Return of the Cafe Racers

Triumph Tiger SoHo Cafe Racer

2012-02-29T19:31:00.001+08:00

An 8 hour round trip doesn't sound like all that much if you're on your way to buy your dream motorcycle...even if it is a "piece of crap". Chuck wanted a Triumph and a Triumph he got but it was going to take some hard work and a seriously steep learning curve to get it realise the dream.

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BMW skiing

2012-02-29T06:37:00.000+08:00

I've seen this done on dolphins when I was a kid and it wasn't anywhere near as cool as this!

Triumph Adventurer Black Cafe

2012-02-28T19:05:00.002+08:00

Matte black is the new black. "The Black Cafe" is an all black, '98 Triumph Adventurer" based Cafe Racer built by Eden Bike in France. As George Thorogood would say this one's bad to the bone.

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Seeing double

2012-02-28T04:13:00.000+08:00

Those of you on our mailing list may notice a repeat of some of the readers rides bikes from last week. This is because I decided to split each bike in to its own post to give them the glory they deserve...sorry for the double up!

Cafe Racer parts $500 giveaway

2012-02-27T08:19:00.001+08:00

Return of the Cafe Racers has teamed up with Old Bike Barn to offer our readers the opportunity to win $500 worth of parts, tools and apparel from the Old Bike Barn online range. To enter all you need to do is visit our facebook page, like it and fill out the entry form and answer one simple question. Entries are open till June 1st via the facebook page. The winner will be drawn at random with the first person to be drawn with the correct answer taking home the $500 Old Bike Barn credit.

So if you've got a project that's on hold while you save for parts, a garage that needs stocking with quality tools or you need some new riding gear here's your chance to win it all for free. Enter now.

Cafe Racer Girls 031

2012-02-24T08:30:00.000+08:00

Girl on a bike by Simon Lovelace.

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Readers Rides: Yamaha RD350 Cafe Racer

2012-02-23T21:11:00.001+08:00

In the two stroke scene the Yamaha RD350 is somewhat of a legend. Known best for it's cheeky ad campaigns featuring the headline "Don't feel bad. You're not the first 750 rider to get blown off by a Yamaha 350" they were quick, light and fun as hell to ride.

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Readers Rides: La Haduc Cafe Racer

2012-02-23T03:43:00.000+08:00

What do you get when you cross a Laverda with a Harley and a Ducati? You get a Ducati 860 GT framed, Harley XL 1200R powered custom Cafe Racer rolling on a set of Laverda 750 SF wheels named "La Haduc".

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Readers Rides: 9HUNGE Yamaha XJ900

2012-02-23T03:39:00.000+08:00

Melbourne based builder Carlo converted his ’86 Yamaha XJ900 in to this 100hp Cafe Racer last year. Carlo sent me the story of how the "9Hunge" came to be which you can enjoy below.

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Readers Rides: Kwaka 125 Street Racer

2012-02-22T20:29:00.000+08:00

The motorcycle above it's a custom Kawasaki Ninja 250r from Donny in Jakarta, Indonesia. The time it takes to build a bike is always something I consider and this bike was no weekend task. It's an impressive feat of fabrication necessitated purely by a lack of alternatives.

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Flaming flame job

2012-02-22T13:27:00.000+08:00

Drag bike racers are crazy dudes but I think this ones taking the flame job theme a bit too far.

Readers Rides: Honda CG125 resurrection

2012-02-22T03:50:00.000+08:00

I will be the first to say that this isn't going to be a top performing vehicle. This 1986 Honda CG125 is a 4 stroke, overhead cam "commuter" that is good for around 65mph. That however doesn't mean it can be a fun ride and that exactly what this bike was built to be.

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Readers Rides: Bultaco TSS Race Replica

2012-02-22T03:49:00.000+08:00

This 1977 370 two-stroke engined Bultaco TSS street legal race replica built around a 1972 Astro frame by Nathan from Tennessee. Rather than fill in the blanks myself with this one I will let Nathan tell the bikes story.

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Readers Rides: tight golden Triumph

2012-02-21T15:23:00.000+08:00

To kick off our "Readers Rides week" we've got a bit of bling in the form of a gold leafed '07 Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer. The 24 karat gold leaf covering this '07 Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer is enough to turn anyone's head, but looks aside this Bonnie's got plenty more going for it than the bling.

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Readers Rides: Honda CX500 Cafe Racer

2012-02-21T04:04:00.000+08:00

Chris, the owner of this Honda CX500 Cafe Racer built the bike after deciding it was time to have a ride that was a little different to everything else. He found the Honda neglected and decaying in the shed of it's previous owner and had come up with a direction for the build before he even had it home.

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Readers Rides: Honda CM125 Riot Bike

2012-02-21T04:01:00.000+08:00

This little beauty of a bike from Simon and Singapore. He built the bike in the car park outside his work (I wish my boss was that cool!!) and did it all on a shoestring budget. Starting out with a totally stock 1995 Honda CM125 Simon pieced together out of scrap and modified original parts a totally custom ride complete with what sounds like a very comfortable sidecar.

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Readers Rides week

2012-02-20T12:17:00.001+08:00

I continue to get a steady flow of outstanding custom motorcycle builds sent in by readers and as a result I have a backlog of backyard built motorcycles to post. So to recognise those who have sent in their Cafe Racers, Bobbers and custom builds I am going to devote this week to Readers Rides. Check back each day this week to see a selection of the best classic builds, modern Cafe Racers, custom creations and spotless restos that have arrived in my inbox.

Bonneville salt flat bikes 2011

2012-02-18T13:59:00.000+08:00

Spent most of today setting up a new computer (wahey) and found these images I collected a while back. These are some of the nicest looking motorcycles that took part in last years speed week at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Hit the link for a nice bit of eye candy to stare at on your Saturday.

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Cafe Racer Girls 030

2012-02-17T13:54:00.000+08:00

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Honda Cafe Racer from Tahoma, WA

2012-02-16T19:09:00.000+08:00

I never get tired of seeing Honda CB750's converted into Cafe Racers. Not only is the CB750 a magnificent base for a stripped down street racer they also really suit classic Cafe styling. This '77/'78 Honda CB750 F based Cafe Racer was built by ~~Mike~~ Tige from DC Tahoma, WA who's done a lot more than simply fitting new rubber and apply a fresh lick of paint to pull this beauty together.

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The One Motorcycle Show 2012

2012-02-15T20:35:00.001+08:00

See See Motorcycles "The One Motorcycle show" has wrapped up for another year and it looks like it's getting bigger every year. Dave Friesen sent us these photos from the event (thanks buddy) plus an 11 minute videoyou can watch on the Return of the Cafe Racers facebook page.

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A different approach to paint

2012-02-15T05:59:00.002+08:00

Boner...That's what this custom Yamaha XS650 is called. Not your usual custom build title but Death Spray Customs isn't your usual spray painter. The London Based artist has an amusing approach to painting which results in some cool and some plain weird results. These definitely won't be to everyones liking but I'm sure some of you will get a kick out of them.

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JMC Norvin Cafe Racer

2012-02-14T21:14:00.002+08:00

Peas and gravy, spaghetti and meatballs, Sonny and Cher. It seems some things are just made to go together. Take the Norton featherbed frame for instance, arguably Norton's greatest achievement, it was the frame that every Cafe Racer rider wanted in the fifties and is still highly regarded today; add to that one of the most beautiful engines ever made, the Vincent 1200cc Lighting and you've got one of those winning combinations.

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Choppertown Nations 3rd Backyard Build contest

2012-02-13T20:33:00.004+08:00

ChopperTown Nation are holding their 3rd annual backyard build contest and Return of the Cafe Racers are on board to support the Cafe Racer category. Here's your chance to show off your Cafe Racer and hopefully take home some great prizes.

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Honda VRF1000R Magnificent Bastard

2012-02-12T16:04:00.000+08:00

Motorcycle clothing and riding gear manufacturer Icon have released their new One Thousand range with a post apocalyptic/Mad Max style advertising campaign complete with leather, guns and three road warrior worthy, custom motorcycles. The "Magnificant Bastard" is my pick of the three and is based on a 1986 Honda VFR1000R. It's a modern day version of the Main Force Patrol (MFP) pursuit bike ridden by Goose in the 1979 classic and it's frickin' bad ass.

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