Author Topic: Cafe Racers - Touchy Subject?? (Read 18828 times)

robnobrakes · « **on:** December 20, 2012, 10:59:44 PM »

It seems there are some who do not take kindly to the conversion of stock bikes to cafe's. I am not sure why, it's been done since the late 1950's. Still we all have choices and it is mine to convert a CB400F as a replacement to my highly modified and cafed 2006 Triumph Thruxton recently sold after nearly 7 years of ownership to a chap in Belgium.

My recently aquired CB400F1 was not totally original, having a replacement (Yoshi??) exhaust system, non stock seat and rear suspension. However, by and large, it was as it left the factory in 1977. It isn't now! I'll post a few photos of the bike once the conversion has been completed, and hopefully not upset too many enthusiasts of the stock machines.

dave500 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2012, 11:40:25 PM »

ha,probably because bikes from the 50s could be improved,,insert "YAWN" here.

Brandedone88 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2012, 11:43:08 PM »

It is your bike, do what you want. The reason why in my opinion that it is a touchy subject is because of the abominations that these guys are building. Since the 50's things have changed quite a lot. The original cafe guys where doing things like engine swaps, and other modifications to get increased performance. Today, that type of thing is not going on. It is swap out the tank,the seat and clip-ons and you have a cafe racer.

dave500 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2012, 11:45:51 PM »

im still waiting to be thrilled by something ive never seen before?

crazypj · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:01:09 AM »

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3257034066044

Hailwood at Mallory Park, probably late 70's?
(got link from NYCVinmoto)
That's how racing should be, all nicely tucked in and going for it
You also get a look at the end of cafe era when most people ended up modifying inline 4's
Personally, I 'don't see' inline 4 as a cafe bike, which is why I carve up CB360's - they are closer to a Triumph 500 in most respects (even destroy top end regular if you ride them hard

)

dave500 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:06:46 AM »

why not build a proper road race bike and fit all the legal lights etc to it?i had a fully road regoed yz250.

crazypj · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:12:40 AM »

In truth that would probably be the easiest thing to do, but, most people are more interested in the fashion fad of fitting biggest tyres possible on tiny rims and cutting as much of frame away as they can.
Personally, I think the new 'fashion' looks really stupid in the majority of cases (like a Cafe Racer is a practical bike

)
Dave, what did you think of video?

dave500 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:18:51 AM »

sorry crazyman i havent clicked it yet,,im sure its good though.

750K · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:25:45 AM »

Don't forget a teeny tiny saddle bag for that Starbucks gift card when you gay it up by making a "cafe racer" out of that beauty of a stock vintage Honda...

robnobrakes · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:27:49 AM »

Here is my last Cafe Racer, now sold. A 2006 Thruxton with 904cc highly modified motor pushing out almost 90BHP and 63ft Lbs at the rear wheel.

Quote from: crazypj on December 21, 2012, 12:12:40 AM

In truth that would probably be the easiest thing to do, but, most people are more interested in the fashion fad of fitting biggest tyres possible on tiny rims and cutting as much of frame away as they can.
Personally, I think the new 'fashion' looks really stupid in the majority of cases (like a Cafe Racer is a practical bike )

My Thruxton ran on standard size tyres

It's an American obsession - big fat tyres

Lars · « **Reply #10 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:40:54 AM »

I liked that racing video, very good camera positions

Lars · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:42:30 AM »

...and that is your white house and your range of sportscars in the background, I assume...

robnobrakes · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2012, 12:56:25 AM »

Quote from: Lars on December 21, 2012, 12:42:30 AM

...and that is your withe house and your range of sportscars in the background, I assume...

I wish

Thruxton was a show mascot at http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/hylands-house-1 for two years on their Boys Toys day.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2012, 01:00:36 AM »

Quote from: dave500 on December 20, 2012, 11:40:25 PM

ha,probably because bikes from the 50s could be improved,,insert "YAWN" here.

All bikes can be improved

Every new bike I have purchased has been modified

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2012, 01:05:17 AM »

That Trumpy looks nice mate, it's a pity you sold it and bought a 400/4? I don't care what you do to a 400/4, I never liked them when they were new (think "Girls Bike".......) and any modifications would have to be an improvement on one. The trouble is, it's all been done before, so it's like Dave says, it's all a bit of a yawn?

Got any more pics of that Trumpy? Now that's a bike! Cheers, Terry.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2012, 01:37:47 AM »

I had great times with the Thruxton, but decided a new project was needed. Thruxton featured in The Horse, Classic Bike Guide and MCN (Motor Cycle News) along with a number of newspaper articles, so it was not just me that liked it

Some more shots below...

Chewing the fat with Classic Bike Guide Magazine editor before test he rode it.

Classic Bike Guide video link

Classic Bike Guide: Two-faced Triumph - Hot Thruxton

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2012, 01:47:45 AM »

That is superb Bob, (I'm a modern Triumph fan too, I've got a Rocket III) why did you sell it, that thing is a beast! Cheers, Terry.

andrewk · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2012, 02:53:18 AM »

Ah, we all like to wax poetic about bikes, don't we?

I believe that *most* of the disdain around here about cafe bikes, aside from the generic trend of it being over done, comes from the majority of these things being turned into machines that are less capable than these bikes were originally, riddled with trendy-bullsh*t, for no other reason than vanity. On a well done bike, you rarely see someone hate on it because it was once stock.

People who build capable machines, and ride them like they were meant to be suffer the consequences of all the poorly done bikes out there. If there's more to your build than taking off the front fender and signals, putting on drop bars and a bump seat, then you'll probably get quite a bit of cred in the end.

There will always be the stock purists out there, but you're not starting with something that original, so it's probably a good platform for what you've got going, and it looks to me like you've got the experience to build something tasteful

My only advice is that if that tank is stock paint, and if it's in good shape, for the love of god, don't paint it.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2012, 03:19:48 AM »

Quote from: andrewk on December 21, 2012, 02:53:18 AM

Ah, we all like to wax poetic about bikes, don't we?

My only advice is that if that tank is stock paint, and if it's in good shape, for the love of god, don't paint it.

The paint on the tank was poor, and there were a few minor dings, although thankfully no rot. It has just been repainted along with the other body parts and I happen to be collecting these later today. The new paint scheme is different but classic, and certainly not Honda colours. I have not seen the finished work yet but hope it is how I want it to look.

crazypj · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2012, 03:26:33 AM »

RNB, your already in the cafe 'mecca; for a lot of folks, whats the question again

Should have checked where you were before posting, 400f is far more common in Britain than USA, I modified several through the 80's

robnobrakes · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2012, 03:36:32 AM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on December 21, 2012, 01:47:45 AM

That is superb Bob, (I'm a modern Triumph fan too, I've got a Rocket III) why did you sell it, that thing is a beast! Cheers, Terry.

I was looking for a new project and do not have space in the garage for yet another bike. The price paid for Thruxton was too good to refuse

. I am also lucky to own a 1994 Ducati 900SS, a 1998 Triumph Tiger 900 and Honda VTR1000 Firestorm race bike for track day fun.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2012, 05:02:29 AM »

Excellent Bob, I want a Ducati Monster S2R, and I love those big V Twin Honda's, I also want to buy an RC51 before the prices go ballistic. I think I would have kept the Thruxton and sold the Tiger though...............

y2kc0wb0y · « **Reply #22 on:** December 21, 2012, 05:16:56 AM »

No issues chopping a mid 70's CB750 into a cafe bike...I think they made like 1.8b of them :O)..however the earlier years 69,70 and even 71s I'd consider a stock restore first.

70CB750 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 21, 2012, 05:28:53 AM »

It depends how far it was laready modified. My K0 came to me butchered and choppered already.

highgear · « **Reply #24 on:** December 21, 2012, 06:10:24 AM »

It's interesting, this debate on what it should or shouldn't be. The human condition is such that you MUST conform to the norm or be shunned by the masses. "If you want to be part of the group you must do this or we'll slam you for it." Didn't that crap end in grade school with the schoolyard bully? I think there is right and wrong in society but that shouldn't apply to bikes. Just ride! It's like the Harley culture; my brother had a very nice Yamaha cruiser that he had modified with a custom seat, pipes, and a lot of chrome and he loved it. He eventually sold it and bought a Harley for one reason and one reason only........the Harley guys wouldn't wave to him when they passed him on the road because he rode a Japanese bike. He wanted to belong, to be part of the group. so he went out and spent an extra $10-$15K to join a club. Seriously, isn't that ridiculous/shallow/petty? This is not a rival gang we are talking about here folks, these are fellow motorcycle riders. I think we should just appreciate the bike for what it is and respect and encourage the rider for riding. The bike is not some sacred religious symbol, it's a bike. ALL bikes are cool. But hey, that's just me, I could be wrong.

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Author Topic: Cafe Racers - Touchy Subject?? (Read 18828 times)