More Exhausts on the go, busy times at Carpy’s Garage

Posted on June 3, 2023 by Steve Carpenter

03 Jun

Busy day at home and more 4 into 1 Exhausts systems are now completed, I have been busy as of late and just about caught up with previous orders, I love making these and getting them sent to all over the world.

These are the CB750 and Cb500-Cb550 Yoshi style systems, some of these will be Ceramic Coated, some will remain Raw and be packed in boxes ready for shipping etc, always good to be busy and more styles coming out soon.

I sent a few boxes off to Europe today, good to get that lot on their way to their Customer and they can get their own machine back on the tarmac, the Sun is out and that always gives you a little extra boost of work ethic, so got a ton done.

Well, I best get a few packed away in boxes and put in my workshop, but just wanted to share what i get up to some days.

Thank you for suppoerting me, I am a one man show and the show is going good.

Exhaust for SOHC Honda’s 1969-1978 The SIDEWINDER

Posted on January 14, 2023 by Steve Carpenter

14 Jan

I have been getting a lot of compliments on the 4 into 1 Exhaust I manufacture called The Sidewinder, this really is a great performing system that not only fits well, it sounds crisp and is a true Performance pipe.

These power houses are available in Raw steel, for that Industrial Look, or you can wrap them with Heat wrap for your Custom look, but also I get these Cerakoted in Ceramic and have a Choice of Colors of Black, Silver, Titanium and Burnt Bronze. These are designed to fit the HONDA CB750K CB750F inline Four Models of the SOHC size, that’s from 1969 up to 1978.

Also , the advantage of this system is that you can still run with your center stand attached as these pipes wrap to the right hand side of your engine and clear the oil pain, the second thing is you have a totally clear access area to your Oil filter housing, which makes for easy oil changes and filter swaps etc. A really well made system that is affordable and pretty easy to fit, even on your own. I have done this many times and so glad I went this route, the whole system itself is about 13 pounds so easily lighter than the stock version.

These are all made right here in California and ready to fit to your bike and get you back on the tarmac, these are held into the Cylinder head by floating Flanges, so no more messing around with either half shims or them finned pinch clamps, simply bolt on with 8X35mm Bolts or if your head has studs, then these just slide right on into the ports and simply tighten sequentially. I use a Stainless Bolt to attach the tail pipe to the header, as springs tend to jump off over bumps, mostly made for the track, so a tried and tested method is a high quality stainless bolt that I supply with the system.

Yes these do come with a Baffle and I do not add any packing to it, I like the 95 Decibel output but if you feel it is a tad loud for your area, then any local Motorcycle shop sells the fiberglass packing or use some steel wool and wrap around the baffle and refit until required sound is found. No other sound like this, other than a 30 year old Yoshi.

The Photos I have shown are Raw steel, but Ceramic coating is available but takes 10 from order as I take it out to the company to do their coating but worth the wait, I do not store any in house coated, only because we get the odd Earthquake and don’t want to scratch anything if they moved when we get a shaker here.

I personally Pack these systems and send them out to you, I help Over sea’s Customers on the duty form, so you don’t get any silly fee’s, remember, I have been doing this almost 23 years, so know my way around the shipping forms. I packed these in a 16x16x21 double walled box and make sure that it doesn’t move when in transit.

Let me know if I can help you with one of these systems for your Machine, be it Stock, Custom, Café Racer. Brat. Tracker or a Dailey parts Runner, this exhaust will give you more pep and looks pretty cool too. It breathes so well you will be stoked at the velvet tone that it emits at the rear end. Looks Great and value for money, way better than the Chinese stuff that’s out there.

I am super stoked at these systems and have many repeat Customers from all over the states and the globe, I love to hear from customers that really do enjoy the burble that these 4 into 1 exhausts make and the throttle response is second to none. All would suggest you up jet 2 sizes on the main, but that’s it, these run so good.

If you need any more information, please drop me a line at carpy@carpyscaferacers.com or call or even text me on 714-598-8392, thanks for checking in and hope that you enjoyed this page on the Sidewinder Exhaust.

Raw Steel System : $380

Cerakote Coated : $480

A New Year is almost upon us, what does it bring to the people in the two wheeled world?

Posted on December 5, 2021December 5, 2021 by Steve Carpenter

05 Dec

Sitting in my office, looking at the fog bank rolling in across the front of the window, reminds me of years gone by when I was back in England, I had an old garage that was built in the 1960’s, the doors were missing and I shared the area with 9 other garages, closed in by a wall and agate, the Fog would roll in just like today and I continued to work on one of my projects, be it a 2 or 4 wheeled model and just shrug the weather off. Today the Fog is surrounding me but I have been fortunate to have an office now and as I type this, the New Concrete slab that has just been poured for my new workshop, is hardening and hopefully in a months time, the steel Barn can be constructed and give me a new chapter in my life of Building and manufacturing parts for Motorcycles and Hot Rods.

This Covid Virus has really turned the globe on its head and many times I have heard news of friends and family catching this awful strain, I too submitted to it, even with 2 shots, but, the world is now evolving and in a way, getting used to life with a mask and Social distancing. I mean, Life has to go on, we have to live, survive and of course put bread on the table.

I see a few companies starting back up, albeit on a smaller scale, but we have to carry on and get back on track, and not look back at the sad and painful year or so that has gone by. I am getting enquiries on commissioned builds but am not ready to commit to contracts on these until I know where I am with my New Workshop etc. and want to take my time to equip the barn with the tools I need to do what I do.

But, 2022 is just around the next apex and I can see it approaching a bit faster now, I see a way better year ahead for all thank god and look forward to attending some shows and exhibitions etc. to show people New parts, builds and also just Human Communication, something I do miss of course, without communication, I have no input into what people like, want or are hoping to see in our two wheeled family and with the new Year offering hope with Vaccinations and the like, I believe that we can slowly get back into gear and enjoy the hobby that we all love.

I love all Motorcycles and really enjoy chatting to other builders, some of who simply knock my socks off with their own creations that leave my proverbial jaw continually slammed on the ground in amazement of their skills and creativity.

I think that as a builder and manufacturer, we all feed off input and the importunateness of shows and meetings etc. is Vital in the industry that we are in, and looking forward to attending a few shows next year, even if its just to stretch my creativity legs so to speak. I really do enjoy talking with Customers about their needs and what makes their crank turn and even though I still receive many phone calls and emails, its always great to see the Client in person.

So, here’s to a way better year and look forward to seeing some of you on the tarmac, always great to hear from you all and get an idea of what you are creating at home.

Exhausts are going out the door pretty quick these days

Posted on November 7, 2020November 7, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

07 Nov

Well, a day off at last, albeit I will be catching up on things at home etc, but- I am in my office and for once, it has started to rain. Something that we do not get much of in Southern California, so I will engulf this as it reminds me of back home in the UK and, it also gives me a little time whilst I have a cup of splosh, to tell you that I have been selling quite a lot of 4 into 1 exhaust systems as of late.

I have not added up the amount of systems I have sold over the years but its a few thousand now and I am so stoked that Customers still like them and, they are made right here in California and not China, I get many emails from customers, letting me know they love the look, fit and of course the sound and performance that these systems make, a very unique and smooth breathing system that I am very proud of and cannot thank you all enough for purchasing.

It is unreal the places that my systems have ventured out to, Russia, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, etc as well as Australia, New Zealand and the surrounding Islands, from Hawaii to London too, I am amazed when I get the order to see where it is going. So thank you all for that and I shall be looking into some more designs when the New workshop is built, something that will always be enjoyable.

These will fit the CB500 the CB550 and the SOHC CB750 K F models from 69-78 and you will see a big difference from stock, weight for a start, sound and of course the response is way faster and smoother, rev that girl out and watch the RPMs enjoy the free flowing system and the bark as you shift gears.

These come in a variety of finishes, for the Tough look, there is Raw steel, its bare bones and will rust of you dont wither wrap it or clear coat it but it looks killer when fitted and the industrial look in really popular right now.

Also there are Color options for the systems, we get them Professionally Coated with Cerakote. High temp ceramic coatings act as a ceramic insulation in that they protect your exhaust system from rust and corrosion. Ceramic coating will protect your exhaust from things like road salts, oil and gas, heat from your engine, and exhaust gases that flow through your pipes. Also can improve the performance of your engine’s horsepower. It helps increase the speed and maintain the quality of exhaust gas flow while keeping the temperature of the engine low. When you apply the coating to the exterior, it can make the exhaust flow faster, allowing for a reduced loss of power and temperatures.

Above is the Burnt Bronze which has a Texture to it and helps dissipate the heat fast. You aren’t going to want to replace the items in your exhaust system very often, and you won’t have to when you use a high temp ceramic coating. The coating reduces the thermal cycle surface temperatures, reducing the exposure to a constant hot-cool cycle. This all means that the coating reduces the risk of the metal arts in your exhaust system weakening.

A stealthy 1978HONDA CB750 SOHC looks Tough as Nails sat outside the owners garage, he loved the fit and sound of his machine and rides it as much as he can, it looks great eh?

The Sidewinder is a good system too and hugs the frame tightly, it also allows for a Main stand to be used if you wanted to.

The Yoshi is my Best Seller and as you can see, it sets this machine of nicely a great Motorcycle and it gets a lot of attention where ever it is ridden to.

Above is the Titanium Color that some people order, its great to be able to offer a few colors as the bike they are building can have a matching system that suits the styling.

We try our best to come up with a great exhaust and I think that we have made many people happy that this is available not just in Raw steel, but in a variety of colors and stainless steel too.

The good thing is that this 2 piece set up comes with a Removable Baffle and you can either pack it with fiberglass to quieten it or leave as supplied for that Velvet tone, as 99% do keep the baffle in with No packing at all.

Which ever way to go, I am here to help, I look after all my customers and over seas I adjust the customs forms so you dont get hammered with Duty fee’s etc, and as the system is a 2 piece, I can get it in a smaller box, which means cheaper shipping as well.

Italian Thoroughbred Thruxton R is pure Class.

Posted on December 15, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

15 Dec

Caff bikes terminology has not changed, back in the day, these words seemed to be only understandable to the sub- Culture that lived and breathed these British Factory bikes that were stripped down, parts either sold off or re-fabricated to enhance the Motorcycles speed, Handling and of course performance, but as well as looks, your machine needed to stand out, to really stamp an exclamation mark of Ton Upmanship. This has been my lifes interest and when I saw this machine, well, I just had to Blog about it.

But, now in 2017, we have come a long way, a few years ago it was still a sub culture in the Caff World but, with people creating unique looking machines, the media on the two wheeled industry could not but notice this newer trend of creating your very own Rocket and the proof of that pudding is when Meridian turned out the Triumph Thruxton in 2004, it sure turned heads and the sub culture took a back step and now it has gone mainstream.

Nothing wrong with that, just look at the Brand New Triumph Thruxton R, I mean look at them, they have an old look, but- They have a strong, reliable engine that produces so much power to the ground its breath taking, the lines are so smooth and flowing that even Alberto Vargas could not equal that in any of his renderings.

New modern technology with front forks, full floating brakes and sturdy swing-arm, gives this bike a Classic look with futuristic handling.

So, when you clap your eyes upon a Thruxton -R, you think to yourself, “This is as far as you could go with a Caff Racer” I mean, what else could you do to make this machine any more appealing.

Well. over in the town of Massa in Italy, you will find Alo and his Motorcycle company, they have been creating Caff Racers for about 10 years now and when they were approached by the high end watch manufacturer Meccaniche Veloci to design and build a stylish Cafe Style Motorcycle using a Triumph Thruxton -R, well they were on board right away and began the transformation of a really eye catching Motorcycle, into a precision work of art that runs as smooth as one of the Clients Time Pieces.

Just take a look at the craftsmanship of this machine, the exhaust are of course Italian, from Zars but with a few modifications, take a look at the tail pipes to see that the ends of the silencers features a unique 4 hole design that is reminiscent of the 4 faces of the companies Quattro Valvole watch. The headers flow so well and hug tight and high the the machine, being as one so to speak. Much fettling was applied to get this set up to look like it was from the factory and boy- Did these fellas pull that job off.

The Original Factory Plastics were removed, this machine needed to have some top quality Aluminum panels made, so to start, they decided they would hand form a front fairing but a full version reminiscent of the days back in the UK with a Phil Read style, that flowed like water from a tap. This was by no means an easy task, the lines are smooth but not straight, and to get them flowing curves, many hours of hand forming were spent in the workshop. Using just 3 pieces of Aluminum these were massaged into the work of art you see on this motorcycle, they also fabricated some side covers to keep everything in contrast with the front end.

The detail is so pleasing and reminiscent of the time pieces that Meccaniche Veloci manufacture, as even the leather material used for the Hand formed seat, used the same stitching as the time pieces have as the wrist strap, with the traditional racing stripe incorporated to show this is a fast machine. The Herringbone style stitching works very well and sets this apart from anything out there right now, all handcrafted at the workshop.

The finished example of Alo’s hard graft is so apparent, aptly named “the Bullet” This is on another level of machinery you may see of any Thruxton R right now and would love to see this at our 59 Club O.C. meet as it is such an eye catching Motorcycle and would love to hear them Zard pipes in action, as it would probably sound as deep and strong as Pavarotti himself.

So thats my Blog for today, a nice piece of Italian styling that will always attract attention, I hope you enjoyed Fridays Blog and I try to do as much as I possibly can to promote these machines and of course the lifestyle too.

Now I have to try and at least clean u my old 2013 900 and give it a go but man thats a nice machine Aldo has created.

Have fun with your machine today or over the weekend, looking at things like this always gets my creative juices flowing and I am now looking forward to wrenching on my own Thruxton.

If you are anywhere near Massa in Italy, pop in to see Aldo, they have a wicked workshop and you will enjoy their creations.

Have a super weekend and let me know if I can help with any parts for your machines.

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