Cafe Racers - Am I wrong?

[rastuscat]

I browse TradeMe (how unusual) for stuff I can't afford fairly regularly. I look at old bikes, new bikes, and everything in between.

One day I'll buy an old GPz550H2 like my first real bike.

Meantime, I cringe when I see some of the classic bikes that people are raping and turning them into grotesque examples of their own desires, then expect someone else to buy them. There are some real classics being trashed by folk who apparently have little respect for the original form, and who turn them into a poor version of what they once were.

Am I just a grumpy old bastard?

[Katman]

One day I'll buy an old GPz550H2 like my first real bike.

Not if I see it first.

[merv]

You say cafe racers, there is also the bobber thing and man do many of them look ugly and really impractical compared to the bike they have been trashed from.

[R650R]

If you want to see the true horror browse the optimistic sellers thread on here.....

This has prob always happened, its just visible now via trademe and the likes of supercheap making welders and stuff affordable....

[pritch]

Am I just a grumpy old bastard?

Yes. But you are also right. The two are not mutually exclusive. :whistle:

[KawasakiKid]

Meantime, I cringe when I see some of the classic bikes that people are raping


Most of the older bikes that people refer to as Classics were pieces of shit when they were new, now they are simply older pieces of shit. The true Classics should not be 'tampered' with.

The GPZ550H2 was a great bike, hope you find one.

Only gripe I have is absolutely everyone restoring a real H2 (750 Mach lV) uses the high cowboy style handlebars that we all changed out immediately. They are impossible to hang onto at race speed and uncomfortable at best on the street.

[husaberg]

I browse TradeMe (how unusual) for stuff I can't afford fairly regularly. I look at old bikes, new bikes, and everything in between.

One day I'll buy an old GPz550H2 like my first real bike.

Meantime, I cringe when I see some of the classic bikes that people are raping and turning them into grotesque examples of their own desires, then expect someone else to buy them. There are some real classics being trashed by folk who apparently have little respect for the original form, and who turn them into a poor version of what they once were.

Am I just a grumpy old bastard?

Not really, i am slowly accumulating parts to put together a Cafe racer RD350A in an TZ esk mold
Not wanting to trash the origional bike, as it's so complete and origional.
Thus i are building my cafe bike up out of a trashed RD250 frame but just borrowing the engine for now.
I have always wanted to do a coffin tanked RD400 cafe racer, good luck finding one of those.
With regards to the bobber, cafe trend, well at least they are getting ridden, i guess.
I actually cringe when i see some of the bikes. Esp the chopper ones.
Just think ,how many hundreds of people out there that are just itching to turn those GPZ550's into a ELR.
Bikes are of course made to be ridden, not be locked in sheds and only have their covers removed, to have their rivots counted.
i think the cafe/bobber/chopper craze is being driven by the cheaper regos for the older bikes, plus the usual mid life crisis

[AllanB]

Depends on your definition of a classic.

If you are talking a gen 1 Kawa 900 or Honda 750/4 then yeah - time to preserve them.

If it is one of the later variations of the same - meh, cut em up.

[Virago]

Successfully building a cafe racer or bobber is quite easy. But there are some key issues to take into consideration for a successful build.

Select a bike. Preferably one which was utter shite when it was new - now that it is old, it's now a desirable classic.

The bike should be as rusty as possible. Once the bike becomes a cafe racer or bobber, rust is now called patina - it adds value to the bike.

Remove as many parts as possible, especially those required for a Warrant of Fitness - indicators, mudguards etc. Every part removed adds value to the bike.

Remove the existing seat and install a single seat. The more uncomfortable and ugly it is, the more value added.

Replace the rear light with something that emits less light than your average glow-worm. The less light the better.

Finally, mount the number plate sideways.

You're now ready to list the bike on TradeMe. Put a ridiculously high price on it - because someone will actually buy it.

Good luck.

[caspernz]

Am I just a grumpy old bastard?

Not at all, the café racer and bobber thing is lost on me, so does that qualify me as a grumpy old man? I like my bikes practical and largely as they came from their maker.

[Moi]

Surely, if you want to do something like that - café racer or bobber, then you'd want something that was better than the original after all that effort? And something you'd want to park in the driveway?



I know that neither are bikes, but I'd give driveway room to either of these... if Uncle Lotto would be really nice to me!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3X8DtxYt8I


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAGzxOO0J70

[Moi]

Successfully building a cafe racer or bobber is quite easy. But there are some key issues to take into consideration for a successful build.

Select a bike. Preferably one which was utter shite when it was new - now that it is old, it's now a desirable classic.

The bike should be as rusty as possible. Once the bike becomes a cafe racer or bobber, rust is now called patina - it adds value to the bike.

Remove as many parts as possible, especially those required for a Warrant of Fitness - indicators, mudguards etc. Every part removed adds value to the bike.

Remove the existing seat and install a single seat. The more uncomfortable and ugly it is, the more value added.

Replace the rear light with something that emits less light than your average glow-worm. The less light the better.

Finally, mount the number plate sideways.

You're now ready to list the bike on TradeMe. Put a ridiculously high price on it - because someone will actually buy it.

Good luck.

Here endth the gospel, according to St Virago...



And you know this from personal experience? :innocent:

[Oakie]

Am I just a grumpy old bastard?

Well if you are, I am too. To my eye, cafe racers / bobbers - call them what you will, are just an image thing. They're not 'better' modified ... they ust look different to all the other bikes on the road ... and I think that is why some people are attracted to them. To each their own and at least they are two wheelers ... but they're not for me.

[tigertim20]

there are three kinds of motorcycles.
stock motorcycles. self explanatory.
tastefully modified motorcycles.
and 'Art' motorcycles. - like cafe racers and 'custom bobbers' etc, which are not made to be ridden or enjoyed, just, looked at.


Art, of course is an abbreviation for 'poorly ARTiculated pile of overpriced shit'

[pritch]

A well executed Norvin or Triton is a sight to behold. The bobbers and cafe racers on TM are a whole nutha thing. Most are truly awful.

Of course now that Triumph have decided to do a bobber you can get one straight from the factory, which bends the definition somewhat. Like that Yamaha 900 Custom. Somebody should lend Yamaha an English (American?) dictionary so they can look up "custom".

[rastuscat]

Of course now that Triumph have decided to do a bobber you can get one straight from the factory, which bends the definition somewhat. Like that Yamaha 900 Custom. Somebody should lend Yamaha an English (American?) dictionary so they can look up "custom".

327402

I like the factory ones, but the locally built amateur ones are normally fairly awful.

[rastuscat]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1229803326.htm

Wrong wrong wrong

[scumdog]

Easy Rider Chopper,
Asking price: $29,000
Listing #: 1223709889

Have a look at this honey:puke:

[rastuscat]

Easy Rider Chopper,
Asking price: $29,000
Listing #: 1223709889

Have a look at this honey:puke:

Says it's too big for him. WTF?

More like "I'm too embarrassed to ride it"

[Voltaire]

Old and grumpy and hacking up one of these at the moment, only made for about 3 years, quite rare.
Remaining ones will be even rarer.:woohoo:
http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photos/specphotos/r65ls.jpg

[pritch]

quite rare.


And deservedly so?

[rastuscat]

Old and grumpy and hacking up one of these at the moment, only made for about 3 years, quite rare.
Remaining ones will be even rarer.:woohoo:


That's the worst of it. Instead of restoring a rare bike to original condition, hacking it into a cafe racer instead.

[Tazz]

Whoever has bought and paid for it can do whatever they want IMO. Same with houses, same with horrible tattoos.

[Voltaire]

And deservedly so?

I had an 83 R65 as a 'hack' work bike a few years ago, bought it as a non runner.
I liked it so much that I sold my Triumph Thruxton as the BMW was more fun to ride...and lighter....and handled better.:yes:

[ICE180]

there is a lot of shows on them as well so are quite nice




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt-YEj7p9ug

[rastuscat]

That vid is cool. But it's a million miles from a back yard retard destroying a classic.

That RD350 would have been a good one to restore, but the professional job they did on it makes it a worthy rebuild.

In my opinion.

[rastuscat]

That vid is cool. But it's a million miles from a back yard retard destroying a classic.

That RD350 would have been a good one to restore, but the professional job they did on it makes it a worthy rebuild.

In my opinion.

[husaberg]

That vid is cool. But it's a million miles from a back yard retard destroying a classic.

That RD350 would have been a good one to restore, but the professional job they did on it makes it a worthy rebuild.

In my opinion.

That rd350 which was a mix of later bits as well, was missing heaps of stuff that would need to have been tracked down and purchased to restore.
Unless you are a sadist, you should never try to restore anything that incomplete.
Here is one of the most famous RD cafe builds from Spirit of the 70's
Thats an R6 front caliper cartridge forks and Triumph wheels. RGV carbs.
327406327407327408

[Oblivion]

Not if I see it first.

Not if I keep mine

[mossy1200]

Guilty. I think I improved the bike though.

[flashg]

That rd350 which was a mix of later bits as well was missing heaps of stuff that would need to have been tracked down and purchased to restore.
you should never try to restore anything that incomplete.
Here is one of the most famous RD cafe builds from Spirit of the 70's
Thats an R6 front caliper cartridge forks and Triumph wheels. RGV carbs.
327406327407327408
The emblem on the tank was wrong. The Yamaha music emblem has the points of the tuning forks stopping short of the outer circle as on that tank.
Yamaha motors has the points of the tuning forks entering the outer circle. Just saying [emoji41]
But a very nice build indeed.

[husaberg]

The emblem on the tank was wrong. The Yamaha music emblem has the points of the tuning forks stopping short of the outer circle as on that tank.
Yamaha motors has the points of the tuning forks entering the outer circle. Just saying [emoji41]
But a very nice build indeed.

:facepalm:;)
You will hate this one then
This is what i want to do. It might change though, I hear tales that the std frames weigh close to 30KG:facepalm:
A RG250 frame is about 5KG, so it might end up more a spondon TZ350G/H replicaish
327414327415327413

[KawasakiKid]

Guilty. I think I improved the bike though.

What a beautiful motorcycle you have now made....but in my opinion, on the borderline of being a classic

[Moi]

Guilty. I think I improved the bike though.


Something you are proud to park in your driveway...

[mossy1200]

Something you are proud to park in your driveway...

Nah. I sold it on trademe.

Only reason was my wife said I could buy an Agusta to replace the zx14r but idd need buy a 2up bike in place of the Beemer also.
I enjoyed the building process. That was the main reason to do the bike. I think I would have lost about a grand after selling.

The problem is with most bobber and cafe builds is people tend to cut things off and call it a finished product plus expect to make money doing it.

[Voltaire]

Guilty. I think I improved the bike though.

Apparently the K1 is 'the next big thing"...... I only rode a K100 once, for a day around the hills of Chang Mai....much like German cars, boring and reliable.

[AllanB]

Most of the trademe stuff is poorly executed junk trying to imitate something cool they liked the look of on-line. The poor old GN250 appears to have have a hacksaw hammering most recently.

There are some beautiful examples on the internet of superbly done cafe or bobber builds I'd be proud to own. Problem is the work and hours involved would cost a fortune.

Don't beat on the style just because of a pack of shit rides popping up on TM.

[flashg]

:facepalm:;)
You will hate this one then
This is what i want to do. It might change though, I hear tales that the std frames weigh close to 30KG:facepalm:
A RG250 frame is about 5KG, so it might end up more a spondon TZ350G/H replicaish
327414327415327413
I actually really like that, look forward to seeing pic's [emoji2] and remember to keep the emblem true.

[rastuscat]

Most of the trademe stuff is poorly executed junk trying to imitate something cool they liked the look of on-line. The poor old GN250 appears to have have a hacksaw hammering most recently.

There are some beautiful examples on the internet of superbly done cafe or bobber builds I'd be proud to own. Problem is the work and hours involved would cost a fortune.

Don't beat on the style just because of a pack of shit rides popping up on TM.

Yes, my bad really. It's the loss of classics to the fashion that irks me. I recently almost bought an R100RT because it was very close to the R80RTP which I started as a traffic cop on.

So many K75, K100 and Boxers have been lost to the cafe racer fad. Some well done. Most not. You only ever see the well done ones. The sad ones don't get shown off.

[mossy1200]

Yes, my bad really. It's the loss of classics to the fashion that irks me. I recently almost bought an R100RT because it was very close to the R80RTP which I started as a traffic cop on.

So many K75, K100 and Boxers have been lost to the cafe racer fad. Some well done. Most not. You only ever see the well done ones. The sad ones don't get shown off.

K100 forum

There is some very well looked after original looking k100s out there and some very good cafe racers.
The k100 quantity likely means they wont ever be rare or hard to find.
Boxers are a lot harder to find. I dont think I could cafe race one. I would rather restore one.

[AllanB]

K75 or K100 are only iconic in the horrid error of customer faith to the brand that BMW made when touting them as a replacement for the boxer twin.

Provided BMW have one example of each in their museum that is fine in my books. I've seen some really cool modified ones though!


I think when referencing classics they really need to be significant. Honda churned out so many different models of bikes in the early 80's after total world domination. F-all of them are classic (or at least significant models). I look at these bikes from my youth in the same way as photos of old girlfriends - most can be thrown away but there may be a keeper packed back in the box and replaced at the back of a dusty shelf.

[F5 Dave]

I actually really like that, look forward to seeing pic's [emoji2] and remember to keep the emblem true.
Hahahaa:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Hahahahahah:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Pictures of the finished one. Oh dear. Snuffle.:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Sigh.
Oh that's a good one.

Pant:laugh::laugh:.

I can'tstop.:laugh:

[husaberg]

Hahahaa:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Hahahahahah:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Pictures of the finished one. Oh dear. Snuffle.:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Sigh.
Oh that's a good one.

Pant:laugh::laugh:.

I can'tstop.:laugh:

Fair call.
Photoshop is faster

[F5 Dave]

Or the motivation to prove me wrong. Be proactive.

[OddDuck]

I'm in agreement with AllanB here - there's some fantastic builds out there, just look at this:

http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/

(Danger: gateway site. Addiction may follow)

But you're right Rastus. Loads of the kiwi home builds are just horrible. I reckon there's good reason. It's part of the national psyche to just get stuck in. Don't think too much and for fuck's sake don't study first, just rip on in, there's a good bugger. And never admit to anyone, least of all yourself, that just maybe this is a bit much to take on. It's great for getting shit sorted out, it doesn't work too well when precision or good taste is required though.

Personally I've always had a thing for cafe racers and would love to build one some day. Need a really decent shed and a pile of cash first though.

[Grumph]

Or the motivation to prove me wrong. Be proactive.

Stop it immediately Dave - now you've set me off too....

Nothing wrong with the air cooled RD frame either. Identical to the TD3/TZ twin shock frame. Handles very well indeed.

I've only ever built one caff racer in my life - an A10 - and that was sold before I finished it when a guy said "I'll have that if you put the standard bars on it..."

This one was finished recently but it's a racebike built to LOOK like a caff racer....

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-1230842828.htm

Whoops. I shouldn't have started looking.

[jafagsx250]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161228/130dd98610895d93149d7b2658daf683.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161228/9704e5cddd4bb8e60b693d351c04453c.jpg

These were made by some German guy who was going to go do a bike trip around nz. I think these look really good but these would have involved a lot more money and effort than the crap hack jobs people butcher.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[Voltaire]

Exhaust wrap and a brown seat....now that':rolleyes:s different.

[rastuscat]

TradeMe listing 1220121037

[Laava]

Yep that is heinous! It would have been maybe worth somewhere near that in original form, but now...

[husaberg]

I actually really like that, look forward to seeing pic's [emoji2] and remember to keep the emblem true.
Well spurred on by Dave, I dug out the frame from my father’s deepest darkest most waterlogged spider infested shed.
I stripped it down, it actually only has 4 rivets, yet two of them are definitely non original.
Side by side with the earlier RD350 frame, it’s subtly different in both the brackets and the bends in the rails. like comparing a wideline to a slimline featherbed Norton.
It weighs at least 15kg even (with the rust)
Its on the edge, but salvagable with a bit of TLC
The swingarm has actually completely succumbed to rot. Just as well I planned to bin it anyway.:2thumbsup
I mocked up a Honda XR200 swingarm, i had in a bin, its close enough, slightly longer than i wanted, But TZ350 esk enough.(if you squint really hard.)

The coffin tank is in suprising good shape, if a little bulky in the front plus a little short and wide at the back. Its even half full of what used to be petrol 30 years ago. :)

[F5 Dave]

Start a thread so we can shit you in 3 yrs time.

[flashg]

Well spurred on by Dave, I dug out the frame from my father’s deepest darkest most waterlogged spider infested shed.
I stripped it down, it aactually only has 4 rivets, yet two of them are definitely non original.
Side by side with the earlier RD350 frame, it’s subtly different in both the brackets and the bends in the rails. like comparing a wideline to a slimline featherbed Norton.
It weighs at least 15kg even (with the rust)
Its on the edge, but salvagable with a bit of TLC
The swingarm has actually completely succumbed to rot. Just as well I planned to bin it anyway.:2thumbsup
I mocked up a Honda XR200 swingarm, i had in a bin, its close enough, slightly longer than i wanted, But TZ350 esk enough.(if you squint really hard.)

The coffin tank is in suprising good shape, if a little bulky in the front plus a little short and wide at the back. Its even half full of what used to be petrol 30 years ago. :)
You should start this new thread Dave speaks of with photos of how it all looks now. Then keep them coming, so we can feel like we are there as you progress. Some might offer helpful advice 😂

[Tazz]

Considering a lot of the bikes used were models that have never been considered sought after or any good, I wonder if in a way the cafe thing actually saves a few more and keeps them on the road rather than rusting in a barn?

Maybe not enough to justify anything for the purists, but still, where would these bikes be if this wasn't the latest fad? Same with all the old scooters being tinkered with again, particularly in Chch.

[husaberg]

Start a thread so we can shit you in 3 yrs time.

Well it turns out the new frame is a 78, so it would get the cheaper rego until at least 2018 so i have heaps of time:killingme
Anyway why the sudden need to wait 3 years to give me shit.
I found the spare stinger as well, had a peak under the cover of the Wolf which didn't look to bad considering, plus found a manky (model before the rd200) rolling chassis as well with the 8 inch brake.
I think that needs liberating to.
Next time i are there i intend freeing the YDS3 before it gets any worse.


You should start this new thread Dave speaks of with photos of how it all looks now. Then keep them coming, so we can feel like we are there as you progress. Some might offer helpful advice ��

Someone wise once told me the way to do it is to do most of the work, then drip feed the photos and pics later ,so it looks like you work faster.

[pritch]

The public comments are pretty much in sync too.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2016/12/are-stock-restorations-better-looking-than-most-retro-customs/

[husaberg]

The public comments are pretty much in sync too.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2016/12/are-stock-restorations-better-looking-than-most-retro-customs/

Horses for courses

327438327439
327436327437

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0wpki0b6Kk
The grumph pipes are better made

[mossy1200]

Horses for courses




Thats strange.
Find myself wanting a Honda.

[AllanB]

Thats strange.
Find myself wanting a Honda.

It did sound quite wonderful :yes:

[husaberg]

Thats strange.
Find myself wanting a Honda.

It did sound quite wonderful :yes:

Well if you like that try a homemade 5 for sound
Its a CBR250 with and extra cylinder tacked on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HSBeMPOdJ0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFDT1QJSxRc


327453327443327444327445327446
He did a three cylinder as well done up as an MV
This video cover them all plus some other specials

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZZApGl8H2M
http://inspiration-mv3.jlsp503.over-blog.com/album-289824.html



From another builder a moto GP mechanic a 300 six based on the cbr250

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vpNaYr5ado

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1204277540.htm

So just get a 2 year old bike and modify it.

[rastuscat]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1204277540.htm

So just get a 2 year old bike and modify it.

I'm in 2 minds about this sort of thing. And it's not schizophrenia.

Do they really know better than the guy who designed the original bike? The Ducati guy who designed and manufactured or selected each part to complement each other part? The Ducati crowd who spent a gazillion Euro designing it?

Having said that, it's actually pretty cool. Love the look of that back wheel. It's not bad for price either.

Not my bag though. I keener on the design the factory rolled out. As a rule.

[pritch]

As has been said, the modified bike will reflect the skills of the person who created it. Sadly too many cafe racers or bobbers are evidence of a total lack of skills.

[KawasakiKid]

I'm in 2 minds about this sort of thing. And it's not schizophrenia.

Do they really know better than the guy who designed the original bike? The Ducati guy who designed and manufactured or selected each part to complement each other part? The Ducati crowd who spent a gazillion Euro designing it?

Having said that, it's actually pretty cool. Love the look of that back wheel. It's not bad for price either.

Not my bag though. I keener on the design the factory rolled out. As a rule.


Ducati ? where'd that come from. It's MV......nothing to do with Ducati money or designers.

Time for a coffee I think :yes:

[Laava]

Check out these Laverdas, well done but....

[AllanB]

I'm in 2 minds about this sort of thing. And it's not schizophrenia.

Do they really know better than the guy who designed the original bike? The Ducati guy who designed and manufactured or selected each part to complement each other part? The Ducati crowd who spent a gazillion Euro designing it?

Having said that, it's actually pretty cool. Love the look of that back wheel. It's not bad for price either.

Not my bag though. I keener on the design the factory rolled out. As a rule.



It's a MV :bleh:

Go an have a look at it - it's at First European. Looks a hoot in the flesh on those tyres, the 'muffler' is a loose term .... but again looks great under-tail. Not everyone's cup of tea on those tyres but you just want to throw a leg over it and lay down a big blackie.


They also have (it was there a week or so back) a new Bonnie Scrambler that has been heavily modified - forks, rear etc - looks like a proper dirt bike now (in the old sense).

[KawasakiKid]

Check out these Laverdas, well done but....


Blasphemy.

[Grumph]

Blasphemy.

Mmmm, tend to agree - but they're only twins anyway.

This is what can be done with a crash damaged 1200...Not a caff racer, more the real thing but it would have been easy to keep the rego live and hang lights on it.

I was amused when pics of eurodave's Honda 200 twin "SFC replica" appeared on the Laverda forum.
Half the forum were offended - and half reckoned that as the SF was a Honda copy it was a good joke....
Dave supplied the "glass for the 1200.

[KawasakiKid]

Mmmm, tend to agree - but they're only twins anyway.

This is what can be done with a crash damaged 1200...Not a caff racer, more the real thing but it would have been easy to keep the rego live and hang lights on it.

I was amused when pics of eurodave's Honda 200 twin "SFC replica" appeared on the Laverda forum.
Half the forum were offended - and half reckoned that as the SF was a Honda copy it was a good joke....
Dave supplied the "glass for the 1200.


What's this 'only' twins bit. The 750SFC is Laverda's greatest bike.

Here is a nice 1000 for you to drool over, and an 880cc twin

[Laava]

Mmmm, tend to agree - but they're only twins anyway.

This is what can be done with a crash damaged 1200...Not a caff racer, more the real thing but it would have been easy to keep the rego live and hang lights on it.

I was amused when pics of eurodave's Honda 200 twin "SFC replica" appeared on the Laverda forum.
Half the forum were offended - and half reckoned that as the SF was a Honda copy it was a good joke....
Dave supplied the "glass for the 1200.

Someone stole the seat!

[Grumph]

I've seen inside too many of them to drool...

Heard of that twin. Be interesting to put it up against the Aussie one which is very quick and well sorted.
Trouble with the twins is that if you want bigger or more power, there are a lot of "must do's" to make the cranks live.
They're an engineer's bike really. Redax in Queensland are probably world leaders at present on the cranks.

[F5 Dave]

Surely their 125 2- stroke was the best one.



Am I alone here?

Fellas?

Hey. Waitup.


No really, if they'd have kept up with it it could have been as much a commercial success as the V-Due.

[husaberg]

Surely their 125 2- stroke was the best one.



Am I alone here?

Fellas?

Hey. Waitup.


No really, if they'd have kept up with it it could have been as much a commercial success as the V-Due.

They also did a prototype 350 and not quite 500 V3 two stroke.

[Voltaire]

Surely their 125 2- stroke was the best one.



Am I alone here?

Fellas?

Hey. Waitup.


No really, if they'd have kept up with it it could have been as much a commercial success as the V-Due.

I think commercial success was in another department...

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/tractors/images/4/46/LaverdaM304.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110512141857

[Laava]

I've seen inside too many of them to drool...

Heard of that twin. Be interesting to put it up against the Aussie one which is very quick and well sorted.
Trouble with the twins is that if you want bigger or more power, there are a lot of "must do's" to make the cranks live.
They're an engineer's bike really. Redax in Queensland are probably world leaders at present on the cranks.
Are you referring to House's bike that he won the aussie BEARS on?

[Grumph]

Are you referring to House's bike that he won the aussie BEARS on?

That's a triple isn't it ? Referring to the twin that the Briggs brother rode then Drmsby went well on.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I'm in 2 minds about this sort of thing. And it's not schizophrenia.

Do they really know better than the guy who designed the original bike? The Ducati guy who designed and manufactured or selected each part to complement each other part? The Ducati crowd who spent a gazillion Euro designing it?

Having said that, it's actually pretty cool. Love the look of that back wheel. It's not bad for price either.

Not my bag though. I keener on the design the factory rolled out. As a rule.

It an MV Agusta innit?

[HenryDorsetCase]

It's a MV :bleh:

Go an have a look at it - it's at First European. Looks a hoot in the flesh on those tyres, the 'muffler' is a loose term .... but again looks great under-tail. Not everyone's cup of tea on those tyres but you just want to throw a leg over it and lay down a big blackie.


They also have (it was there a week or so back) a new Bonnie Scrambler that has been heavily modified - forks, rear etc - looks like a proper dirt bike now (in the old sense).

I wish I had taken some pix of that Scrambler.

Here'w what they told me: complete new front end off a Triumph Explorer XC: USD forks, big brakes etc. Custom triple clamps I think, or work done. Ohlins custom made shocks IIRC (longer to give more travel). custom subfrme. custom exhaust. Custom paint. They are looking for 100rwhp with the usual tricks: big bore, high compression, more air, free exhaust. Allegedly owes the guy who ordered it a TON of money. He apparently has nothing but money because he is a partner in or something to do with Highlands motorsport park. This bike is not being road registered it is a "farm hack" for use on the property.... Seriously cool.

One thing I will say for FE: given the opportunity, and the money, their custom work is excellent.

[husaberg]

I remember this one
327517327518327519327520327521327522
http://allmotopict.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/ducati-999-beach-racer.html

[pritch]

A few years ago at the Chateau to Plateau ride, all and sundry were gathered in a carpark prior to the start. There was a large crowd ogling the latest and the greatest in the world of bikes, but by far the biggest attraction was a Laverda twin. Unlike those chopped monstrosities it was a thing of beauty. Like this...

[Laava]

That's a triple isn't it ? Referring to the twin that the Briggs brother rode then Drmsby went well on.

No it's a big bore twin with a 72 degree crank.

[Laava]

A few years ago at the Chateau to Plateau ride, all and sundry were gathered in a carpark prior to the start. There was a large crowd ogling the latest and the greatest in the world of bikes, but by far the biggest attraction was a Leverda twin. Unlike those chopped monstrosities it was a thing of beauty. Like this...
Given that they copied the honda twin layout, they sure did make it work well and it was a successful model for them, as was the triple in most of it's forms. The handling was particularly good which really is what set it apart from the jap and british stuff at the time, shortlived as these "edges" always are. I road a commando and my SF Laverda, of the same year and spec, back to back and the SF had the edge IMO. In theory they were a bulletproof motor and box too but that is another story!

[Paulo]

Guilty as charged officer

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=327533&d=1483236399&thumb=1&stc=1

[onearmedbandit]

Guilty as charged officer



Ooooo I like that very much. One day I might even be cool enough to ride something similar.

[Paulo]

Ooooo I like that very much. One day I might even be cool enough to ride something similar.

Hah you are far cooler than i'll ever be :) . I made a decision to not chop a Tonti frame and since the bike was not stock when I got it I didn't feel so bad (it was originally an SP1000).

This may make you laugh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbu6nXV3xZ4

[KawasakiKid]

Some people simply should not be allowed anywhere near a toolbox

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1233287725.htm

This looks like a good usable effort.

[F5 Dave]

That. . , doesn't really meet any criteria of a cafe racer.

Also the owner has completed at least 5000km, not trying to sell after first test ride.

[mossy1200]

That. . , doesn't really meet any criteria of a cafe racer.

Also the owner has completed at least 5000km, not trying to sell after first test ride.

Sorry. :shutup:

[pritch]

Some people simply should not be allowed anywhere near a toolbox

That's bad. Having owned a couple of BSAs I'm not labouring under any misapprehensions as to their quality, but that is just cruel.

[husaberg]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1233287725.htm

This looks like a good usable effort.


That. . , doesn't really meet any criteria of a cafe racer.

Also the owner has completed at least 5000km, not trying to sell after first test ride.

Latte Racer Auckland style:msn-wink:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Latte Racer Auckland style:msn-wink:

LOL at "latte racer"

Oh yeah I am about to sell a bike after a test ride ... after I bought it...

[AllanB]

LOL at "latte racer"

Oh yeah I am about to sell a bike after a test ride ... after I bought it...

Should have got the Ducati Scrambler ...... just saying ;)

[HenryDorsetCase]

Should have got the Ducati Scrambler ...... just saying ;)

Yup. First European are trying to slot me into their ex-demo Street Twin also. Same money. I had the cash too though I've now spent (sorry "invested") some of it in Jack Daniels, blow, and hookers.

[AllanB]

Yup. First European are trying to slot me into their ex-demo Street Twin also. Same money. I had the cash too though I've now spent (sorry "invested") some of it in Jack Daniels, blow, and hookers.

Two nice twins. Mmmmmmm twins

[flashg]

Two nice twins. Mmmmmmm twins
327571
There go

[Grumph]

I had the cash too though I've now spent (sorry "invested") some of it in Jack Daniels, blow, and hookers.

I'd heard the Law Society Xmas do was a good one....

[Katman]

Xmas lasts 12 months of the year for lawyers.

[jonbuoy]

Mine was based on a ratty old commuter that would probably have ended up broken for parts, not a desirable or rare model. I want to do a Harley version next, but properly this time no fibreglass.

[AllanB]

Mine was based on a ratty old commuter that would probably have ended up broken for parts, not a desirable or rare model. I want to do a Harley version next, but properly this time no fibreglass.

a ratty old commuter that would probably have ended up broken for parts

Thought you were doing a Harley .................

[jonbuoy]

a ratty old commuter that would probably have ended up broken for parts

Thought you were doing a Harley .................

Ha- I'm getting old - I really don't care about going fast on a bike anymore and I do like the sound and character of the Harley Motors as long as it's not totally obnoxious - just not a big fan of the styling.

[F5 Dave]

By `character`, do you mean; immense size, or colossal weight?

[Grumph]

By `character`, do you mean; immense size, or colossal weight?

Hmmm, I wonder what a cafe racerised traction engine would go like.......

[jonbuoy]

By `character`, do you mean; immense size, or colossal weight?

All that - and making the bike shake like a shitting dog at idle.