I don't usually reply to threads like this, but I will make an acception in this case.
I am a huge Carpy fan. I am 47 and I felt like my days of easy impression were long gone. Then I saw Carpy's site and I was totally hooked.
This dude answers e-mails, gives advice, and just seems like a general all around cool guy. Something I hope we all are that participate on this site.
I attribute my new found love for "Cafe Bikes" and my rediscovery for Honda fours due to the people on this site including Carpy.
As far as Carpy's prices, I think we need to remember he lives in Orange County California. This is not a cheap place to live. He always uses top notch parts or new OEM stuff. His bikes are complete and need NOTHING !
I live in the Memphis Tennessee area and I guess it is cheaper to live here. I have two CB750s that I paid $100 for each. However, parts are parts and I will have about $800 in my 77K when I get it done. That IS NOT replacing every part. Just something to get back on the road with. Lord knows what I will have in my 73/74 CB750 cafe when I start that project.
I think the key to looking at a machine like Carpy's "Red Bike" is to look at the things you like and dismiss the things you don't. This is how you look at art. You take a little time to look at it and study it a bit.
It is that way weather you look at a custom bike, a new car, or art hanging on a wall. You are going to like a lot of things and you are not going to like a few things.
There was a silver bike Carpy made and I made the mistake of commenting that I didn't like the "Cat Eye" rear tail light. It didn't look that bad really and Carpy was pretty nice with his reply. He could have told me to shove it. I then realized that I don't need to comment on everything I see. Something I learned long ago but forgot in my enthusiasm for these cafes.
Vance
