Return of the Cafe Racers

This BMW K100 Café Racer Gets a Complete Mechanical Makeover

Mark Capayas — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:06:51 +0000

The BMW K100 has become a popular foundation for custom café racer projects, but transforming a neglected example into a refined, roadworthy motorcycle requires considerably more than cosmetic modifications. Tom Gilroy of Purpose Built Moto demonstrates this with a comprehensive restoration of a 1983 BMW K100, rebuilding its damaged engine, reengineering its chassis, and fabricating bespoke bodywork to create a distinctive motorcycle that balances performance, usability, and design. Built for a customer named Ryan on Australia’s Gold Coast, the project […]

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This Custom Triumph Thruxton Brings Flat-Track Style to the Street

Mark Capayas — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:14:18 +0000

The Ash Motorcycles Triumph Street Tracker demonstrates how a production motorcycle can become a distinctive custom machine through thoughtful engineering, traditional metalworking, and race-inspired design. Built by Tim Abbey and his collaborators at a workshop in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the 2012 Triumph Thruxton was transformed into a street-legal flat tracker that combines the minimalist proportions of American dirt-track racers with the practicality of a road-going motorcycle. The project gained attention at the 2023 Bike Shed Moto Show, where its carefully executed […]

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The 6 Most Popular Custom Motorcycle Styles

Mark Capayas — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:23:49 +0000

Custom motorcycles offer riders a way to express their personalities through engineering, design, and riding style. From minimalist machines built around classic silhouettes to heavily modified cruisers with extended front forks, each custom motorcycle style has its own visual identity and historical roots. However, the terminology can be confusing for newcomers. Scramblers, café racers, bobbers, brat-style motorcycles, street trackers, and choppers sometimes share similar components, yet their design philosophies and intended uses differ considerably. Understanding these distinctions helps riders choose […]

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How Cafe Racer Modifications Affect a Colorado Claim: A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Q&A

GintoJom — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:39:39 +0000

On March 12, 2025, the Colorado Department of Transportation reported that motorcyclists accounted for 24% of the state’s traffic deaths in 2024, despite riding just 3% of registered vehicles. Custom work on a cafe racer can quickly muddy two questions: who caused the crash, and what the bike was worth. Short version: yes, modifications can affect a Colorado crash claim. The proof must tie a part, or how it was installed, to the collision itself. Custom work shifts provable pre-crash […]

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13 Best Motorcycles for Senior Riders: Comfort, Control, and Long-Distance Touring

Mark Capayas — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:31:19 +0000

Choosing a motorcycle later in life does not mean sacrificing performance, style, or the freedom of the open road. The right bike can make riding more enjoyable by combining manageable ergonomics, predictable power delivery, comfortable seating, and features that reduce fatigue on longer journeys. For experienced riders, the priority may be touring comfort and modern technology; for those returning to motorcycling, a low seat height and manageable weight may matter more than outright performance. The following selection examines 13 motorcycles […]

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FOR SALE: 2006 Triumph Bonneville T100 Tracker by Mule Motorcycles

Mark Capayas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:57:43 +0000

This 2006 Triumph Bonneville T100 Tracker by Mule Motorcycles combines the classic character of Triumph’s modern-retro roadster with substantial engine modifications and purpose-built tracker styling. Nicknamed “Colonel Mustard,” this custom motorcycle features upgraded internals, specialist suspension components, and bespoke bodywork that distinguish it from a standard Bonneville T100. A Purpose-Built Tracker With Custom Bodywork The motorcycle wears Pearl White paint with black center accents, complemented by a black vinyl solo seat and a Harley-Davidson Sportster headlight mounted using a Joker […]

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FOR SALE: 2006 Ducati Sport Classic 1000 Monoposto

Mark Capayas — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:40:50 +0000

The 2006 Ducati SportClassic 1000 Monoposto captures the essence of classic Italian sport motorcycles in a package that combines period-inspired styling with modern-for-its-era engineering. Finished in Ducati Yellow with a black solo seat, this example, currently offered through Collecting Cars, represents the single-seat version of Ducati’s retro-inspired SportClassic family. Air-Cooled L-Twin Performance Power comes from an air-cooled, 992cc V-twin engine featuring Ducati’s desmodromic valve system. The engine has received an ECU remap and a Corse Dynamics high-performance intake kit, […]

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6 Things to Check Before Buying a Motorcycle for a Custom Café Racer Project

Mark Capayas — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:11:16 +0000

Building a custom motorcycle starts long before the first component is removed or the first modification is made. Whether the goal is a café racer, scrambler, bobber, or tracker, choosing the right donor bike can determine the project’s cost, complexity, and ultimate success. A motorcycle that appears inexpensive at first can quickly become a financial burden if it has structural damage, expensive mechanical faults, or missing components. A careful pre-purchase inspection helps identify potential problems before they become costly surprises. […]

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Digital Privacy Tips for Motorcycle Travelers: Staying Secure on the Road

GintoJom — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 03:02:48 +0000

Motorcycle travel offers a sense of freedom that’s hard to match. Whether you’re riding across the country or exploring unfamiliar back roads for a weekend adventure, staying connected has become an essential part of the journey. Riders rely on navigation apps, accommodation bookings, weather forecasts, and mobile banking while travelling. However, using online services away from home can expose your personal information if you’re not careful. While premium security tools can help, safe online habits remain your most effective defense. […]

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FOR SALE: 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883

Mark Capayas — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 09:47:10 +0000

Harley-Davidson’s Sportster Iron 883 has long appealed to riders who favor stripped-down styling, compact proportions, and the customization potential of the Evolution V-twin platform. This modified 2009 Sportster Iron 883 takes that formula further with an official Screamin’ Eagle performance conversion, upgraded suspension, and an assortment of aftermarket components. Offered on Bring a Trailer with no reserve, the motorcycle combines familiar Harley-Davidson character with a more substantial mechanical and visual makeover. Screamin’ Eagle 1,200cc Conversion At the center of the […]

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This Custom Triumph Thruxton Is a Masterclass in Café Racer Design

Mark Capayas — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:33:08 +0000

The Triumph Thruxton has long been a natural starting point for café racer customization, combining classic British styling with modern engineering. Rob’s Thruxton takes that formula considerably further. Developed in collaboration with Tom of Hitchcox Motorcycles and a team of specialist builders, the project strips away much of the motorcycle’s modern electronic complexity, introduces a bespoke carburetor conversion, and pairs a minimalist aesthetic with extensively reworked suspension and a handcrafted titanium exhaust system. What began as a plan to delete […]

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The Five Motorcycles That Truly Changed Motorcycle Culture Through Film

Mark Capayas — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:09:11 +0000

Motorcycles have occupied a distinctive place in cinema for decades, serving as more than transportation or visual accessories. The right machine can embody rebellion, freedom, danger, technical sophistication or the promise of escape. In a handful of films, motorcycles have transcended their mechanical purpose to become enduring cultural symbols, influencing how audiences perceive motorcycling itself. The difference between an iconic movie motorcycle and a culturally transformative one is significant. A superbike may become instantly recognizable because it appears in a […]

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FOR SALE: 1993 BMW R100RT

Mark Capayas — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:38:17 +0000

BMW’s air-cooled R100 platform has become a favorite foundation for custom builders, and this 1993 BMW R100RT demonstrates why. Originally purchased as a stock motorcycle in 2017, the Texas-based example has since been rebuilt as a minimalist café racer, replacing much of the factory touring character with contemporary suspension, braking, and chassis components. At its core remains BMW’s 980cc air-cooled OHV opposed-twin, equipped with dual Bing carburetors, two valves per cylinder, an oil cooler, and electric starting. The engine was […]

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Custom Build, Public Road: What Happens to Your Claim When a Modified Motorcycle Goes Down

GintoJom — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 03:47:38 +0000

Every builder knows the moment. The tank is painted, the rear-sets are dialed in, the clip-ons sit exactly where your wrists want them, and the bike finally rolls out of the garage onto a real road with real traffic. What very few builders think about in that moment is what happens if a driver turns left across that road without looking. A crash on a custom motorcycle is not handled the same way as a crash on a stock one, […]

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FOR SALE: 2018 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:19:06 +0000

This 2018 Ducati Scrambler Café Racer combines Ducati’s modern interpretation of classic café-racer styling with the mechanical character of its air-cooled L-twin platform. Now offered with no reserve on Bring a Trailer, this example has accumulated approximately 9,000 miles and is presented in Arizona with a clean California title. Finished in Black Coffee with gold accents, the motorcycle uses a black-painted trellis frame, gold 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, a headlight cowl, and side panels carrying the number 54. The graphics […]

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Roughchild’s 1975 BMW R90/6 Café Racer Reengineered for the Rider

Mark Capayas — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:42:25 +0000

Roughchild’s BMW café racer demonstrates that building a serious custom motorcycle is not simply an exercise in styling. The company’s heavily reworked 1975 BMW R90/6 combines traditional airhead character with modern suspension, braking, wheel technology and a thoroughly rebuilt 1,000cc engine, but the most important engineering decision was made around the rider rather than the motorcycle. Built for a customer measuring approximately 5-foot-5, the R90/6 was deliberately engineered to reduce perceived and actual seat height without compromising the handling, performance […]

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Top 20 Most Expensive Custom-Built and Modified Café Racers Ever Sold at Auction

Mark Capayas — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:15:33 +0000

Café racers began as relatively simple performance machines built by enthusiasts who stripped away unnecessary weight, fitted low bars and rearsets, and tuned their motorcycles for speed between the café and the next landmark. What started as a distinctly British postwar subculture eventually became a global motorcycle design language, influencing everything from Japanese four-cylinder specials and Italian sport bikes to modern one-off builds from some of the world’s most respected custom motorcycle builders. The auction market, however, tells a more […]

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2007 Ducati Sport 1000S Brings 1970s-Inspired Ducati Style to Auction

Mark Capayas — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:54:43 +0000

Ducati’s SportClassic family was conceived as a modern interpretation of the company’s celebrated sporting motorcycles of the 1970s, and few members of the range captured that philosophy as convincingly as the Sport 1000S. Now offered through Collecting Cars, this 2007 Ducati Sport 1000S combines Pierre Terblanche-designed styling with Ducati’s charismatic air-cooled Desmodromic L-twin, while receiving several enthusiast-focused mechanical upgrades. A SportClassic With 1970s DNA The Sport 1000S was essentially Ducati’s answer to riders who wanted the visual character of a […]

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2000 Bourget 1750cc ‘Dark Rider – Year of Shadow’: A Custom American V-Twin Built for a Charitable Cause

Mark Capayas — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:39:57 +0000

The 2000 Bourget 1750cc Dark Rider – Year of Shadow represents the distinctive custom-motorcycle culture that developed around large-displacement American V-twins at the turn of the millennium. Offered through Bonhams as part of a sale benefiting the Luca Guintoli Foundation, this unusual machine combines the visual identity of the American custom scene with a charitable purpose. Its listing also carries an important documentation caveat: Bonhams identifies the frame number as unavailable to locate and the engine number as W0735, with […]

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FOR SALE: 1975 Ducati 900 SS

Mark Capayas — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:54:04 +0000

The 1975 Ducati 900 SS offered for sale through Collecting Cars is a particularly significant example of Ducati’s early Super Sport lineage. As a first-year 900 SS, it represents one of just 246 examples understood to have been produced for 1975, making it considerably rarer than later versions of the model. At its core is Ducati’s 864cc air-cooled, 90-degree Desmodromic L-twin, distinguished by its bevel-drive camshaft system and fed through twin 40mm Dell’Orto carburetors. Power reaches the rear wheel through […]

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Checking a Lot Before Bidding: Shipping Data and VIN History for Your Next Cafe Racer

GintoJom — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 22:42:49 +0000

Building a cafe racer starts long before the first bolt comes off. It starts with the auction lot itself. Two habits separate riders who land a solid donor bike from those who get blindsided later: checking real shipping numbers for the pickup state, and running the VIN before the bid closes rather than after winning. Neither takes long, and both turn assumptions into an actual plan. Why route data changes the build budget Shipping quotes for motorcycles swing more than […]

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FOR SALE: 1969 Egli-Vincent Cafe Racer by Godet

Mark Capayas — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:41:32 +0000

Few motorcycles combine British V-twin heritage and specialist chassis engineering as convincingly as the Egli-Vincent. Currently offered on Bring a Trailer, this café racer was built by Godet Motorcycles of Malaunay, France, in 2002, pairing a newly assembled 998cc Vincent-based V-twin with a nickel-plated Egli frame produced under license from Swiss engineer Fritz Egli. Although titled as a 1969 model, the motorcycle is fundamentally a period-inspired modern construction rather than an original Vincent production machine. The centerpiece is an all-new […]

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FOR SALE: 1981 Honda CX500 Custom Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:55:24 +0000

A 1981 Honda CX500 Custom listed on Bring a Trailer with no reserve transforms Honda’s unconventional middleweight V-twin into a purpose-built cafe racer. Retained by its original owner until 2018, the motorcycle was subsequently rebuilt with extensively reworked chassis, braking, electrical, and bodywork systems. The defining visual elements are an Airtech race fairing, fiberglass tail section, and Benelli Mojave 1.75-gallon steel fuel tank, all finished in Candy Apple Red with silver center stripes. Clip-on handlebars, rear-set controls, an aluminum front […]

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Cafe Racer Ebikes: What to Check Before You Buy

GintoJom — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:30:14 +0000

A bike can look right in a photograph and feel wrong at the first intersection. The silhouette and seating layout that caught your eye still have to work when you pedal, turn, stop, and put the bike away. Before buying an electric bike for its motorcycle-inspired styling, find out what that styling asks of you in everyday use. The goal is a bike you enjoy looking at and riding. That starts with knowing which design details are simply a matter […]

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9 Best Café Racers to Look Out for at the 2026 Autumn Stafford Sale

Mark Capayas — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:04:04 +0000

The Autumn Stafford Sale, held as part of the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on 11 October 2026, brings together an unusually strong selection of motorcycles suited to the café-racer collector. Among the 200-plus motorcycles catalogued by Bonhams are several machines that either helped define the genre or represent later interpretations of its stripped-back, performance-focused philosophy. The standout group is dominated by 1970s Italian machinery, particularly the MV Agusta 750S and Ducati 750 Sport/750SS, but there are also significant Japanese-based builds […]

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FOR SALE: 2006 Ducati SportClassic Sport 1000 Monoposto

Mark Capayas — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:05:50 +0000

A 2006 Ducati SportClassic Sport 1000 Monoposto is currently offered on Bring a Trailer with no reserve, presenting a particularly well-equipped example of Ducati’s modern interpretation of the classic cafe racer. Introduced at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, the SportClassic family combined period-inspired styling with Ducati’s air-cooled desmodromic V-twin architecture and contemporary chassis technology. Finished in red with a white center stripe, the single-seat Sport 1000 Monoposto retains the distinctive black trellis frame and minimalist cafe racer profile. The fuel […]

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12 Best Motorcycle Upgrades for 2026: Essential Gear for Safety, Comfort and Reliability

Mark Capayas — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:47:42 +0000

Motorcycle accessories are a massive market, but not every product deserves space on a bike. The most useful upgrades are the ones that solve genuine problems: protecting the rider, improving visibility, reducing distraction, preventing mechanical failures, or making long-distance riding easier. Old Man’s Ride highlights 12 motorcycle accessories that fit that description. The list ranges from airbag protection and tire-pressure monitoring to heated gear, dedicated navigation, and automatic chain lubrication. Together, they represent a practical approach to motorcycle equipment in […]

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FOR SALE: 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition

Mark Capayas — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:26:38 +0000

The Ducati Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition remains one of Ducati’s most distinctive modern tributes to its racing heritage. Designed by Pierre Terblanche, the PS1000LE was inspired by the Ducati 750 Imola racer ridden by Paul Smart to victory at the 1972 Imola 200. Only 2,000 examples were produced, each combining silver bodywork with a signature Sea Green steel trellis frame. This 2006 example, listed for sale on Bring a Trailer, takes that factory formula considerably further. Acquired by its […]

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Top 20 Most Expensive Café Racers Ever Sold at Auction

Mark Capayas — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:00:02 +0000

Café racers started as stripped-down, performance-focused motorcycles built by enthusiasts who wanted to travel quickly between cafés. Lightweight chassis, low handlebars, rear-set controls and tuned engines defined the movement, which emerged in Britain during the 1950s and 1960s. Today, some of the motorcycles associated with that tradition are among the most valuable collectible motorcycles in the world. Auction records reveal a market dominated by rare Italian machines, particularly the Ducati 750 Super Sport and MV Agusta 750S. Their combination of […]

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FOR SALE: 2003 Buell M2 Cyclone

Mark Capayas — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:00:07 +0000

Listed for sale on Collecting Cars, this Buell M2 Cyclone is a thoroughly re-engineered café racer that combines the muscular character of an American V-twin with the chassis hardware and visual language of Ducati. Known by its builder as the ‘Bucati,’ the motorcycle retains the fundamental geometry and powertrain identity of the Buell while incorporating extensive Ducati components and bespoke fabrication. At its core is Buell’s 1.2-litre V-twin, paired with a five-speed transmission. The original final-drive arrangement has been replaced by […]

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FOR SALE: 1971 Honda CB750 Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:17:51 +0000

Listed for sale on Bring a Trailer with no reserve, this 1971 Honda CB750 combines the mechanical character of Honda’s landmark superbike with a period-inspired cafe racer transformation. Modified under previous ownership and acquired by the current owner in 2023, the motorcycle retains the fundamental engineering that made the CB750 a defining machine of the early superbike era while adding a more focused custom appearance. Power comes from a 736cc air-cooled SOHC inline-four reportedly rebuilt in 2024. The engine uses […]

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FOR SALE: 1985 BMW K100 Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:06:47 +0000

A 1985 BMW K100 has been transformed from an early example of BMW’s unconventional four-cylinder tourer into a stripped-back café racer, and it is now offered on Bring a Trailer with no reserve. Acquired by the seller as a project in 2025, the motorcycle has since undergone an extensive cosmetic and mechanical refurbishment aimed at giving BMW’s “Flying Brick” a more purposeful, minimalist character. The centerpiece is the original liquid-cooled 987cc horizontal inline-four, equipped with dual overhead camshafts and Bosch […]

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FOR SALE: 1982 Yamaha XV920 Virago Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:06:44 +0000

Listed for sale on Bring a Trailer with no reserve, this 1982 Yamaha XV920 Virago has been transformed from a factory cruiser into a distinctly styled café racer, combining the model’s air-cooled V-twin character with a comprehensive set of custom chassis and cosmetic upgrades. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Arts of Life, a 501(c)(3) organization supporting artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The build centers on Yamaha’s 920cc SOHC air-cooled V-twin, paired with a five-speed transmission and enclosed shaft […]

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FOR SALE: 2018 BMW R nineT Racer

Mark Capayas — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:00:28 +0000

Listed for sale on Bring a Trailer with no reserve, this 2018 BMW R nineT Racer captures the café-racer formula through a distinctly German interpretation. Drawing heavily from BMW’s 1970s endurance-racing machines, the R nineT Racer combines a streamlined half-fairing and minimalist rear cowl with a powerful boxer twin and chassis hardware designed to deliver a focused sporting experience. The Racer’s styling is immediately recognizable. Its Light White bodywork carries BMW Motorsport tri-color graphics and wraps around an Aluminum Silver […]

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Modern Tech, Vintage Vibes: How to Integrate Smartwatches into Your Riding Gear

GintoJom — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 19:17:37 +0000

Cafe racers and custom scramblers are built on subtraction. Strip the fairings, ditch the plastic, keep only what earns its weight. A lot of riders who live in that world would rather run an analog chronograph than anything with a glowing screen, and there is a real case for that. A hand-wound watch does not need charging and does not care about vibration. The reality check is that getting turned around on an unmarked backroad, or missing a call that […]

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FOR SALE: 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans

Mark Capayas — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:00:59 +0000

The Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans remains one of the defining Italian sporting motorcycles of the 1970s, pairing unmistakable café-racer character with the robust engineering of Moto Guzzi’s Tonti-derived chassis. This Series 2 example, generally identified retrospectively as a MkI, is now offered for sale on Collecting Cars and combines period specification with reported restoration and engine upgrades. At its heart is an air-cooled 844cc 90-degree V-twin fed by twin 36mm Dell’Orto carburettors. Power reaches the rear wheel through a […]

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StarknightMT Upgrades That Make Every Can Am Commander Ride Better

GintoJom — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:28:37 +0000

StarknightMT knows exactly what an operator of a Can-Am Commander will need. The Commander is a versatile vehicle that can tackle any terrain and any outdoor job that comes its way. However, there are several upgrades that can be made to this machine to enhance its overall performance while also giving the owner a greater comfort when operating the utility vehicle. The selection of the necessary accessories should be made depending on the specific needs and the particular conditions under […]

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TVS Ronin Café Racer Looks Ready for a Production Transformation

Mark Capayas — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:03:16 +0000

The TVS Ronin Café Racer is shaping up as one of the most interesting possible derivatives of TVS Motor’s modern-retro 225cc platform. What began as a series of custom builds has moved closer to production relevance after TVS filed a design patent in India for a dedicated café racer version in 2026. The patent itself does not confirm a production launch, but it strongly suggests that TVS is exploring the concept seriously. Design and Styling The café racer conversion gives […]

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The Essentials of a Well Organised Motorcycle Garage

GintoJom — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 01:07:54 +0000

You know the drill. You have got an hour before dinner, the tank is off, and you finally have a clear run at that carb you have been putting off all week. Except the first twenty minutes vanish before a spanner even touches a bolt, spent hunting for the right size socket, moving a box of old fairing panels off the bench, and wondering where on earth the torch got to this time. That is not a workshop. That is […]

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How Motorcycle Manuals Make Maintenance Easier for Riders

GintoJom — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 01:03:21 +0000

There’s a particular kind of frustration every rider knows: something feels off, but not dramatically wrong. Maybe the idle has become uneven. Maybe the clutch engagement point has shifted. Maybe a warning light appears just long enough to make you suspicious, then disappears again. In those moments, maintenance can feel less like routine care and more like detective work. That’s where a good motorcycle manual earns its place. For many riders, manuals are treated as last-resort documents—something you crack open […]

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