Topic: Carpy Cafe at the Cycle World Booth, DC Motorcycle Show

[Glenn Stauffer]

Seen at the DC Motorcycle Show, a Stephen Carpenter Cafe 750.  These photos can be seen in more detailed images, here.

[Jonesy]

Saw it when the show was in Michigan last weekend. I took plenty of pictures of it myself...

[kuyarico]

I'm looking forward to seeing this bike. Our CW show is in a few weeks.

[Uncle Ernie]

Strictly in the spirit of thought-provoking debate, I think that bike is kind of ugly.  The checker board action and the baroque lettering don't go togethe.  It's like a kitchen were everything is covered with knitted and crotched doo- dads and cozys.

[ProTeal55]

Just can you CAN, doesnt mean you SHOULD.

[kuyarico]

Strictly in the spirit of thought-provoking debate, I think that bike is kind of ugly.  The checker board action and the baroque lettering don't go togethe.  It's like a kitchen were everything is covered with knitted and crotched doo- dads and cozys.

I agree with you about the lettering and checker board action. I like simplicity more than anything. The thing I do like about Carpy, besides the fact that I think he makes some badass bikes, is the fact that he chooses to build SOHC4 Hondas. The fact that his bike is showing at the CW show seems like a pretty big deal to me since I am such a fan of these old bikes.

[historicjake]

It made my day when I stumbled across it in a corner of the show.  Always liked it, still do even with the pool of oil gathering beneath it...made it seem more real, like it might be ridden home after the show.  Hung around for a bit to see others come by, lots of amazement when they realized it was a Honda.  Good job Carpy!

[gar]

I was mesmorized by this bike.  I thought it was beautiful, especially juxtaposed with the crotch rockets behind it at the bike show.  I'd wager many show-goers didn't even know it is a 32 y.o. motorcycle. 

BTW, I was the VjMC at shows other than the Detroit/Novi one?

Everybody check out the Vincent Black Shadow?

[tramp]

bike looks very well done
in my opinion, 750's make ugly cafe racers
that being said there's a look for everyone

[Jonesy]

Everybody check out the Vincent Black Shadow?

Yep. The wife and I each bought raffle tickets for it!

[GroovieGhoulie]

I for one like the bike.  The only thing I don't like the the word "CAFE" slathered all over it.  The baroque, olde english lettering is ok, but I mean we KNOW it's a Cafe.  It doesn't need it in three-inch letters on the tank and on the pedestrian slicer up front.

[DammitDan]

Not to mention on the license plate and (sigh) the speedo and tach, too?

Sheesh.  I like Carpy's work.  It's amazing considering it's coming out of his garage at his house.

But this is one of the only bikes I've never liked.

[ElCheapo]

I thought it was a moped 

[seaweb11]

 

[red_haint]

Dang, I like it!

[ElCheapo]

Dang, I like it!

You have issues though 

[bhkrause]

It made my day when I stumbled across it in a corner of the show.  Always liked it, still do even with the pool of oil gathering beneath it...

   Saw it at the MN cycle show, it looked great!  They must have picked up the oil puddle from your show and brought it along, cause it was there too.   

Good job, Carpy! 

bk

[ieism]

-"hey Joe check out that cool caferacer over there!"
-"Sick, what is that a Triumph?"
-"It looks a bit like one of those old Honda's"
-"Nah, it's a Triumph allright. Look at that big puddle off oil under it."


Attention to detail, Carpy is good at this.