Looking for some info. on the cafe racer scene/market. Help?

[kzcafe82]

I am currently working on a business plan geared toward building custom bikes (specifically cafe racers) and selling them. I am trying to figure out the market, or the people who are going to buy cafe racers. Any help as to who these people are and the demographics would be greatly appreciated! I am trying to identify what the niche market is going to be for my business.

 

[WeberKid]

understanding the niche is essential to understanding the niche market. I'll save you the headache though - not a good plan. For the most part, people like this scene because they appreciate what everyone else is doing in their own garage - not what they're buying. look at dime city and benjies cafes - they've set the standard pretty high for what a shop needs to be.

 

[SONICJK]

It's already been said,
But I dont think it's a great idea either. People like cafe's because they can be built in a garage and have each persons own touches. Just go look on Craigslist. A stock cb350 will run you 2000, a full cafe'd 350 will cost you 2500. That's after we'll over 1000 has been invested.
It's a builders market, not a buyers market.
Sell cafe parts, but complete bikes isn't the greatest plan IMO.

 

[3rd Degree]

The parts business is a better route to go in the bike business. The majority buy old bikes and convert them with new parts. Not many actually make or have the machines to make their own parts and are forced to buy them.

 

[kzcafe82]

Thank you for your input. Honesty is important, and i appreciate it. What do you think about picking up real cheap 70's jap bikes like the cb's and doing moderate restorations and maybe minor cafe applications and selling them? Profitable or still a "no go."

 

[kzcafe82]

With regard to dime city and the like, you are right they do set the bar quite high. They are phenomenal! But they do not really build complete bikes and sell them. Maybe that is due to the lack of market. But as an entrepreneurial type, I try to envision an opportunity to create a market. Because there isnt an established market I am curious as to if one could be created. Im not as familiar with the history of choppers like I am cafe racers but i cant imagine that that style, such as the long raked out front end, has always been demanded. I could image that that scene came about similar to the cafe racer scene and people like Jessie James, OCC and the others for example took it to the next level. Could this been accomplished with the cafe racer style?

 

[lurkmaster2000]

You should buy up old cb125s and other obscure small japanese bikes that have blown motors and do cheap EV conversions and resell them. Just develop a simple powerplant and charger that could be popped into a variety of motormounts. You could probably sell them for more than a cafed cb360.

 

[rrjlind]

It's a builders market, not a buyers market.

^ I really like that for an explaination ^


I could see the buying up cheap 70s bikes for less then 500 bux, and selling them running, for a decent profit, but finding people to buy custom bikes has got to be tough. I wish you the best, and good luck

 

[DrJ]

I'll offer you a much more lucrative business model: Find 3 cheap junker bikes, clean them, build them up Bratstyle with pleated bench seats, black out everything, add Firestone tires, exhaust wrap. Get professional photos taken, preferably in front of a graffiti wall. Blitz all the bike blogs, BikeExif, Pipeburn, Hellbound etc. When the buzz is at critical mass, sell boatloads of t-shirts with your shop name on them. Count the Benjamins as they roll in. I expect a percentage when you make your first million.

 

[Speedfiend]

I have built a couple of bikes for "customers" and friends. If I didn't lose my ass, I barely broke even on all of them. I do it because I love it. But I'll still be going to the salt mine till I figure out how to make money at building bikes.

If building bikes is what you wanna do, go for it. But know- it's not going to be a get rich quick scheme.

 

[VonYinzer]

I'll offer you a much more lucrative business model: Find 3 cheap junker bikes, clean them, build them up Bratstyle with pleated bench seats, black out everything, add Firestone tires, exhaust wrap. Get professional photos taken, preferably in front of a graffiti wall. Blitz all the bike blogs, BikeExif, Pipeburn, Hellbound etc. When the buzz is at critical mass, sell boatloads of t-shirts with your shop name on them. Count the Benjamins as they roll in. I expect a percentage when you make your first million.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! Awesome.

 

[kzcafe82]

that sounds more like a marketing method rather than a business. After purchasing bikes, customizing them and getting professional photos taken, along with my time invested into the bikes, I do not see that as a profitable business. That does however seem to be a potentially effective marketing strategy. I enjoy buiding and modifying motorcycles and im trying to create a successful business out of my hobby. I am looking into buying a 1972 cb175 and "cafe"ing it. Hopefully it will not only appeal to custom motorcycle enthusiasts but also commuters who are concerned with fuel effeciency, seeing how the price of oil doesnt seem to be going down. I have just got to find a market. I dont know who to target for sales.

 

[kzcafe82]

You should buy up old cb125s and other obscure small japanese bikes that have blown motors and do cheap EV conversions and resell them. Just develop a simple powerplant and charger that could be popped into a variety of motormounts. You could probably sell them for more than a cafed cb360.

This is very interesting to me. I have never been exposed to this idea. Please offer me some insight and information on this topic. I might possibly give it a shot.

 

[DrJ]

Well my marketing strategy is much more viable than a business model based on just selling bikes. West Coast Choppers, OCC or even Deus Ex didn't make their fortunes by selling bikes.

 

[gomotomoto]

I'll offer you a much more lucrative business model: Find 3 cheap junker bikes, clean them, build them up Bratstyle with pleated bench seats, black out everything, add Firestone tires, exhaust wrap. Get professional photos taken, preferably in front of a graffiti wall. Blitz all the bike blogs, BikeExif, Pipeburn, Hellbound etc. When the buzz is at critical mass, sell boatloads of t-shirts with your shop name on them. Count the Benjamins as they roll in. I expect a percentage when you make your first million.

Your probably kidding but that's where I'd place my bet. And seriously what's with all the heat on Firestone balloon tires. Makes me feel so lame for liking them -- but then again I have a michael Jackson thriller jacket.

 

[BigAl8295]

In my opinion, the key to the Cafe Racer "scene" is the fact that anyone can build these bikes at home. You can go as simple or elaborate as you want.

The Dime City business model capitalizes on this. They won't sell you a bike, but they'll sell you everything you need to make a bike your own.

Take a look at OCC and see how lucrative the high-end custom bike business is right now.

 

[kzcafe82]

I definately agree. Marketing is very important. But I have got to start by building my business. I cannot exactly market/advertise for a business that doesnt exist. I will keep your idea in mind though. What that also brings to my minds is that if I can make the bikes I build look good and get good advertisement I may beable to more easily sell the bikes i produce. I guess the only way to find out how it will pan out is to try it. I am still interested to know if there are people who are interested in buying these types of bikes, or 60-80's foreign resto's. Fuel efficient people, unique types, collectors? Im not sure.

 

[kzcafe82]

What interests me about a cafe racer business though is how, in comparison to OCC for example, cafe racers are much more economical/affordable.

 

[DrJ]

I am still interested to know if there are people who are interested in buying these types of bikes, or 60-80's foreign resto's. Fuel efficient people, unique types, collectors? Im not sure.

Yes, the demographic you are targeting are more commonly referred to as "hipsters". Known to gather in large groups, usually in urban centers with lots of indy coffee shops and brew pubs.

 

[VonYinzer]

Firestone "baloon" tires are made for 50s era HDs that ride in a straight line at 55mph. They suck for much else. That said, I do love the way they look. I just wouldnt put them on anything I planned on actually riding hard.