Topic: Carpy's exhaust cheap!

[shinyribs]

::)Alright,alright. I get the point.lol Pretty funny stuff there ;DSorry about the rant,I just get tired of all the Cafe stuff being sold everywhere. I  kinda liked it when people used to build custom motorcycles at home. You know,made their own parts. Not ordering 'custom parts'. Custom doesn't have a part number


But you gotta admit,his prices are outrageous.

what are you talking about... "nobody makes their own parts anymore" back in the 60's and 70's there was just as much bolt on "custom" stuff, as well as shop fabricated one off bits as there is still today. I have friends that just started a shop where they fabricate as much as they can, friends that do custom paint,  etc...   I hate and resent this idea of nobody (as in the younger crowd) does it right anymore... the old generation that actually knew how to use their hands... I am 28 and I build stuff and my friends build stuff and everyone thinks its cool to be building stuff, its not a lost art!!


and for us 500-550 they dropped the price on our pipes as well

I never said or meant to imply anything about young builders. I started building cars when I was 16 and had the same resentment as you. Nobody ever took me serious when I had valid questions,but now some of those same people hire my services-gotta love that.At 32 years old I'm not much older than you.

Props to you for building your own stuff. And no disrespect for people who buy things pre-made. Just build to your skill level,buy the rest-nothing wrong with that.

I understand that mail order has been around for quite some time. But ya gotta admit,there is not as many 100% home built vehicles of any type as there used to be. Forgive my nostalgia for a time before mine.

Once again,I posted before thinking-opinions are dangerous around here.

[Terry in Australia]

There's nothing wroung with having an opinion mate, just be able to accept that your opinion might be incorrect and learn from it, "you can't put an old head on youg shoulders", and if you weren't around in the 1970's, you just wouldn't understand how much stuff was around, even over here in Oz, which only had a small selection compared to the United States of Custom Bikes.

There were plenty of nice "home Made" customs back then, but there was also a lot of #$%*e done by unskilled "fabricators", as there is now. Even some of the professional shops did some pretty crappy stuff, take a look at early Dunstall or Rickman rearsets for instance, they were (and still are) poorly built, ill fitting rubbish, held on with car style exhaust clamps. Raask still make horrible rearsets, based on 1970's designs. Cheers, Terry.  

[RAFster122s]

Carpy sells production stuff, the usual quantity is not as high as a big name like Jardine or Mac or other brands ...just smaller production runs.

Don't want a cookie cutter bike like the rest,then you are going to have to put your skills or develop your skills at doing it yourself or designing it and have others make it to your specs/drawings.

[shinyribs]

I'm with you Terry. Yeah,there always a real big chance my opinion could be wrong. No doubt about that in my mind.

[Don R]

I like the collector and the look, it's a bit loud for my tastes and I'm in love with my center stand.

[longshanks]

Wow. This thread kind of trailed...I thought I was gonna have to get out the popcorn. 
I should mention that I think the pipes are raw steel, meaning they'll have to be painted or treated somehow. I know he sells a stainless set but I'm not sure if these are it. If anyone out there is considering buying these pipes I'd recommend emailing him, he's usually pretty good about replying.

And yes, like most here I think his stuff is way too expensive and the quality isn't always the best. However, with certain things like these pipes, the price is certainly tempting...

[harisuluv]

And carb rebuilding service is $600?!?!  He's totally disconnected from the real world

If he actually used all OEM parts for his carb rebuild that $600 price would be somewhat reasonable. 

[HonderCB]

If anyone out there is considering buying these pipes I'd recommend emailing him, he's usually pretty good about replying.

Or call him, he's pretty good about answering his phone and cool to talk to as well.  Just keep in mind he's on the west coast so dont call too early

I bought his frame rail kit, and i thought it was reasonably priced and well built, and i havent put it on yet but it is simple enough that you could do it with a hack saw and a drill.  Shipping was a little high, however.

[HonderCB]

And carb rebuilding service is $600?!?!  He's totally disconnected from the real world

If he actually used all OEM parts for his carb rebuild that $600 price would be somewhat reasonable.

I'll bet thats what he does, cause if you look at any of his build logs on his site he uses almost exclusively OEM parts, which is probably why his bikes are so expensive

[harisuluv]

It's possible, but I wouldn't be surprised either way. 

[nccb]

we need an AMA Request - Steve "Carpy" Carpenter. 

I'm sure it will go over as smoothly as that one dude who chopped up a sandcast for Cafe Racer

[harisuluv]

we need an AMA Request - Steve "Carpy" Carpenter. 

I'm sure it will go over as smoothly as that one dude who chopped up a sandcast for Cafe Racer

Wut.  Was that real or just trolling? 

[nccb]

no I think it would be cool. but it was said with a little bit of sarcasm. . .

[HonderCB]

we need an AMA Request - Steve "Carpy" Carpenter. 

I'm sure it will go over as smoothly as that one dude who chopped up a sandcast for Cafe Racer

Brian? Fuller.

It wasnt a sandcast though i dont believe, but it was a nice K0 with wrinkle tank

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I know Don who makes the exhausts for most of the people selling the Yoshimura 4-1 reproductions for CB750 and CB550 bikes. He makes quality products. The 550s apparently had some initial fit issues but are now fine. Prior to Don, you had serious problems sourcing this type of header.

Four years ago, we were all #$%*ing on this forum that we couldn't find a good source for this pipe. How times have changed. You also had to spend twice as much for wiring harnesses IF you could find them for you model.

Unless you have a mandrel bender and some welding proficiency, I wouldn't knock these too hard. Try finding a fabricator who will make you a one-off pipe for $260!

[nccb]

I know Don who makes the exhausts for most of the people selling the Yoshimura 4-1 reproductions for CB750 and CB550 bikes. He makes quality products. The 550s apparently had some initial fit issues but are now fine. Prior to Don, you had serious problems sourcing this type of header.

Four years ago, we were all #$%*ing on this forum that we couldn't find a good source for this pipe. How times have changed. You also had to spend twice as much for wiring harnesses IF you could find them for you model.

Unless you have a mandrel bender and some welding proficiency, I wouldn't knock these too hard. Try finding a fabricator who will make you a one-off pipe for $260!

Yeah no doubt, I would love to pick up a set if I had another bike.  Looks like he just has a limited supply of these at this price too, so they will probably be gone quick.

[Stev-o]

Nccb - I would not bet on that. I would bet he has X amount made (large guanity to keep fab price low) and will order more from the source in Indy when needed.
At least I hope this is the case, as I will buy one at some point.

[Gurp]

As far so communicating with buyers potential or otherwise i have found him to be a pretty nice guy. I emailed him once about a swingarm (6 over). He replied back with 2 days and stated he did not make one and also in the email gave me a list of a few places that may be able to fill my order. He was polite and knowledgeable. Mind you some of the items he offers are priced very high. But i think his exhausts and cafe seats are priced very nice for the average joe.
Just my 1.5 cents (due to inflation value has dropped)
 
Btw way i hope he runs a deal like that on the exhaust on his seats would love to pick one or two up.

[longshanks]

I know Don who makes the exhausts for most of the people selling the Yoshimura 4-1 reproductions for CB750 and CB550 bikes. He makes quality products. The 550s apparently had some initial fit issues but are now fine. Prior to Don, you had serious problems sourcing this type of header.

Four years ago, we were all #$%*ing on this forum that we couldn't find a good source for this pipe. How times have changed. You also had to spend twice as much for wiring harnesses IF you could find them for you model.

Unless you have a mandrel bender and some welding proficiency, I wouldn't knock these too hard. Try finding a fabricator who will make you a one-off pipe for $260!

Don?