Spotted this '48 Manx Norton TT Racer with Norcal history up on the MidAmerica Auctions website, what a beauty!

the ad reads- "This Manx TT racer is being offered in current unrestored condition. Magnesium engine cases with northern California history. Perfect runner. Sold with a Bill of Sale."

I've particularly been digging this bike as I've been experimenting with using molasses to stain the frame and some of the tinware on my '46 B33 and '49 M21 projects. A lot of the parts I have have unrestored or poor paint and dull chrome which I really love, the problem is trying to match sandblasted or new parts with the older ones. My recent trip to Japan gave me a few interesting insights into the way many builders there use vinegar and acids to fake patina on painted parts and surfaces by taking off thin layers of cheap rattle can paint and flash rusting what is exposed with beer and even urine. I don't know if I could piss on magnesium crankcases but this Manx certainly has me chomping at the bit.

-Nick

More film. Bonneville Speed Week 2012

I took a lot of footage out there. I have made a small film here using some of it.

CFH X Distinguished Gentlemans Ride Sheffield

Baybutt is taking the reins for this and organising the Sheffield DGR. Get Your bikes out and join CFH on this ride. 30th September meeting at the Mud Crab Diner,  521 - 523 Ecclesall  Road, Sheffield S11 8PR.
Meet at 10.30 am.
Check out the Sheffield DGR FB page here
And the original DGR page here
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is an event for Cafe Racer, Bobber, Flat Tracker, Retro, Classic, Quirky Motorcycles and their owners. It is a worldwide event taking place on the same day in each respective time zone. It is a day where no matter what your work/social/life status may be everyone is equally distinguished. It therefore means we approve the right to wear monocles, attach brief cases to your bike, side saddle your bike as your chauffeur steers for you, wear a bow tie, shave your beard into a mustache, smoke an old school pipe while riding, attach a cup holder for your high tea, drink JW Blue (while stopped and in consideration) use your satellite phone to call in your private chopper and above most ride your bike with one escort on the handle bars & one sitting on your lap.

The link that brings the world together on this day are these two/three words 'Distinguished' & 'Caferacers'.

To take part you need to be in the correct attire. Be as creative as you want or as bland as you want. The most important thing is to make yourself laugh, make others laugh and you have a blast along the way.

CFH x Bonneville Speedweek 2012

Just a bit of speedweek updating. I Got the paint out and did some customisations to this modified record holding roadster. The car is driven by Bill of the Kraut brothers and uses a 434 cubic inch chevy engine. This week the car set 2 records of 241.508mph and 241.506mph. It qualifies for a lazer skull. These photos by KT Fender

 

Tshirts

Gradually getting sent. Thanks for those purchases! Postage up until now has been free but unfortunately I have to start charging postage from now onward.

Sideburn represent

Nice to see the CFH shirts in action, go team sidburn!

Test fit

Strap the frame together tightly with engine and gearbox to check frame alignment. Turns out the rear axle plates are 1/2" too far apart on one side.

Timing cover tulip

BSA B31/33 M20/21/33 Oil feed quill, always snapped. tricky to remove. Heated case and used pliers and stuff.

Credit crunch paint

Removed the old paint with a wire wheel on a grinder. As much as possible. This will do until I can afford posh wheel job.

Sidecar schoolday

The dead mans bicycle club Vs Cold and Sockless Vs CFH

Jim & Jay. Gang collaborations. 

joyride - via the paint shop

CFH north.