"What a Cafe Racer?".. asked the Power Rangers...
- Thread starter locOleoN
- Start date
rphilli550
Been Around the Block
locOleoN said:
thats a pretty interesting thread there. seems to be a lot of different views on the subject...most factual...and a lot of opinion. good find.
some dude, romey, sounds like he knows what he's talking about.... ;D
was talkin to the guys at CWW and Rob (parts with a couple himself) said that he's never seen so many vintage bikes out. it's definitely a growing trend and i'm glad to be part of it! but i'm just a rookie... 8)
was talkin to the guys at CWW and Rob (parts with a couple himself) said that he's never seen so many vintage bikes out. it's definitely a growing trend and i'm glad to be part of it! but i'm just a rookie... 8)
Syke
General neer'n do-well and Rocker since 1964.
My take on the subject:
Having been around cafe racers for the past 33 years, watching them wax and wane in style, I kinda see the current cafe racer movement as a reaction against the modern sportbike. Take a look at a current 600c supersport motorcycle: Over 100 horsepower, 0-60 in less than five seconds, top speed somewhat north of 140mph . . . . . . . . . . and you better bloody well know what you're doing if you're going to ride one.
Now, think of one of the greatest truths in motorcycling, be it modern or vintage:
"It's a hell of a lot more fun to go fast on a slow bike, than it is to go slow on a fast bike."
Add in the average rider's abilities. Bingo!
If you look at the faster available off-the-showroom-floor cafe racers (say a Bonneville Thruxton, as it's an example that I know well) you're talking a bike that'll corner carve nicely, do a good turn of speed (say 110), accelerate faster than 95% of whatever else is one the road (0-60 in 6.5-7 seconds?), and, most importantly, be a forgiving enough bike that Joe-Average-Schmuck can handle without girlfriend or wifey worrying about having to run him to the hospital before the day is through.
Add to that, the style: You're out on the street, somewhat unique, definitely in a minority, and most definitely not just another multicolor leather/mesh clad squid anonymous behind a full-face helmet and tinted shield. Add to that the realization that most cafe racers/Rockers actually build their own bikes rather than just buying off the showroom floor, are carrying forward a sense of history, and are most of all unique . . . . . and it's all awful appealing.
Makes me glad I discovered that spring 1964 Time magazine article luridly reporting on the running battles in Brighton - life hasn't quite been the same.
Having been around cafe racers for the past 33 years, watching them wax and wane in style, I kinda see the current cafe racer movement as a reaction against the modern sportbike. Take a look at a current 600c supersport motorcycle: Over 100 horsepower, 0-60 in less than five seconds, top speed somewhat north of 140mph . . . . . . . . . . and you better bloody well know what you're doing if you're going to ride one.
Now, think of one of the greatest truths in motorcycling, be it modern or vintage:
"It's a hell of a lot more fun to go fast on a slow bike, than it is to go slow on a fast bike."
Add in the average rider's abilities. Bingo!
If you look at the faster available off-the-showroom-floor cafe racers (say a Bonneville Thruxton, as it's an example that I know well) you're talking a bike that'll corner carve nicely, do a good turn of speed (say 110), accelerate faster than 95% of whatever else is one the road (0-60 in 6.5-7 seconds?), and, most importantly, be a forgiving enough bike that Joe-Average-Schmuck can handle without girlfriend or wifey worrying about having to run him to the hospital before the day is through.
Add to that, the style: You're out on the street, somewhat unique, definitely in a minority, and most definitely not just another multicolor leather/mesh clad squid anonymous behind a full-face helmet and tinted shield. Add to that the realization that most cafe racers/Rockers actually build their own bikes rather than just buying off the showroom floor, are carrying forward a sense of history, and are most of all unique . . . . . and it's all awful appealing.
Makes me glad I discovered that spring 1964 Time magazine article luridly reporting on the running battles in Brighton - life hasn't quite been the same.
biker_reject
Over 1,000 Posts
I don't consider myself a squid after 15 years on bad-ass Japanese in-lines! As much as I love cafe bikes, the ultimate road racer is the modern race rep! I thoroughly enjoy 0-60 times in the low 3 seconds, stratospheric redlines, and the ease at which triple digit speeds are attained. Yeah, I ride litre bikes! Modern sport bikes are an absolute revelation to ride. You should try one. As for being a clone, that is a ridiculous assumption. We're not all wearing fucking uniforms, you know. I wear my gear which includes body armor, jackets of leather and mesh, and (gasp!) a full face helmet. I hear the same generalizations from cruiser/outlaw biker wannabes... End of rebuff
Kev Nemo
Honda Hacker
I'm going to ask my dentist about these breathing problems I've been having. I mean, he's a DOCTOR, right? He should know the answer
Do people forget how to use the Google button a week after they buy their computer? Maybe I'm weird in that I would actually find a forum specific to the question like, I don't know, THIS ONE? (which is how I found this one, ironically enough.)
Do people forget how to use the Google button a week after they buy their computer? Maybe I'm weird in that I would actually find a forum specific to the question like, I don't know, THIS ONE? (which is how I found this one, ironically enough.)
dewjantim
duc in the park.....
A Cafe Racer to me....... is a bike which looks like a racer (old or new) and is used to profile and/or race on the street (OMG.... THAT is illegal)....... hopefully the latter, but not always. Of course, I would like to see photographic evidence of each member of this forum actually doing the ton...... Hmmmmm, maybe that should be a requirement to keep the poser/profilers out ......
......
Syke
General neer'n do-well and Rocker since 1964.
Proof of the ton - 10-15 years ago I'd have happily gone along with it. However, my Bonnie is 42 years old and the cases have yet to be split. I don't take it over 70 anymore. I'm determined to keep the engine together for as long as possible, if only for the bragging rights.
By the way, that's a Paso in your avatar? Brings back memories of my blue and white 906. I still get teary at the remembrance of having to sell it.
By the way, that's a Paso in your avatar? Brings back memories of my blue and white 906. I still get teary at the remembrance of having to sell it.
dewjantim
duc in the park.....
Yes Syke, that is my Paso. I used to have a 906 also and it was a very sweet bike, much faster than my 750. I don't know why these bikes weren't popular...... they have lots of torque and will keep up with almost anything on a curvy road (as long as there no long straights). Some people still complain about the quirk of standing up if brakes are applied leaned over...... I always used that to my advantage. Get the bike leaned over going a bit too fast...... give the brake a quick squeeze..... the bike stands up quickly then I push it down on the other side to go through the next curve. Sure made transitioning from one curve to the next very easy and quick...... wonder why the bike testers of the day didn't realize that. As for your Bonnie....... doesn't that 120 designation mean 120 MPH......hehehe. Here are a few more of my ducs..... all lined up in a row.
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Syke
General neer'n do-well and Rocker since 1964.
Beautiful stable. End one in the bottom picture - Cagiva Allazurra? Or whatever they were calling it once they put the Ducati badge back on the tank?
I was the parts manager for Ducati Richmond 1999-2003, absolutely adored my Paso. Unfortunately a stretch of bad years mid last decade forced me to sell it off, as well as my BSA A50R. And, not being the greatest sportbike rider in the world, also learned to love that handling kink in the Paso. Always considered it a strength. What are you using for tyres now, since Michelin quit producing the 160/60x16's?
I was the parts manager for Ducati Richmond 1999-2003, absolutely adored my Paso. Unfortunately a stretch of bad years mid last decade forced me to sell it off, as well as my BSA A50R. And, not being the greatest sportbike rider in the world, also learned to love that handling kink in the Paso. Always considered it a strength. What are you using for tyres now, since Michelin quit producing the 160/60x16's?
dewjantim
duc in the park.....
The last bike is an Alazzurra SS 650 painted up in red with "Ducati" decals, restrictor plates in mufflers removed, BMW R65 bars, koni shocks, and Dunlop 404's. I was lucky with my Paso, I bought it last year (not running) and it came with a brand new Michelin Tire on the back. I put a 120/70-16 on the front and had to shim the fender with some small washers. The factory is now recommending Avon's. I think the size is 150/70-16 rear and 120/70-16 front. My 750S has these tires...... the rear is a little tall but it works OK. Here is a pic of my 750 Sport......
