Discussion What is the definition of a cafe racer ?

To me, in my experience, the whole 'cafe racer' craze now is about trying (some too hard) to be an individual. The original CR's of the 1950/60s were about modifying to go fast. Through the 1970's when I first started riding road bikes those who could afford a Ducati/BMW/Moto Guzzi/ Laverda/etc were rare enough to be considered special while the rest of us had UJM's (Universal Japanese Motorcycles) that were sold by the thousands and we all wanted to do something to make our UJM's stand out from the rest. The bikes had plenty of power but so so handling, and with some new Koni or Girling shocks and a change of fork oil we managed to get them around corners. But they all looked the same, so aftermarket fiberglass kits of long tanks/short seat/minimal guards/clip on's/bikini fairing/etc were in high demand. Through the 1980/90's the bike manufactures produced lots of flash looking bikes and the CR style was let rested. Come 2000+ and we now get that sameness again of all bikes looking the same and riders now wanting something different. The quick communication through the web and the cheap and available parts from Evilbay has let many who would have not even thought about modifying a bike to try to make bikes different again. This (I believe) has good and bad to it in that yes some are different, but some are dangerous and do not meet the road rules standards too. A well done cafe/retro/brat/scrambler/etc is a thing of beauty, but I see so many bikes that have just been turned into dangerous pieces of crap that I don't want to know about them, and I think using the term Cafe Racer on them is disrespectful to those who build well engineered bikes.

 

Trail bikes were different. You never did anything to them except change a sprocket for gearing up or down. You almost wanted to leave them stock, so people would know you had an Elsinore or whatever. Street bike customisation was something that happened a lot when I was a young man. Mostly, people would get custom paint jobs since it was normally just the tank, side covers and mudguard and they were easy to take off and put back on. The CB750 was a popular base for customisation. There were kits and engine/exhaust mods available. Even going from 4 into 4 to 4 into 1 exhaust made your bike a "custom". A mate had a CB750 that the local Honda shop had upgraded with a 920 big bore kit and a bunch of tuning and cosmetic stuff. He was a good rider and watching him pop wheelies on that thing sort of got me into street bikes. The first Mad Max movie and Stone probably ignited the custom big bike scene in Australia. The Goose cop bike replicas are always popular.

 

The bike in this story is being touted as a Neo Cafe Racer, just for a change.
While I can appreciate the engineering that has gone into it I am not a fan of how it looks etc.
I personally don’t like the squarish lobster back exhaust but can see the skill etc to build it.
This is one of those builds that polorises opinions etc.
Read and enjoy the quality pics.

http://www.bikebound.com/2018/07/30/honda-cb500-four-cafe-racer-mrs-duke/


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That is a superbly constructed bike, but I wouldn't ride it. I'm not sure what kind of arse you'd need to use that seat properly, but mine isn't right for that thing. He's gone to so much trouble, you'd think he could have made the seat and cowl more functional and appealing.

 

As a work of art, it is an excellent piece that happens to look like a motorcycle.
I like some of his details (the gold leaf should increase the value by a couple of Francs) but overall it is just a mobile sculpture. No chance of ever getting it registered and on the road (even in France) so I don't really see this as being something I would want to own. And to call it a cafe racer, just how far or fast would you want to go on it?

 

No Shane, that would be a Starbucks Racer.

 

The problem here is almost everyone has a different opinion on what a “Cafe Racer” is.
@Cuda has hit the nail on the head for what is the “True” definition and what these bikes were all about.
Jonny come lately’s can call their contraptions ( some are abominations) whatever they want but are not “true” Cafe Racers.
The same as all these super custom bikes they call choppers in the US are not “Real” Choppers.

Calling 125cc bitzers Cafe Racer is diminishing the influence these bikes had on where we are today in terms of motorcycling and really shouldn’t be encouraged.

And Bert Munro’s bike was and always will be a Streamliner, regardless of how much bodywork he had on it.


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So does that mean back in the day someone with a 125cc bike couldn't cafe racer it?
Wouldn't it depend on how much the owner could afford to spend on his bike inc mods? Eg someone on a low wage wouldnt go out and buy a Ducati or similar

 

I don't mind the little bikes. This one is Chinese.
For a very lightly modded bike, if I can't get my dream Bridgestone I would take a Suzuki Stinger.

 

Two piles of garbage.