Cafe Racer Appreciation Thread!!!

[brownhornet]

[SHawthy33]

Can't stand that front fairing and headlight. Never been a fan of the cyclops style small headlights. Show me one classic bike that that looks good on? Doesn't exist

I'll bet that exhaust is a screamer though

[VILESTENCH]

i'll agree.

[OptimusGlen]

went for a little ride last night, picked a direction and tried to get lost, it was great.

[the12for12]

There is a point if you consider the geometry of the bike and the modern tires. Longer wheel base and less trail gets the geometry in line with the old TZ race bikes. Modern tires are more stable under braking and acceleration. As for standing it on it's nose, the math puts the front brake equivalent to a stock Honda F4i, completely manageable. I ride sport bikes, I want more than enough front brake on a two stroke with no engine braking. Top speed isn't really important, the thing is a commuter bike, I don't feel the need to do much over the speed limit. Just trying to give a bit of insight into my thought process for the project.

Updated picture:

Gully brethren! Freekin nice scooter... the very essence of my idea of cafe. NON conformity.

[1.8TIM]

went for a little ride last night, picked a direction and tried to get lost, it was great.

I envy you so much. I've been spending countless hours searching craigslist for a nice old school honda, just so I can take it on a nice ride like that....but then I'll have a morning -like today- where I almost get into 2 separate accidents within 2 minutes, due to someone else's stupidity...and I think to myself- "No way can I enjoy a bike".

I think its time for me to move out to the sticks.

[autotragik b3attlewagen]

I think its time for me to ride out to/in the sticks.

fixed for you

[modular]

[autotragik b3attlewagen]

[Lmyamen1]

I am heading to Arkansas tomorrow on mine, not full cafe racer but same era.

[Mk1Racer]

[feetsies]

Where do you guys find cafe racers? I'm in the market for something different, and something I can cruise on.

[ChrisVocals]

Where do you guys find cafe racers? I'm in the market for something different, and something I can cruise on.

any motorcycle can be turned into a cafe racer with a little electrical and mechanical knowledge. It's all about the parts and the look. You'd either have to find one that someone already built (expensive), or build one yourself (can be much less expensive)

I'd say the most popular models are any Honda CB series between 1970 and 1980 (early 70's are more valuable and collectible)

You can't go wrong with any 70's era japanese motorcycle though. If you want to be safe on the highway I'd recommend a 550 engine size or larger. Just make sure the bike actually runs when you buy it unless you're interested in possibly running into a lot of trouble and spending much more time and money on it.

The more expensive bikes will be the European models so if you want to stay cheap, stick with Japanese

[dk58]

You can't go wrong with any 70's era japanese motorcycle though. If you want to be safe on the highway I'd recommend a 550 engine size or larger. Just make sure the bike actually runs when you buy it unless you're interested in possibly running into a lot of trouble and spending much more time and money on it.

To add to this, DO RESEARCH AHEAD OF TIME, and, if the bike runs, make sure it runs WELL.
Ask me how I know...

[Darkness]

This is the prettiest Harley I've ever seen but those knee-cutouts just... miss her knees.

[reddragongti]

Such a tease... I need to know more about this. The leather work and color scheme are exquisite. I've gone a few pages back, haven't found anything; anyone have any info?

[Mk1Racer]

This is the prettiest Harley I've ever seen but those knee-cutouts just... miss her knees.

If they would have left that Willie G clutch cover off, I would agree. And I think the reason that her knees miss the cutouts, other than being a tad vertically challenged, is because it has rear-sets. But yeah, that's a nice Sportster.

[pirate golf]

Was never a fan of the Virago until I saw these pictures this morning...





so ugly in stock form...but so killer in Cafe style!

I'm sure that these are the bigger engined Viragos, but someone at work is selling a Virago 250 Route 66 for $300. I was considering picking it up as a project and flipping it, but after seeing these pictures, I might mess around with it a bit more and keep it.

What say you, Vortex? Worth the time to put work into a 250?

[reddragongti]

I would spend a bit more (or wait for a different deal to pop up) and get a decent-sized bike... Otherwise, you put all that time/money/effort into building it and you still can't take a nice highway/freeway ride. Unless it's for a second bike that you just want to ride around town--then I'd say go for it.

Just my 2 cents.

[retrorabbit]

Gully brethren! Freekin nice scooter... the very essence of my idea of cafe. NON conformity.

Thank you. Here is the most recent shot from earlier today...

[BrianC]

All I know is it was a 650 before he got a hold of it, now it's something like a 700... Well, whatever he did, this thing looks great, runs like a top, and sounds awesome.

[HelthInsXpert]

Hi guys, here's my 1977 CJ360T that just got finished up this weekend.

[SHawthy33]

Nice build, looks great sitting next to those two gems in the garage too.

[Mike97xj]

**Not Done**





Loads left to do obviously.

[OrangeDUB]

Wow very clean! Ditch those turns and rear fender

[franky996]

My take on a modern cafe bike

[Mtl-Marc]

[Mtl-Marc]

[AshyLarry]

Drove 1400 miles in 25 hours to pick this up for my friend. He's been wanting one for a while and found this for a decent price. I rode it yesterday, pretty quick, very fun. Need to get it on some real roads and have some real fun soon though. Definitely makes me want one of my own sooner than later.

[Bmrock]

Couple photos of my 350Four.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[mlsadler]

My cafe

[GoRacers]

^^^^^^YES.^^^^^^^


Fantastic. I am jelly.

[mlsadler]

I keep starting at page one and looking through this thread. There are some damn sexy bikes in here.

[jpr]

Ive had mine for 3 years, up until 2 days ago I had put 47 miles on it in 3 years. It had 850 miles on the complete frame off nut and bolt restoration

I had put it up forsale or for trade recently so somebody else can enjoy it more than me. Havn't been getting a lot of serious bites on it so I decided to get it out and knock some cob webs off it and some dust etc....

yesterday and today I put 45 or so miles on it.

Now I don't want to get rid of it lol.

Its been in a few writeups. It used to be pretty internet famous, it was one of the first few pictures that came up in a google search for cafe racer or xs650 etc... at one time it had 7 or 8 pictures on the first google page of cafe racer pictures.

Its been in hiding as I have too many toys to enjoy. Well since my Caddy decided to not start last week, possibly ignition module, i put a new ignition switch in etc...

I got out the Cafe to zip around town in, go to the bank and such etc... I forgot how much loads of fun it was.

Anyhow Im looking for some nice photographers in the Chicago/Joliet area to come out and do a nice photoshoot of the bike for me and do it some more justice one last time possibly before I get rid of it.

[Bmrock]

That bike deserves to be ridden. Nice work.

sent mid shift while driving.