Where does one draw the line?

[liliysdad]

Where is the line between cafe and streetfighter? Does such a line exist?

Case in point, my bike. I am currently building a 1994 Kawasaki KZ1000P. I have drawn most of my influence for this bike from the cafe racer, but the more it evolves, the more streetfighter-ish it becomes. The bike has a solo seat, an H2 Mach 3 tailpiece and solo seat, matte black pint, a bar end mirror, and rearsets. When you look at the parts list, it appears as thugh its a cafe, albeit a bit of a large one. However, when looking at it, it has more a vintage streetfighter look to it. I would post a pic, but its currently unfinished, I am glassing an upholstery pan for it as we speak.

 

[XS650RR]

Where is the line between cafe and streetfighter? Does such a line exist?

Case in point, my bike. I am currently building a 1994 Kawasaki KZ1000P. I have drawn most of my influence for this bike from the cafe racer, but the more it evolves, the more streetfighter-ish it becomes. The bike has a solo seat, an H2 Mach 3 tailpiece and solo seat, matte black pint, a bar end mirror, and rearsets. When you look at the parts list, it appears as thugh its a cafe, albeit a bit of a large one. However, when looking at it, it has more a vintage streetfighter look to it. I would post a pic, but its currently unfinished, I am glassing an upholstery pan for it as we speak.

Dude ......

 

[liliysdad]

I know, I know. I can see if I can get a pic in the dark driveway real wuick if you want, but it wont be a good one.

 

[Fossil]

I seem to remember your name from over on kzrider.com. Well, you'll remember myself and someone else have been having it out what is a Streetfighter and what is a Cafe Racer. SAME THING, DIFFERENT ERAS. Just a name. The Cafe Racer defintion really originated as a derogatory term by purist motorcyclists of the time meaning the modified bikes were only good for racing from cafe to cafe. Cafes being truck stops along the highway not gloified ACE cafes of legend. Streetfighters got the name from someone on the staff of BSH. Looking at a row of tough looking modified bikes at a rally (before GSXRs existed), he said these things look like Streetfighters. Really you could call mine a Cafe Racer too, but the era says Streetfighter.

 

[locOleoN]

I seem to remember your name from over on kzrider.com. Well, you'll remember myself and someone else have been having it out what is a Streetfighter and what is a Cafe Racer. SAME THING, DIFFERENT ERAS. Just a name. The Cafe Racer defintion really originated as a derogatory term by purist motorcyclists of the time meaning the modified bikes were only good for racing from cafe to cafe. Cafes being truck stops along the highway not gloified ACE cafes of legend. Streetfighters got the name from someone on the staff of BSH. Looking at a row of tough looking modified bikes at a rally (before GSXRs existed), he said these things look like Streetfighters. Really you could call mine a Cafe Racer too, but the era says Streetfighter.

I agree... CAfe RAcers and Street fighters are practically the same bike in spirit, but just from different time periods.
I see Cafe Racers as the grandfather of the Streetfighter, same bloodline and attitude.

 

[liliysdad]

Agreed, and thats the direction I was leaning.

I look at in this manner.

I have a bike that was huge, heavy, and overweight. Under all that mess was a bike that was revered in its day as a "superbike", if you will. After shaving nearly 300 pounds of crap off of there, I have what I want, no matter what you call it.

 

[Fossil]

Agreed, and thats the direction I was leaning.

I look at in this manner.

I have a bike that was huge, heavy, and overweight. Under all that mess was a bike that was revered in its day as a "superbike", if you will. After shaving nearly 300 pounds of crap off of there, I have what I want, no matter what you call it.

Agreed!

 

[locOleoN]

+1...
At the end of the day, no 2 Cafe Racers or Street fighters are the same. Each one is unique and as individual as its owner, not like those plastic bikes that in my opinion all look exactly the same.. No offense to the Power Rangers ;D

 

[DrJ]

Here's my rule of thumb to decide whether a bike is a cafe racer or streetfighter. Wheel size: cafe=18" streetfighter=17" Why? Older bikes that make proper cafes will have 18" wire spoke wheels while more modern streetfighters will have cast aluminum 17" wheels. This excludes the Ducati GT1000s as cafe racers! They are not in my books.

 

[liliysdad]

Given this somewhat flawed logic, my bike has 18" cast wheels, where does that put me?


;D ;D

 

[Fossil]

The line between 'Fighter and Cafe Racer is blurred. I don't feel there are any hard rules to define them - holes can be picked in any defintion. My Featherbed specials had 19" wheels, my A7 BSA and my Velocette too!

 

[rudy]

+1...
At the end of the day, no 2 Cafe Racers or Street fighters are the same. Each one is unique and as individual as its owner, not like those plastic bikes that in my opinion all look exactly the same.. No offense to the Power Rangers ;D

Couldn't agree more Noel. Although, Power Rangers (as I remember from the TV show) are usually fighting in the street....... does that make them street-fighters?

My cafe-in-progress has 18" cast wheels as well. I would give my first born (if I had one) for a nice set of ribbed aluminum spoke wheels for my XS400. Maybe even with drums all around. So, until I find some, I'll have to polish up these old Yammie casts for a little extra bling..... oh, and for the sake of customization.

(^^Hey, this is an open invitation to anyone who has a set of spoked wheels to offer me^^)

 

[locOleoN]

Although, Power Rangers (as I remember from the TV show) are usually fighting in the street....... does that make them street-fighters?

BHAHAHAH!!... Thats actually a good point.. I never thought of that...

Here's some of the local street bikes at Tim Horton's last night: ;D

 

[pyro139]

noel is the one in pink.

 

[thebronze]

A Fighter is usually a performance bike from the 80's & up.....Cafe is usually a smaller displacment bike from 80 and older. I say usually as there are excptions....Both bike are from the same mold just a generation or 2 apart ;D

 

[ProTeal55]

Not sure where the "line" is that seperates a "cafe" from a "streetfighter"...
Some people consider my CB450 a cafe, then others say it is a streetfighter.
I have even heard it being called a tracker. I did win the "best streetfighter" award at this past Mods Vs. Rockers, but thats only becasue their was no cafe class to enter it in..

Bottom line is, I think a bike should be called whatever the owner/builder wants to call it.
And plus, does it really matter ?

 

[locOleoN]

noel is the one in pink.

Hey.. At least I was there & I have a bike!!!... You who couldn't find your lavender suit and who doesnt have a bike!! ;D

 

[thebronze]

Not sure where the "line" is that seperates a "cafe" from a "streetfighter"...
Some people consider my CB450 a cafe, then others say it is a streetfighter.
I have even heard it being called a tracker. I did win the "best streetfighter" award at this past Mods Vs. Rockers, but thats only becasue their was no cafe class to enter it in..

Bottom line is, I think a bike should be called whatever the owner/builder wants to call it.
And plus, does it really matter ?

That's deffo a Cafe ;D

 

[ProTeal55]

Allot of people say it's a streetfighter because of how low it is (and the exhaust)...
I love keeping people guessing...

 

[Fossil]

I have to say, that is a Cafe Racer, and a nice looking one too!