I bet you don’t know many people specializing in building or rebuilding Café Racers. Steve Carpenter a.k.a “Carpy the Café Racer Ace” is an Englishman who planted his toolbox and lifts in California to show Americans his skills at building CB 750 Honda’s. His dad rode Café Racers in London back in the 50’s. And now Carpy does the same on the West Coast where the weather is much better for racing. Carpy just created this bike for Mike Dirnt, bassist and backup vocalist of the band Green Day. Make the jump for a good nostalgia trip. Ton Up Cafe Racer.
Peace And Grease To All Ton Up Boys And Girls
Published by May 13th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.10 Responses to “Peace And Grease To All Ton Up Boys And Girls”
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Great stuff. Also check some of the Euro shops who are doing amazing work with Honda customs, such as the Wrenchmonkees of Copenhagen (http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/).
They’re taking custom motorcycles into the 21st century with models such as their CB750-based Gorilla Punch bike.
Cheers,
Chris
wow that Gorilla Punch is an awesome bike – the Danes have i think 180% import duty on bikes and cars – hence the price of that bike is over $30,000 – about the same as a fatboy!
I know what I’d rather have, Ian!
Rockers Forever……………… 🙂
-nicker-
I thought the “ton up boys” rode Trumps, Nortons, BSA’s AJS’s, Matchless’s etc and Honda put them out of business.
Rodent
May 14th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I thought the “ton up boys” rode Trumps, Nortons, BSA’s AJS’s, Matchless’s etc and Honda put them out of business
I will agree with your statement but the old models just didnt’ stay up with the times in being creative. Checking back on the management of that time, there was a refusal to R&D which led to their demise. Does this sound like GM or Chrysler?
Carpy’s building some cracking bikes, and I’ve rarely met someone with so much love and passion for caff racers.
Many thanks for the cool words, I do love ALL Cafe Racer Motorcycles, Honda were and still are a strong platform to use.
I was a Motorcycle Courier in London for 25 years and out of all the bikes I used, the SOHC was just a great machine and all rounder.
I do have a Triumph that I love, but I chose the inline four basically for its Dependability.
I will be at the 40th anniversary of the 750 HONDA at the vintage Motorcycle show in Ohio in July then hopefully Sturgis.
Peace and Grease
Carpy
For anybody who hasn’t called, emailed, or chatted with Carpy, he doesn’t just build cool bikes and cool parts – he’s a really cool guy! A truly great example of a craftsman, a businessman, and a gentleman. Someday, when I have spare time and spare change again, I’m putting together my own SOHC cafe racer, and I’ll be calling Carpy for parts and advice.
Wow, that would be a bonus to see you (and presumably a bike or two of yours) at mid-ohio. If ever there were a year to make the trip, this would be it…. (also the 15th anniversary of the SOHC forum… ) sure to be more sohc4’s there than damselflies on a buffalo pie in july…. can’t wait… -jon