What are the reasons for going the Cafe racer route

[cdav59]

I recently began work on a 1985 honda shadow vt500c and the idea originally was to turn it into a bobber but i saw what Dime city cycles did with the vt800 and the frame setup seems similar to mine now im caught in between. Do i go bobber or do i go cafe racer i think the bike has the potential for both........ not very much work has been done on it yet so it can change easily what are some of the reasons ya'll went cafe?

 

[50gary]

Motorcycles are like shoes in that each has their own particular intent. I wouldn't wear baseball spikes to church or wingtips to run a 10K. I have a long distance bike to go hundreds of miles and a cafe bike to enjoy the backroad curves and handling. I want a rat/bobber some day as well just for bar hopping and around town. For everything there is a purpose.. turn turn turn.
Cheers, 50gary

 

[sasquach]

Gary pretty much summed it up . Another thing to consider is what do you want ? I have a cb350 that I am making into a brat/bobber . I also thought about the cafe but I dont like riding like that so I went with what I want . It's your bike do what you want with it but also take the advise that is given to you when you do start .

 

[Flugtechnik]

I went CR because I wanted something fun in the twisted and I liked the style.

Then I slid off a mountain.

Now I am rebuilding it as more of a bobber/brat/scrambler thing to run around town on and go up to the mountains, but slower.

How do you want to ride it?


END OF LINE

 

[.Spindat.]

everyone is pretty much hitting the nail on the head. so I'll just say I love Caferacers because race history is awesome to me and i think its cool.

I'll build a bobber next year for the downtown type stuff like everyone else, but cafe racers are fun around the back roads

 

[beachcomber]

I admire DC's work but.......................

That gaping hole in the rear triangle with loads of fresh air looks totally wrong for a Cafe Racer. Not to mention water cooling. 16" dia rear wheel ? And lose about 6" out of the wheelbase at the rear.

Like I said, not knocking their work at all - just this particular donor doesn't look right somehow?