Ducati Monster Forum

Hey guys.  I want to build a cafe racer.  I have seen some amazing bikes of late.  They are a true classic.

My goal has been to find a Triumph Bonneville, late 70s-mid 80s.  I love them.

I was looking on bikesales and saw there are some very reasonably priced mid-late 90s monsters for sale.

Have monsters been used for cafe racers before?  Has anyone seen one?  Do you think it would make a good
cafe racer?

Would love to hear opinions.

Here are a few I have seen lately

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/5/5158145f-4f6b-4b61-d58f-ec33e6cbe678/19bfce2e-8d08-4e69-ea08-bee4709e1bae.jpg)

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/d/db6589a1-06f1-443a-9f76-6ed5221a13ce/08d88579-3365-46f8-efd7-2e69eaeef5d9.jpg)

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/8/8a45b8f1-30cc-407d-9883-e329dfc60415/892a2a14-1b4d-4591-bd1b-9216f672bf89.jpg)

Imo Monsters make the best Cafe racer, there already half done, just lower the head light and clocks  add some clip ons and your done  [thumbsup]

(http://www.ducatimonster.org/gallery/data/1853/Racer_1.jpg)

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lFwn64E_3xg/TiVu8704ECI/AAAAAAAACGA/bMwV44DPjLU/s1600/S2R+right2.jpg)

Another fine example, you could lean it down a little more if possible, and voila your done :D

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8574546536_cbecf409be_c.jpg)

More images here
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=ducati+monster+cafe+racer&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Pom1UezlLoeekAXaoIHYBg&sqi=2&ved=0CCwQsAQ&biw=2144&bih=1045#facrc=_&imgrc=ELMx8WxdrNXgyM%3A%3BxwPpiINQe4XXXM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ducatimonster.org%252Fgallery%252Fdata%252F1853%252FRacer_1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Frocket-garage.blogspot.com%252F2008%252F08%252Fs2r-cut.html%3B1264%3B906 (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=ducati+monster+cafe+racer&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Pom1UezlLoeekAXaoIHYBg&sqi=2&ved=0CCwQsAQ&biw=2144&bih=1045#facrc=_&imgrc=ELMx8WxdrNXgyM%3A%3BxwPpiINQe4XXXM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ducatimonster.org%252Fgallery%252Fdata%252F1853%252FRacer_1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Frocket-garage.blogspot.com%252F2008%252F08%252Fs2r-cut.html%3B1264%3B906)

That bike is a Guzzi  looks stock out of the showroom and a current model, the bike that Matty has been eyeing off. I think just a tad over $15000. That would be my option.

That black one is amazing.  That's the type of thing I am thinking of.

the v7 is really slow.  most people don't appreciate what you mean when you say "they're really slow" until they ride one.  then they say "I rode a v7, they're really, really slow".  the 2013 engine is better, but I've seen std breva 750 dynod with under 40hp.

check out the motomotivo site, johann has done quite a few monsters.  the ss is possibly a better frame for it as it has a fairly straight top rail.  the monster with the v is a bit harder to level out.  depends what you like the look of.

the black one is just a monster with smoothed tail and painted frame it appears.

It does have the trumpets.  I like it.  I still like the idea of a Trumpy though.

If you go the monster route and wanna go with the wire spoked wheels I can help out, I've already done it to mine.

16 odd pages of Cafe's here

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/showthread.php?4233-Cafe-Racers (http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/showthread.php?4233-Cafe-Racers)

Shitload of modded Ducatis here, disregard the "streetfighter" thing in the link.

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/forumdisplay.php?88-Ducati-Streetfighter-Gallery (http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/forumdisplay.php?88-Ducati-Streetfighter-Gallery)

If you're modding anything join up at ASF, be sure to introduce yourself first......If anyone take the piss about you riding a Ducati, especially Albi, ask him how he went at chasing bladehunter's (me) 600........ Nah they are a great bunch of blokes and willing to help out.

Thanks Rob - The more I think about it, the more I think the Monster isn't going to suit what I have in mind.  I think what I actually want has to be a 70s-80s bike.  I love that 550Four that I  posted.  That is the style I really want.

Some chook chasers can be a good base for a Cafe Racer if you like the single route......Singles are damn fun to ride.

I've got a Honda 350 twin in the shed that will get finished one day.

To me the classic look for a cafe racer is the flat straight line that runs along the bottom of the seat and tank, lowered headlight and instruments and clip ons or ace bars and chrome exhaust.  Then just strip off everything else that isn't necessary.

Check out the Do The Ton forum for some inspiration.  http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?action=forum (http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?action=forum)

Guzzis make nice cafe racers. Ducs, not so much.

I think Brad nailed it with the angle of the frame.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6BmR96VEZyc/TzCGDXvovSI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Lw0uiWFLWus/s640/motoguzzi_caferacer-m1-3.jpg)

Oh, and the clipons have to be stupidly low to qualify.

I have never seen a clear definition of a cafe racer that everyone agrees on.


I always thought the idea was stripping them down so they were lighter ... and faster (in an age of smaller, less powerful bikes). So although the frame and nakedness of a Guzzi may have some cafe appeal ... it still has that massive engine that doesn't produce all that much power - the power to weight I think is all wrong for a cafe racer.

But maybe that is more appropriate in the modern age.


... and narrow.

An older Japanese bike could work ... but something British feels more appropriate.

I agree re: shape of the frame, but at the same time I do think if a Monster had all the other bits I could probably live with the frame.  Old Kwakas and Hondas have the perfect shaped frame, but I also agree with Betty, a Brit would add that little bit extra as well.

That "do the ton" site is awesome too thanks

It is a very big movement now the "cafe" scene, there is a very big forum/group that has grown quickly in Sydney called of course sydney cafe racers which is the place to be, there is also tank Moto magazine that has just launched which is from the the publishers of fuel. Magazine out of Melbourne that is a hot rod and hipster type mag.

Yes I was looking at the V7 racer after seeing it again down in PI at the Supers weekend, went for a spin on the sister bike and no it is not fast by any stretch of the imagination but then a cafe bike is/was never meant to be fast it was just meant to be cool....

Personally if I was doing a bike I'd grab an old Beemr R80 they look great when done properly and are just that little bit more removed from the usual suspects being the SR400, KW650, CB500/750 and the Bonnie's.
The Guzzi is a great donner bike too except they are on the pricey side of cheap to start with.

I disagree - I think cafe racers were originally intended to be fast (and lighter than stock) ... for their time and considering the base offering.

But the current cafe racer trend is retro ... so it can't be about performance. It is now a stylistic ideal - much like the Monster really ... so you might as well go with that  ;D

I have to say I like a bit of performance, so I will probably be looking at something a little larger.  750 minimum.
I am not a Beamer fan Matt.  I think I would have to punch myself in the face every time I looked at it.  LOL

From the history I have read, the early days of the Cafes was mostly about speed, but just as much about status.
Very few bikes could get up to the "ton" and if you could, you were at the top of the ladder.  They must have been
amazing days.

I have to agree with Betty on this.

CR are supposed to be lighter, quicker, more raw.

The refined, heavy hoop, styling exercise of the new CR trend isn't what the CR was about.

People would pick up old chunky bikes, strip them down, put low bars, solo seat with a butt stop and tuck and go fast.



Edit: sorry about jumping into the OZ ship, I forget to check the board when responding to threads.

  :D  [thumbsup]

what they said.  even a cb750 or the like is slow.

café racer was the youth of the day spending what they had on what they could afford, all of which was heavy, underpowered, old English crap.  in an age where motorcycle riders in groups were unwelcome.

when I was of that age it was streetfighters, which is still a scene all its own.

now old is new again and we're back to café racers.

At the end of the day it is more about just getting on it and having fun anyway, and as for the speed factor, there are too many bloody cops around these days.  Besides, I have the Monster for that kind of fun.

exactly.  times have changed, and the bikes have massively.  take your time to find the right base and make it what you want.

I am still thinking a Triumph is right up there on my wish list, but we'll see.

These Ducs Make nice Cafe racers [drool]

http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2013/06/ducati-leggero-by-walt-siegel.html (http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2013/06/ducati-leggero-by-walt-siegel.html)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTByKm8S9wg/UWSVUSMvK5I/AAAAAAAAZeY/f5QLzxAMzVk/s1600/Walt-siegel-ducati-leggero.jpg)

http://www.bikeexif.com/ducati-pantah (http://www.bikeexif.com/ducati-pantah)

(http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ducati-pantah.jpg)

Rob they are both bloody nice

What about Big Red in Black  [thumbsup] with 108 bhp [evil] [evil] [evil]

(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/CB1100F_cafe_zps5c6aa7c8.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/CB1100F_cafe_zps5c6aa7c8.jpg.html)

+1, I loved my old Honda (sp1)

(http://www.tachoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/Postie-Bike-Racer.jpg)

That Honda is gorgeous - Not sure a postie is my ideal bike, but it is definitely unique.

Perry's new Cafe Racer  ??? [evil] [laugh]

The other side of the beast below. [evil] [evil] [evil] [evil]

(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/282400_230664156973813_4450455_n_zpse6f5c140.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/282400_230664156973813_4450455_n_zpse6f5c140.jpg.html)

Or low cost cafe???
More postie style 8)

(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/Picture002_zpsdccbabad.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/Picture002_zpsdccbabad.jpg.html)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/Picture001_zps7f921518.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/Picture001_zps7f921518.jpg.html)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/Picture003_zps8a7afe77.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/Picture003_zps8a7afe77.jpg.html)

I found the bike I want for the base for my first Cafe Racer.  It is a Kawasaki GT550.  It is an ugly old pig of a thing, but it is mechanically good, and runs very well.  When I take delivery, I will take a couple of pics.

Cool man 8)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/Picture_zpsbc289a7e.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/Picture_zpsbc289a7e.jpg.html)
Your muse [Dolph] [thumbsup]

A little different to how it will end up but that's the general idea

What bike is this?

We can get a similar bike here in the States, but it's far more dorky, and many of the parts appear different.

Cafe Racer version found while trolling in web, buy one stock and the modifications start just like our monsters. [laugh]
Super cool if in need of a big bore in line four, if I had more money than sense, I would be sure to have with the many more on the wish list.

 

 i must admit to getting confused these days as to whats a cafe racer

does this qualify ?

(http://i1026.photobucket.com/albums/y322/Ozman-gs/my%20bikes/harris2.jpg) (http://s1026.photobucket.com/user/Ozman-gs/media/my%20bikes/harris2.jpg.html)

Honestly, I find most of these things stupidly annoying going through my neighborhood. It's a like a group of weedeaters trying to go fast. Most of them have slapped on pipes and not much more. Therefore, they look a bit ridiculous as loud as they are struggling up a slight incline.

On the other hand, there are a few running around town that are fast as shit for what they are and those are what I appreciate. They are the new cafe racers. No longer can you pick up a CBXXX cheap because people know they're great bases for a cafe style bike. The mopeds on the other hand can be had for practically free. So the indigent hipsters pick them up and do what the cafe racers of yore did, take a piece of shit and make it faster than it was ever intended to be. Though I won't own one, the spirit is alive and I suspect this will be the gateway to motorcycles for a lot them. Of course, that's if they don't get maimed in their skinny jean/t-shirt outfits with flip flops and an open face helmet. While it's just a moped, hitting the road at 40mph is the same as doing it on a superbike, you're gonna get tore up.

CBs are worth a fortune now.  A stock 1973 one was on ebay for $12k last week.
Zs as well.  Even GSs from the late 70s

The GT550 I bought is a great starting point.  The bike posted by Ozman I guess would qualify as a cafe, but it is
not my style of one.  I believe there are some variations in the rule of what a cafe racer is, and I guess everyone is
going to have their own view of what one is.

Mine already has pod filters and the round headlight and an awesome sounding custom exhaust.  I will start with clip
ons, strip it back and give it a new fuel tank and seat.  To me it is a blank canvas and I will style it the way I like. 

OK so not having a clear definition for cafe racer is one thing ... but I thought moped was much more rigid in definition - I mean when did a moped stop having pedals? Surely a moped without pedals is just a mo?

I suspect that calling small, less powerful bikes 'mopeds' is just a lazy colloquialism that is starting to re-define the type ... but I have to object - the lines are becoming IZ_ enough as it is.

Although these are all motorcycles, I use the following to define type (for what it's worth, which is not much):
- moped (has pedals)
- scooter (has a legshield)
- step-through (umm ... something you can step through the frame)
- motorbike (a general term for everything else that can be broken down further eg. sports bike)

Of course there are exceptions but it is also worth remembering certain truths, such as:
while a Vespa is a scooter, not all scooters are Vespas.

50cc but not a moped

(http://www.sportbikerider.us/CFFileServlet/_cf_image/_cfimg3421245677704164666.jpg)

Betty a postie bike is in a different class of it's own in my opinion.  Yes, in a way it's a stepthrough, in a way it's a motorbike, and in a way it's a scooter, but if you said to me "I have a scooter, stepthrough or motorbike" I would not be thinking of a postie.  A postie bike is a postie bike.  They are a one of a kind in my opinion.  If you call it a postie bike, nobody has any confusion about what you are talking about.  Not in Australia anyway

I love that -- that rear wheel mudguard is awesome, but then i noticed there is none in the front... ???

Cool Vid.

Suzuki GS550 Cafe Racer Project - by Chappell Customs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvcMAoIwcKg#)

As promised, a photo of the bike I bought as my Cafe project.  It is a good base bike to build on.  KZ550 - Paid $750 with 2 months rego still on it and it runs great.  Needs a bit of TLC and probably a good tune but nice to ride.

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/8/863a8170-853f-466e-e1c1-2d753594008f/8bb07c9d-d26b-4623-d0f5-c28ca5c79b56.jpg)

Was watching you new ride on Gumtree myself,  well done $137 of asking price [laugh]
Can see the cafe below in her. [thumbsup] [Dolph]

I can't believe it was registered.  Still has 2 months, so I have been out playing on it all weekend, and also had a good 3 hour ride on the monster as well.  Life is good.

Well the bike has started off as a fun little project.  Rode it a few times which was fun, but the carbies are not happy at all.  The bike has no compliance plate so I didn't want to let the rego run out, which meant I had to drive it about 120km round trip to a mate who was "roadworthy friendly".  He gave the bike a good going over and said it was in excellent condition.  I went to him because he would overlook the compliance plate thing, not because he does dodgey roadworthies.  If he passed the bike, it really did pass.

Anyway, that day was quite eventful.  Firstly, the starter motor died, so if anyone has any advice on a place to get a starter motor reconditioned, please let me know.  That also meant I was push starting it all day.  Secondly, unlike my Monster, the starter still works with the stand down, so I hit the starter and knocked it off the stand, breaking a brake lever.  Bugger.  To finish the day off, I got 10 minutes from home and got a flat tyre, and had the world's slowest RACQ man. 

On the bright side, I found the fuel tank that I really wanted on eBay and it came from San Fransisco in 3 days, and I got it for a steal.

Would anyone know of a carby specialist that would be able to help me find carby kits for it?  The needles are seats are completely buggered.

Anyway, here is a pic with the new tank on.

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/b/bf2d440d-26c6-41af-991c-8d90ba8887f1/b2a142fd-e562-4f52-82d4-f1c17f97c220.jpg)

Try Express Motorcycles in Ipswich. They always have old bikes around there getting services and for sale.

(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/001_zpsf436605f.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/001_zpsf436605f.jpg.html)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/002_zps197c7c19.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/002_zps197c7c19.jpg.html)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/mishka08/003_zps5d8c37d8.jpg) (http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/mishka08/media/003_zps5d8c37d8.jpg.html)
Polish Cafe in Croatia

Ducati 1098 Cafe Racer  [drool] [drool]

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/995965_711432535549965_108523358_n.jpg)

In my humble opinion old BMWs make the best cafe racers. I have my own project bike that I've been working with for a couple of years now, and its coming along nicely  ;D

Ducatis make excellent cafe racers.

Small, agile, low center of gravity, very thin.

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/moto/jj6.jpg~original)

Dorf - Can't say I agree with you on that one.  I am not a fan of any of the Beamers except the new
sports ones.  That Ducati is incredible, but give me a chance guys.  The KZ/GT is coming along nicely.

I said KZ/GT because apparently nobody knows which model it actually is.  The original side plates on the bike said GT550,
but the more research I do on it, the more it appears to be a KZ550, which is good, because I bought a workshop manual for a KZ.

Here are some updated photos.  Progress - New tank is just in etch primer and ready to go.  The clip on bars are on.  The carbies are off and sandblasted and ready for rekitting and prettying up, as are the side covers.  Lots of polishing work ahead of me.  I have bought grips and a new speedo as the dashboard is going in the bin.  The headlight has been lowered around 30-40mm to create the line across the top of the tank as I wanted it.  Next is going to be the back.  The back guard is going to go and I will need new lighting.  Side plates have to find a spot too and are going to be a custom set.  New starter motor is also in the post on the way.  This bike is coming together from everywhere.  My recent Ebay purchases have been :fuel tank (san fransisco - 3 days delivery time thank you very much), starter motor (west virginia), carby kits (manchester UK), Bars (china) and grips (hong kong), as well as the service manual out of Sydney.

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/2/241961b1-3619-4c6a-9447-274abc055ca8/60ecd076-3b0b-4403-a902-b59353af7cfd.jpg)

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/1/14d7bc08-138d-4820-fe90-424424c983c7/45717f99-5f9b-4185-c6c5-3d5e67e39239.jpg)

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/6/6a1ff170-7d55-4bf0-cb57-183ee3cb9239/3cb1a725-fe13-49a3-d1e2-a8e1f591d98e.jpg)

A quick update.  It's starting to come together.  Need to work on the seat, wheels and rewiring everything so I can get rid of the side plates?

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/4/4c21fe9d-b2ad-43cd-99d0-78de619f8b0f/4a2ff4b9-cf14-4f6b-9201-7aec649c3178.jpg)

 [thumbsup] Coming along nicely!

isn't a gt shaft drive and kz chain drive?

I have had this argument with lots of people Brad, but not after I got my workshop manual.  LOL

There is a very fine line between them all bud.  I bought it as a GT550, but everything about the
bike says KZ.  It's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other mate.

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/0/0254def1-ed17-4048-85e6-ad498251bda8/57435288-c6f2-4aad-d6d9-704b92587102.jpg)

Almost finished.  just a few touches needed now.

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/4/464103cc-6ba9-4153-905a-249ea7915f19/0767fdb7-d144-4a64-81f5-4512158bc1ed.jpg)

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/7/7a83682f-2da6-4569-92d6-41f3b256e0c5/3d987c08-48f1-4ffe-f710-38038e676b76.jpg)

(http://www.sabreimage.com/media/rokgallery/d/d69be947-4eda-4f49-dee7-41e81a7ac1b2/ff55f09f-5721-455b-fb96-af5809f35cf2.jpg)

For some reason I cannot see the pictures

   Anyone else have the same problem?

     Only yours Sabre Brian






                             Mmick

I have been able to see them in the past, but not any more ... perhaps they have been moved/deleted and the links are broken?

They are still in the same place as before.  They are hosted on my own website and my own web server so I am not sure.
I use the same pictures on another site and they work.  I can still see them here too.  I'm not sure.

It's like magic!

I haven't been back through everything, but I seem to be able to see the photos again now.

Blame the internets.  It's their fault

Yep, good as gold, the pictures are back  [clap]

If I'm thinking right (oright you lot settle down) the KZ 550 shaftie was an American model and the GT550 was our touring model they also had a GT750 which looked exactly the same (even the colour was the same) as the GT550, they used to have a built in rack at the back.

I don't think Australia got the KZ550 as it was a cruiser style of bike that wasn't popular back then.
 
Apologies if this has previously been discussed
 





                                 Mmick

I have learned lots more about them.  They are all virtually the same bike.  Yes the Aussie bike was a GT550, the yank one was KZ550-G1 and the UK was a Z550G.  So bloody confusing.  The differences between them all are minor, except it seems we got a TK carbie on the GT while overseas they got a Keihin.  All other differences are minor.  I have had great fun building the bike.  I have been bitten by the bug now.  I have an old 91 KDX 250 that I have started bringing back to life and a mate has a KLX250 that doesn't go and he wants to get rid of it so he said if I can fix it, I can have it, so those are my next 2 projects.  My little bloke also has a QR50 that needs some work, so I will be playing with bikes for quite a while now.

Well done!

IMNSHO Café bikes were about taking a smaller/cheaper bike and making it cool.

Did they also try to make them faster, sure, but that's because the bikes of the day were MUCH slower than most bikes today.

They rode their cobbled together racers on the ragged edge just trying to break the ton on something that really wasn't meant to.

To do so was both a challenge and a risk.

But hell any modern sportbike today is so ridiculously capable already that you're not going to gain 1 mph by hacking and throwing away parts.

Even non sportbikes today easily manage a ton.

So today a Café has become something else...and basing them on something slower makes sense. Closer to the original experience.

And besides, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, then a fast bike slow.

Absolutely Kev, and I will tell you something else.  It's a big time head turner.

I love my monster.  It is my dream bike.  I always looked at Ducatis as the Ferrari of motorbikes.  I love every second I am on the thing, but unfortunately the public doesn't agree.  I often get people looking at my Duc.  If I walk back to the bike there is often someone standing there checking it out, but compared to the Kwaka, it is barely worth a look.  I can't go anywhere without someone complimenting the GT.  Other bike guys just seem to respect it and whenever they come up next to you they give you a wave or the thumbs up.  People just tend to love the Cafe bike.  Gotta admit, I do too.  It is so much fun to ride.  The only down side is that after riding the cafe bike, getting on the monster makes it feel like a trail bike.  Much higher and more upright.  I have to get used to my baby again after riding the GT. 

My next bit of fun is trying to bring a KDX250 back to life.  It is becoming interesting.  I will keep you posted on that too.  It will not look the same as before when I am done with it.

http://pielsolo.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/solo-ducati.html (http://pielsolo.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/solo-ducati.html) those looking for a cheap cafe racer have alook here bloody awsome and cheap the 620 multis are not pulling much now

I would love to do a Ducati, but for now my focus is on tidying up this one and getting started on the next.
My dream is to do a mid 70s Bonneville cafe racer, and to have that and a Ducati in the garage would be
amazing.

In my search I have found some really cheap ducs that were preaty rough ideal candidate for chopping 

I took the Cafe Racer out to the racetrack to...well....be a racer.  Bad idea.  Complete lunching of engine on 2nd pass. 
First pass was a pretty unimpressive 15.6.  I was kinda hoping for a 14.

Anyway, went and bought a ZX14 drag bike instead.

Found a replacement engine for the GT/KZ which is now in but still not running.  LOL

(http://registry.ducati.org/image_db/58/5595/5576.jpg)

(http://registry.ducati.org/image_db/58/5595/5575.jpg)

(http://registry.ducati.org/image_db/58/5595/5574.jpg)

Here are a couple of pics of my café racer build  ;)

I like....... A lot

 [thumbsup]

Very nice indeed mate.