What is a Cafe Racer......discuss.

[Hoofhearted]

BC what year was it that Doug Hele went to Triumph to sort out their handling woes? I keep thinking '63.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

BC what year was it that Doug Hele went to Triumph to sort out their handling woes? I keep thinking '63.

Makes sense.. since 63' was the 1st yr of the unit motor and the 650?

 

[J.P.]

here's a pic of my Harley "Special"

 

[beachcomber]

November 1962 it says on my crib sheet Hoof, but I'll double check that with a couple of other contemporary referrences.

JP - your bike is an example of exactly what I've been saying - If a bike is well engineered, well executed and "looks right" - it has my thumbs up - irrespective of Pigeonhole.

And to me it drops neatly into "Special" category - credit to ya.

 

[J.P.]

thanks Beachcomber. I need new rims though, that 16" rear just doesn't sit well with me.

 

[Swagger]

JP. what about slinging another 19" front out back. I like those rims and adding the "open diameter" would visually lighten the rear end..

 

[J.P.]

thought about that but I like the 150 rear tire. I've actually been thinking about swapping out the swing arm so that I can run Buell wheels.

 

[Swagger]

That wouldn't suck! You can pick up the parts relatively cheap on fleabay too....
That'd be pretty slick with Buell suspension and wheels!

 

[beachcomber]

I think we have a pretty good concensus of the early stuff 8) - Brit Bikes [50's / 60's], Early Japanese [70's ] and "Endurance" style [ 80's].

"Specials" seems to have the vote for anything else.

 

[Loaded Gun]

here's a pic of my Harley "Special"

Very Cool..... Looks like a fun bike!!!!

 

[Swagger]

I vote 'Special' for all of them.....

 

[beachcomber]

BC what year was it that Doug Hele went to Triumph to sort out their handling woes? I keep thinking '63.

Hoof,

That would be late 1961 - he came to prominence after his "new" design [ very much BSA like !! ] won the Daytona 200 Mile Classic race the next year [ '62 ].