Honda SOHC Sandcast Cafe Racer up on the Auction Blocks from Sweden

Not always you see too many Sandast’s these day, I’ve owned about 9 over the years and sold many parts for them back in about 2003 but harder to locate for sure these days- So, when you see a Cafe Racer creation that was built in 1969 and sent to Sweden, then it is quite a rare sight. The bike was on the Auction Block but have yet to find out the closing bid price on this rare steed- but the title said it all here below:

ESTIMATE

$32,000 – $40,000

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Part of the MC Collection of Stockholm
  • Originally sold in in Sweden
  • 750cc engine
  • Keys
  • Photos and previous Swedish registrations included

This beautifully preserved Honda café racer is exactly the sort of machine every rider dreamed of in the early 1970s: a Hot Rod 4-cylinder in flamboyant style. The custom motorcycle trend was ramping up dramatically after the 1969 release of “Easy Rider,” with the wild paint jobs of the chopper scene spilling over into the world of café racers as well. Gone were the days—at least temporarily—of ultra-simple, pared-down street racers. If you went to the trouble of building something special in the 1970s, it made no sense at all not to paint it up with eye-catching metal-flake paint, stripes and graphics.

This Honda is a perfect example with its four-into-one exhaust system, white seat, double disc brakes, Lester mag wheels and large half-fairing with twin headlamps, á lá the endurance racing style of the time. Best of all, this is a genuine 1969 first-series Honda CB750 K0 with sandcast engine cases, one of the first models built in 1969 before the factory switched to mass-produced die-cast crankcases.

The sandcast CB750 K0 models are the most collectible of all the 750 street fours, and second only to a genuine factory CR750 in desirability. Of course, the Honda CB750 is legendary for transforming the motorcycle industry and changing what kind of motorcycles people rode. The old days of vertical-twin dominance were over, and now, fours were king.

This amazing 1969 Honda CB750KO “Sandcast” Café Racer was imported to Sweden in 1969 and retains its Swedish title dated January 1, 1970. This bike has had three private owners, and while it was originally a green model, it was built as a custom machine sometime in the 1970s. The MC Collection acquired it in this state and has wisely chosen to preserve this remarkable period piece as it was constructed in the day.

If I find out any more information as to what it fetched, maybe some more History and where it went to, I will of course add it to this blog.

Also- if any of you know, please email me on carpy@carpyscaferacers.com as I would like to know where it went to as well.

New Stainless Steel Exhaust for the Vesco Honda Creation

Well, the Rains are here again tomorrow, so had to tear into many projects to try and get ahead of the storm, as it will restrict me to many things I need to do to create this Custom Motorcycle, the Exhaust I originally tried out was pretty Bad Arse- But I wanted something really trick, so for a few days I sketched a couple of Idea’s and came up with my Latest design.

This is my latest system and I have called it the “Y-Block” And this system breathes like a man with Three Lungs.  Seriously, this is a great bit of Kit and hand made from 049 Stainless and not only does it perform, it is light weight yet sturdy. This is so much better in Stainless and wanted to show the Globe that cool stuff does indeed come out of sheds and Garages.

A lot of time and effort went into this system and I am happy at the end result, this will look great on the Vesco Honda and am sure many will ask about all the details that the bike has on it, there is so much to do and have to do all I can in the short amount of time to get this machine back up and running- no easy task and still quite a way away from completing this build.

The system will fit ALL of the 750 Motorcycles from 1969-1978 in the SOHC Range and will fit the CB750K, CB750F and CB750A models too, the design took some time to create how I drew it but it is bang on and I cannot be more happier than how the “Y-Block” free flowing System has turned out.

All quick release springs, this is a slip on system just like the old race bikes and wanted to give a little more Hot Rod look to this set up and I feel that I have accomplished that style and look. This has a Nickel Plated Removable Baffle and sounds just like a deeper version of the Yoshimura style system.

The fit and finish is superb and great ground clearance too, wasn’t sure if this was even possible a few weeks ago but after many drawings of concepts etc this is the end result and it looks so good, I am super happy that I went this way and it sure does look Custom. Sat on the workbench and rwady for it to be fitted to the Custom machine when I get it up to assembly.

This is my design and its a 4 into 2 into 1 set up that really lets the gases flow hard and escapes at the end through a baffle at a faster pace than many out there, and I really wanted a trick looking set up that not only looks and sounds great, but performs pretty well too, and this sure does meet the bill.

Of course I will offer this as a line for the HONDA CB750, CB550 and CB500 a little later on but first i want to see how it performs on the bike and will give a full run down when I have all that completed, but this New System really is a unique set up that I will be happy to offer to all of you soon for your inline Four Motorcycles.

I will weigh it later as its so much lighter than the steel versions and when it is in its brushed Stainless guise, its a real head turner with the welds turning that nice Bronze color.

A fun looking Exhaust that I am proud to put my name on and I am sure will get quite a lot of interest for other peoples rides, so today turned out a great way to bring the week to en end.

This will be easy to fit to your very own inline four, even if you are on your own as it weighs nothing and comes apart easily for assembly etc and the springs are way easier to remove than undoing bolts .

I wanted to have something different out there and to show that I also love Hot Rods too, it’s all a cool lifestyle that I have always been into and now have a great system for the inline Four Honda’s.

When the Vesco Brat bike is completed, I shall take a lot of photos of it, as well as some sound bytes of the exhaust system, I will still use the Yoshi style baffle as I love that tone.

So with that- I shall bid you a fond farewell and get back into the Garage, as I have a million more things to do and as the storm approaches, I need to get in there fast.  Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog, let me know your thoughts, as input is so important from My Customers.

 

 

 

The Vesco Honda frame gets a New Coat of Metalflake Silver Paint

Well, as we head into the end of the week, I am pushing to try and get as many things completed as I can for the Vesco bike, any Custom machine takes time and what with all this crazy wet weather here in Southern California, it has proven to be quite an arduous task to get some of the goals achieved, and more wet weather coming, its going to be an uphill struggle but I shall do all I can to get this together.

Its the wettest its been since Recorded history in the OC and I have to now work smart and do as much as I can with the doors closed, but I have many pokers in the fire and I am certain that this will get done but there seems to be obstacles all the way.

Right, after all that Modifying on the frame, I bead blasted it to bare metal, now it was time to get some paint on the chassis and this time I wanted Silver Metalflake, its a great color concept and very 1970’s too.

So, I thought that i would share on this Blog how that is now starting to develop, its almost there and can then put it on the table and begin to assemble into a unique Custom Bike.

Have a Great weekend everyone

Well, the end of the week is here and the weather is surprisingly cold here in Southern California, but this weekend I need to work on parts for the Vesco bike that i an trying to rebuild for a show in March in La for the OG Show, so I am flat out right now but enjoy the challenge.

Hope that you may time to wrench on your machine or even get lucky enough to take it out of the weather is not too bad, but- this time of year, many people are in their Shed, garage, Workshop, tinkering with their 2 wheeled machine and if you need help on parts or even advise, this is why I am here as we are all a big family.  I will also try hard to get you on the road as soon as possible.

I need to get another Master Cylinder for the Brat bike that I am creating and the one you see here on the Revolver Caff I built will be what I need, these work so well and are brand new, affordable and can run up to 2 Rotors too as it has a good size piston in the chamber.

I will be busy all weekend working on revamping parts and polishing parts and maybe some welding too, I get more done on the weekend than I do during the week, I think because I have so many emails and phone calls and texts to reply too and I do that all week.

Have a great weekend everyone, you can order 24-7 on my website and you can email, call or even text me still and I will reply, have fun and hope to see some of your creations soon.

Vesco Bike, bit more done on parts today.

Well, the weather has been pretty unkind over here in California, the Rain has been hammering down and as much as 3 inches a day, so that has restricted what I can do in the garage as I need to pull the bikes outside to be able to work in the area.

Rain was due this afternoon, so I went out in the garage and started by pulling the old rear brake hub out and then cleaning it in Vinegar and then lightly polishing it, I then secured the Brake hub to a piece of Old ply wood and then set about drilling a hole display, as I like that old school speed air cooling look and thats what I wanted to do to this hub.

Took quite a while but am happy with the result, I still have to Polish to a chrome finish but got it done just in time as the rain was beginning to fall.

So, I went into the garage and got the old brake Rotor from the Vesco bike and as it had seen better days, I thought I would give it the Old style Swiss Cheese style and drill 185 Holes into the Rotor, thus allowing heat Dissipation and it is also good for dispersing water like rain etc and lastly it is lighter too.

These Rotors are arguably, softer than an Italian Soccer club and drilling using a carbide tip was pretty easy but, it is time consuming drilling 185 Holes, and as you look at the Rotor, it does indeed look as though I have drilled them in a curve, but on closer inspection, you will see they really are a straight line of 3 then 2 holes and fun to drill and, for me its really therapeutic.

I love doing these and over the 19 years, I have drilled over 500 Rotors and they are still on the road today, testament that these really are a great set up for the Honda Four.

There you go, the tough part is, once you have drilled the 185 Holes you then have to counter sink them, Both sides, so thats 370 times, but as I said, to me its therapeutic and do the whole job in 90 minutes and what a great outcome, once I get to this stage, I shall remove the paint and then polish it to a chrome looking finish.

Still loads to do but wanted to share what I had done today, I used to offer these Rotors and may do again but need to collect about 50 of them so I can bang them out in a week etc.

but fun doing all this and hope you are enjoying my blog on the recreation of this old Vesco Honda time machine that I am turning into a Custom Brat bike to the La Custom show in March.

 

 

 

 

I started doing this here 19 years ago today.

Wow- Time does indeed fly by, on February 15th 2000 I started doing this and 19 years today I am still enjoying what I create and sell to you lovely lot.

Hard to believe that this 140 pound guy from North London, would be living his dream and doing what I always wanted to do, Motorcycles have been my life since a kid, I always look back and think how lucky I am to be doing what I do.

I have lost count of the amount of Motorcycles I have built since 1975, but I have never lost the passion for these 2 wheeled machines and dont think I ever will.

My T100 Triumph Daytona was such a fun bike but- it needed constant servicing, but that was the fun of it, getting to know your Motorcycle and how things work. I used to be a Dispatch Rider in the City of London and also up in Birmingham, riding thousands of miles all over the country and loved it, I worked for many companies delivering things everywhere, and knew there was nothing like being your own Boss and having Motorcycles.

I do sometimes miss that job as I got to see so many places, in the UK and in Europe but, the Danger was outrageous at times but that is why the money was so good, as we took big risks in what we do, and in all weathers, some Rain, some crazy winds and plenty of Snow and Ice. A major decision that I made moving here was because the weather was so nice and no more cold Knees and hand riding Motorcycles.

50 pounds lighter and more hair LOL- Loved that old bike too, it was a 1953 Sunbeam S7, I sure loved that bike and it looked along the lines of a Harley but was British.

I was self taught in Mechanics and loved taking snotty parts and transforming them into something very cool and different and I was hooked from day 1.

I hit the ground running in 2000 here in Southern California and built a well known Motorcycle out of the CB750 Honda Four, many people used to stop me in the street and ask.

“What is that bike” And I would reply its a Cafe bike, I got ask so many times that I painted on the tank the word  Cafe  in Old English, with Gold Model paint, using a modeling paint brush, then I guess I got noticed all over the place and started getting magazine coverage.

Roll on to modern times and I am still creating affordable parts to complete builds and want to than you all for being my Customers and look forward to speaking to you soon.

There is never a day thats the same for me in this industry and i love that aspect, there are always things to make, draw, build or repair and as long as there are second hand motorcycles out there, then I am good.

Where do I see this industry going? Well of course I have now seen the electric designs and although they look cool, they have no sound, I dont think I would like a dead quet machine, I like the roar of an internal combustion engine, I also believe in loud pipes save lives as if a pedestrian steps out in the street and an electric Motorcycle is belting along-Well theres a catastrophic accident waiting to happen.

I have manufactured thousands of exhaust systems for these old bikes and am gearing up to design more affordable styles and all made here right in California not oversea’s where the majority of systems are made by people not even into Motorcycles.

So, thank you, from the Bottom of my heart for ALL your support, you are helping my continue to live my dream and I hope I can help you, even if its just problem solving over the phone,

Thanks for reading my little Blog, right now I am building a Brat style Custom motorcycle and hope to get it completed for the OG show here in LA, but the weather is against us right now but we shall plug on. I love All motorcycles and glad that you enjoy what I do.

 

Thanks again for 19 years, the 20th year anniversary will have to be a bike created I think to celebrate an awesome milestone in business here.

Until next time, have a super weekend ahead of you and hope to hear from you soon.

CHEERS!

Re-Creating My Vesco HONDA CB750 Brat bike for the OG show in March

I am not and never have been a fan of dead lines, but right now I do have one in hand, March 23rd, thats when the OG show Custom Show is on and somehow I have to strip the Brat bike I built and hopefully finish it in time for the show.  No easy task when you consider that I have other jobs to do and of course, I have to tear the bike down to the bare frame and then make a start all over again.

So, the bike is ready to begin the strip, the bike will have a few tricks to the frame as I shall first remove the upper rails and then add my Custom Removable adapter kit to the top, this makes removing the engine so simple or just the cylinder head if you want to work on the bike with the motor still in between the chassis rails.

As you can see, I have used painters tape to mark where I want to make a cut in the frame to remove the rails, I use a sawzall for this job and will be using my steel inserts to replace what I am taking out of this 500 pound Honda CB750K machine.

As you can see I am making the first cut, when the kit is back in place, the integrity of the chassis will not be compromised, it will be rigid as hell, done many like this and of course YOSHIMURA did this to many race bikes and sold a Kit back in the day.

 

 

Once this is out, I shall clean the frame up using an air grinder with a Fiber wheel, this will clean the area up and then I can start to make the replacement frame.

As you can see, the inline Four Motor is ready to come out, and at 230 pounds, I want to lift this as quick as I can and not have to go too high, I have always used a storage moving Dolly to rest the motor on or put it on a milk crate as they are the same size, but Milk crates are getting hard to find these days, so a Dolly it is.

So, I straddle the bike and then with one quick lift, the motor pops up and I rest it on the frame, then walk to the right and plop it on the dolly and its out as easy as that.

So, the inline four mill is now out of the bike and I can push the engine into the garage where I shall work on that later, we have storms and rain forecast tomorrow for 4-5 days, so need to get this done and the frame to be stripped bare by the end of the day.

Right, now I can see what I have to work with as I plan and making the top kit first and thought I would share this as many people have purchased my kit and are happy how it works out for them and, saves them so much time when they need to remove the cylinder head or complete Motor.

Below is a little Video I took with my phone, you may have to hit the x on the lower right to hear what I am saying but explains what I am about to do to the bike.

Hopefully you could hear me mumbling about what I was doing and hit the enlarge button too if you want, look blow and you will see I have fitted the top rail kit and will weld it in tomorrow.

Below- I have now taped the area off here I need to make my next too cuts, as on this Custom build a I really want to be able to fit the engine easier without scratching the Metalflake paint that will be on the frame, this will be a very cool set up and the chassis will be strong as ever.

You can see the tape edges and that indicates where I will cut the side rail, this is something I have wanted to attempt for the longest of time and now is the time to do it.

Well, it is done now and there you go, I shall weld in the bungs tomorrow but have to make sure all fits will and make any adjustments before I completely strip the frame.

If you look closely you will see what I have done, once its welded and then the frame painted it sire will look pretty trick and make refitting the Motor so much more easier.

Make sure that you leave enough room for a strong bead of weld to secure the bungs and keep the frame rigid, but also make sure that you allow for any shrinkage.

Also, make sure that you Vee Groove a nice valley for a stronger weld, I also drill a hold halfway though in a couple of places, just for extra spot weld strength.

Here is the frame now that the adapters have been test fitted and I am happy about the way they look, not many would even notice until they see the inserts.

So Tomorrow and the next will be welding day, this old Honda frame has holes all over the place, so a good time to address them issues and make sure all is good.

I fitted some Tapered Races in the neck for smoother steering and looking forward to stripping all the old paint off this old girl and get into some fresh color that will turn heads.

Thanks for following what I am doing, I have a long way to go and hope that I can make such a short deadline, but appreciate all the emails of encouragement from you, it is going to be a great looking Custom when completed thats for certain, and already has quite a following.

 

 

 

New Year already here but lots to do and enjoy what I do for a living

Well, it is 2019 and that sure came up fast, it is amazing how fast time flies by when you are having fun, I have been having fun at what I do for coming up for 19 years and still going strong today, having a strong work ethic is something that is instilled in my blood, all my family have worked hard all their lives and back in the UK you have to work as hard as you can as there is always someone there to fill your shoes.

So, as we now turn into 2019 I have a few ideas for bikes builds parts and other things that kind of turn my dial, I have always been into Motorcycles my whole life but also many other cool things like Hot Rods and Classic cars etc, many of you share the same interests too, be it WW2 fighter Aircraft, Pin up art, pinstripe work or then very cool 1940’s Chris Craft wooden built Speed Boats etc.

I want to thank YOU all for visiting my website over all these years, its great to have such a strong following, and I enjoy answering your emails and enquirers about the parts you need for your machines, or the troubles that you are actually having with them, a problem shared is a problem halved, and its so gratifying to receive an email from a Customer who was a little stuck with their project and my advise and parts got them back into the direction they were originally aiming for.

 

It’s hard wearing so many hats at times as I am sure you lot do to, I answer emails, phone calls, and people pop in from time to time with their machines for me to look at, I send out quotes, I pack and fill orders and send them to the post office too, as well as trying to keep up with the times with how our building scene is going.

It’s super strong now and growing stronger all the time, I am amazed at the transformation of how Motorcycles have emerged and the Custom scene I believe now is the strongest it has ever been. Right now I have been thinking of tearing my Vesco Brat bike apart and painting the frame and motor etc as its a great bike but not finished, I just put it together to see if it would run, it then turns out to run pretty good, so I may strip down to the frame a custom paint it, and all of a sudden I get a letter in the mail, Whamo! I am invited for the 2019 OG Moto Custom Motorcycle show as a builder, so now the Honda will get taken apart and made to look pretty darn cool.

I was really stoked to be asked by Jay La Rossa to be another Custom Builder, LA’s Premier Custom Motorcycle show for sure.

So the Old Vesco Bike will get a fresh coat of paint on the frame rims and a few other bits and pieces, as many people wanted to come and have a look at this simple but brutus looking Brat bike and I am looking forward to showing it in March on the 23rd in LA, Sure hope some of you can make it?

I have been doing this many years, to be honest, over 40 years now and still learning, I am amazed and shocked sometimes at what people have turned out and at best, just from their shed or garage, which goes to prove, you do not need to have a big factory type building to produced a unique and eye popping Motorcycle project that shows class, design, aspiration and of course ingenuity.

Many times I have stopped at shows and looked at a Motorcycle that just amazes me, I love seeing other designs and it is always a great pleasure to strike up a conversation with like minded folk and find out what makes them tick too, we are a funny bunch but we all stick together in a way.

Also, I am a strong believer in bringing on the younger builders, their creative flair is just overflowing and you can literally see their excitement and creativity flow in the project that they have up on their table.

This year I hope to visit a few shows and see how people are, what their twist is on the Custom Motorcycle building fraternity is and where is it going, I mean, the wheel was invented so long ago but it is still being manipulated with and transformed every single day somewhere in the world. March will be fun at thew OG show and love chatting to you all.

I have no idea where the bike building styling is going to go, I know that soon we shall see many new Alternative machines making a big impact, like ” Alternative Power ” I see that Harley Davidson has already started to get into the Electric Motor industry, something I am not a fan of but understand from an environmental situation, as long as the motorcycle doesn’t loose its generic shape and sound, I mean, a quiet motor, where is the fun in that?

Who knows where it is going and many more bring out great designs and some way out there, like in the far rejoins of Russia etc.

But what ever you are trying to build, just have fun, so many people get all fired up that someone is building this and someone is making that, just embrace it, we are all bike builders and there really is no need for the crazy shit that I have seen happen at some places, my passion is motorcycles and always will be, there are tons of brilliant builders out there and I enjoy meeting all of them.

I wish you ALL a very Happy New Year and if you need anything, I am always here, by phone 714-598-8392 by Email carpy@carpyscaferacers.com or you can even Text me if you need help. 714-598-8392

 

 

 

Wishing Everybody a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Well, it is that time of year already and this time Jennifer and I are taking our first Christmas Vacation, we shall be in Hawaii to enjoy all the Islands and the delights of the sights and sounds of the Pacific as we shall be on a cruise ship. The website will be manned and I can still answer emails etc by phone etc.

Parts will not be shipped until January 3rd i’m afraid as I am away from the shop, but sometimes a Vacation is needed and hope you all understand?

Many thanks from the bottom of my heart for ALL your orders, emails and phone calls, its you that keep me going and I am glad to help you get your machines on the road.

More parts coming in the New year, so stay tuned to the website and I hope to be making more videos on the Daily Blog as well as maybe looking into pod casts etc for your enjoyment and, participation etc.

Enjoy this festive time of year, go out and ride if you can, and if the weather is too bad, stay in and work on that Motorcycle you have in the Garage, shed, back yard, the New year is just around the corner. so enjoy this time and look forward to hearing from you.

I will still be on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter too.  Facebook is Carpys Cafe Racers or Steve Richard Carpenter. Twitter: 750racer Instagram: Carpys_garage

Thanks for everything Folks and have a wonderful time this week.  Aloha and mele kalikimaka

 

Love what I do, best job in the world.

I have always enjoyed being my own boss, Yes there is never any wages, yes everyday can be a Monday, yes you can burn the candle at both ends, the the rewards of creating something with your own hands, far out weighs the negative sides to being self employed.

Happy Hump-day Everyone.