A Day in the life of Yours truly.

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

30 Jan

Well, cant believe I am fast approaching 20 years that I have been over here and creating Custom machines and of course, parts to go with it, I have to stop and pinch myself sometimes, but there it is – 2 decades and still moving along, maybe not as fast as back in 2000 but still have a spring in my limpy step.

Now, just yesterday about 10pm, I heard my phone make that familiar “Ping” I thought that it is probably just spam etc but I picked it up and there was a message from a Japanese guy on Facebook, he said “Is this you?” And there was a thumbnail of a picture.

I clicked on it and Bloody Nora, it was me back in 1997 with my Old 1969 Triumph Daytona.

I remember that day like it was last week, I rode it all the way to the East coast from my flat in North London and boy, was that great fun to ride to, the bike kept spluttering at Hemsby but It was only the carbs and a clean out and tune and she was good as new, thats when Osamu Imai snapped this photo of me in 1997.

So I thought I would share that with you, the bike looked a little different 6 months before when I rode it again to Hemsby but I want happy with white and wanted black, here is my Kicking the bike over to go for a ride in 1996 before I painted it Black.

So, cherish every day, as time really does belt along, that was 50 pounds ago too. LOL!

Short Movie Bonnie Lass

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

13 Dec

Todays Blog is a short movie about a couple of fellas that ride from one cafe to another to meet a couple of Birds, along the way, riding through their town and a motorcycle garage, shame they didnt stop in there but, they head to the cafe and meet up with a couple of Girls, I guess they hook up and then they ride off into the sunset.

Worth a look, Good Music track though., make your own mind up, takes a lot of time to get a small production together, believe me, been doing that years and I take my hat or helmet off to the director for getting it completed.

It’s a short movie 3 minutes but worth a look, maybe a sequel coming?

This short movie celebrates our enduring and timeless passion for motorcycles. The attraction in this story is not limited to two-wheeled machines. If you are a biker you will surely understand. It features young Triumph owners and their friends and although this is a fictional story it sets out to capture the lasting enthusiasm for these British icons.

The period black & white film style was chosen to reflect the era of classic 50s and 60s British motorbikes. In contrast, the 2017 soundtrack by Black Pistol Fire makes no secret that this is about today’s bikers, both young and old.

My aim was to capture the thrill of owning these beautiful machines through a nostalgic lens and hopefully inspire other young riders who are seeking to express their own individuality.

I am excited by the resurgence of café-racers and custom built bikes which remain popular to this day. The road scenes between the two cafés in my movie was inspired by the origin of the appropriately named café-racers of yesteryear.

This is a very personal project for several reasons. I took my motorcycle test in 1970 at the age of fourteen and I have ridden motorbikes ever since. Most of the bikes I’ve owned were manufactured in the Far East with one or two from Austria and Germany. It was only two years ago when I bought my first Triumph, a special edition Rocket X. In the past year I bought a 2011 Triumph Tiger 800. I really enjoy riding both these bikes, each one with its own special character.

It was a serendipitous moment when I found the backing track “Don’t Ask Why”. My daughter sent me a Spotify link to a completely different band and when I clicked ‘shuffle and play’ the Black Pistol Fire track came up instead. The title and beat suited the story perfectly and is just what I was searching for. After listening to a few tracks from the album Deadbeat Graffiti I immediately made a purchase and downloaded it. These two guys make a great sound so please check them out.

I hope you like the film and see if you can spot the “Time-Traveller” who features in it.

Bonnie Lass

Being an amateur filmmaker, the project was a new challenge for me, with scripted scenes, a cast, location planning and post-production editing. I am really grateful to the cast who got fully involved in the project and to everyone else who has given me advice and support.

A few cups of coffee was the total production costs so a really BIG THANK YOU to everyone who gave their time freely to take part or let us use their premises as film sets! If people like it then maybe we will make a sequel next summer.

Starring

Jack Mourant

Drew Brackley

Joanna Rathband

Kath Innes

With special thanks to

Management and Staff of

– White Rock Cafe

– Di’s Diner

– BLP Motorcycles

– Island View Kiosk

Tim Davey – DroneGSY

Barry Gavey – Incidental Scenes

Also taking part

Jeff Harris

Shannon Crew

Jade Ferbrache

Ben Le Page

Alain Branquet

Hannah-Marie Robins

Chris Robins

Claire Hurst

Dieter Hurst

Zak Robin

Colin Robin

Roy de Jersey

Martyn Lowndes

Music

“Don’t Ask Why” by Black Pistol Fire

Directed and Produced by

Dennis Le Prevost

New Triumphs Hit the Shows

Posted on October 27, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

27 Oct

OK, here we are with a few photos that are belting around the internet and wanted to share them with you. the 2016 Thruxton is great as Track racer, but the others are a little too mainstream for my liking, but hey, they want to sell to the masses and that’s cool with me.

I love the front forks and the Rickman style fairing but front fender brace is over the top.

Yes- I would Ride this, very cool except for yellow springs on the rear Ohlins WTF up with that?

Lose the weird looking fender hangers and this would be great.

A Thorobred look, hope they sorted the shitty rear brake out this time.

Norton styled triple Tree configuration and I like this set up.

Looks fun to ride and I hope to sling my leg over one soon to test ride and report.

They Totally lost the plot here and looks like the Curry Basher Continental to me.

I Like this design in its simplicity.

I think the Brat guys and Hot Rodders will like this, but I am not a fan of the Spider web rims.

Other than the rims, I like the look of the bike.

Its a nice ride oter than looking like the Royal Enfield GT Continental .

Needs a smaller headlight but other than that I do like this motorcycle.

This looks boring and that exhaust looks like its off a steam train.

The T120 has a weird badge on the tank. But I am sure all these models will sell well.

Beckhams look great and the Belstaffs too!

Norton unveil the Mick Grants Special Cafe Racer series

Posted on October 21, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

21 Oct

A great day for Classic Bike enthusiasts, as Norton Unveil this Mick Grant Special.

Norton launch exclusive Mick Grant Replica. We are proud to reveal a stunning replica of Mick’s famous #7 JPS Norton. Only 7 bikes are being hand built for global release today. For all inquiries please contact karen.fearon@nortonmotorcycles.com we are working on a strict first come first served basis as this exclusive run of bikes are sure to become very sought after. All owners will get to meet Mick at the Norton factory as they collect their handbuilt bike which comes with signed certificate and a picture opportunity with Mick and their bike. Norton have worked with Mick within the TT race department in the last few years and wanted to do the bike as a thank you and to pay homage to what was and still is a fabulous career within motorcycle racing. Well done and a HUGE thank you from ALL at Norton to Mick Grant.

Such a Nostalgic look to this New ride and I am sure Mick would be tipping his hat from above if he claps eyes on this thing of beauty.

With those Anodized Ohlin shocks, you know that this will help you around the next bend with none of the Old Girling lumpiness that it used to be.

I wonder who is going to be the lucky 7 owners of this model, a rare bike right off the factory floor and I sure hope that I get to see one over here.

Steve McQueen Show This Saturday, Come Ride with us.

Posted on June 2, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

02 Jun

June 06, 2015 – Boys Republic Campus, Chino Hills, CA

OK- it is time for the 59 Club O.C. section to take a ride out to Chino Hills this saturday to check out the cool show that is an annual event and gathers a Plethora of Motor vehicles.

This is the First time for me and am excited to see what the show has to offer, and the weather should be great for riding to Chino Hills, so hope that you can all make it for the trip.

I think we have about 16 people riding from Aleas’ Cafe in Anaheim for the journey to the show and this should prove to be an entertaining meet up and like minded folk will be there too.

Hope that you can make it to Aleas Cafe, we kick our side stands up at 10:00 Am, see you there.

Doing a recreation of the infamous great Escape that Bud Ekins did for the Steve McQueen Movie “The Great Escape’

Love to hear the roar of a Pratt and Whitney Engine and full tilt.

All sorts of unusual Motorcycles will be there and something for everybody.

Bring your camera for sure as you never know what you will see at this annual event.

Hubba Hubba, hope to see this there.

Looked like Many Mini’s were there last time, quite a sight.

Below is what you need to know.

Meetup at Alea’s. Kickstands up at 10:00.

Alea Cafe

3371 E Miraloma Ave, Anaheim, CA

About the Show

The Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show is an automotive gathering and Fridaycommemorative dinner held in early June to raise funds for Boys Republic, a private, non-profit, nonsectarian community for at-risk boys and girls ages 13-17. Established in 2008 by members and friends of the (Porsche) 356 Club of Southern California, the event attracts automobile, motorcycle and off-road motorsports enthusiasts from throughout the U.S.

Every summer the Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show brings thousands of spectators to the Boys Republic campus, where 16 year-old Steve McQueen spent time as a student in 1946. Since its start in 2008, the event has raised over $750,000 and has helped to attract corporate interest resulting in donations of skilled labor and building materials through the Lowe’s Heroes community improvement project valued at more than $100,000.00.

Food: Roscoe’s Famous Deli (BBQ lunch)

Apparel: Hats – $20.00 each, T-shirts – $25.00 each

Raffle: Tickets drawn throughout the day

Ticket Prices:

1 ticket for $5.00

5 tickets for $20.00

20 tickets for $50.00

50 tickets for $100.00

Admission / Costs

Spectator Parking: Free
Spectator Admission: $10.00
Children 12 and Under: Free
Car Show Contestant Entry: $50.00 – Includes entry for driver and one passenger (pre-registration deadline May 22th 2013)
Motorcycle Entry: $25.00 – Includes Cycle and Rider

Information or Questions:
(909) 628-1217

Steve McQueen Car Show – Saturday, June 6, 2015

2015 Theme: On Any Sunday (this changes yearly)
Eligible Vehicles for Show Entry: Any cars, motorcycle or off-road vehicle

Show Times:

6:00 AM Gates open for display cars, sponsors & vendors only
8:00 AM Gates open for general admission
1:30 PM Awards ceremony
3:00 PM Scheduled show end time

Event Cost:

$50.00 for display car, driver, and passenger
$25.00 for display motorcycle (includes cycle and rider)
$10.00 for each additional passenger
$10.00 for general admission
Free for children 12 and under
Parking included in entrance costs

FLYRITE- Double Trouble Norton machine!

Posted on July 8, 2014January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

08 Jul

Flyrite Double Trouble Norton

I can never ever get enough of these cool double engined machines and wanted to share some with you this month so here is a very cool double Norton set up that I am sure you will dig as much as me.

Some motorcycles seem to be sacrosanct when it comes to customizing, while others are fair game. So you see quite a few Triumph Trophy customs, and not many Nortons. But Jason Kidd, owner of Flyrite Choppers, has no qualms: his extraordinary ‘Double Trouble’ custom has not one, but two 1960s Norton Atlas 750 twins nestling in the frame. (By my calculation, that means an output of 110bhp or more.) It could have been a monstrosity, but the result is clean, classy and attention grabbing. And given that it’s hard enough to get a single-engined bike looking good, this is quite an achievement. Flyrite’s down-to-earth philosophy no doubt plays a part—as befits an NHSTA-licensed manufacturer, their bikes are soundly engineered: on Double Trouble, there’s a place for everything, and everything is in its place. “At Flyrite Choppers we build bikes the way they used to be: basic, bare bones, wrench-on-it-yourself for the real motorcycle rider. We have basic principles that we adhere to when building a bike.” Despite taking top honors at last year’s Harvest Classic European and Vintage Motorcycle Rally in Luckenbach, there are surprisingly few images of Double Trouble around—so we have Texas-based photographer Bill Fraser to thank for sending these in. More shots after the tech sheet below.

Tech Sheet

Engine: Two Norton Atlas 750s
Builder: Ken Armann Restoration in Santa Clara, CA.
Exhaust: Equal length headers by Matt Quinn at Pipeworx
Primary: Chains and Sprockets
Transmission: 5 Speed Kick

Frame: Flyrite Choppers one-off
Front End: Betor Forks
Triple Trees: One-off Flyrite Choppers

Wheels
Rear: Re-pop HD16″
Front: Flyrite spool 21″
Tires: Avon Front and Rear
Brakes: Re-pop HD

Paint
Painter: Jason Kidd
Color: Black
Pinstriping and Gold Leaf: Von Franco

Accessories
Bars: Short Drags
Risers: Flyrite Choppers one-off
Gas Tank: Hodaka—Chopped and sctioned with an oil tank down the center
Rear Fender: Ford spare tire ring
Seat: One-off seat by Dave Martinez
Foot Controls: One-off mid-controls by Flyrite Choppers
Headlight: Bates with Flyrite Choppers side mount brackets
Taillight: Cateye with Flyrite Choppers Tag Mount

Classic pin lines on a cool tank sets this bike off into the realms of Ed Roth and Von Dutch.

I really love the look of these Siamese motors.

Triumph Bonneville Limited Edition Silver Jubilee

Posted on March 5, 2014January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

05 Mar

1977 Triumph 744cc T140 ‘Silver Jubilee’ Bonneville

The final phase of the Triumph twin’s development began in 1972 with the first appearance of the new 750cc version of the Bonneville, the increase in bore size necessitating a new crankcase to accommodate the larger barrels. Other improvements included a new ten-stud cylinder head, triplex primary chain, stronger transmission and a disc front brake. A five-speed gearbox, introduced on the preceding 650 Bonneville, was standard equipment on the 750. Despite the age of the basic design and strong competition from Japanese and European manufacturers, the Bonnie remained for many years the UK’s top-selling 750. In 1977 Triumph introduced a special, limited edition Bonneville to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. This was basically the standard Bonnie enhanced by a red, white and blue on silver finish, coach-lined cycle parts, and a chromed timing cover and primary chain case. One thousand were made for the UK and another thousand for the USA, while a further 400 were dispatched to other markets.

I left school in the UK back in 1978- and vividly remember these sat on the show room at our local bike shop, they didn’t really sell well back then at first, but triumph only made a thousand of these, and many went overs sea’s- So they made another 1200, some with a peanut tank to attract the US market.

Even though these looked cool, they had all sorts of issues and I bet any you see will have super low miles on them.

The points always played up, and also Triumph Chromed the engine covers and they started to peel.

This was to commemorate our Queens Silver jubilee, but thats all there was to celebrate about as the bike turned out to be a total Lemon, but- A great Collectors bike.