MBellRacing
Wheel Jockey for Hire
Hello everyone,
I can't believe I've only just stumbled upon this forum! It looks like a pretty substantial place to stay current with the cafe racer world. I'll admit I am a bit new to it. You see, I've grown up in something of an "Animal Farm" world of motoring: 4-wheels good, 2-wheels bad. Despite imagining being in control of everything from airplanes to cars to bikes, I was quickly led away from the latter due to it's relative danger. One thing brought on the next and I now race cars for a living and have done so for the last 3 years. I know I'm cheating with double the set of wheels, but I'm sure you'll all respect the sheer speed and similar adrenaline rush I get from sending a giant chunk of steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and tire rubber around a winding race track.
I started with BMW, never really making it to the "factory" ranks, but still earning some healthy contingency that BMW is famous for. I was lucky enough to drive with my childhood hero Bill Auberlen in 2009 where we ran to 3rd overall by the end of the season in our E46 M3. This was the first time I got to have a close look and even a hands-on approach to the engineering behind going as fast as possible within a strict set of rules. We took an 8-year-old car, added a mad scientist as an engineer, and beat all the old track records, beating the better part of an all-V8 field in the process!
Last year was a big step up for me. I moved to a GM factory-supported Chevrolet team where I was lucky enough to take a seat for the 24H of Daytona. The same team also gave me a ride in their GS-class Camaro (the same class as the previous year M3) where I took the first laps led, the first two pole position qualifying efforts, and the first podium finishes for the new generation car.
I've already been pretty busy this year! I renewed my contract with Stevenson Motorsports, but lost my factory seat with GM due to some politics. This turned out to be beneficial, however, since that opened up the door for me to drive with Ford Racing in the Doran-Dallara Daytona Prototype. The 24H race this year didn't go so well, having a number of driver-induced mechanical failures. While I was fast asleep, the team retired the car at about 3am. The first and latest Continental race (where I drive the Stevenson Camaro GS.R) didn't go much better. We blew an axle shortly after I hopped out to let my co-driver in. This was a bitter defeat since I was fighting for the lead! Regardless, we're all very confident that the rest of the season will go outstandingly, or at least we'll look good trying with out fancy new livery!
Last year, amidst all the business that goes with running a development program for Chevrolet, I decided that it was time to have a hobby. Since us humble non-NASCAR race car drivers make less than our highly endorsed counterparts, cars were a bit out of my reach. I researched the idea of owning a motorcycle, but didn't know quite what I wanted. Enter the Superhawk...
I saw it on craigslist, an ugly blue thing that looked more motorized bicycle than motorbike. After some further research, I discovered that this was everything I respect about the greatest classic cars, just lacking a couple corners. The engineering behind these old CB77's was staggering: no gear drag in "top cog", the engine used as a stressed member of the frame, all ball bearings on anything that rotates-- it was built for pure, efficient performance, while keeping a classic Honda look with assorted chrome bits. It was simple, and simply perfect for me. Before a time when bikes carrying the CB tag weighed 400, 500lbs, before they needed 4-cylinders to get them going or legs of lean beef to hold them up.
The bike wasn't running when I bought it, had all it's liquids drained, but it seemed to roll and click about as it should. I took it off the owner's hands for a very fair price, and took it home, expecting to just put a few bucks into it to get it running, and have some fun. Of course that's never the case. The big upgraded pistons had a bad wobble to them, so a few days after I got it running at all, an apparent cracked ring finally let free and broke completely off. Annoyed but not discouraged, I decided that since the motor was coming out, and since most of this bike (and indeed half the name) would be removed, now would be an excellent time to do a small restoration. I dismantled the entire bike, had the frame checked for straightness and powdercoated the blackest black I could find, the bodywork was all straightened and repainted a Toyota Magnetic Gray, and the motor was rebuilt trying to use some modern parts. All the chrome and aluminum is still original, as are all the plastics (which are in good condition).
It is definitely a work in progress. I bought some sh*tty valves from a company called Apex Cycle. I know their reputation precedes them, so I don't need to explain why nobody should EVER buy from that company. Essentially, I lost 2 sets of pistons and valve guides to them, including a rare set of 1mm-over high-top racing pistons. At first I had no idea WHY the motor was breaking. Then I took it to a NASCAR engine builder and he informed me that those valves are way over heat treated and are massively brittle. Upon informing Apex Cycle of their mistake, my response back was "Why don't you go f**k yourself?" Good business etiquette, that.
Anyway, I am very into the whole cafe scene, if I don't have the best example of a cafe bike. I've already had a good look around the forum and am VERY impressed with the sort of work and inspiration floating around. It looks like a great place for me to spend some time and learn more about such an interesting end of the motoring world!
I can't believe I've only just stumbled upon this forum! It looks like a pretty substantial place to stay current with the cafe racer world. I'll admit I am a bit new to it. You see, I've grown up in something of an "Animal Farm" world of motoring: 4-wheels good, 2-wheels bad. Despite imagining being in control of everything from airplanes to cars to bikes, I was quickly led away from the latter due to it's relative danger. One thing brought on the next and I now race cars for a living and have done so for the last 3 years. I know I'm cheating with double the set of wheels, but I'm sure you'll all respect the sheer speed and similar adrenaline rush I get from sending a giant chunk of steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and tire rubber around a winding race track.
I started with BMW, never really making it to the "factory" ranks, but still earning some healthy contingency that BMW is famous for. I was lucky enough to drive with my childhood hero Bill Auberlen in 2009 where we ran to 3rd overall by the end of the season in our E46 M3. This was the first time I got to have a close look and even a hands-on approach to the engineering behind going as fast as possible within a strict set of rules. We took an 8-year-old car, added a mad scientist as an engineer, and beat all the old track records, beating the better part of an all-V8 field in the process!
Last year was a big step up for me. I moved to a GM factory-supported Chevrolet team where I was lucky enough to take a seat for the 24H of Daytona. The same team also gave me a ride in their GS-class Camaro (the same class as the previous year M3) where I took the first laps led, the first two pole position qualifying efforts, and the first podium finishes for the new generation car.
I've already been pretty busy this year! I renewed my contract with Stevenson Motorsports, but lost my factory seat with GM due to some politics. This turned out to be beneficial, however, since that opened up the door for me to drive with Ford Racing in the Doran-Dallara Daytona Prototype. The 24H race this year didn't go so well, having a number of driver-induced mechanical failures. While I was fast asleep, the team retired the car at about 3am. The first and latest Continental race (where I drive the Stevenson Camaro GS.R) didn't go much better. We blew an axle shortly after I hopped out to let my co-driver in. This was a bitter defeat since I was fighting for the lead! Regardless, we're all very confident that the rest of the season will go outstandingly, or at least we'll look good trying with out fancy new livery!
Last year, amidst all the business that goes with running a development program for Chevrolet, I decided that it was time to have a hobby. Since us humble non-NASCAR race car drivers make less than our highly endorsed counterparts, cars were a bit out of my reach. I researched the idea of owning a motorcycle, but didn't know quite what I wanted. Enter the Superhawk...
I saw it on craigslist, an ugly blue thing that looked more motorized bicycle than motorbike. After some further research, I discovered that this was everything I respect about the greatest classic cars, just lacking a couple corners. The engineering behind these old CB77's was staggering: no gear drag in "top cog", the engine used as a stressed member of the frame, all ball bearings on anything that rotates-- it was built for pure, efficient performance, while keeping a classic Honda look with assorted chrome bits. It was simple, and simply perfect for me. Before a time when bikes carrying the CB tag weighed 400, 500lbs, before they needed 4-cylinders to get them going or legs of lean beef to hold them up.
The bike wasn't running when I bought it, had all it's liquids drained, but it seemed to roll and click about as it should. I took it off the owner's hands for a very fair price, and took it home, expecting to just put a few bucks into it to get it running, and have some fun. Of course that's never the case. The big upgraded pistons had a bad wobble to them, so a few days after I got it running at all, an apparent cracked ring finally let free and broke completely off. Annoyed but not discouraged, I decided that since the motor was coming out, and since most of this bike (and indeed half the name) would be removed, now would be an excellent time to do a small restoration. I dismantled the entire bike, had the frame checked for straightness and powdercoated the blackest black I could find, the bodywork was all straightened and repainted a Toyota Magnetic Gray, and the motor was rebuilt trying to use some modern parts. All the chrome and aluminum is still original, as are all the plastics (which are in good condition).
It is definitely a work in progress. I bought some sh*tty valves from a company called Apex Cycle. I know their reputation precedes them, so I don't need to explain why nobody should EVER buy from that company. Essentially, I lost 2 sets of pistons and valve guides to them, including a rare set of 1mm-over high-top racing pistons. At first I had no idea WHY the motor was breaking. Then I took it to a NASCAR engine builder and he informed me that those valves are way over heat treated and are massively brittle. Upon informing Apex Cycle of their mistake, my response back was "Why don't you go f**k yourself?" Good business etiquette, that.
Anyway, I am very into the whole cafe scene, if I don't have the best example of a cafe bike. I've already had a good look around the forum and am VERY impressed with the sort of work and inspiration floating around. It looks like a great place for me to spend some time and learn more about such an interesting end of the motoring world!
Looks like you are already quite far in your build, looking forward to seeing it done and running 
