Name 'the' cafe racer?

**koba** · 18th March 2009, 11:20

As a young'n who wasn't there and doesn't know alot about it I would say a Goldstar.
I associate Manx Nortons more with proper track racing.

Yes, I know Goldies did that too but its just the mental link im talking about.

**BMWST?** · 18th March 2009, 11:25

as a production bike the Honda cb400 f.....

**hospitalfood** · 18th March 2009, 11:25

1949 on the A20 saw a few Ariel Red Hunters. Also 500 triumphs.
I would check what you can find through UK Classic Bike Mag.
Maybe a search on Joe's ( Johnsons ) Cafe

**Big Dave** · 18th March 2009, 11:27

It's only for a throw away line.

More 'first one that comes into your head'.

**hospitalfood** · 18th March 2009, 11:30

Wiki says Triton.

**Taz** · 18th March 2009, 11:32

If I had to be serious (Dammit) I also would rate the Gold star right up there.

"The Gold Star was the definitive "Café Racer" of the 1960's and became an icon in Europe and the United States. Walker tells the story of what happened when BSA, who was somewhat embarrassed by the rebellious crowd who popularized the bike, announced that production of that model was ending. The bike was so popular that BSA's U.S. dealer network promptly refused to stock any of the other BSA models unless the Gold Star was included in the product mix!"

**Big Dave** · 18th March 2009, 11:32

BSA Gold Star sums it up nicely.

Draft:

yanked and now being rewritten

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Thank you linesmen - thank you ball boys.

**Ixion** · 18th March 2009, 11:37

I agree the Manx was a "real" racer, not a cafe racer. I hink the "cafe" part has to indicate something that looked like a 60s racer, was pretty fast , but not not in the same league as a real TT machine.

Which rules out the Clubmans models. My vote would go to the Rickman Metisse models, or any of the Triton/Tribsa/Norvin home jobs.

But if the criteria be relaxed to allow Clubman models, then the Gold Star or Velo Thruxton.

**Morcs** · 18th March 2009, 11:39

Yamaha SRX-6!

**Bonez** · 18th March 2009, 15:53

Has to have "Ace" bars...............

**Skyryder** · 18th March 2009, 16:33

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Just writing a bit and I need to cite an example.

Q: What is 'the' archetypal Cafe Racer Motorcycle?

My answer would be Manx Norton. Yours?

(archetypal |ˌärk(i)ˈtīpəl|
adjective
very typical of a certain kind of person or thing : the archetypal country doctor.
• recurrent as a symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology )

AJS 7R.

Some others

Honda Norton Vincent

**xwhatsit** · 18th March 2009, 16:53

Apart from the Vincent, the other two are a bit porky, aren't they?

The `Boy Racer' was more of a clubman, no?

Surely it can't have more than two cylinders

Fairings are right out. Megaphone(s) and a single seat.

**Sidewinder** · 18th March 2009, 16:56

my gsxr600 down at robbet harris, cant get mor cafe or racer!

**Motu** · 18th March 2009, 16:58

Cafe's were never a NZ thing....more of a Pommy thing.I had a full Cafe Triton in 1973 - wideline Featherbed and T110 engine and gearbox,racing tank and seat,central oil tank swept back pipes with shorty Dunstalls,clip ons...the whole 9 yards.

Everyone who saw it said WTF?

Until I disapeared in the corners.