"Cafe Racer" style bikes

**wbks** · 12th January 2009, 10:32

I don't care that it is an oil leaker harley or that they aparantly stole something out of my washing machine to make the intake, I think it looks like a nice modernised cafe racer. Telescopic forks look good on it

**Sully60** · 12th January 2009, 10:40

Originally Posted by wbks

Telescopic forks look good on it

So how many cafe racers have you found with Hossack or Saxon front ends?

**Big Dave** · 12th January 2009, 10:43

Originally Posted by Sully60

So how many cafe racers have you found with Hossack or Saxon front ends?

I've seen a springer on a vincent.

**vifferman** · 12th January 2009, 10:46

Originally Posted by wbks

I don't care that it is an oil leaker harley or that they aparantly stole something out of my washing machine to make the intake, I think it looks like a nice modernised cafe racer. Telescopic forks look good on it

There's too many things wrong with it: engine's too heavy, the mufflers look worngA, the front tyre looks too fat.
The tank's good though, and it sounds OK.

**Ixion** · 12th January 2009, 10:54

I gotta agree with Mr V . If the ideal is to recapture the ethos of the Ace era.

Disk front brakes, exhaust and header is all wrong, seat's wrong.Tyres are ludicrous big, far too fat for decent handling on the mountain circuit. Bear in mind that the ultimate purpose of every cafe racer was to ride the Isle of Man TT circuit at speed. Improbable though that would ever have been for the majority.

It's an interesting bike in its own right but not a classic cafe racer .Unless we redefine the term cafe racer

EDIT: Put a headlamp on this, and you have the definition of a cafe racer

**Oscar** · 12th January 2009, 10:55

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Cafe Racers

Have you read the story behind Nortorious?

Proof that engineers are nutters..."Hmm, lets take one cylinder off of a Harley, make it look like a Trumpy, blow it with a Rotax supercharger so as it won't be that easy, and then wrap it up in a faux-Norty look....and I'll hide all the wiring and hydraulic lines and build some disc brakes that look like drums..."

Result - A 965cc Supercharged stunner.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 12th January 2009, 11:07

Originally Posted by 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...

Honda CB450 twin, GB500, CB400F

edit: CB550, CB750, XS650, SR500, RD400 (not really) /edit

**Paulo** · 12th January 2009, 11:18

Originally Posted by wbks

Only really just noticed them. Seem pretty cool, and look a lot like classic GP racers (well some do anyway). Obviously aren't the fastest bikes on the road compared to race reps but you don't need that for the road huh. Also seem pretty cheap. '75 CB750-$2000, put some clip-ons, cafe racer style rear, some loud upswept pipes and a few performance mods. -Can't cost more than $2000 or 4k all up for a really nice bike. Anyway, I was wondering what other riders (you guys) think of them? Gay? Cool? Nice but you'd never own one?

Cafe's/ Kaffs, well I love em, I'm not hung up on whether they are true british steel or jap classics, I think the whole ideas at the time was to take your ride , strip the extra crap off it and make something that is your own. I love the tritons, Nortons Ducati's etc from the 60's but not being rich I've found a CB750 to be an affordable project option, Yes a CB750 does not handle like a Lighter leaner 500 single but who cares (not me) There are countless internet links to cafe custom sites and parts and pictures for ideas, heres a few...Mostly Jap builders some mixed.

http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/
http://www.cb750cafe.com/bikes.php?cat=1
http://www.perthstreetbikes.com/foru...hread-44173/11
http://caferacersreturn.blogspot.com/
http://dotheton.com/
http://www.deus.com.au/#/bikes/
http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/home.html
http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/brand/vintage-motorcycle
http://caferacersociety.blogspot.com...20Publications
http://www.vanem.com.au/
http://www.caferacer.net/page1.html

**imdying** · 12th January 2009, 11:40

Disc brakes are an acceptable evil, there's good reasons why drum brakes went the way of the dodo. No matter what you build mate, make sure it's still fun to ride. No point having a bike that's looks hot shit but is a heap to ride.

What turns you on in a bike? No reason why you have to follow an old narrow intrepretation of what's 'cool', blaze your own trail

**wbks** · 12th January 2009, 13:01

Originally Posted by imdying

What turns you on in a bike? No reason why you have to follow an old narrow intrepretation of what's 'cool', blaze your own trail

I go through fazes... I was actually looking at old 350's until I determined they were too slow

I just thought the old cafe style ones look nice and sound cool.

**Paul in NZ** · 12th January 2009, 21:39

Originally Posted by Big Dave

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

Fairy nuf.... I could see meself on a thruxton if someone gave me one but I'm in my summer water god phase at the mo.....

**Taz** · 18th January 2009, 19:17

It's getting there.....

**Paulo** · 18th January 2009, 22:09

Originally Posted by Anthrax

It's getting there.....

Bloody nice!

**Big Dave** · 18th January 2009, 22:43

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Fairy nuf.... I could see meself on a thruxton if someone gave me one but I'm in my summer water god phase at the mo.....

Yup - you can comfortably bolt 10hp on if needed too.

If I worked entirely solo a Bonneville would do me. Big bloke tall girl needs more oomph.

Keen on the upcoming Thunderbird 1600 I is.

A 1600 cruiser style I would not so adamantly defend either. Call me Moby, Dick.