Tag Archives: triumph

I’m still a Pencil and Paper designer but todays graphic Artists are pretty cool

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
12 Feb

I have always doodled since I was a youngster, I drew Motorcycles on anything to be honest, be it a Napkin on the table, the school folder or on an opened up chewing gum wrapper.

But todays graphic artists are on another planet, and Garinca Bali from Indonesia is no exception, I came across this Royal Enfield Custom he designed for a competition, and even though I have no idea how the heck that you do something like this, I admire the bloke, what a great skill.

Just thought that I would share today.

Always loved Solid Works etc but this is Art Station and boy you can do all sorts of creations with it.

Clever people that I have always admired, making visual and crisp creations from someone like me who give them a chewing gum wrapper sketch.

I think life would of been very different for me if we had this sort of software at school, but when i was at school all we had was a microfiche LOL!

So, if you are learning this Modern art of designing on a Computer, good on you, I love seeing stuff like this and hope someone can draw up a sketch of mine sometime so i can share it with others on the INTERWEB!

New beginnings for 2022, Looking forward to it.

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
10 Jan

The New Year is here, still a crazy world out there and I am not taking any risks to get ill again, I got all my shots, I then caught Covid and then at Christmas got a cold almost as bad as the New Omicron, what a shit start to the year for sure, but- I have got the cold just about beat, still coughing like a badly tuned motor, but I am on the road once more.

For over 20 years I have rented a building for what I do, we all throw away good money on rent and the Landlord is the only person that makes anything out of that, but- this year is all different, about 7 months ago we put in plans for a barn to be built on the 1 acre we have here in La Habra heights. We had to jump through the many hoops and have many inspections, but at last we are now making some great progress.

Once the Concrete slab was laid and left to cure for a whole month, we started to get the Barn ready to go together on Wednesday, the sun was out and the rain storm we had for a week before had gone, this is a really excited time for Carpys Garage and wanted to share some of the build with you.

A great Company that makes steel Barns for many years was the choice that we went for, robust and affordable, a steel skeleton is constructed and bolted with high grade bolts to the Concrete floor, this is a sturdy set up and am glad that we went this route.

I have no idea how I am going to decorate as yet, that all takes time and of course money, but the main thing is to get the workshop put together and then see what I can do to make it my own and have fun creating what I do from the comfort of home. And not a drive to work either.

 

This will indeed be the perfect place for inspiration and dont have to worry about parking, or the street sweeper etc or the Land lord coming by to increase their rent, this is a bitchin set up and super stoked to be doing this.

It is the perfect size for me and although will take a little time to dial in, it will be such a relief to jump out of bed and stroll up the yard to the Barn and begin to make parts or create builds to offer the Customers all over the globe.

I wanted a Red Old style Color Barn as the area we are in has many Ranches etc. And we thought this color will fit right in, hope to find an old Cart Wheel later to add to the side and of course old industrial Lights to mount outside, along with a Cow or Bull skull with Horns.

Lots t do but making great headway and will be a fun project as we go along, some might not understand the importance of your own workshop, but those who do, will really get how stoked I am to be in this situation.

 

Eventually I shall decide on a cool Barn door, as I don’t want just a regular roll up, they are noisy too, so I am looking into a few styles with Jennifer to see what would look good on the front.

It is also a nice wide opening, so I can get my bikes and Hot Rod in there with no issues, the run off is super good if we do get any more of the wet stuff.

Just wanted to share the news with all you lot, I know that a lot of you will be stoked for me and I look forward to making brand new parts here from the countryside of ideas.

Its Bulldog approved now and she will enjoy hanging out again in the garage as she was in many of my shops and loved hanging around in the workshop all day.

So, thanks for reading my little Blog and I will show more of when I have got other stuff finished in the Barn, but good things are happening and many thanks for sticking by me.

 

Thought I would show the New Little CB350RS HONDA that’s out and about, very Nostalgic looking, what do you think?

Happy New Year Everyone

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
01 Jan

Here we are 2022 at last, man – What a crappy 2020 and glad to see the back of it and start a fresh and hope that we all have some good health and enjoy life as much as we can.

I somehow caught the Flu over Christmas and it Royaly buggered me up, Only about 80% right now but at least I am up on my feet, and I wanted to make sure that I did a bit of work at the house and get a few things ready for when My Barn arrives for assembly on Wednesday.

I have a few Projects I would like to finish this season and I hope my health gets a lot stronger as I took quite a whooping last year with Covid and the Flu, so lets all keep our pinkies crossed that we are all fine and can go and wrench on our machines to our hearts content.

There are many things that I hope to make and offer on my website for all the avid Motorcycle builders out there, I receive so many emails and texts about what you lot are up to, it drives me to help get your machine completed, and sure hope that you can complete yours this year to get on the tarmac for the new season when it eventually arrives where ever you are located.

Just wanted to wish you all a Very Happy New year and thank you for all of your orders, emails, phone calls and texts, I love chatting to you all and look forward to continuing great communication with you in this New year we have all started.

Look Forward to seeing what you are all creating and maybe see you on the road one of these days?

 

Here is something to have a laugh at at days gone by back home 1965.

Another Year awaits, Have Fun Building your Machine

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
29 Dec

Well, what a bloody tough year we have all had, for me it has been crazy, what with moving to another location as well as catching Covid and then on Christmas day catching an awful cold with the same symptoms of Covid but without the temperatures, its been a long battle throughout.  From having some of my suppliers completely closing down due to the Virus to some retiring early, I have had to come up with some more ideas for parts and apparel to have for the coming year we await.

But, the positive side to this awful dilemma we are all facing right now is, we have some time in our garages. sheds or back yards, to turn a wrench, help a mate or give a whole new project a go and take any frustrations out of what’s going on in the world and turn it into a working machine that is yours and yours alone.

I love making parts or building new rides, its a therapy and an escape from life’s woes to be honest, and also there are many many failure before I find something that fits and works as it should, so for those who are trying it on your own, or building your own machine, Failure is a learning curve, we all do it and not only once. I have almost given up on a particular piece I was trying to make, I left if for a day or two and when I head a fresh brain, it all clicked and worked.

Do not be afraid to fail, I have sat and pondered and even been seen to shout at the parts calling it all sorts of names but in the end we managed to come up with a result that we are happy with, the fun is in the creating at most of course, taking your ride out and stretching its legs for the first time is such a thrill and the Euphoria is un measurable, but what I am trying to say is

“Dont Give up”  There are many friends on the internet that can I advise, heck, I even put my phone and text number on my website so people can text me, rather than waiting all weekend for an answer from a company phone, i want to help the best way I can, its not all about sales for me, its Service and the camaraderie of the fellow builder.

I am hoping that this coming 2021, we can all have fun in what we do and maybe even meet at an event or on the tarmac, or at the very least, on the end of the phone of email, there is something self gratifying when you complete something on your own machine and I receive many emails and photos from customers who have really enjoyed creating a unique Motorcycle that they want to personalize for themselves.

Hoping that you can get some time and turn a wrench and have fun with that two wheeled machine of yours and maybe I can help with parts or advice?

Wishing you ALL a very Happy New year that’s almost upon us and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your orders from around the globe, you all Rock!!!!

 

Here is a little video I saw on you tube of a guy with minimal tools rebuilding his little Honda Cub.

Girls and their Machines

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
13 Nov

I have written all sorts of Blogs on two wheeled machines but I am trying to share more info on the Amazing Women that ride Motorcycles too, I have a few Girl friends that ride and I couldn’t keep up with them, they need recognition, and a little insight to how and what made them have an interest into these 2 wheeled internal combustion engine machines.

I hope to feature some Girl riders more regularly, and with any luck they can tell me and you in their own words, what makes them tick, I don’t think there is anything cooler than a Girl on a bike, and my very own Girlfriend rides a Bonneville and has an old 550 Honda, as well as an 883 Sportster.

Below is a friend of mine that was a real Motorcycle enthusiast when I was in London, and still is as mad about two wheeled machines today. Karen Stephenson is an awesome Motorcycle aficionado and is handy with a Spanner and a paint brush.

Here is her explanation of what got her interested into the same scene I am into.

Originally from Canada, it took moving to England to awaken my passion for classic British bikes.

I moved there for work and was introduced to ’60s Triumphs and the Rocking scene.

I would go down to the 59 Club every month and go on the Rockers runs down to Brighton.

If ever there was a rockers do, I would be there. My first bike was a 1957 BSA bantam D1 which I rode from London to the south of France and back after one day’s training on a learner’s license. After that “on the road training” I went back to Canada to get my full motorcycle license.

Upon my return to England I bought a 1968 Triumph Tiger 90. I soon realized that the Tiger 90 was too small so my boyfriend at the time and I upgraded the engine to a Tiger 100.

I loved that bike. That started a passion in me that continues to this day. I have now had many Triumphs and a Triton and some Guzzis and a Ducati Monster. But the constant has always been a Triumph.

 

Work took me back to Canada 11 years later and I am now back to building Triumphs again and have just finished a 1969 Tiger 100 from basket cases and I’m just starting to build a 1963 Bonneville from scratch.

I think I will be riding triumphs until I have to trade it in for a Zimmer frame. Even so, I may put Triumph handlebars and a headlamp on it. Haha

Thats so cool that Karen is still building her Motorcycles and has as much passion now as she had back then.

How about a trifecta of ladies on their Ton Up Machines, awesome photograph taken back home.

There has always been something cool seeing girls and their bikes, especially when they are in full stride in kicking the motor over to hear it scream into life.

Karen does her own wrenching, so saves all that Labor money that garages and the like love to charge and she has built many Motorcycles over the years. A very talented Lady.

Its been many years since I have owned a pair of Black leather Gauntlets, but the British weather always called for them before the slimline fancy stuff was available, nice to see Karen donning the same style like I had for years.

What a Brilliant Photograph right here, these triplets are not to be messed with. Karen’s Jacket is so typical of the attire many of us wore with all them badges of honor and key fobs, love it. A really fun photo that I wish we could all see some more of.

Cannot get enough of these Nostalgic Photos of Karen and her steeds and hope you lot are enjoying as much as me? And am hoping that we get a lot more Ladies sending in their photos of them and their Mean Machines.

This photo is how I remember seeing Karen when I was going to an event like the Rockers reunion etc, a classic look and style and will be loved for ever. I do not know who took the photo but am forever grateful for them as its a Timeless shot that has travelled the globe many times for people to admire.

How many of us have done this over time? I know I sure have, I remember the ride to Hemsby on my little BSA Bantam or when I rode my T100 in rain and wind all the way to the east coast, no money to stop and stay somewhere nice, but I could pull in and find some shelter and lay on the bike to get some well earned rest, love this photo Karen.

Karen lives back in Canada and maybe we can pop in and see her when we get to travel more again, she is a super person and a very talented Mechanic and artist.

So, if you have a Wife, Girlfriend, Partner etc that rides MotorCycles, then drop me a line with some pics and lets do a blog on them, as I love to see as many girls on the road as possible.

 

 

 

carpy@carpyscaferacers.com  OR at carpysgarage@aol.com

 

 

Meeting a Customer whilst in Hawaii

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
19 Sep

Jenn and I are so lucky to be able to travel the Globe, obviously the Pandemic put a stop to everything for over a year but, we were so lucky to be able to take a well earned trip to Hawaii, it is such a relaxing set of Islands and something we both needed after the stressful year. So, off for 10 days of destressing and just got back yesterday morning.

Whilst out there I met up with a Customer of mine who is a Firefighter out in Maui, totally cool guy and he had an old CB750 that he had built himself at the Fire Station and rides it all the time.

He used all parts he had laying around and some parts from me, its hoot to ride and so glad that we had time to have a chat here in Maui.

But Nice to be home and have many ideas for more parts for your Motorcycles and just the break we needed in these crazy times.

Now to get back to work and try and design all sorts of cool stuff, thank you lot always for thinking of me for parts and even advice.

Beryl Swain- First Woman to Compete on the infamous Isle Of Man

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
26 Jul

Beryl Swain: The First Woman To Compete As A Rider In The Most Dangerous Motorcycle Race In The World.

 

IN most peoples opinion the most dangerous motorcycle race in the world is without question, the Isle of Man TT.
Its a point to point 38 mile race that is held once a year on the public roads of a small island located in the Irish sea between England and Ireland.
The first race took place back in 1907 making it one of the longest running events as well. Its an all out sprint where riders can reach speeds well over 200mph while traveling just inches away from cobblestone fences and houses littered along the course, or I mean roads.
Since its debut there have been almost 250 reported casualties both from competitor to spectators lines up along the route. You can only imagine loosing control of a bike at even 100mph, its going to slide a long way and hit something hard. For a point of reference, the current record held on a bike is 16 minutes 58 seconds set by Michael Dunlop at this years running of the TT. If you average that out, its over 133 though the entire 38 mile course (well 37.73 mile to be precise)! Now don’t go thinking its virtually a straight line the entire course, there are said to be more than 200 turns, some of which sharp 90 degree turns.
Now that we have an understanding of just how intricate and dangerous this race course is, you can better appreciate Ms. Beryl Swain. She made history by becoming the first woman to compete in the mighty TT in 1962. She wasn’t riding the powerful superbikes, instead she rode a 50cc Itom made by a small Italian manufacturer. Now the bike was highly tuned by Beryl and her husband Eddie Swain who was also an accomplished motorcycle rider.
She had worked in the pits for Eddie at races since they got married in 1959. But on this momentous day, it was him that was prepping the bike for her. It was reported that Beryl was a complete natural from the first moment she threw her leg over a bike, which apparently didn’t happen until after she and Eddie got married. If that’s accurate, that would mean she would’ve had less than three years experience on the bike when she entered the TT.
Now technically Pat Wise was the first woman to be a part of the Isle of Man in 1958 when she rode in the side car for Eric Olive. But Mrs Swain was the first to compete as a rider. Now this was during a time when men hadn’t yet realized that women secretly run the world and are not only as capable of doing almost any thing a man could do, but some things even better. (Insert sexist joke here, for example “what..laundry?) That includes Motorsports, just look at the Force girls dominating the NHRA drag racing championships. I’m getting sidetracked, Mrs Swain did exceptional well for her first time, even finishing the race which is not something that is a given.
At the end of the race a reporter managed to catch up with her where she said ” my hands were frozen round the twist grip, but I was told I managed to get within three seconds of the lap record for the 50cc class”.
She had every intention of returning to the race the following year to increase her expertise and possibly get closer to that lap record. But unfortunately her racing licence was revoked by the International Federation of Motorcycling preventing her from being able to legally compete.
It was reported the reason for the revocation was the death of a female rider would be very bad press for the event and IFM. They went on to say that having a man racer get injured or worse is one thing, but race organizers were not prepared to take the risk of something like that happening to a woman.
Swain campaigned with everyone she could in order to get her license reinstated, even getting the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man involved.
But even with help from friends high places, as well as many other racers, she was not able to race again. It wasn’t until 1978 that another woman rider would compete on the famous TT.

 

Also a few years before, the Girls were Just starting to make an impression on the Race circuits. love seeing girls racing its awesome.

 

Some Videos for your Sunday enjoyment

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
28 Feb

Its a Sunday and I have a million things to do this weekend, what with Motorcycles to build, parts to make and orders to pack, its a busy weekend for me and thought that I would add some videos for you to watch of other bike shows and cool things to maybe get some of you to get in your garage and have a go at something.

Little snippets of great stuff to watch whilst you design and start your own projects, its fun to be able to have a go at your own machine and nothing better than when you first fire your ride up and sling your leg over something that you are passionate about.

Ever wanted to go to deals Gap? here you can from the comfort of your seat at home and when you have created your machine, take it here to enjoy the twists and turns of these canyon roads.

And now for a trip overseas and to Portugal for henry Cole and his Motorbike show, enjoy.

Wishing you ALL a Very Merry Christmas.

Posted on by Steve Carpenter
23 Dec

Well, here we are, on the Cusp of Christmas Day and most people locked away in their houses and told to stay there, so, with that in mind, I wanted to at least try and raise your Spirits by wishing you All a Merry Christmas and sure hope that the New year brings us a healthier one.  I want to thank you all for supporting me in this tough times and hoping that the positive side of this Pandemic is that you all got to spend some time in the Garage, Shed or back yard and wrenched on your projects to pass the time.

I too will be glad when we can wave goodbye to 2020, what a terrible year it has been, still some way to go until all of us can get out and meet but I hope that you have maybe come up with a cool creation to put together at your pad, to keep you busy and to show everyone your creative flair and aptitude.  Customizing Motorcycles will always be fun for me and I continue to do what I can to try and offer you all the quality parts that I manufacture and sell Globally.

 

Well, Have a great Christmas and if I can help, you can drop me an email at:  carpy@carpyscaferacers.com or a Text at 714-598-8392 Always try to help anyone out of a jam.

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