Dale
Coast to Coast
Hi Guys.
Been looking for a cafe racer forum for a few months now where I felt I could document my first, well kinda first, maybe almost second cafe racer build.
I basically grew up in my dads garage, where he rebuilt literally dozens of classic and vintage cars.
So my appreciation for classic and vintage vehicles stems from that place. As I got more into bikes over the years, I always had a great admirationn for classic racers. So, the idea of turning a standard road bike into a more *race* orientated machine, both mechanically as well as visually meant that I loved cafe'd bikes.
Having your build documented on a forum like this, is always a great experience, as feedback and critique often push your bike into a better direction. It's also great getting that encouargemnt as you go through the lulls and peaks of the build. How often has a project been abandoned. Lack of motivation is the number one reason I would guess.
Anyways. I started on my Moto Guzzi V50II in September last year. I'll start my build thread soon hopefully.
This is what I started with (below), and below that is my plan. (Photographed and then photoshop'd).
And this is the idea.
On the surface the bike looked pretty good. But I was to find out otherwise! Always part of the deal I guess!
-----
I'm also busy with this project, but its not my priority build - the Moto Guzzi is definitely full steam ahead, and I'm hoping to have it done by March this year.
Its a combination of 1983 GPZ 550, Suzuki GSXR and Suzuki Bandit.
Its essentially a Cafe Racer, but it has Streetfighter aspects to it. Physically its actually quite small in dimensions.
On another note, and maybe not completely relevant, is a project that I have been working on (as in *carry this*, *hold this*, *move this*) with my brother, his 1957 Triumph TR3.
Restoration is part of what we all do here, and its just cool to see something like this every now and again.
My brother is a perfectionist beyond the call of duty, and this build is pretty damn close to that.
I guess this thread is a little about who I am, and that's why I included this.
Thanks for your time, if you've got this far.
I look forward to being part of this community, and contributing where I can.
I'm just a regular garage guy doing what he loves!
Take care.
Dale
Been looking for a cafe racer forum for a few months now where I felt I could document my first, well kinda first, maybe almost second cafe racer build.
I basically grew up in my dads garage, where he rebuilt literally dozens of classic and vintage cars.
So my appreciation for classic and vintage vehicles stems from that place. As I got more into bikes over the years, I always had a great admirationn for classic racers. So, the idea of turning a standard road bike into a more *race* orientated machine, both mechanically as well as visually meant that I loved cafe'd bikes.
Having your build documented on a forum like this, is always a great experience, as feedback and critique often push your bike into a better direction. It's also great getting that encouargemnt as you go through the lulls and peaks of the build. How often has a project been abandoned. Lack of motivation is the number one reason I would guess.
Anyways. I started on my Moto Guzzi V50II in September last year. I'll start my build thread soon hopefully.
This is what I started with (below), and below that is my plan. (Photographed and then photoshop'd).
And this is the idea.
On the surface the bike looked pretty good. But I was to find out otherwise! Always part of the deal I guess!
-----
I'm also busy with this project, but its not my priority build - the Moto Guzzi is definitely full steam ahead, and I'm hoping to have it done by March this year.
Its a combination of 1983 GPZ 550, Suzuki GSXR and Suzuki Bandit.
Its essentially a Cafe Racer, but it has Streetfighter aspects to it. Physically its actually quite small in dimensions.
On another note, and maybe not completely relevant, is a project that I have been working on (as in *carry this*, *hold this*, *move this*) with my brother, his 1957 Triumph TR3.
Restoration is part of what we all do here, and its just cool to see something like this every now and again.
My brother is a perfectionist beyond the call of duty, and this build is pretty damn close to that.
I guess this thread is a little about who I am, and that's why I included this.
Thanks for your time, if you've got this far.
I look forward to being part of this community, and contributing where I can.
I'm just a regular garage guy doing what he loves!
Take care.
Dale