Author Topic: What defines a "cafe" bike? (Read 6680 times)

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #25 on:** March 10, 2011, 03:38:06 PM »

lets see how much longer this takes to get locked...

it may be an open forum, but you guys dont need to be dicks to each other.

We come here to appreciate the bikes, not talk #$%* about how people prefer they look.

grow up.

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #26 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:38:24 PM »

I'm just saying its a bit ridiculous to get in a flame war over our bikes. Its like a Harley bashing party anytime someone brings up Cafes. Makes me disappointed. I get that some guys dont like Cafes and think they represent a poser style of motorcycle rider. But people come here for help and community, participating in pissing contests over a motorcycle that we all come here to celebrate is wrongheaded.

Some people come here to learn and share, it seems some people come here to show off and be pricks to one another.

If we've got time to start a thread dissing a cafe bike or a harley, then were wasting time we could be riding the motorcycles we promote so much.

IMO

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #27 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:40:10 PM »

im not saying youre a prick RR. You obviously know your #$%*, and I didnt see his PM to you. I just think threads like this shouldnt even be started.

Roach · « **Reply #28 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:43:05 PM »

Quote from: Anti-Johnny on March 10, 2011, 04:40:10 PM

im not saying youre a prick RR. You obviously know your #$%*, and I didnt see his PM to you. I just think threads like this shouldnt even be started.

+1 on that everytime a thread of this kind starts it always turns into a #$%* show. IE open forum with the sound law thread.....

nomad · « **Reply #29 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:59:46 PM »

Quote from: Anti-Johnny on March 10, 2011, 04:40:10 PM

I just think threads like this shouldnt even be started.

They shouldn't be started if their intent is to stir the pot. My intention was to try and understand what people these days understood the term "cafe" to be seeing as how it's being used all the time. I had a pretty good idea of it's historical significance before my first post, but seeing as it's always "cafe this" or "cafe that," I didn't know if it had lost any of it's importance in regards to it's original meaning and figured I'd ask.

Just because someone got a burr up their ass and took something personally when they really shouldn't is NOT my problem. If they can't participate rationally in a conversation without getting bent, perhaps they should think long and hard about replying at all. Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all.

Anyway, it's not like I asked what was the best kind of oil to use in a "cafe" bike...

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #30 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:03:51 PM »

My new CB750 K3 stayed stock until mid-'75 when I put an Action-4 header on it along with a pair of mags and a rear disk brake. I thought about lowering the bars but never did. A few years later I added a small sport-fairing. I did't copy anything or anyone.......I just did it for me. After I wore out the second set of TT100 treads, I slowly returned the bike to stock, as it is now with original 341 pipes.

I tell you this because I like cafe bikes and appreciate them for the creativity of the owner/rider. I don't really care what others think about a cafe-style bike. If you are a follower (93% of the world is) than be happy. If you are a wanna-be (2-3% of world is) or a person elevated by followers to a place of leadership (4-5%) be responsible enough to admit your short-comings and lead with your strengths.

I have a few cafe-style projects in mind........but none will be like any you have seen.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #31 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:19:18 PM »

Too calm the ....storm, I'm now declaring this a thread about animals in sidecars.
THEY ARE SOOOOOO CUTE!!!!

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #32 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:21:58 PM »

My bike had a big vetter fairing and needed a paint job and overall looked sad.

my meager attempts at replacing its tired cosmetics were steered towards cafe because it was cheap. I'm working on rebuilding parts as I go and this site has been really great.

I just suspect that some of the #$%* talking on here wouldnt be said in person without risk of a black eye.

Diminishing someones work, even if it is in your opinion crap, isnt just rude, its disrespectful. You know, do unto others, etc.

Everyones a big man behind their keyboard I guess.

anyway harleys are crap, I use synthetic, run straight pipes, pose as a cafe racer, and America is the best country ever

Gordon · « **Reply #33 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:53:11 PM »

Quote from: srook on March 10, 2011, 03:27:14 PM

Quote
"Cafe" is a subjective term. Just because one person's definition of it has negative connotations doesn't mean that person is wrong, or that someone who defines the term in more favorable ways is correct.

So I shouldn't bother to debate it?

Scott

Where do you see that I said that, or even implied it? Debate all you want, but getting offended by someone's opinion you don't agree with is counterproductive.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #34 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:55:12 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on March 10, 2011, 05:53:11 PM

Quote from: srook on March 10, 2011, 03:27:14 PM

Quote
"Cafe" is a subjective term. Just because one person's definition of it has negative connotations doesn't mean that person is wrong, or that someone who defines the term in more favorable ways is correct.

So I shouldn't bother to debate it?

Scott

Where do you see that I said that, or even implied it? Debate all you want, but getting offended by someone's opinion you don't agree with is counterproductive.

+10000000000000000000000

scottly · « **Reply #35 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:22:17 PM »

Quote from: SteveD CB500F on March 10, 2011, 09:11:06 AM

The term goes back to the 60's in London

Steve, what I meant was the term had migrated to the US by the mid '70s...

scottly · « **Reply #36 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:53:42 PM »

Quote from: Anti-Johnny on March 10, 2011, 04:38:24 PM

I'm just saying its a bit ridiculous to get in a flame war over our bikes. Its like a Harley bashing party anytime someone brings up Cafes. Makes me disappointed.

Me too. When I first joined the forum, I noticed an anti-cafe attitude from some, and I'm just now understanding where it comes from. There have been some rash generalizations that are simply not true in my experience. Somehow the term has gotten horribly distorted in recent years..

apex_seeking · « **Reply #37 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:56:11 PM »

Quote from: DavePhipps on March 10, 2011, 05:19:18 PM

Too calm the ....storm, I'm now declaring this a thread about animals in sidecars.
THEY ARE SOOOOOO CUTE!!!!

+1!

Gordon · « **Reply #38 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:59:07 PM »

Quote from: srook

This board has been around longer than most of us have been here. I have been a member on and off under a few different names over the past 10 years. Quite honestly, I'm done with it for the forseable future. Discussions become personal and everyone seems to believe only their own opinion (me included). Unfortunately this board has become like most others. It is dominated by a few heavy posters that show up in almost every thread. Good luck all.

Scott

Getting along with many different types of people with similar and different opinions, and not letting the #$%*-stirrers get to you isn't for everybody. I've been around since long before this version of the forum, and I've had a couple of times when I wasn't able to keep the discussions in their true perspective. See ya later!

nomad · « **Reply #39 on:** March 10, 2011, 07:11:50 PM »

Gentlemen, for the record, I really did not intend to stir any #$%* when I started this thread. I thought (and still think) my question was legitimate.

Gordon · « **Reply #40 on:** March 10, 2011, 07:21:09 PM »

Quote from: nomad on March 10, 2011, 07:11:50 PM

Gentlemen, for the record, I really did not intend to stir any #$%* when I started this thread. I thought (and still think) my question was legitimate.

I know that wasn't your intent. I wasn't referring to anyone specifically, well maybe Mick

.

Srook was just saying these things have been getting to him for a while. There will always be #$%*-stirrers, and many of us, including myself, will fall into that category occasionally. Some people just take it too personally and let it build up instead of letting it roll off their backs. To others it's all part of the fun, sometimes frustrating, and dynamic life of the forums.

Roach Carver · « **Reply #41 on:** March 10, 2011, 07:32:22 PM »

I dont even like motorcycles.

Roach · « **Reply #42 on:** March 10, 2011, 07:39:51 PM »

Quote from: Roach Carver on March 10, 2011, 07:32:22 PM

I dont even like motorcycles.

that makes 2 of us waste of money

scottly · « **Reply #43 on:** March 10, 2011, 07:41:04 PM »

Quote from: nomad on March 10, 2011, 07:11:50 PM

Gentlemen, for the record, I really did not intend to stir any #$%* when I started this thread. I thought (and still think) my question was legitimate.

As stated before, it is a subjective term. To me, it means a bike that has been modified to improve it's performance; a semi-race, yet street-able bike. Usually includes lower bars, possibly rear-sets, depending on the owner's tastes, and/or budget/creativity.
Real cafes don't have 16" wheels, BTW.

ev0lve · « **Reply #44 on:** March 10, 2011, 07:45:45 PM »

We can't just defer to Wikipedia?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Café_racer

They don't mention anything really about the flat profile - triples, gauges, tank to seat/cowl in a flat line -that's the major characteristic I dig.

For the record I like "cafe" bikes the way I like big butts. Which is to say I can not lie. When a bike rides in on a 1.85 shouldered rim I get sprung - wanna pull up tough cause you notice that valve cover was buffed - So fellas, turn your forks around backwards and slap on that juicy double - now you're in serious trouble - try to bleed those brakes all day - But I'd rather stay and play - Cuz I'm long and strong - And I'm down to get the friction on...

and so on

nomad · « **Reply #45 on:** March 10, 2011, 08:06:42 PM »

^ Dude... I still keep an eye out for your bike from time to time on CL.

ev0lve · « **Reply #46 on:** March 10, 2011, 08:11:02 PM »

Much appreciated man. I haven't given up. Spring is coming and, if the asshat who stole it still has it, it'll show back up.

Gordon · « **Reply #47 on:** March 10, 2011, 08:24:23 PM »

Quote from: Iggy on March 10, 2011, 07:45:45 PM

We can't just defer to Wikipedia?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Café_racer

They don't mention anything really about the flat profile - triples, gauges, tank to seat/cowl in a flat line -that's the major characteristic I dig.

Nah. That definition mainly refers to the original lifestyle of the people and the bikes they rode, in a specific moment in time and place. That can never be duplicated exactly. What's really up for debate is the term "cafe", as in it has quotation marks because it's a style that's subjective. "Cafe" bikes are going for a certain look and feel that harkens back to that original time and place, and since looks and feelings are subject to people's emotions and personalities as well as marketing, peer pressure, comfort level, desire to be different, etc, what one person calls a "cafe" bike will always be at least slightly (if not completely) different from what another person calls a "cafe".

It's one of those things that will never have a resolution, which is why it's fun to debate it. At least as long as nobody goes and gets their proverbial panties in a twist.

Doggie · « **Reply #48 on:** March 10, 2011, 09:12:39 PM »

Wow, guess i'll have to go into the garage and separate my bikes.
My restored 1976 CB550F is next to my 1985 Harley Ironhead
Sportster, which is next to my 1975 CB550K " Cafe Racer". Never know what goes on at night when I'm sleeping.
Doug

neverendingproject · « **Reply #49 on:** March 10, 2011, 09:25:54 PM »

Quote from: Iggy on March 10, 2011, 07:45:45 PM

For the record I like "cafe" bikes the way I like big butts. Which is to say I can not lie. When a bike rides in on a 1.85 shouldered rim I get sprung - wanna pull up tough cause you notice that valve cover was buffed - So fellas, turn your forks around backwards and slap on that juicy double - now you're in serious trouble - try to bleed those brakes all day - But I'd rather stay and play - Cuz I'm long and strong - And I'm down to get the friction on...

and so on

Haha way to lighten the mood, gotta love Mix

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Author Topic: What defines a "cafe" bike? (Read 6680 times)

nomad

nomad

nomad