaced with a smaller Lithium model and hidden with the rest of the electronics under the seat, this keeps everything neat and tidy and having the Rims and hubs painted Black sets the whole motorcycle off big time.

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Suspension was sorted out with an expensive set of rear Ohlins and re-springed front end, made sure that this beast is a comfortable ride and soaks up any of the bumps on the Lisbon Tarmac.

Hand fabricated rear fender is Bobbed to make this machine look bigger and the small bates style tail light may be small but LED lighting is brighter than Einstein.

The Olive Drag green with a flattening Agent works well against the Silver Base and even though I personally am not a fan of Green, this works really well, I mean the Thruxtons  came out in BRG, and this color concept does indeed work very well against the Black of the frame, exhaust and wheels.

Thanks for looking and, if I can help locate or sell parts for you and your machine, just let me know.

carpy christmas

 

 

 

 

HALLOWEEN TRIUMPH NIGHT!

 

 

Well, this is short notice but we will be attending the Halloween Triumph Bike night in Costa Mesa, looks like it will be an interesting event if any of you would like to ride up with us?

 


We shall all meet up at Aleas Cafe on Miller and Miraloma in Anaheim at 5:00pm and kick stands up at 5:30pm, up to you if you want to wear a Costume, a little too late for me to try and get something together but, want to enjoy the event none the less.

3371 E Miraloma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 993-5198

Hope to see some of you at Alea’s cafe on the night for a Spook tacular time.

So save the date as this is not far away, tell your friends as this could be a great event, you dont go, you wont know.

 

Thruxton I helped create with So-Cal Triumph .

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Here we are on Friday and I thought I would add some cool photos of a thruxton that I helped with at SoCal triumph in Brea.

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Check the deep Flake color of Candy blue, sure is a sweet ride and I am sure the New owner was stoked to receive his 900.

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A Very trick ride and am sure that this will get its rims ridden off.

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Yes, it has the cool seat conversion too that not only looks cool but funtions as a place to put your gloves, registration and sunglasses etc.

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Hope you like this Custom Version as I sure do and what a striking candy blue as well.

 

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Make sure to give them a wave as they come belting down the tarmac.

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A nice machine and I am glad I was asked to help with this cool Thruxton.

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Come out with us on the 59 Club rides, just go to www.meetup.com and look for carpys cafe racer meet ups and come for a ride, its sure fun.

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These bikes are such fun to take out and easy to maintain etc.

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Hope to meet you all at some point as we have made so many like minded people in this industry and always cool to meet more.

 

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Have a Great weekend and hope to see you at an event of ours.

New Bike in My stable

Well, Over the years I have owned a few of these Triumph Thruxtons and I thought it was about time that I purchased a newer model and am going to be making parts for this machine, from exhaust systems, to seats and cool bolt on goodies.

 

Here is my 2013 Thruxton I have named the “Flying Gherkin” its a fun machine and is going to have My new parts fitted along the way, so stay tuned.


Drawing on Triumph’s rich racing heritage, the bike is of course named after the legendary English race circuit where the company had so much success.

A more powerful, more focused version of the  Bonneville, the Thruxton also looks absolutely right, and is a credit to the engineers and stylists at Triumph.

 

This bike has captured the imagination of accessory manufacturers everywhere, and we are no exception! If ever there was a machine born to be customized, this is it.

This will be a fun ride and am looking forward to adding many parts of our own to this motorcycle, I have owned them before and enjoyed the power range of this 900cc Cafe, and I hope you like and follow what we do and produce for the little Brit Racer.

I had a 2004 and a 2005 Thruxton and did many cool rides, even to Sturgis and it never missed a beat, a reliable fun and medium sized machine that will give you so many miles of smiles, something I know that we all like to do is see other machines out there and hope to see some of your rides.

Stay tuned to the website as we are having a Brand new one that is almost completed and it will be a fun adventure for us all.

The camaraderie with Motorcycles is such a family atmosphere these days, it makes all that hard work well worth it and look forward to meeting some of you in person.

Thanks for taking a quick look, stay tuned to the website for more interesting parts and apparel from us here in California.