Cafe Racers...build your own? Resources? Suggestions?

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kellanv · #1 Post by **kellanv** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:29 pm

The more research I do into the type of riding I like, and what I like style wise, the more I'm really starting to dig the vintage cafe racer look, maybe a little more modernized(ala guzzi breva etc) Now, I'm a designer by trade with some abilities at metal fabrication etc but I was wondering how would one go about finding a project bike it turning it into some sort of cafe racer? whats a good platform? Steps? Common trends?

I know it could get expensive but over time, I think it could be very cool.

I'm probably in over my head even tho I do have experience given that my actual bike knowledge is limited.

Thanks in advance

Kellan

VermilionX · #2 Post by **VermilionX** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:40 pm

nah, just get one built already...

this is one bad a$$ cafe racer.

Benelli TNT Cafe Racer.... looks more like streetfighter though and maybe it is.

kellanv · #3 Post by **kellanv** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:47 pm

for one, that thing is ugly as hell...

and for two its NOT a cafe racer...at least I wouldnt consider it even close.

And thirdly, sure I could buy one, and I might. The Triumph Bonneville series look pretty amazing, especially the thruxton HOWEVER building one is more in the whole "spirit" of that type of machine...a very customized racer built to how you want it etc.

now THAT is more like a Cafe bike

jmillheiser · #4 Post by **jmillheiser** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:49 pm

if you want a vinatage style cafe racer the easiest bike to start with would be a UJM from the 70s or 80s. These will be more reliable than an old britbike (the tradional cafe racer) and will probably be faster too.

A streetfighter is kinda like a modern equivilent to a cafe racer and is what im planning to do to my bandit (its almost a streetfighter in stock trim LOL)

VermilionX · #5 Post by **VermilionX** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:49 pm

kellanv wrote:for one, that thing is ugly as hell...

and for two its NOT a cafe racer...at least I wouldnt consider it even close.

And thirdly, sure I could buy one, and I might. The Triumph Bonneville series look pretty amazing, especially the thruxton HOWEVER building one is more in the whole "spirit" of that type of machine...a very customized racer built to how you want it etc.

http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/THX_006_main.jpg

now THAT is more like a Cafe bike

that's the old school cafe racer.

that benelli is the modern version.

i would totally rock that bike eventhough it doesn't have fairings.

jmillheiser · #6 Post by **jmillheiser** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:55 pm

the benelli reminds me of an MV Augusta Brutale, just not as clean looking

Mintbread · #7 Post by **Mintbread** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:28 pm

VermilionX wrote: that's the old school cafe racer.

I needed to quote that just to make sure the comment was as I read it.

One of your best, verm.

Then new Ducati sport 1000's make a nice compromise...

Mag7C · #8 Post by **Mag7C** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:36 pm

Mintbread wrote:
VermilionX wrote: that's the old school cafe racer.
I needed to quote that just to make sure the comment was as I read it.

One of your best, verm.

Anyway, good luck on your project. I talked to an old guy at a coffee shop once who had one. It was a Dresda (or Drezda? I'm guessing on the spelling) if I remember correctly. So maybe start there if the Triumph doesn't work out.

Sev · #9 Post by **Sev** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:23 am

Check out Mysta's blog in the blog section. He's built himself two so far. Very very skilled hands there.

-Holiday · #10 Post by **-Holiday** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:40 am

i'm currently doing one as well, when I have the time. UJM's, specifically Honda's from the 70's are great platforms, and they made a "poo poo"-ton of them, so parts are available and cheap. Lots of guys use twins, like cb350's, 360's. Mine is a 76 CB360T. Of course you can do like Carpy and have a thing for 750/4's too. His bikes looks very good in my opinion:

http://www.cb750cafe.com/carpy.php

Another resource for questions like this, and a place where people have some real knowledge of these bikes is here:

http://www.scooterbbs.com/cgi-bin/board ... =DCConfID8

its not as big as this site by far, but its a more specialized interest so I guess that makes sense.

Some good things about Cafe's is that you can take a running bike, and do a basic cafe to it by putting clubmans on it, maybe a cafe seat. You dont really have to get into rearsets, engine mods, ditching all the extra weight and whatnot, unless you really want to. Or as time allows. The beauty of these bikes is that each is very diffferent, and they ccan be done on a budget. Thats how it was when the guys hanging out at the cafe's in london had nothing but stock bsa's, triumphs, and time on thier hands. Racing these bikes was a very much grass roots, "back yard" type thing.

Check tis site out for some pics of all flavors of Cafe's for some inspiration:

http://www.caferace.com/cafepix4.html

this is not my favorite, but just for something different, check out this Harley:

Anyhow, as you can tell, I think Cafe Racers are a blast, and I could honestly go on about them for days. I need to get moving on mine.

Oh and, that trash Verm posted? Thats not a cafe Racer. That's an insect.