G'day from NZ

motorcycle-mania

New Member
Cool site, love cafe racers,I wouldn't mind having a cafe' racer but I have this problem with the cafe' bit and they all usually just end up racers. I came across a pic of a CB 350F and that brought me here. I race one in Post Classic class but if I ever get the time I would like to build a couple for me and the wife to go out and lurk about on. I have to just look at your lot til then :)
 
My CB350F. I got the racer bit right.
Four.jpg
 
This one was definitely going to be a classic road bike and hang out on the street, but again , it only made it as far as the race track. Looking at all of the coolest of cool bikes on here tho , has made me want to do a 'Cafe.' Just got to get over the race thing.

GT25073.jpg
 
welcome to the site! stack another kiwi to the list.

those are some cool scoots! well... to try and convince you to make a cafe.....

you can only ride so long on a track.... with a road going cafe- everywhere is your track
 
Know what you mean about the limited time you have on a race track but contra to that is the fact that I am a fairly youthful 52 year old who races in a Post Classic club against other youthful types. My good friends in the club range in age from mid 60's to past mid 70's, so I can never really say that I will get out of the racing thing. The points in favour of me buiding my 'dream' cafe racer are; my wife has a cruiser and she is wanting to get out of that feel in her motorcycling life, and she does love the whole cafe look, feel. If she wants one then I will 'need' one.; my concept of what a 'cafe racer' is has been changed by visiting and then joining this forum. The smaller capacity machines seem to be the flavour that you guys are into and I happen to have a few of them hanging around and a CB350 just happens to be one of the more favoured of all the bikes I have loved , and I love em all. Most of the bikes in my club are only slightly removed from all being cool cafe's At the moment my road registered bikes are a 78 Goldwing and this Sportster. I reckon that between my wife and myself we clock up well over 20,000 kms a year. As well as needing a Cafe Racer for her and I we probably need an extension on life ;D

Sportster.jpg
 
I have recently had to face the reality of "no more racing." I'm an off roader with roots in MX and enduros. I'm a die hard KTM fan, but I also love cafe racers. My latest injury has forced me to make some tough decisions and I've decided to spend more time on road bikes. (it takes a long time to heal when you're in your 40's) I was going to simply "clean up" my KZ 750 and throw on some rear sets and new bars. After "lurking" around on this site, I have deciced to really put some effort on my cafe project. I don't know if I have the skills, but I do have the determination (and time).
 
Yeah, Im just at the fifth week of a broken rib. Now that I can laugh and sneeze again without bloody near crying, the other lesser injuries I picked up with the rib are making me feel 'old-ish', but thems the things that happen if you want to carry on doing the things that are the more important things in your life. My son who is about to turn 21 has just brought his first competition license and a cool little Post Classic Honda racer and we got to line up on the grid together last race meeting. Pretty cool feeling, but I must admit, Im not looking forward to another broken bone due to racing bikes, but an argument with a cage is as much on the cards or even more-so these days with the amount of twats being handed out car driving licenses for doing nothing more than answering a few multi choice questions and being given the go ahead to go out and cause mayhem. I still go to sleep at night dreaming racing and wake up the same. But I still reckon theres time to build a 'cafe'. Touch wood!
 
The ribs are the worst! They take a long time to heal. I broke my tail bone when I was 21 (showing off doing wheelies) and it has never completely healed--I can seated for maybe 3 hours tops (keeps me off the seat on my dirt bike...on the plus side). My shhoulder is the real problem--I've re-injured it for the third time now. But you're right, I'm not going to stop what I like doing...just modify my riding.
 
I have some pictures, but let me warn you...the concept I'm shooting for is a bit unusual. Keep an open mind (most people thought the Wright brothers were crazy). A little background first. When I first got the KZ twin home, I was really exited until I removed the tank. I had no idea the frame was so freak'n goofy. I was planning on parting it out on eBay, when I had a "vision" and quickly sketched it out:

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af313/pew1965/DSC00134.jpg

So, with that being said, here's what I have so far (sorry for the links, but I can't seem to import images):

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af313/pew1965/kawi037.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af313/pew1965/kawi036.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af313/pew1965/kawi038.jpg
 
Tis a strange frame design. Gotta work with what you've got tho. Your concept will surely emphasise a whole lot of motor.Every chance that it could look real cool at the end. What are the rules anyway. Dont seem to be a lot, and they are only what other builders regard as ' rules '. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, dont forget.
 
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