Cafe Racer

[Sabre Brian]

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.

[Raux]

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.

[FIFO]

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 

   

[brad black]

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.

[Sabre Brian]

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.

[brad black]

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

[Sabre Brian]

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

[FIFO]

These Ducs Make nice Cafe racers

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



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

[Sabre Brian]

Rob they are both bloody nice

[Mishka]

What about Big Red in Black  with 108 bhp

[Brett76]

What about Big Red in Black   with 108 bhp

+1, I loved my old Honda (sp1)

[suzyj]

[Sabre Brian]

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

[Mishka]

Perry's new Cafe Racer 

[Mishka]

The other side of the beast below.