Author Topic: noob yankee questoin on cafe's......What were "the" british cafe racers (Read 3738 times)

EdB · « **on:** May 16, 2007, 08:55:26 AM »

i recently started riding and love the cafe bike. I know what a cafe racer is but what was "the" cafe racer. So there was Norton BSA triumph Royal Einfeld......so what model(s) were "the" cafe bike. was there a particular model that out performed them all, speed or handling wise. or were they all very competative with each other

mlinder · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2007, 09:24:30 AM »

Quote from: EdB on May 16, 2007, 08:55:26 AM

i recently started riding and love the cafe bike. I know what a cafe racer is but what was "the" cafe racer. So there was Norton BSA triumph Royal Einfeld......so what model(s) were "the" cafe bike. was there a particular model that out performed them all, speed or handling wise. or were they all very competative with each other

The norton twin in the featherbed frame was widely regarded as 'the' cafe racer to have,

medic09 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2007, 09:40:33 AM »

Quote from: mlinder on May 16, 2007, 09:24:30 AM

Quote from: EdB on May 16, 2007, 08:55:26 AM
i recently started riding and love the cafe bike. I know what a cafe racer is but what was "the" cafe racer. So there was Norton BSA triumph Royal Einfeld......so what model(s) were "the" cafe bike. was there a particular model that out performed them all, speed or handling wise. or were they all very competative with each other

The norton twin in the featherbed frame was widely regarded as 'the' cafe racer to have,

That's how I remember it from when I was a kid.

EdB · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2007, 10:01:07 AM »

i always did like the nortons.

Badger 5 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2007, 10:09:11 AM »

I always thought is was the triton that was "the" cafe racer. Maybe I'm wrong.

nickjtc · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2007, 11:14:09 AM »

I think a lot depended on the depth of your pockets. Even into the early '70's when I started riding the 'hot' thing to do was to put ace bars on your bike (whatever the capacity, even sports mopeds!), and if you could afford it, a set of rear sets. More often than not you'd see a 'regular' 'bike with the rider prone, but with his feet in the standard postion.

The Triton was the bees knees because it showed a degree of technical individuality....engine from one type in the frame of another. Also popular (to a lesser extent) were NorBSA's, NorVin's and Trifields. Then along came the Japanese and at the tail end of the cafe craze we saw the proliferation of kits for the superbikes from Dresda, Rickman, Dunstall et al. But you needed lots of dosh for them.

mgmuellner · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2007, 07:51:36 PM »

I'd give several very important body parts for a nicely done Triton.

Tim. · « **Reply #7 on:** May 16, 2007, 08:44:01 PM »

Go get the April and upcoming May editions of ClassicBike.

www.classicbike.co.uk

The April issue has a wonderful Triton cafe on the cover and a write up of it. It's my aesthetic inspiration for my XS650 based alloy tanked cafe project (except I will pass on the blue frame).

The May issue promises an article on the 'Rockers' which should provide some great insight into the history of 'cafe racers'.

LoopsAndLogic · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:32:09 AM »

I always believed that the Norton Commando was suppose to be the "Cafe Racer" of it's time.

Its in it's blood!

nickjtc · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2007, 09:58:07 AM »

Quote from: LoopsAndLogic on May 17, 2007, 07:32:09 AM

I always believed that the Norton Commando was suppose to be the "Cafe Racer" of it's time.

I second that, but I am biased.

malcolmgb · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2007, 02:38:05 PM »

Other are the BSA Gold Star (500cc Single) or Rocket Gold Star, a 650cc twin in the Gold Star frame I believe, but the Triton probably epitomised the 'cafe racer' theme.
The Commando was after the 'cafe racer' period in my opinion, but was definitely a top production race bike of It's time.

bill440cars · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:21:11 PM »

Those mentioned are nice enough but, check this out.

Gotta love the look of a Norton Manx

Do just enough to make it "legal" for the street and Ride!

Later on, Bill

EdB · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:54:04 PM »

that thing is a beast. I WANT ONE

bryanj · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2007, 05:39:15 AM »

Manx Norton--nice idea but MEGA expensive and fragile

Gold star DBD34 (500 single) Lovely sound but a #$%* to ride in traffic

Gold Star 650 twin good all round but bottom end fragile if tuned

Matchless/AJS twins nice but not common and not easy to work on

Norton twins up to 500 OK but slow Over 500 nice to look at but unreliable Commando ****!!*T

Triumph fairly reliable but handled crap

The most common "Cafe" was the Triton--Best engine with best frame Originated, reutedly, by Dave Degens of Dresda fame.

ULTIMATE cafe Rickman Interceptor--supernice frame, specially if nickle plated, with Biggest (at the time) engine and some rarity (except for the fact that i saw 50+ stored away new in a "cave" back in the 70's just couldnt afford one!!!!

aptech77 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2007, 07:26:22 AM »

http://www.nortonhogslayer.com/

http://www.brcycles.com/

Rhonda750F · « **Reply #15 on:** May 18, 2007, 11:37:54 AM »

In the new Motorcycle Classics theres an article about 5 Vincent specials/cafes. Norvins, Egli-Vincents, and others. They are as Bad Ass as it gets!

Bar50 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 29, 2007, 09:47:03 AM »

Okay, I am confused...Featherbeds were singles...and Commandos were twins, rubber mounted....as a matter of fact the most recent bike mag I got had a Norton Twin in a Featherbed...Cycle World May 2007, pg. 64
http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=316
Don't forget the XLCR Sportster....it had Cafe Racer in the name!!!

I know, real ones were british...

Caferacingparts · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2007, 04:57:14 PM »

The Featherbed frame was introduced in 1950 and used through 1968 and was used for most of the Norton line during this time period. There were 350 and 500 singles as well as 500, 600, 650 and 750 twin models that used the Featherbed frame. There were a few variations of the chassis throughout it's run with the "Wideline" and "Slimline" versions being the most commonly recognized. I don't remember the year, but at some point the frame rails from the rear of the tank to the seat area were narrowed due to riders complaints of the chassis being too wide in the knee area. The monikers were given to tell the early and later versions apart. The Commando was introduced in 1968-69 as a cure for the 750 Atlas which was known for it's vibration. Instead of building a smoother engine, Norton built the Commando frame with rubber "Isolastic" engine mounts.

Cheers, Bret @ Glass from the Past
971-207-2824
www.caferacingparts.com

bryanj · « **Reply #18 on:** June 03, 2007, 03:16:42 AM »

Couldnt have put it better Bret

bill440cars · « **Reply #19 on:** June 03, 2007, 07:02:18 AM »

Quote from: Caferacingparts on June 02, 2007, 04:57:14 PM

The Featherbed frame was introduced in 1950 and used through 1968 and was used for most of the Norton line during this time period. There were 350 and 500 singles as well as 500, 600, 650 and 750 twin models that used the Featherbed frame. There were a few variations of the chassis throughout it's run with the "Wideline" and "Slimline" versions being the most commonly recognized. I don't remember the year, but at some point the frame rails from the rear of the tank to the seat area were narrowed due to riders complaints of the chassis being too wide in the knee area. The monikers were given to tell the early and later versions apart. The Commando was introduced in 1968-69 as a cure for the 750 Atlas which was known for it's vibration. Instead of building a smoother engine, Norton built the Commando frame with rubber "Isolastic" engine mounts.

Cheers, Bret @ Glass from the Past
971-207-2824
www.caferacingparts.com

Quote from: bryanj on June 03, 2007, 03:16:42 AM

Couldnt have put it better Bret

I agree bryanj,
That was a nice bit of info from Bret. I knew the basics but he filled in the spaces to make it complete.

Later on, Bill

crazypj · « **Reply #20 on:** June 03, 2007, 10:47:39 AM »

Quote from: Caferacingparts on June 02, 2007, 04:57:14 PM

The Featherbed frame was introduced in 1950 and used through 1968 and was used for most of the Norton line during this time period. There were 350 and 500 singles as well as 500, 600, 650 and 750 twin models that used the Featherbed frame. There were a few variations of the chassis throughout it's run with the "Wideline" and "Slimline" versions being the most commonly recognized. I don't remember the year, but at some point the frame rails from the rear of the tank to the seat area were narrowed due to riders complaints of the chassis being too wide in the knee area. The monikers were given to tell the early and later versions apart. The Commando was introduced in 1968-69 as a cure for the 750 Atlas which was known for it's vibration. Instead of building a smoother engine, Norton built the Commando frame with rubber "Isolastic" engine mounts.

Cheers, Bret @ Glass from the Past
971-207-2824
www.caferacingparts.com

Probably simplest explanation, Featherbed is a full twin cradle loop FRAME.
Bunch of companies used it as basis for their frames (including Honda with CB750, 500, 550, Kawasaki, Suzuki, etc)
Major difference was the Triumph/Norton/BSA engines were less than half the weight compared to Japanese motors and the material they were made from was not very good so it just didnt work the same (a 300 lbs bike compared to a 500+ lbs bike)
Ultimate in 1960's was a Triton (Triumph engine, Norton frame)
The Triumph had more tuning parts available, aftermarket and from the factory.
PJ

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Author Topic: noob yankee questoin on cafe's......What were "the" british cafe racers (Read 3738 times)

Bar50

Caferacingparts