Steve Carpenter’s Custom Honda CB750 Cafe Racer

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Steve Carpenter: Cool guy, cool bikes, tiny shop. And he likes it that way: “I don’t want 20 people working for me.”
Steve Carpenter: Cool guy, cool bikes, tiny shop. And he likes it that way: “I don’t want 20 people working for me.”
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Steve Carpenter’s “Tracy Special” notched a second place finish at the Pomona, Calif., Hot Rod show last January. The period Tracy bodywork supplied the inspiration, but the final product — including the pipes — is all Carpy, and includes parts from every year of SOHC?CB750 from 1969 to 1978.
Steve Carpenter’s “Tracy Special” notched a second place finish at the Pomona, Calif., Hot Rod show last January. The period Tracy bodywork supplied the inspiration, but the final product — including the pipes — is all Carpy, and includes parts from every year of SOHC?CB750 from 1969 to 1978.
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This Honda CB 750 cafe racer is just one of 20-some Honda specials he’s built. Carpy claims 130hp from its 910cc engine. It won best Sportbike/Café at Pomona.
This Honda CB 750 cafe racer is just one of 20-some Honda specials he’s built. Carpy claims 130hp from its 910cc engine. It won best Sportbike/Café at Pomona.
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Gauges of the CB750 Café that won best Sportbike/Café at Pomona.
Gauges of the CB750 Café that won best Sportbike/Café at Pomona.
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Carpy’s all smiles after a canyon run on the CB750 Café.
Carpy’s all smiles after a canyon run on the CB750 Café.
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The gas tank and gauges of the Tracey Special. Note the gas tank detailing.
The gas tank and gauges of the Tracey Special. Note the gas tank detailing.
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The “Darius Special” started life as a 1978 Honda CB750F Super Sport. With a claimed 95hp, it’s a polished rocket.
The “Darius Special” started life as a 1978 Honda CB750F Super Sport. With a claimed 95hp, it’s a polished rocket.

It’s not often you have the opportunity to meet a legend — especially before he becomes one. But with two big wins at this year’s Pomona show, Steve Carpenter’s well on his way, and for evidence one needs to look no further than his custom Honda CB750 cafe racer.

Steve builds hammers: strong, hard-hitting, aggressively graceful hammers. “Carpy’s” palette of choice is Honda’s venerable CB750, a model that captivated motorcyclists when it was introduced in 1969, and still captivates today. Through his craft, Carpy’s managed to carve out a unique niche in the motorcycle world, but not before exploring his options and paying his dues.

I found out about Carpy by accident: a friend turned me on to him when I was at a crossroads with a 1978 Honda Super Sport. I had no idea who he was or what he was about, I just needed help with my CB. I gave him a call, and before long, I knew he was the Don of the CB750.  

Getting into It

It’s easy to think right place, right time, but that’s not this story. A native of London, Carpy’s history with motorcycles and hot rods is as rich as a Kuwaiti oil company. His dad, Dick, used to hang out at London’s famed Ace Café and was one of the original members of the 59 Club (so named because it formed in 1959), and Carpy built his first hot rod at 18, a chopped and channeled ’32 Ford three-window coupe.

  • Published on Aug 3, 2009
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