Thread: Cafe Racers
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Old November 4th, 2010, 09:25 PM   #38
KURT
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Name: Kurt
Location: Goodyear, Az
Join Date: Jul 2010

Motorcycle(s): sold

Posts: 264
Quote:
Originally Posted by spooph View Post
ah, excellent, now we can have a debate about what constitutes a cafe bike....

I think a cafe bike is defined as a factory produced STANDARD motorcycle which has had all the extras yanked or trimmed off, and modified to gain the most amount of power out the engine, the best handling suspension possible, and the best brakes possible. Hence, all go, not necessarily show. The beauty is in it's function. What specifics aid this? Drilling lots of holes to save weight. A gas tank with cut-outs to streamline the frontal profile, and make it possible to turn the bike at slow speed due to the lower hand controls position. Cut-outs also help to hold onto the bike much better. A butt-stop, or small rear fairing is usually a good idea. Lower handlebars or clip-ons, and rear-sets for a more aggressive riding position.... Parallel twins are best, but above all, it must be air cooled.

What say you more experienced folks? I've been searching for a reasonably substantiated answer for a long time...

Too many details, Spooph.

A cafe racer is like a vintage hot rod... It's not the modifications that matter, it's the result.

Speed, handling, and one-of-a-kind looks define cafe racers. It's the adrenaline in your veins, and the sound assaulting your ears on an open stretch of road.
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