The time is flying her in Southern California, I am so busy right now, mostly with exhausts and making other parts for our beloved Machines, etc and I really appreciate you supporting me in these times that we are in right now.Volume is a little quiet but just wanted to say hello to ALL you out there.
Well, here we are, the weekend is almost upon us, things are still bad when it comes to Covid-19, this is a crazy time for us all, but- We have to live life and try and work the best that we can with what we have these days, and I hear from many Customers of their way to get through some of the lockdown and boredom, by working on their own projects in their Garage, barn, Shed or back yard.
I must admit, working with a mask on is hard, but lucky for me, I dont have people coming to my workshop to ask about parts, most will call, text or email about the issues they have with their ride.
I sure hope we find an antidote for this as I do miss riding with people and having a chinwag in person about pretty much anything two wheel related these days, but I shall continue to write a few blogs as I go along in life and share what I get up to in the garage.
I receive many orders in the day time and night, I think people sometimes believe that I work 24-7, and if I could, then I would, but I need my rest too, but, I do try my best at getting your parts to you as fast as I can but- due to this Virus, many places that I use are either closed or part time, so that holds me up in ceramic coating or steel supply etc.
So, if you can bare with me until this gets a little more manageable, I will en-devour to get your parts out of the door in a somewhat timely manner.
Be safe out there and hopefully we can get this Virus beat and all go riding like we love to, so- stay safe, stay positive and stay in the garage Wrenching.
Thank you so much for supporting me in this tough times we are experiencing in life.
Peace and Grease
Carpy
Well, time and tide wait for no man whats that about?
One must not procrastinate or delay, as in Let’s get on with the voting; time and tide won’t wait, you know. This proverbial phrase, alluding to the fact that human events or concerns cannot stop the passage of time or the movement of the tides, first appeared about 1395 in Chaucer’s Prologue to the Clerk’s Tale.
I’m stoked to still be invited to such big shows with many cool long term Motorcycles builders and the Greenday Bike should hopefully get some attention even after all this time.
Hope some of you may be able to see this old girl at some point, there really wasn’t anything around when I moved here 20 years ago in this style, many Choppers but No Cafe Bikes, and am proud that this is still around 14 years after I created it.
I love looking at this Thoroughbred, it handles well and is super responsive on the throttle.
I have a bit to do this weekend before the bike gets picked up and gets delivered 1300 Miles up in South Dakota.
So, I have to get on with some more work on the GD Machine but wanted to at least show you how this Motorcycle is looking, Fourteen years after I had completed it.
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!
Hey you lot, wow! Is all I can say, so many exhaust orders plus tons of parts going out the door, trying to keep up all the demand for parts for you to complete your Motorcycle Projects, so you can get out on the tarmac and blow all of lifes cobwebs out of the New Exhaust system I am supplying you all with.
So many Negative things going on in the world right now and as many of you are locked down in your place, you are getting positive things done like completing your Custom machine, and once you get out of your dwelling, you can enjoy the freedom of the roads and breathe in fresh air at 100 mph.
I have sold so many over the years and continue to offer a super fun system thats easy to install and made right here in Southern California, many people ask about my systems and then they email me after to say how wickedly cool these sound.
I really enjoy my job and seeing people happy, I have been doing this for over 20 years and still ride every single day of the week, and I want to Thank You All for supporting me in what I love to do.
Thank you all for your Patience, it is so nice to know that you like my parts and, I continue to push the envelope with new products coming out all the time, I push hard at pleasing everyone but must admit I have been over whelmed with orders these last few weeks and thank you for all understanding that some of these things take time as only now are suppliers opening their doors.
Its always fun designing new parts and I will be bringing some New systems out soon for you to try on your inline four Honda machines.
The exhaust systems are affordable but function so well, you will love the Tone and over run and the mid range really comes into its own compared to others out there in the market.
If you want something that Fits, and works very well, and- Getting value for money, Look no further, I ride, many other companies dont even own a Motorcycle, what does that say about them? They are just in it for the money, to me this is my Passion and Lifestyle and I continue to push that proverbial envelope.
Have a Great week and look forward to hearing from you about your inline Four Motorcycle at carpy@carpyscaferacers.com
Peace and Grease to you all.
Its the weekend and I am trying to get so many orders out, thanks for being cool about waiting as some things like chrome parts etc take a while as some of my own suppliers are closed still, due to the Pandemic, so I have to try and locate other companies, but thank you all for sticking with me and I am trying my hardest to get all your parts to you. So not a big blog today as I have to run to post office then make some more parts etc, just thought I would add a little video i did a while back, when I was at El Mirage Dry lakes for a TV show.
Well, as many of you are in the exact same boat as we are, this Pandemic is a terrible thing to happen to anybody, but, we are abiding by the safe distancing and I continue to try and make parts from home and in a timely manner, but, as so many people are now stuck at home, it is the perfect time for you all to be working on your projects etc.
I have had many orders already and wanted to let you know that I am working as hard as I possibly can and in the amount of hours available, to get your orders completed and off into the mail to you, I have customers all over the world and EVERY one of you is important to me.
Please could you have a little patience with me on special orders, ie Exhausts, as I have to get all the tubing, and bends, weld and sand and then send to the ceramic coater, this does take time even in normal circumstances, but I have so many Exhausts on order, I am trying to get everything completed as fast as I can.
I will be bringing new parts out soon too, and will post them on my website as soon as they are completed, so keep checking back from time to time.
I also appreciate all the orders and giving me the opportunity to make parts for you and keep my family going in these difficult times, being self employed has huge risks in times such as this and I cannot thank you all for the orders, no matter what the size of them are, they all add up.
Let me know if I can help you with any parts for your ride, as I have been doing this for over 20 years in Southern California and have so many repeat Customers, you are all like Family to me to be honest. Stay safe everyone and thank you for purchasing from me, love you all.
Well, we are entering a new World right now, times are hard and quite scary to be honest, most of us have been Quarantined and have to stay at home, in Isolation from the world, but keeping safe, Healthy and away from that nasty Virus.
But, I am getting many orders for parts this month as so many people are at home and have decided to pull up their sleeves and got into their Garage, Shed or Cave etc and start or finish off their project they had started a while ago and ran out of time to complete. And now we only seem to have time on your hands, you may as well tick some of those jobs to do off the list and make this time in isolation a rewarding one.
I just received an order for a drilled rear brake hub assembly, I have made quite a few for Customers over the years and to be honest, I find it quite therapeutic doing the drilling on the hub and thought I would share some of my experiences with you lot and maybe you will want to have a go your self??????????
I’m about to go out to get a few parts as I had orders today, wont see anyone but I have to go to storage and grab some stuff so will be back in a tick.
Right, I am now ready to get myself situated to get some drilling done on a hub that a Customer has ordered from me and you too can do this if you have some time, a drill and some patience, as it really pays off in the and and gives a unique Custom look on your machine. So, have a look here, I have three hubs to create for Customers and I will show you what I do ok?
Strip your old hub down, just have to remove the 2 springs that hold brake shoes and the split pins that hold the swivel, remove brake actuator and arm and you will be left with a bare plate, once you have completed that task, which only really needs a pair of long nosed pliers, you will then need to secure the hub onto something sturdy, so the plate doesn’t move when you start to drill your lightning holes. I always use a piece of old plywood and secure the plate on top it by using a washer and a wood screw, easy as that.
I use an array of drill bits and to be honest, I just go for it, no set pattern, what ever I think looks good I just drill and change bits as and when I see fit, that way, not one hub is ever drilled the same.
I always have a shop vac at hand, as you are going to get a lot of swarf from the Aluminum and it gets everywhere to be honest, so every now and again, I vacuum the mess it leaves, else you will be feet deep in alloy shavings.
So here you go, this is the pattern that I like the look of and I can still add or make a few holes bigger to give a different pattern.
Looks a lot different when its polished eh? Also, I add New brake shoes and actuator arms etc to make this really look like a Custom piece and so easy to fit too.
So as I have plenty of home time, I thought I would show you how I make these great pieces out of old tired brake hubs for the CB500-CB550 and CB750 Honda’s.
I am sure that you may want to have a go and see how you fare? Its such a great feeling when you bolt it all back together and its therapeutic for me thats for certain.
See, the Patterns are always different, that way, each one is unique to any other out there, its a neat old school look and cools the brake too as it aerates as you ride.
A trifecta of hubs I am doing and this does take some time to complete , but I really like doing these and they come out looking very cool indeed, as you can see below.
So, once all together you can fit right away to your wheel, or, if you are building a Custom rim, just plop in into the hub, it sure dresses that part up so well.
I have built so many that I have lost count over these last 20 years but always fun to create and I still get orders for the custom hubs all the time and glad that you lot like what I do.
Thank you for reading my little Blog today, I have fun writing these and its always cool hearing from you all to see and hear what you lot are creating in your sheds or garages etc.
Drop me a line if I can help you at all, even if its just for advice, my Number is 714-598-8392, you can also TEXT me on that as well for a faster response.
Stay safe everyone and we shall all get through this and be back on the tarmac having fun with our creations.
Rome was not built in a day and the same goes with this old inline four Honda CB750 machine, it is a wee bit of a head scratcher as so many things I am trying out, some work, some do not, but I guess that is the adventure in stepping into the unknown, when it comes to fitting non stock parts to a well known brand.
Well, the 230 pound inline 4 Motor is finally in and I tell ya, having a girlfriend that drops everything and gives you a hand, manipulate this arse grape giving engine into its cradle, well, its a blessing I tell ya, what a girl. We managed to get this motor in the frame area as I cut the old rails out and am making them removable.
The Lump is in place, it will be taken out later when I get to strip it all down and work on the frame for welding and I think I shall paint it, but right now I have no clue on color yet and am glad we got the motor to sit in this old Duplex cradle chassis, but so much more to do now.
This is an old KO Die cast Motor and this time we have lightened the flywheel and will not be using a starter Motor, it will be kick only, but should save some weight on the starter alone.
You can see the frame rail that is removable, I will strip the bike later and paint but I wanted to show you my own Custom oil tank that I want to use, instead of the ugly factory version.
This is roughly where I will fit the Oil tank, it also has a Battery box in the rear, this will house an 8 cell anti gravity battery and open the frame up, as I didn’t want to have stock oil tank and side covers on this build. This oil tank will fit snugly under the frame and I am stoked to be able to incorporate this set up . And so, we plod along, trying this and that, until I am happy with the way the build is going, no idea on color yet or rims etc but will sit down on the weekend and try and write up some sort of game plan for this Sturgis Bound Motorcycle.
Time does fly when you are having fun, especially if you are at home, or in the Garage, slinging wrenches about and seeing what you can create from a pile of old parts and see if you can turn it into the machine that you have thought about for a longtime.
The weather is supposed to be a bit crap this weekend but the weather doesn’t really effect me in the garage and I can continue to bang and grind to my hearts content if I so desire, and, the same goes for you lot I am sure.
The bit about building a bike or a part for your machine or Hot Rod for that matter, is , the fact that you did it your self in your own time line and how you wanted it, there is something so rewarding as having something that you have designed in your head, come to life and for me, that will always be a buzz when I fire something up for the first time and hear it come to life.
The Grin is always a mile long and I am sure that yours is too? If I can help with parts for you, a buddy or even a gift for that gear head in your family, I am always here to advise etc, you can always email me carpy@carpyscaferacers.com and even text me on 714-598-8392 and set your mind at rest that I will answer and help you on the way to what you need and know, it will fit and function.
This is my Passion and my Life, so- after 19 years here doing this, I strive to do even more in the following years to produce many more cool parts for the two wheeled fraternity.
My Girlfriend Jennifer loves to ride with me when ever she can and she has changed my life for the better, what a perfect harmony that I have with my girl on her Triumph as we belt around this great country, taking in all the sights and sounds.
If you want a Custom seat me by yours truly, to getting enough parts to make a start on a snotty old project that has been sitting for years, just let me know, I am here to help.
Have a great weekend everyone and hope you either get some time in the saddle or have fun building something Above and below is the same bike, see what can be done to these machines?
A whole lot of fun, thats for certain.
Thanks again and I hope that you enjoyed todays little blog.
