Plymouth to Ivybridge Ton Up Boys 1962

Posted on May 3, 2022May 3, 2022 by Steve Carpenter

03 May

Young Motorcycle Racers are gathered by a transport café on the A38 Exeter to Plymouth road. They are the ton-up boys taking off into the night.

British biker subculture originates in the 1950s and is influenced by American pop culture and the rock and roll music of Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and Chuck Berry. 1960s rockers portray a rebellious image emulating the cool moody actor James Dean with white t-shirt and socks, jeans and Black Boots with Fisherman socks, and of course , leather jacket, quiff and motorbike.

The ton-up boys create a lifestyle out of motorbike racing. The aim is to reach the speed of one hundred miles an hour in other words do the ton. The transport café is the starting and finishing post for races and games such as buzzing or chicken are played.

Chicken is putting a record on the jukebox and running to your bike and doing the ton and returning before the song finishes. Chicken is also doing a u-turn lean where the outer edges of the tyre touches the road used to measure a rider’s skill.

A Westwood TV production, presenter not known

Fun Time doing an Episode with Larry Romestate and Jay Leno

Posted on April 11, 2022April 11, 2022 by Steve Carpenter

11 Apr

I had a ball when we were filming this, fun times that I always treasure and hope you enjoy this too, Larry designed his BMW over many years and we used to hang out in my shop brain storming, he did a super job completing his machine and he rides it all over the place. Just thought I would share today.

Have a great week everybody and keep building at home and above all have fun.

Life behind Bars

Posted on June 7, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

07 Jun

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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

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.

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.

Ton up boys

Posted on February 10, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

10 Feb

Well, every now and again I will post some articles or some video of the Rockers etc back from where i was born in London as people ask me about the History of the Ton Up Cafe Racers.

So here are a few videos for you to tide you over the weekend.

Have fun on your machine.

The Glory days.

Litle Movie for you.

My mate roland sands and what he does.

Over the water to Brazil now.

Something a little different.

And now for something a little more out there!!!!

More History for you.

Need YOUR help get funding for New Movie ” Caffeine and Gasoline”

Posted on July 21, 2016January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

21 Jul

Ok people, when I see something I think is good, I let people know about it- When I see something that I Know is going to be Great- then I jump on my website and try and tell the world about it.

On Thursday I had the opportunity of hosting Steve Maes at my Motorcycle shop for his filming his newest project “Caffeine & Gasoline” Evolution of the American Rocker.

Many of you know the passion I have for my Motherlands birth of the Cafe Racer, and many of you have taken an interest in the History of the Cafe bars of the day in Great Britain back in the Late 1950’s and early 60’s.

Britain’s very own Coffee Cowboy evolved from Transport Cafeterias of the day and now some 55 years later, there is a huge interest in that era in the United States of America and somebody needs to engrain this on the silver screen to let the rest of the world know how a half century old lifestyle has had a massive resurgence and become a huge part of the Motorcycle fraternity.

There has not been a good ,documented film about this “Sub Culture” in the US like this, and now that Steven Maes has taken it upon his self to sit on a saddle, go out to like minded Ton Uppers and record what they have to say about this Lifestyle, well, I just want to help out the best I can.

If ever there has been a time to help out- now is the time.

I give to charities all the time and as the Rocker who runs the 59 Club O.C. section, we are a charity event and like to help where ever we can, I am not saying this is a charity cause but what it is to me and to many others is a personal encyclopedia of informative people over the United States who love the “Cafe Racer” style.

So, I am asking you to spare a little change and help Steve be able to make this project a total reality, and get this funding up and running fast, so that we can see this on the one eyed monster as soon as we can.

If you are reading this, it truly means that you have an interest in the Cafe Racer Lifestyle, and how ever big or small that interest is, it is great people like you that can help to make this film happen.

Lets all try and help, and donate to their cause, no matter how small the contribution, I would love to see the amount grow and this movie come to a full fruition and get to see this played all over the globe.

Personally I think it will be interesting, intriguing, informative and above all, it will show people around the globe “What makes us Tick”.

If you can pass the word I know that Steve will be forever indebted in gratitude to you for this, as it means that you care and would like to see this project completed and ready for everybody to watch and enjoy.

Also,I for one am so glad that someone is taking on the challenge and making this project happen and would be stoked if you could help with this funding.

I never ask for anything but feel this sums all of us up that are into the Nostalgia side of Motorcycles, something with history and of course now making its very own History in The US of A, how cool is that?

Here is the link for the gofundme page and hope you can do your best to pass it around to everyone you know, as YOU are our voice!

Thanks alot and I will be watching with baited breath at the totals to get Steve to achieve his target and complete this great movie that I think will receive awesome reviews.

Without help from the likes of like minded folk – Steve could not achieve the goal in the allotted time, so please help out where you can as I know I know I will.

Here is the link.

https://www.gofundme.com/caffeineandgas

Just a quick run down of Steven Maes below:

SILVER CITY — Silver City native and New Mexico Filmmaker, Steven “Fenix” Maes, known for his iconic design work on cult series Breaking Bad, is hard at work on a passion project about cafe racer motorcycles and rocker culture called Caffeine & Gasoline: Evolution of the American Rocker.

The film looks back at the American-inspired 1960s British greasers and their bikes, immortalized in the classic movie Quadrophenia, and then aims the camera at today’s home-grown rockers in America and beyond.

“From their earliest roots in the East Side of London to the growing vintage motorcycle enthusiasm around the world, rocker culture has made its way across the globe,” says Maes. “Motorcycle culture is always evolving, writing its own mythology and leaving tread marks across America. The rockers with their cafe bikes are a subculture within a subculture. They’re the real rebels in an increasingly conformist pastime.

“I really want to show the spirit and community within the culture, as well as, the design” Maes continues, “there’s such a passion and individuality put in to each bike.”

Caffeine & Gasoline talks and rides with such motorcycling icons as Antoine Predock, Albuquerque’s famed resident architect. The film features New Mexico’s only cafe club, the Duke City Rockers, whose rockabilly-styled members take viewers for a ride on their hand-built motorbikes and explain their attraction to the British iconoclasts.

Maes expects to wrap filming in fall 2016, and to release the film theatrically in 2017.

Good luck Steve and Hope to Ride up to Albuquerque to see you lot on my Triumph Cafe Racer.

Peace and Grease as always

CARPY

Royal Enfield caught testing 750 Twin Motor

Posted on April 30, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

30 Apr

750cc engine will give the cafe racer some serious power

A Royal Enfield Continental GT has been snapped up with a powerful 750cc, twin-cylinder engine which is expected to make it to their future line of products.

By the look of things, these are not RE heads but a custom set and this bike should haul plenty of balls.

It is about time they did this as the RE needs more power for everyday Freeway use and I for one can testify for that, so stay tuned we may see some cool stuff happening .

Take our word for it RE; if you are planning to put this 750cc mill on a thumper like the Bullet or a Thunderbird, it won’t go down that well as it won’t really fit in well with the legacy. Rather the suggestion would be create a completely new platform for this engine to give it proper justice. And also given the rumors that have been floating around about Royal Enfield working on the “Himalayan” project which seems to be a tourer of sorts to be taken up the mountains to Leh & Ladakh which is the most popular bike touring place for many a bikers and the bike of choice also being the RE thumpers.

Royal Enfield is also working on a 410cc Single cylinder engine but that seems to be the new generation motor to bridge the gap between their 350cc and 500cc machines and also provide the consumers with an option to balance between efficiency and performance, though we doubt how much that is going to affect the entire thing.

Our suggestion to RE would be that it is great that they are working on an inline twin but to keep their legacy alive and also develop with the moving times, a V-twin would make more sense which can be put on the legacy thumpers in the current line up as well. As for the inline twin, it is much more suited to a smooth, vibe free natured bikes and not thumpers. So if you plan for a street motorcycle or a sports tourer, in that case the inline twin would make for a more practical application like the Triumph Tigers. But for everyday use, a cruiser with a V-twin like the Harleys would make much sense and be practically feasible.

New Bike in My stable

Posted on April 1, 2014January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

01 Apr

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.

TRITON CAFE RACER BUILT BACK HOME By: MADE IN METAL

Posted on July 23, 2013January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

23 Jul

I saw this on the net on Bike Glams page and had to share it, as this has to be seen to get the day off to the right start.

The Iconic Cafe Racer has to be the Triton, a working class Racer with all the cool parts to make it go and stop and turn more heads than a naked model on rollerskates.

These has many cool parts and I love those exhausts, just pure sex.

Triton is a Classic British cafe racer. Different variations are fairly common, but now propose to evaluate the magnificent Triton, built by British experts workshop “Made in Metal “in Staffordshire, England. They used Triumph T150 engine and frame Norton Wideline Featherbed.

Neil Adams and Paul Stead are the masters of the highest level. Each of the project is worthy of special attention, and this bike is not an exception. Without a doubt, the British succeeded in creating one of the best newts, and in all respects: Layout, design, installation, craft unique items, etc.

Triton Features and Pictures:

Construction time: months
Engine: displacement increased to 850 cm3, the pistons omega, cams megacycle, connecting rods carillo (the use of magnesium reduced the t150 engine weight by about 10 kg)
Five-speed transmission (switch on the right side)
Tubular frame made of cr-mn steel t45 (aircraft steel)
Reflective coating exhaust zircotec (level of technology in formula 1)
And many other small things

Polished to perfection, this is not just a Cafe Racer of yester year, but a work of bloody art.

This not only looks the dog’s wobblies, it handles like a race bike and the dampners really stop all that wobble at the front when you are hard into a corner, and what I would give to be able to ring ths gooses neck out and see how she handles.

Hand bend exhaust system even make swarbricks look untidy- simply -LUSH !

The more you look at the photo’s, the more detail and refinement you notice.

If I had a hat on, well, I would be tipping it your way fella’s, grand job and I cannot stop looking at it.

Just look at them hungry bell mouths.

Now you can go back into your shed and start putting something together, as if this doesnt get the design juices flowing, theres something wrong with you.

Login