Cafe style motorcycles

[Ender81]

I am a big fan of the cafe style bikes from the 60's and the 70's (crazy what you can do with a Honda CB750) and was kind of curious if anyone on here had one. Or maybe held a similar intrest. Post up, and if you own one you better have pictures haha.

[Archie]

i just got a 80 suzuki a few weeks ago, big fan of those styles. She should be up and running pretty soon. i will get pics in a lil.....

[Ender81]

Very cool. I have been looking at Honda CB550's and 750's which can be turned into a cafe with just a few parts. Or the GB500TT which looked like one straight from the factory in 89

[Drftpretty]

are you kidding me? When are we meeting up?

I JUST bought a 76 CB500 to Cafe. Get a bike and we can wrench!

I actually know of a guy selling a 67 CB450 for $500 running if you want. He'll deliver too! I dont have any ties to the guy, I was gonna buy the bike but I found the 500 for $400.

Heres the link. PM me for his number.

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=357480

Where abouts are you located?

We're lucky, theres actually a vintage Honda, BSA, Triumph, and BMW shop in quakertown that stocks EVERYTHING we need. I like to support the local shop for alittle extra money just because he ALWAYS has 3 or 4 of his buddies in the shop that can answer any question.

I know a few Bike Yards local and all the hook ups if you're serious. I've been researching and talking to people for over a year before I decided to go ahead and do it.

I seriously picked up my bike 3 days ago and need someone to wrench with. Im tracking down electrical gremlins now.

Im now torn between bike nights at Bananna Joes and Applebees on tuesdays. :)

Tonight Im cleaning the carbs again, wiring, and making my Jack Daniels Catch can.

Im still toying with a paint scheme though. Either black and white scallop. Or brushed with the rising sun.

IE: My paintshop skills.

[Drftpretty]

And one more thing. Don't bother with a 750 if this is your first bike. Its too bike and you go too fast for the true cafe racer riding position. Clubman bars and rear sets.

Truely a monkey humping a football.

Craigslist reading has a bunch of bikes as well as philly. Not so much in LV.

[foss]

What is a 'cafe' bike?

[Ender81]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafe_racer

Figured that would explain it better then me. Then just do a google search for a Triton, or (and I know drft will want to see this) http://www.cb750cafe.com/

[Drftpretty]

^Yea, thats carpy. Im not really into the whole life style that he fashioned around old bikes. Its kinda odd.

I like cafe/ rat bikes. Youtube "Rat bike" Im looking to use alot of those elements in my bike.

Triton= Triumph Frame, with a Norton Engine. Or I may have that bacwards lol. Anywho, Tritons fetch BIG bucks.

[Drftpretty]

So did you get one yet or what?

[Ender81]

I won't have one for a little bit, I only recently got my permit and I've never actually been on a bike before. So for right now I just finished helping my girlfriends father throw together/restore a 73 Yamaha DT250 Enduro.

[Archie]

i need a tune, any of you guys do that on the side, carbs oil change and such??

[Ender81]

I am only just learning so that would be a big no for me hahaha. There are a lot of bike guys here so maybe you should post a new thread and see if anyone can help.

[Raven18940]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafe_racer

Figured that would explain it better then me. Then just do a google search for a Triton, or (and I know drft will want to see this) http://www.cb750cafe.com/

DUDE! I love those style bikes! Too bad I'll never get one. :(

[Drftpretty]

I can do carbs. If you're serious pm me. Oil change is no biggie either. Let me know.

These bikes arent that hard to make. Seriously. Check out a few sites.

SOHC4.net
totalymotorcycle.com
sportbikes.net

[wgknestrick]

There is an awesome Triumph (not sure on model) that is Black with a BW Checkered center stripe in my neighborhood that I think is for sale. It may be more coin, but they hold their value much better than the Jap bikes of that era. In the end your cost of ownership is normally just maintainance as you can normally sell for cost.

It really is about the coolest looking cafe bike I've seen. Normal riders (Harley people) will still give you respect riding a British bike too.

http://www.motorcycle.com/images/content/Review/04_Yos_ThxtnB_03.jpg

http://www.coches-motos.com/picmotos/moto643639147.jpg

[Ender81]

I love the Triumphs, they have such a classic look to them. There are a bit more then I want to spend to start out with but down the road I definately wouldn't mind having one in the garage

[Drftpretty]

lol I like the old Hondas better, Alot cheaper and parts are Alot easer to find.

Try finding a Triumph for what this hondas total build cost was.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=15615.270

[Hans_GZP]

My old man bought a 2007 ducati monster S4R back in january. It's a cafe style bike and is totally badass and crazy fast. He's got a ton of CF clip on's on it as well.

http://www.motorcycleconnect.com/Ducati/2007/Monster/Monster_S4R_S_Testastretta/Monster_S4R_S_Testastretta_1.jpg

He also has a 2004 MV Augusta Brutale 750. I got to ride that down in FL during bike week this year and I was in awe of the handling and power that bike has.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/Wallpaper/MVagusta/Brutale/2004/Brutale_RHS_1024.jpg

Those 2 are some of the best modern cafe racer style bikes out there in my opinion

[Ender81]

Those are pretty sick but when you think Cafe you have to think of Norton. So check out this bad boy http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=2794&Page=1
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photos/commandofrontsquare.jpg

[Nick 95 6sp]

This was my dad's cafe style bike from about 1951 ...me driving, cousin on back. Notice the wet-weather fairing in background.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/Nicks1stcycle.jpg

[Ender81]

Wow that is cool, you don't see many with the fairing like that. I odn't suppose you have a picture with it on do you?

*edit*
Which frame is that btw?

[Nick 95 6sp]

I think I might have one with the fairing on, I'll look this weekend.

My dad died a few years ago ...at 89 so not too bad a life... and I never found out what kind of bike that is. But now that this got my interest again, I'll ask my uncles if they know.

Since this picture was taken in Austria before my family came here, I've searched a bunch of European bike links trying to find what this is. I'm not sure but something that looks close because of the unusual frame section is this IZH motorcycle, which were the first motorcycles made in Russia starting in 1929:

http://www.izhmoto.ru/img/1146955365/1146955366.jpg

[Ender81]

That is just awesome, I love seeing pictures like that when you know the stories behind them.

[Drftpretty]

Nick, That is a Zundapp KS750. Made in Germany, many were built for the German army. My Hungarian Grandfather knew that lol. He remembers when he fought in the Hungarian revolution the Russian Soldiers were using them! See pic. It is clearly the same bike.

He told me a whole story of how him and a gang of his peers captured a few T-71(?) Russian tanks and several bikes. In fact, he still has the bike at his summer house in Hungry. Talk about a small world!

I would ask your uncle if you were Hitler Youth if I were you lol.

PS. Clubman bars are on and the re-wiring has begun!

[Nick 95 6sp]

Wow, that's great info. I can hardly wait to spring that on my uncles, I'm sure they'll remember all that.

And what a small world with your Hungarian connection ...I don't think I specifically mentioned it, but my dad was born in Budapest and so of course my family is mostly Hungarian ...at least the good side ;) I was born in Austria since they bailed out of Hungary toward the end of WWII as the Russians were advancing, since no way they wanted to be there to deal with Russian crap; since Austria was in the hands of Western powers like U.S. and Britain, some of my family went there and I was born in Braunau ...you mention the "Hitler" thing and you may know he was born in that little town.

To diverge on some Hungarian history that you allude to, God forbid anybody thinks I'm anti-semitic or racist when I'm about the polar opposite; though I was raised Catholic, both of my wives were/are Jewish and I think a lot of black chicks are hot. So I'm only mentioning this in the context of what you said about "Hitler Youth"; you may know, or ask your Grandfather, about the pre-WWII radical Hungarian Fascist group called "Nyilas" which means "archer" mostly in reference to the Great Hungarian Hero Attila and the dominance of archers among his warriors.
This related clip I found portrays the sad facts:
October 16-26, 1944: Germans and members of the Fascist Nyilas group prohibit Jews in Budapest, Hungary, from leaving their homes. Many Jewish slave laborers are killed by Nyilas members on a bridge linking Buda with Pest.

So having been raised and influenced by the mentality and politics of Hungary and central Europe in that time before WWII, I'm sure some of my uncles were involved with this crazy stuff.

In Hungary my dad was a reasonably well know artist, he first studied art in Budapest and other respected art institutions and schools in Hungary, then won scholarships to study further in Germany and Italy. So as an artist my dad mostly stayed out of politics. When he came to the U.S. he continued for his whole life to make his living totally as an artist. Since I mentioned Attila and the archer warriors, show this to your Grandfather, it's one of my favorite paintings by my dad and it depicts "Attila Temetese" where they diverted the flow of the Danube and buried him along with his magical favorite stallion and a thousand or so of his closest and most favored warriors in the river bed:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ATTILATEMETESEMLT.jpg

Back on topic, I was checking out this Harley Nightster since I kinda like the simple style. Do you guys consider this a "cafe style motorcycle"? ...kinda looks it to me but I'm not sure exactly of the definition:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/HDNightsterbw.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/HDNightster1.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/HDNightster2.jpg

[Ender81]

I would say in styling it is similar enough to be considered a more modern interpretation.

[Drftpretty]

I was gonna say its a sportster, then I scrolled down lol. The cafes were stripped down to bare bones for weight savings. If anything I would consider the Harley a Bobber. I like the bike but I would rather have a bike with about $1,000 into it and be able to do all the work on it myself. I just found some parts for my bike and paid $15 for an entire ignition system just to have incase. My honda is currently getting inspected. Heres a exhaust clip if anyone cares :) Honda CL360 pipes mounted but a rough idle. I must admit. I jumped about 2 feet in the air when she first fired up. Kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, VROOOOMMMM.

Sounds better than modern sport bikes if you ask me. Turn up the Bass on your PC.

http://media.putfile.com/CB500T-Exha...time-start-up-


Ill give my grandpa a call and see what he remembers. Hes in Fla now for a wedding so I dont know how to track him down. What a small world!

[Ender81]

Bump to see if drft got his bike done

[nissan4life]

me and my friends had an 85' kawaski kfx450 p.o.s. that we found in an acme parking lot... we found out it had been sitting there for over ten years and the people that lived nearby said we could do what we wanted with it... so we fixed it up and got it running (on one cylinder, hahaha) and started riding it around (without a motorcycle liscence... mostly in the abandoned parking lot) about a week later it got impounded but it was fun while it lasted... i'd love to get a bike, the new harley night rod special is bangin!!

[Ender81]

Yeah I like that Harley but it is a little too heavy for me. I am really considering a sport bike, or a Triumph Thruxton, but if I could trade my 77 bug for a Honda CB I would be a happy camper lol.

[2drStunner]

Yeah I like that Harley but it is a little too heavy for me. I am really considering a sport bike, or a Triumph Thruxton, but if I could trade my 77 bug for a Honda CB I would be a happy camper lol.

Buy a bike you'll love it! I have my bike license and will ride around with ya till you get your license. Im sure i could turn my idle up and hang with your cafe bike!!!!! :eek: jk

[Ender81]

Buy a bike you'll love it! I have my bike license and will ride around with ya till you get your license. Im sure i could turn my idle up and hang with your cafe bike!!!!! :eek: jk

Hahaha yeah yeah yeah. I am looking at a couple newer bikes also but I am probably going to wait until spring to get one. I wouldn't say no to a Triumph Thruxton, Ducati 695 monster or a Yamaha YZF600

[Ender81]

So just to bump thins since Drft and I were talking in another thread. I ended up getting a 78 Honda CB750. I'm going to be looking around for some little parts but also a fiberglass cafe style seat. I'm not doing the drag bars yet but any ideas anyone has I am more then happy to listen lol.

[esunbaboon]

Not mine but I wish it was.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/esunbaboon/goldwing.jpg

[Ender81]

Wow that is really hot. I always wondered what it would look like to take a Goldwing and do something like that.

[frosti108]

i have a 79 gs550 that i actually got froma dude on here for $200

got it runnin nice, and then just brought it to my dads house in jersey for him to have. sick ass old school cafe style ****.

i dont think he even tried to start it up yet :( ****in lazy bum. i might have to take it back since im afraid he might not appreciate it like i thought he would



i cant find any pics right now, but heres a lil vid from a lil after i got it running
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/frosti108/?action=view&current=gs550Lburnout.flv

[Ender81]

That's pretty cool. If he doesn't want it then yeah take it back and have some fun lol.

[crexxy90]

used to have an 81 honda cb400 hawk, fun bike!


any of you guys been to AMA vintage motorcycle days at Mid-Ohio in late july? Its a great time ive been going since i was 12 youll see every kind of vintage bike, from any type of racing or riding and they also have the largest cycle swap meet in america.

[Ender81]

That sounds like a lot of fun actually.

[Nick 95 6sp]

I need to look into the AMA event at Mid-Ohio in July...I'll be visiting my relatives near Cleveland for a family reunion/picnic in July so this will work right in.

That Gullwing "cafe racer" up there ^^^^^ is frickin awesome...I really like that look.

[Drftpretty]

i have a 79 gs550 that i actually got froma dude on here for $200

got it runnin nice, and then just brought it to my dads house in jersey for him to have. sick ass old school cafe style ****.

i dont think he even tried to start it up yet :( ****in lazy bum. i might have to take it back since im afraid he might not appreciate it like i thought he would



i cant find any pics right now, but heres a lil vid from a lil after i got it running
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y140/frosti108/?action=view&current=gs550Lburnout.flv

I was counting off the 20's when you posted that you bought the bike, I was heart broken. lol

Yea ender, Next time you are free shoot me a PM, theres a vintage bike shop on 309 s in quakertown where I buy all of my parts. I like supporting the local guys because they are pretty much the only guys still around who bother with our old bikes.

Im curently working on a new exhaust set-up. CB450 pipes with shortly mufflers, heat wrapped up. FYI, heat wrap on ebay 2"x100' was $30 shipped.

Ender, have you checked out www.dotheton.com yet? Do it, it will change your life lol.

And because Im a whore........
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/80ae75f03d.jpg

[timp]

My 1980 CB750-F but I'm not about to convert it into a cafe racer, I like it how it is... just needs fresh paint... and a valve job.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/FatboyOverthrow/Honda/home4-1.jpg

[rocco]

i saw this custom bike at a truck show this summer my friend told me its a cb. i want one now but i just dont have the money to start a new project. just figured id post the pics
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/5485/pict6455dx1.jpg
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/7326/pict6551jk0.jpg
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3254/pict6552qw1.jpg
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/3818/pict6553mz0.jpg

[frosti108]

^^ wow that thing is sick.

i would love to make something like that... just not sure how to get rid of the battery.

my GS does actually have a kickstarter, and it starts easy with it, but i dont think the lights and **** would work without a battery. im not really up to par with that kind of stuff

[Drftpretty]

wow, IDK wherre to start on that bike. Its about 4 differnt bikes in one. But the battery is there, laid on its side below the pod filters. IDK how good that is for the acid cells though.

[Ender81]

Hey Drft where is that bike shop on 309?

[Drftpretty]

Sorry, Its directly across the street from the Ciocca Hyundai Dealership in that strip mall next to the 7-11 I think it is. You can see it from the dealer, last shop on the right across the street. Gieger enterprises I believe.

[Ender81]

I'll have to make it down there.

[enigma]

I know of a cafe style for sale for 1500, 0 miles on a top-end rebuild, with freshly jetted carbs.

[Ender81]

So I am going to have to start a Journal for my CB soon but if anyone knows of a set of 4-4 drag pipes for sale let me know :)

[Ender81]

So yeah there is a magazine now apparently http://www.caferacermag.com/

[Reds82]

I love cafe bikes and real street fighters not stunt bikes people call street fighters. I bought a 94 fzr 600 that I was gonna strip and make it into a cafe styled bike but I'm selling it because of money issues and room. Ender I have a fiberglass cafe tail if you still need one for your cb let me know. I was shooting for something like this http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn394/redss1982/janni004.jpg

[crazyukrainian]

all these are so hardcore..... im too tempted to build a naked fighter style crotch rocket..... but i like having full fairing/windshield too much..... decisions decisions lol


maybe i'll end up getting 2 bikes once i can afford it?

[Reds82]

Yea defiantly nice to have two bikes that way your always riding. Last year I had my Kawi and a KTM SM was kinda a beauty and beast thing. I'm still surprised I didn't have to pay any fun taxes on the KTM I did some dumb crap on that thing.

[Drftpretty]

So yeah there is a magazine now apparently http://www.caferacermag.com/

I like to pick up "The Horse" mag sometimes. Its mostly brat style/ bobber/ cafe bikes. I get a ton of ideas from the readers rides section :mrgreen:

[crazy2sin]

Just came across this pic I took from the 07 toys for tots run in philly
http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/crazy2sin/Bikes/101_0010.jpg
Picture doesnt do it justice its so badass.

[Ender81]

I'm really digging that bike. It's like part cafe, part chopper and part steampunk lol

[Drftpretty]

Mmmmm a one thumper BSA, Im not so sure about the cup holder lol.