"Cafe Racer" style bikes

[Ixion]

So what could you expect to pay for an average condition T120?

An average condition T120? You don't want one. Run away. Fast. Don't look back.

A GOOD T120, preunit ? $30000 for a genuine one. Unit ones, $15000 maybe, going down to maybe 8 -9 $k. Depending on the definiton of 'good'. The older, the dearer.

Bear in mind, that a T120 is a bike that has issues you have never dreamt of. They won't start. Bits will fall off them. They will leak oil. They are TOTALLY unlike your idea of a motorbike. They are slow. They vibrate. They don't have electric starters. Their lights are laughable.

Only a raving idiot would want one. Sort of like the sort of idiot that would want a two smoker. A masochist , like. Who likes throwing money away with nothing to show for it.

And the T120 is about the easiest to get along with of all the old Briddihs iron. If you want REAL pain, go for a Velo. Or a Goldie.

[Ixion]

It's you who is getting old and fuzzy sunshine.

I rode mint condition examples of both on the same excursion.
I also owned a '76 Bonne.
There is hardly any difference in performance or handling.

Oil leaks reliability and electrical are another matter

Ah , naturally. By 76 the Bonnie was crippled, a sad and decrepit shadow of its once glory.

Compare it with a 1960 Bonnie.

EDIT: And it's STILL a big cumbersome whale.

[wbks]

So what would you suggest for a reasonably cheap, well made bike to make into a cafe racer? Preferably without bits falling off, able to start and will at least put up a fight with a honda civic...

[Ixion]

So I take it the manx was a gp bike in the 60s... Not a lot of info on them so I dont know. Don't seem to be an awefull lot of those bikes you mentioned around these days.

No such thing as a "GP" bike in the 60s. The Manx Norton was the iconic Senior TT machine (and Clubmans racer) of the 50s and 60s. Go google "Senior TT".

Nope, not a lot left ,though there's more thanthere seem, just those that have them don't bring them out very often, and certainly not anywhere where callow and unappreciative youff might see them.

If you want to feast on an eyeful of classic racing Briddish iron, go out to the Classic racing weekend at Puke in (about ) February.

[Ixion]

So what would you suggest for a reasonably cheap, well made bike to make into a cafe racer? Preferably without bits falling off, able to start and will at least put up a fight with a honda civic...

M'self, I'd say that a VERY good starting point would be that GB500 Honda. It's two thirds of the way there, and I've seen some VERY nice examples, that would have been very well accepted at the Ace. Or the TT500 Yamaha, that can also be a beautiful bike. SRX600 also has potential .But nothing in this sort of thing is 'reasonably cheap'. No matter how well intentioned it always ends up costing a shitload more than you expected. That at least hasn't changed since the 50s. They kept me broke then, and they keep me broke now.

If money is real short, the CB250RS , or SRX250.

[wbks]

gb's seem cheap. Pretty nice one here for real cheap: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-197112186.htm Its almost too much of a cafe racer looking thing already, rather then something not mass produced. Black anodised hub and rim with rechromed spokes, baremetal pipes and take that headlight shroud off. Look nice, you think?

[Ixion]

The big problem with any of the Jappers is the front brake. A disk front brake on a cafe racer is obscene. Like a zipper in y' Norfolk breeches. TLS drum is essential (and SLS reas). Only modern 2LS Japper I know of is the ST400.

But I always like the look of the GB series. Different tank, seat, stainless mudguards, clipons, 7 inch Lucas headlamp, and a Dunstall mega, and it could be very sweet indeed. Apart form that front brake. The Dunstall is de rigour.

[Big Dave]

Ah , naturally. By 76 the Bonnie was crippled, a sad and decrepit shadow of its once glory.

Compare it with a 1960 Bonnie.

EDIT: And it's STILL a big cumbersome whale.

The unit tested was a '67.

The aspersions are unwarranted and without foundation.
You should perhaps have checked tyre pressures, ya noob.

[Big Dave]

Thats a big read,\

yeah - a kiwi rider bit that is quite dated - i thought the bit of cafe racer background might be of interest.

[jonbuoy]

Why do you care what others think of them? It seems to me that you need to find something YOU want because building a special requires commitment and a stuff the budget mentality...

And....

While I don't like to 'define' things and could not give a fats rats bum what you want to ride, the reality is a bike made in 1975 really can't be a cafe racer can it? The cafe scene was well dead by then, choppers were withering and yet the endurance racer thing was taking off. Things belong in their era (apart from Neil Young and Bob Dylan)..... No rocker ever built a CB750 cafe racer....

As for a 750 Guzzi? Same deal except when the brit bikes dried up the bad boys that could not handle japanese bikes hopped onto Guzzis and Laverdas while the panty waisted adopted Ducati... A proper Guzzi makes a cafe racer for some reason (out of era) but NOT a small block 750 and cutting up a proper big block 750 could just cause you to be kicked to death by the euro Guzzi Anorak Klub....

"Cafe" is just a style of bike/build method in my opinion - naked, clip ons/clubmans, minimalist. Built to put a smile on your face. Just like chopper, race replica, cruiser, moto, tourer each have their own niches in the bike world. Maybe its seeing a bit of a resurgence with the manufacturers - long may it continue - cafes rock.

Anthrax - your bike looks awesome mate - love the style - very Vincent

[Paul in NZ]

The unit tested was a '67.

The aspersions are unwarranted and without foundation.
You should perhaps have checked tyre pressures, ya noob.

Unwarranted? Well triumphs importers and retailers might think so but i tend to agree with Ixion...

Hey - build any bike you want and call it fred if you need to - I like specials....

[Big Dave]

To infer that the bikes are whales and poor handling is just wrong. Incorrect and unwarranted.

(Adds after potatoes become unsteamed by the apparent corporate line inference.)

They have the accouterments that are required by riders who are not anchored in the past, but enjoy the style.

Big 12 volt batteries, working starter motors, constant oil temperature (big arse coolers) and they are burdened by pollution equipment and noise regulations.

Subsequently they have slightly larger capacity and 30 years of engine and suspension technology behind them.

Thus they go, handle, tip pretty much the same. They stop a shitload better and when you put the key in the ignition they go.

Whale that.

[vifferman]

I do like this new one tho: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtNlR...eature=related

That's hideous!

[wbks]

That's hideous!

Shutup with your BLASPHEMY!!!!

yeah - a kiwi rider bit that is quite dated - i thought the bit of cafe racer background might be of interest.

Yea it was of interest. Good article. As for the record racing being a myth: I have proof that says otherwise! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqyxl5ttb-Q

[Sully60]

Shutup with your BLASPHEMY!!!!

Some may say a supercharged Harley XR powered machine made to look British is tanatmaount to blaspheme. Then again it is the Ace cafe racer so who am I to say. Doesn't really meet the minimalist criteria very well.

I'd buy that for a dollar though.