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Old October 30th, 2010, 04:51 PM   #1
ChaosFromAbove
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Cafe Racers

I don't know why...but it seems like im starting to fall in love with those cafe racer bikes. I'm really itching to get my hands on one, anyone else have this feeling? Post pics of ur cafe racers!!!
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Old October 30th, 2010, 05:25 PM   #2
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I want to make one someday myself. Thinking about using a Suzuki S40 thumper as the base bike. The cafe racers seem like a cross between a crusier and a sportbike - for in the city and back roads. Maybe in a few years I can make it happen.
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Old October 30th, 2010, 05:45 PM   #3
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Here are my plans for a Honda CB350 74' Not 100% accurate but a design study. All the parts are from online sources, the fairing is from AirTech.

I might still build it, but I've come across a few online that were practicalyy identical for less than 5 grand.

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Old October 30th, 2010, 05:46 PM   #4
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Old October 30th, 2010, 05:48 PM   #5
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^ That is awesome, what is source? Would love to try something like that.
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Old October 30th, 2010, 05:53 PM   #6
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wow those are both amazing looking...i need to buy a base bike!!! seeing them go for like 400 and they run...i kinda wanna get a crap bike and build it completely myself (one that doesn't run)
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Old October 30th, 2010, 05:57 PM   #7
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wow those are both amazing looking...i need to buy a base bike!!! seeing them go for like 400 and they run...i kinda wanna get a crap bike and build it completely myself (one that doesn't run)
Get one that runs. Rebuilding an engine because you want to is fun. Rebuilding one because it doesn't run is a huge PITA.
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Old October 30th, 2010, 06:05 PM   #8
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Get one that runs. Rebuilding an engine because you want to is fun. Rebuilding one because it doesn't run is a huge PITA.
Yea i'd wanna rebuild it for the experience/fun...i've always wanted to rebuild a smaller engine and carbs
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Old October 30th, 2010, 07:00 PM   #9
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You would probably think that this is totally insane, but a Honda Rebel can be gotten real cheap and could be bobbed and re-configured into a bitchin Cafe Racer. It wouldn't be fast, but neither were the original Cafe Racers. Back then--and I remember that era well because I got into Cafe Racers. Doing the Ton (100mph) was a big deal. I had a Norton Atlas 750 that was bobbed, etc. In its day that was wicked cool. A Ninjette would blow that bike away. The sportbikes of today ARE Cafe Racers plus. They may not have the look of yesteryear but they are Cafe Racers through and through. They just got stuck with a different name (Sportbike)
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Old October 30th, 2010, 07:05 PM   #10
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Not a great pic, but friend just finished this build. Custom tank, seat, and Dresda frame with a CB750 engine. Came out really nice. Cafe Racer tv show on Discovery shows some guys building cafe racers and Billy Joel will be on the show again with some of his stuff. Any Long Island riders been to his shop?
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Old October 30th, 2010, 07:19 PM   #11
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I agree with Salariel, sportbikes are just an evolution of the old cafe racers. As a young 63 year old, I remember cafes very well from when I was a kid in the 50's and 60's. They were cool then and they're cool now. I've got a few old Bonnevilles (67-72) and this thread intrigues me. Maybe I'll build one of them as a cafe. It'll be fun to scout out the fairings, seats, etc.
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Old October 30th, 2010, 07:19 PM   #12
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I thought cafe racers looked really silly when I first saw them but I've taken a liking to them. I really like the styling on some of them now.
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Old October 30th, 2010, 08:05 PM   #13
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I thought cafe racers looked really silly when I first saw them but I've taken a liking to them. I really like the styling on some of them now.
honestly thats how i was at first, but they've been growing on me fast for the past few months lol

I just really like the "retro" style for some reason.
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Old October 30th, 2010, 08:54 PM   #14
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I remember that era well because I got into Cafe Racers. Doing the Ton (100mph) was a big deal. I had a Norton Atlas 750 that was bobbed, etc. In its day that was wicked cool.
Any pictures, from back in the day?
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Old October 30th, 2010, 10:59 PM   #15
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Here's kind of what I'd want to do. It's a Suzuki S40, I really like the look and simplicity of it. And getting a nice condition S40 is pretty easy. I've also thought about the Honda Rebel too, but the S40 is very clean and minimal and I really like that.
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Old October 31st, 2010, 10:18 AM   #16
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Any pictures, from back in the day?
I wish that I did. When we moved aboard our sailboat, we stored a lot of our things--like photo albums in our in-law's basement. One spring they had a flood and the photo albums turned into mush. The new Norton Commando in black and gold looks very much like the one I had.
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Old November 1st, 2010, 01:01 PM   #17
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Cafe Bikes rule! Along with the 59 club, rock-a-billy and that whole era. Then all the hippies had to come along and spoil, not mention the country going to war... But I guess the union jack didn't have that much to do with Vietnam... The second golden age of motorcycling! When the Island of Mann got some new heat and invigorated, JP's norton, oh my gosh, I can go on and on and on! As far as a time to visit in a time machine, second only to the proper board track racing of the 10's and 20's (the first golden age of motorcycling).....

All this new fangled electronic wizbang gadgetry crap of today! A moto should be an engine, carb and gas tank. Suspension, brakes and seat optional...

And I'm only 25!
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Old November 1st, 2010, 01:24 PM   #18
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My Cafe Racer circa 1983:



A 1972 Yamaha R5 with many RD350 mods and updates.
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Old November 1st, 2010, 01:30 PM   #19
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Here's kind of what I'd want to do. It's a Suzuki S40, I really like the look and simplicity of it. And getting a nice condition S40 is pretty easy. I've also thought about the Honda Rebel too, but the S40 is very clean and minimal and I really like that.
That one is real sweet
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Old November 1st, 2010, 01:37 PM   #20
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haha...this thread is great...loving the attention its getting!! didn't realize so many people were into cafe racers too!
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Old November 1st, 2010, 09:57 PM   #21
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My Cafe Racer circa 1983:



A 1972 Yamaha R5 with many RD350 mods and updates.
Nice. Love the coils strapped to the down tubes. Very backyard build cool
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Old November 1st, 2010, 10:14 PM   #22
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That looks pretty darn nifty!
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 04:46 AM   #23
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I am building a cafe racer out of my 250 ninja. I love the look .
At tis stage I only have the custom aluminum tank finished . But it will be very cool when it is done
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 09:58 AM   #24
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Cafe Racer are great but you have to hav the right gear.
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 01:40 PM   #25
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nice, the XLCR I mean, not the shorts. Cousin had one and destroyed it. BTW rode by your old Frenchtown homestead over the weekend.

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Old November 2nd, 2010, 01:40 PM   #26
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I am building a cafe racer out of my 250 ninja. I love the look .
At tis stage I only have the custom aluminum tank finished . But it will be very cool when it is done
wicked cool
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 04:04 PM   #27
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You can get a little front cowl/flyscreen thing for it too if you're into that.
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 05:53 PM   #28
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I think that people are going to scarf up S-40s really fast. A partial fairing around the headlight would complete "The Look" A Brit in the 70's would love that bike. About as retro as it gets. An older Honda 750 Shadow would also make a great CR.
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 06:47 PM   #29
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Do want!
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 06:51 PM   #30
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that Norton is sick! The lines on that tank is just pure sex... well, almost, AJS has the tanks of that title....

The Thruxton is cool, cause it's a factory production cafe bike. I'm so glad Triumph survived, I wish some of the others did too...
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 06:56 PM   #31
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Do want!
Andy, It is beautiful--very expensive--a Cafe Racer for sure, but not unique. It is a production bike. The beauty of a real Cafe Racer is that you built it yourself and there is nothing around like it. Building one fron a Honda Shadow or an early 70s Triumph 650 would be the real thing. The Commando would certainly turn heads, but a 67 Norton Atlas set up as a Cafe would be the real thing.
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 07:02 PM   #32
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Andy, It is beautiful--very expensive--a Cafe Racer for sure, but not unique. It is a production bike. The beauty of a real Cafe Racer is that you built it yourself and there is nothing around like it. Building one fron a Honda Shadow or an early 70s Triumph 650 would be the real thing. The Commando would certainly turn heads, but a 67 Norton Atlas set up as a Cafe would be the real thing.
Right I understand the whole custom cafe racer thing. I was really tempted to start a build, but then I found the Hawk and now have a project with that.
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Old November 2nd, 2010, 07:05 PM   #33
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Andy, The Hawk is a superfine bike--really hard to beat in reliability and simplicity. Destined to be a classic.
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Old November 4th, 2010, 06:08 PM   #34
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Old November 4th, 2010, 06:19 PM   #35
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This one is kind of nice, in a brute force in your face sort of way.

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Old November 4th, 2010, 06:33 PM   #36
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Andy, It is beautiful--very expensive--a Cafe Racer for sure, but not unique. It is a production bike. The beauty of a real Cafe Racer is that you built it yourself and there is nothing around like it.
I agree. Cafe Racers are Choppers of the Sport Bike world. Manufacturers make naked sport bikes and call the Cafe Racers, but they are just naked bikes.
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Old November 4th, 2010, 09:07 PM   #37
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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...

Edit: For instance, I consider most of these to be cafe bikes, I know they don't all fulfill the requirements I've stated above...

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1222...o1/cafe-racers

If anybody wants, I can paste them all into the thread, but I'd take up an entire page...
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Old November 4th, 2010, 09:25 PM   #38
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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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Old November 5th, 2010, 05:32 AM   #39
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to me a cafe racer is kinda like a moto gp bike, as in all the mods are done by you (or your team) Not necessarily built from the ground up, but taking an older frame and the parts on it, and modifying them (or adding parts from other bikes) for racing performance.
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Old November 5th, 2010, 07:58 AM   #40
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Anyone watch the Cafe Racer tv show? They take anything from old XS650, CB750, one guy is really into CB450.
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