cafe kits wtf?

[dakine_surf]

I stayed out of this because it seemed like a bunch of name calling and generally not my style.

Tim hit it on the head, and yes Joey is a stand up guy, both of you showed great wisdom.

Now on to the kit... Honestly kits aren't my thing, but what RYCA did was compile a bunch of parts that were non-existent for a pretty bland bike and make it unique. The s40 is actually one of the few, really good looking air-cooled thumpers that is still being produced, so I see the vision there.

Now if some tool buys the kit, puts it together, and claims they are a bike builder I will be the first to throw a fit and call them out. Just like I would call out someone else who claimed to be a builder when they bought their bike on CL and then the tank and seat came from benji, and every part is straight out of the eBay "cafe racer" search field.

Is the RYCA kit a cafe racer, I think so, is the guy who puts it together in his garage a builder... I think not.

 

[bradj]

I saw those kits awhile back, i think its kool. i tried to talk a friend with that suzuki thumper to order a kits he has not yet o well. if that company is putting money in to the site that all the more reason to at least be open to the idea of a cafe starter kit

 

[theboxrules]

Ok, just to clarify some terms. How is this:

Builder: OEM bike manufacturer.
Custom Builder: Guy who fabs his own frame, wheels, etc minus the engine and builds a bike.
Assembler: Guy that buys parts and bolts them to his bike.

I suppose "building" a kit bike vs. "assembling" a kit bike can be interchangeable to the point of upsetting those that actually have the means and gifts to truly fabricate and customize an old motorcycle.

 

[bradj]

Ok, just to clarify some terms. How is this:

Builder: OEM bike manufacturer.
Custom Builder: Guy who fabs his own frame, wheels, etc minus the engine and builds a bike.
Assembler: Guy that buys parts and bolts them to his bike.

I suppose "building" a kit bike vs. "assembling" a kit bike can be interchangeable to the point of upsetting those that actually have the means and gifts to truly fabricate and customize an old motorcycle.

why does it matter, it never use to, i build alum swing arms full on motor rebuilds rear sets lace wheels ect ect i dont feel the need to bring it up to have a spot in a class structure on a web site. In fact the only time i even mention it is to help encurage other to try to do it there self. But that kit is nice i just looked at it. Its very well thought out

 

[Chito]

Interesting how this has kind of touched a nerve. I think the Ryca is a pretty good looking bike. 650 single? Sounds pretty fun to me.

So I'm trying to understand the problem... the only thing that bothers me is that I've spent 100's of hours trying to plan out my bike and scrounge parts up and I've got a ton of time I've still got to put into it... and this bike looks just as good and probably runs/handles better. A new Triumph Thruxton would also run/handle better than my old bike too though... or a Kaw w650... or the new moto guzzi... or the Norton... I hope not the Royal Enfields though.

Although I haven't been on the forum long, I have to say I love it and the bikes on it. There are so many talented and nice people on here. If I'm truthfully though, I'd much rather ride than wrench. I'd also rather spend time with my two year old than wrench. I also have a bunch of other things that I don't want to do at all, but they come before wrenching.

Sometimes just buying a bike and riding out of town sounds soooo good.

Hey Ryca... I passed your link around on another forum I'm on. The response was good.

 

[HondaCBGuy]

Is the RYCA kit a cafe racer, I think so, is the guy who puts it together in his garage a builder... I think not.

I agree. But if he (or she) pulls off this kit, they may consider trying something a little tougher. For some, it could ignite the spark to becoming a builder

 

[dakine_surf]

I agree. But if he (or she) pulls off this kit, they may consider trying something a little tougher. For some, it could ignite the spark to becoming a builder

Absolutely, which is why I have no qualms with the kit itself, but rather a person assembling a bike from a kit and then calling themselves a builder. I know we love the "built not bought" thing here, but like some said, not everyone has the time. I personally like to build stuff, but that is not everyone's idea of a good time.

Yes it is a fashion accessory, and if you think that no one should ride a cafe unless they hand fabricate their own alloy tanks than you are an elitist, and just as bad as any "HD only" yuppie.

 

[Basement rat]

Do you know any guys who actually used this kit claiming to be a builder?



This thread is like a train wreck. I will no longer be looking.

 

[Kanticoy]

I like the Ryca, it is a good primer for building, and it will produce results that the owner can count on. It is no different to me than the RC car guys, the skate boarders...etc etc....Would I buy it? No. Would I recommend it? Absolutely to the right customer. I would much rather see someone buy this than risk their lives "fabricating" something completely mis-engineered and unsafe, which happens a LOT. Learn first, build later. It makes you a better person in the long run....trust me. I've been asking for a lot of tips lately on building construction, and you'd better believe that if I could have afforded a kit, I woulda! But then again, I've always been a broke ass that has to do things myself, which admittedly generates a little chest puffing and pride on my part! :

 

[dakine_surf]

I like the Ryca, it is a good primer for building, and it will produce results that the owner can count on. It is no different to me than the RC car guys, the skate boarders...etc etc....Would I buy it? No. Would I recommend it? Absolutely to the right customer. I would much rather see someone buy this than risk their lives "fabricating" something completely mis-engineered and unsafe, which happens a LOT. Learn first, build later. It makes you a better person in the long run....trust me. I've been asking for a lot of tips lately on building construction, and you'd better believe that if I could have afforded a kit, I woulda! But then again, I've always been a broke ass that has to do things myself, which admittedly generates a little chest puffing and pride on my part! :

Well said Kiley... that was definitely where i was trying to go with it...

 

[johngofast]

Re: Re: cafe kits wtf?

I'm glad they're paying for ad space on DTT and let's remember that. I'm sure it's needed.


"Burnin' oil and smellin' royal!"

Page 2 brother Joey

Seriously everyone, do what you love and love what you do. As long as you're passionate about it, who cares what people want to call it. Kit or custom who cares.

Does it have two wheels and get your ass on the road and out of the boxes we all live in? When you turn that throttle does your bike give a crap and remind you that you didn't custom style and create parts? No. The wheels spin, you smile and feel like you're piloting a jet... We'll at least I do.


"Burnin' oil and smellin' royal!"

 

[theboxrules]

why does it matter, it never use to, i build alum swing arms full on motor rebuilds rear sets lace wheels ect ect i dont feel the need to bring it up to have a spot in a class structure on a web site. In fact the only time i even mention it is to help encurage other to try to do it there self. But that kit is nice i just looked at it. Its very well thought out

Brad, it really doesn't matter. I was making a point about semantics. At the end of the day, let your work speak for itself.

 

[HondaCBGuy]

Re: Re: cafe kits wtf?

Does it have two wheels and get your ass on the road and out of the boxes we all live in? When you turn that throttle does your bike give a crap and remind you that you didn't custom style and create parts? No. The wheels spin, you smile and feel like you're piloting a jet... We'll at least I do.

Ed Zachary!! That should apply even if they just got the S40 and rode without the kit, they're riding! If they then modify it, in whatever form, kudos to them.

 

[beachcomber]

I think my comments might have been misconstrued.

Of course I didn't make my own alloy and GRP tanks back in the day, or my own clip ons. That wasn't my point.

My point is that IF you buy a bolt on kit from one source - it's going to look exactly like however many other kits they've sold. That's not saying it's not a bad kit - but I can't see the point of building something the same as many others ?

In the case of my TR1 - I have made the tank [ overlay ] but ONLY because there wasn't a suitable tank available. The seat's from an early 60's AJS 7R, rear sets are Tarozzi's finest, Clip -ons Tomasseli. Exhaust will be my own concoction, silencer from a Gold Star. I've changed the wheels from cast alloy to wire spoked alloy rims - again - I haven't made them.

IOW - MOST parts are bought from readily available sources - but the creation will be out of my own mind - NOT what a manufacturer has provided [ no matter how good ] - so we can all be different together.

 

[DUEX EX]

When i started this thread i didnt really think it was going to have ths broad of a response,with that bieng said,I think as do alot of you that as long as people are getting out there and riding that is really all that matters. As far as custom building vs bolt on kits are concernd to each his own.I just woulnt want to have the exact same bike as someone else after spending the money and going through the motions of customization.I have nothing against ryca
personally after all capitalism is the name of the game. my kudos goes out to all the builders who can take a basket case and turn it into a one of a kind work of art. So to every one happy building or bolting

 

[HondaCBGuy]

The End!

 

[flatcurve]

First of all, I think it makes the zookie look way better than stock. So that has to count for something. In fact, the only thing I don't like about the look of the ryca are the side covers.

Secondly, we're all limited by our budgets and abilities. Some of us are lucky enough to have a decent budget and/or a good skill set, but that's not the case for the majority of motorcycle riders. Sure, it's a lot to pay for a prefab cafe bike, but not when you look at the other options out there. If you go looking for an already built custom cafe bike in that price range, it probably won't be that great. And newer cafe styled bikes (enfields, triumphs, ducatis) are WAY more expensive than that.

I personally don't feel like there should be a "custom builders only" barrier to entry for this or any style of motorcycle, which is why I wouldn't look down on someone for riding a ryca.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

It's not about the look, what parts are incorporated etc... In fact if they didn't offer one some one else would have. It's the fact that it removes the hobby-ness from this. Nobody was born learning how to make shit. Ya just pound your head against the wall untill you get it right. but oh-no... This is like Obama Care for bikes. Gotta make sure the lazies have a chance too... heaven for bid somebody compile there own kit. That would mean they were responsible for the results.

 

[fartyhead]

I cant wait to see a catalog full of cafe parts so I can order kits and be a bike builder just like on T.V. Lots and Lots of catalogs should make me a builder and maybe even lucky enough to get my own show on the Discovery Channel. Maybe someone will even make a catalog of temporary tattoo kits, "BOY OH BOY" this is going to be so cool! Talk to you guys later I gotta go polish my spinner wheels on my Escalade.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

Hahaaa...