Thumper, V-twin, Inline 4 Cafe racer
- Thread starter winwin
- Start date
CALfeRacer
Fat man on a little bike
Personally I think frame is a bigger deciding factor than the engine. I've seen very good (looking) cafe racers made with every type of engine.
DohcBikes
Fuck You.
None of the above.
My favorite configuration for an authentic Cafe Racer is BY FAR a parrallel twin.
P.S. Very rarely does an inline 4 "cafe build" end up being authentic. Most people end up with a Muscle Bike or a Retro Hooligan and don't know the difference.
Some people refuse to use any term but "Custom Motorcycle", as really it is just nomenclature, but in my opinion genres are apparent and neccessary.
My favorite configuration for an authentic Cafe Racer is BY FAR a parrallel twin.
P.S. Very rarely does an inline 4 "cafe build" end up being authentic. Most people end up with a Muscle Bike or a Retro Hooligan and don't know the difference.
Some people refuse to use any term but "Custom Motorcycle", as really it is just nomenclature, but in my opinion genres are apparent and neccessary.
Depends on whether or not authenticity is important to you.
Café Racers were originally British and many of the bikes at the time were parallel twins. BSAs, Nortons, Triumphs, and the like. These bikes were trimmed down to be more aggressive and performant on the street. Many of the looks and styling you see on Cafés comes from motorcycle racing of the time.
By more generic standards, a Café Racer is any bike that is designed and implemented with performance in mind. Form follows function. Most modern sport bikes may be considered Café Racers with this definition, though many would argument that some modification is necessary in order for a bike to truly be a Café Racer (and many more would argue that specific makes, models, and/or engine configurations are a prerequisite as well).
For modern day interpretation of the style, I very much like the V-twin configuration. The narrow engine can keep things light (depending on manufacturer) and clean. Lean angles can be more aggressive without as much worry about dragging something important across the road.
Café Racers were originally British and many of the bikes at the time were parallel twins. BSAs, Nortons, Triumphs, and the like. These bikes were trimmed down to be more aggressive and performant on the street. Many of the looks and styling you see on Cafés comes from motorcycle racing of the time.
By more generic standards, a Café Racer is any bike that is designed and implemented with performance in mind. Form follows function. Most modern sport bikes may be considered Café Racers with this definition, though many would argument that some modification is necessary in order for a bike to truly be a Café Racer (and many more would argue that specific makes, models, and/or engine configurations are a prerequisite as well).
For modern day interpretation of the style, I very much like the V-twin configuration. The narrow engine can keep things light (depending on manufacturer) and clean. Lean angles can be more aggressive without as much worry about dragging something important across the road.
I'll admit, the whole nomenclature thing can be confusing. Carpy's CB750, which many would agree is the beginning of the current Cafe trend, is the style I consider a true Cafe Racer.
Where it gets a little confusing to me is with all of the other styles. After looking up a Google search for Retro Hooligan, I'm starting to think that most of us are building hooligans. I wonder if I'm building a hooligan out of my CB750.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Where it gets a little confusing to me is with all of the other styles. After looking up a Google search for Retro Hooligan, I'm starting to think that most of us are building hooligans. I wonder if I'm building a hooligan out of my CB750.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The OP's question is so open ended that I believe his purpose here is to start a discussion rather than seeking a specific answer. That's cool.
I believe a Cafe Racer is about performance upgrades to a motorcycle that could be found on a bike used for track days or racing. Make it lighter, faster, better. Most modern Cafe bikes miss their marks somewhere by prioritizing style over actual performance IMHO, it's not the engine, it's the overall execution of the build that will define it as "Cafe" or not. Sonreir and DOHC both noted that actual Cafe style began as parallel twins but the principle applies to much more than that particular engine configuration.
Carpy's bikes are not what I think of as definitive but they hit the performance and aesthetic marks. They are great looking bikes and are made to perform better than the original . This is the modern Cafe principle to me.
I believe a Cafe Racer is about performance upgrades to a motorcycle that could be found on a bike used for track days or racing. Make it lighter, faster, better. Most modern Cafe bikes miss their marks somewhere by prioritizing style over actual performance IMHO, it's not the engine, it's the overall execution of the build that will define it as "Cafe" or not. Sonreir and DOHC both noted that actual Cafe style began as parallel twins but the principle applies to much more than that particular engine configuration.
Carpy's bikes are not what I think of as definitive but they hit the performance and aesthetic marks. They are great looking bikes and are made to perform better than the original . This is the modern Cafe principle to me.
Tune-A-Fish
BOTM LOSER Proudly Deplorable
Meh... 48 cylinders is better 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ratfuML9QA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ratfuML9QA
jag767
Over 1,000 Posts
Ok I'll add my 2 cents. Lighter, more powerful, improved handling, and long as it doesnt take away from the ability of the machine, go for it. Another way to define it is to take a machine, and make it perform bether than it was ever designed to. To me at least, the spirit of a cafe racer isn't so much about the iconic look as it is the function. If you like it, and it improves something, go for it.
As far as what motor, I think thats up for debate. I would pose the question best motor for what? Different designs happened for a reason, pretty sure it would be for some kind of benefit. I will honestly say I choose motors based on the sound. It's not a practical reason, but if I'm going to have to listen to something loud for a long ride, I better be enjoying it.
Also, I like to build things that are less popular, but there are enough parts out there to get it done. I'd rather a cb350four than a cb750four just because less people have done it. That, and to me, while doing the larger displacement bike is fun, if I'm only building for performance, well I can go out and buy something brand new for less money which will outperform anything I can create.
As far as what motor, I think thats up for debate. I would pose the question best motor for what? Different designs happened for a reason, pretty sure it would be for some kind of benefit. I will honestly say I choose motors based on the sound. It's not a practical reason, but if I'm going to have to listen to something loud for a long ride, I better be enjoying it.
Also, I like to build things that are less popular, but there are enough parts out there to get it done. I'd rather a cb350four than a cb750four just because less people have done it. That, and to me, while doing the larger displacement bike is fun, if I'm only building for performance, well I can go out and buy something brand new for less money which will outperform anything I can create.
DohcBikes
Fuck You.
Leave it to me to put a kink in the hose.
The idea that all it takes to be a Cafe Racer are performance improvements, is ridiculous. One of the dumbest things I've ever heard.
Ok wait my opinion is that any bike with improvements is a drag bike. Wait wait any bike with performance improvements is a superbike. Oh, no, wait wait wait, any bike with performance improvements is a trials bike.
So dumb.
An R1 is not a Cafe Racer. If you think it is then you have no concept of the history of motorcycles.
A cafe racer is not simply any bike that has had performance improvement. Gimme a break.
Sorry it was getting too ridiculous and it had to be done.
The idea that all it takes to be a Cafe Racer are performance improvements, is ridiculous. One of the dumbest things I've ever heard.
Ok wait my opinion is that any bike with improvements is a drag bike. Wait wait any bike with performance improvements is a superbike. Oh, no, wait wait wait, any bike with performance improvements is a trials bike.
So dumb.
An R1 is not a Cafe Racer. If you think it is then you have no concept of the history of motorcycles.
A cafe racer is not simply any bike that has had performance improvement. Gimme a break.
Sorry it was getting too ridiculous and it had to be done.
Tune-A-Fish
BOTM LOSER Proudly Deplorable
Opinions are like....
Seems as though the "cafe" racer is just another term for "poser" or wanabe. "We" Americans have taken it a bit further than the Brits and included anything from a CBX inline 6 down to the moped as a cafe racer.
As for the modern day sport bike being included in the "cafe" category. In My "Opinion" they are the quintessential cafe racer, it has all the ingredients... well according to Wiki: Bla Bla Bla.
Café racer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Triton: Triumph engine and Norton Featherbed frame
A café racer (/ˈkæf reɪsər/ KAF-ray-sər or less commonly /ˈkæfi ˌreɪsər/ KA-fi-RAY-sər) is a light-weight, lightly-powered motorcycle optimized for speed and handling rather than comfort — and optimized for quick rides over short distances. With bodywork and control layout recalling early 1960's Grand Prix road racing motorcycles, café racers are noted for their low slung racing handlebars, prominent seat cowling and elongated fuel tanks, often with indentations to allow the rider's knees to grip the tank.
The term developed among British motorcycle enthusiasts of the early 1960s, specifically the Rocker or "Ton-Up Boys" subculture where the bikes were used for short, quick rides between cafés — in other words, drinking establishments.
Writing in 2005, motorcycle journalist Peter Egan suggested the genesis of the term to the 1960s. In 1973, American freelance writer Wallace Wyss, contributing to Popular Mechanics magazine, wrote that the term café racer was originally used derogatorily in Europe to describe a "motorcyclist who played at being an Isle of Man road racer" and was, in fact, "someone who owned a racy machine but merely parked it near his table at the local outdoor cafe.
In 2014, journalist Ben Stewart described the café racer as a "look made popular when European kids stripped down their small-displacement bikes to zip from one café hangout to another."
LMAO
Seems as though the "cafe" racer is just another term for "poser" or wanabe. "We" Americans have taken it a bit further than the Brits and included anything from a CBX inline 6 down to the moped as a cafe racer.
As for the modern day sport bike being included in the "cafe" category. In My "Opinion" they are the quintessential cafe racer, it has all the ingredients... well according to Wiki: Bla Bla Bla.
Café racer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Triton: Triumph engine and Norton Featherbed frame
A café racer (/ˈkæf reɪsər/ KAF-ray-sər or less commonly /ˈkæfi ˌreɪsər/ KA-fi-RAY-sər) is a light-weight, lightly-powered motorcycle optimized for speed and handling rather than comfort — and optimized for quick rides over short distances. With bodywork and control layout recalling early 1960's Grand Prix road racing motorcycles, café racers are noted for their low slung racing handlebars, prominent seat cowling and elongated fuel tanks, often with indentations to allow the rider's knees to grip the tank.
The term developed among British motorcycle enthusiasts of the early 1960s, specifically the Rocker or "Ton-Up Boys" subculture where the bikes were used for short, quick rides between cafés — in other words, drinking establishments.
Writing in 2005, motorcycle journalist Peter Egan suggested the genesis of the term to the 1960s. In 1973, American freelance writer Wallace Wyss, contributing to Popular Mechanics magazine, wrote that the term café racer was originally used derogatorily in Europe to describe a "motorcyclist who played at being an Isle of Man road racer" and was, in fact, "someone who owned a racy machine but merely parked it near his table at the local outdoor cafe.
In 2014, journalist Ben Stewart described the café racer as a "look made popular when European kids stripped down their small-displacement bikes to zip from one café hangout to another."
LMAO
Tune-A-Fish
BOTM LOSER Proudly Deplorable
DohcBikes said:
And people who actually believe they are pro's... And usually not so much, just have read the books.
DohcBikes
Fuck You.
So, since MX bikes evolved from Scramblers, lets call them Scramblers instead.
No.
Genres evolve from other genres. If you don't take the terms seriously then why take the time to discuss it.
Although a few wiki hipsters think that sportbikes evolved from cafe racers, that simply is not true. Cafe racers were amateur copies of real sport bikes. Sport bikes came from sport bikes. Cafe racers came from po boys. Hacks.
No.
Genres evolve from other genres. If you don't take the terms seriously then why take the time to discuss it.
Although a few wiki hipsters think that sportbikes evolved from cafe racers, that simply is not true. Cafe racers were amateur copies of real sport bikes. Sport bikes came from sport bikes. Cafe racers came from po boys. Hacks.
Tune-A-Fish
BOTM LOSER Proudly Deplorable
DohcBikes said:
Okay, I can agree with that, but I never take anything serious unless it involves a weapon.
We're all hacks, and we should be okay with that. I've been one my whole life- a hack on cars, trucks and bikes.
Tune-A-Fish
BOTM LOSER Proudly Deplorable
deviant said:
Okay hell!! I'm prowed to say I'm a hack, I could not do the wrench chop cut thing for a living... I'd starve
We all have a few trick up out sleeves and it makes for some dang good entertainment at times... even the ball busting is just a part of the fun : :
Tune-A-Fish
BOTM LOSER Proudly Deplorable
Sonreir said:
I guess that makes my bikes all coffee racers haha! I love me a fresh Mericana from the Bucks
DohcBikes
Fuck You.
Nailed it. My point exactly.Sonreir said:
A motocross bike races motocross. A cruiser cruises.
If you simply fuck off, street race, and do hooligan shit on your bike, then it is a hooligan.
Speak for yourself. I spent plenty of time in a "proud to be a hack" hot rod shop. Some people graduate from that class, and others just keep on hacking. Nothing wrong with being a hack, but not everyone is a hack.deviant said:
