Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey guys,

This is a followup to my post from yesterday entitled "Royal Enfield". My question to all you savants out there is this:

What bike(s) do you recommend as good or great starting points for a jump off into Cafe Race conversion? Suggestions can be from any year and any make, but bikes from the 50's through 60's would be most interesting.

So, with the thinking caps on, what do you guys suggest?

Also, if this topic has been covered before, could someone please direct me to the appropriate post. thanks.

I think you should also include the 70s. Triumph Bonneviles/Tigers (650s and 750s), Norton Commandos and their derivatives (i.e. fastback, Interstate, etc), and BMWs (750s & 900s) would be good choices. Parts are still available for these bikes and should be a major consideration in your choice. The Enfield, as you know, already has cafe racer parts and would be one of the easiest ways to go to end up with a cafe bike.

Have you checked the Ace Cafe site for ideas since that is the root of the Cafe Racer scene. If you go too modern, you'll end up with a street fighter. However, the line is blurred as to where a cafe racer ends and a street fighter begins.

There were some Japanese based cafe racers such as the Honda CB750 and Yamaha RD350/400, however, when we think of cafe racers, we usually associate them with European bikes. Parts availability for old Japanese bikes may be a problem. Whatever you consider, surf the Internet for sources to make sure you can get the parts. There are even cafe racer frames still available.

I love those cafe racers but my back and butt couldn't take the riding posture today.
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grand daddy purple

Airhead BMW's make great cafe bikes, http://www.suicidemission.com/motorcycle.htm

MotoGuzzi makes modern-day cafe bikes: (yes i know it's not old, but still nice )
http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/bikes/v11csport/index.html

If you want older, Triumph, AJS, Norton, Matchless, BSA, all make great cafe bikes. Folks on these forums have done some really nice things with older japanese bikes ... you can even make a nice cafe out of an older Harley It's really up to you

TechBMW wrote:Airhead BMW's make great cafe bikes, http://www.suicidemission.com/motorcycle.htm

This is really cruel and too tempting. I've considered modifying my beemer but decided to save my money. Now you're stirring up the loins again.
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Herpes Forum

Cafe racers drip with attitude. It's amazing how much of that attitude come visually from a set of clubman bars. Once you add those, there are many ways to go, but some basic good performance mods put your money where your mouth is. I like them all, and I think you can start with most anything from the late 70's or earlier. Early 80's bikes can sometimes work, if the seat can be swapped from the typical step seat a lot of them had. I say go for it!

How about the venerable Honda CB350. Nice size, very reliable and plenty of parts still around. Here is a pic of a '73 CB350 Cafe Racer.

paul246 wrote:How about the venerable Honda CB350. Nice size, very reliable and plenty of parts still around. Here is a pic of a '73 CB350 Cafe Racer.

CB360 should take note of the bike for inspiration. A little change in handlebars and seat goes a long way. Beautiful.
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Chronic Fatigue Forum

moshee wrote:...There were some Japanese based cafe racers such as the Honda CB750 and Yamaha RD350/400, however, when we think of cafe racers, we usually associate them with European bikes. Parts availability for old Japanese bikes may be a problem...

I've had relatively no problems tracking down parts for my bike.

blurrs the line between cafe racer and cafe ricer

Old British twins always make good cafes but they tend to be quite a bit more expensive than their Japanese counterparts.



Really, I think just about any bike from the '70's can be cafe'd. Pick a motor and frame you like the looks and performance of and go for it!



Some bikes I'm considering for my next project.
Yamaha XS650
BMW airhead
Honda CB550-4
Kawasaki KZ650

I prefer twins, so I'm leaning towards the Yamaha or BMW.

Don'to look at me - Mysta2's already done it with the twin to my bike. I like looking at other folk's cafe projects, but I'm more of a 'stock original' kind of guy when it cmes to vintage bikes. That is a sweet 350 though.