tips for buying a cafe racer

[MikeM]

so looking at café racer bikes.

 My late dad had one back in the 60s and so wish i knew what happened to it........

anyway if you was to recommend one to a friend.... already built what would you recommend and why?

sure my dads was based on either a trident or triton ... unsure which one but close to that

[Ewan 500 K1]

so looking at café racer bikes.

 My late dad had one back in the 60s and so wish i knew what happened to it........

anyway if you was to recommend one to a friend.... already built what would you recommend and why?

sure my dads was based on either a trident or triton ... unsure which one but close to that

Difficult one Mike, cafes can be so variable in build quality. So what you are effectively doing (arguably unless youre wanting to spend a fortune on a professional build  is putting your trust in an unknown quantity.  "Cafe's" range from right old rats with a non stock seat on to really fine pieces of bespoke engineering solution. Also, as far as I can see almost all decent cafe builds cost more quids to put togeather than they are would fetch in the market place ....... bear in mind that sometimes you also dont get what you pay for etc etc.

I'd say build your own , plenty advice and help on here to get you there. question would then be what the donor bike should be,. Dunno how deep yer pockets are , but old britsh bikes are outa my league price wise. In my opinion the Honda CB's (both twins and fours) make a more afforable alternative, although they have seen some price hikes in recent years.

So, why do you want one, whats your fettlig skills like, how mucho spondoolies do you want to spend  ?

[MikeM]

My dad was into these and I can remember being on the back of one.......

Why do I fancy one now ..... well had a shot of one recently and it felt right, cant put it into words apart from fun.

Been to a few shows with the guys and had some good weekends away with them.... ideally would love to go to the tt's one day on one ...... one day

still learning every day, going on a welding course soon which I hope will help a bit

[MikeM]

I see them going for different values, the one that was on here recently looked fantastic

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAFE-RACER-/171219921437?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item27dd80aa1d&nma=true&si=24FB73gOkm7%252BdvgW7wOQ%252FjUTTD4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557


and then this one and a fraction of the price

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB550F-Cafe-Racer-1978-model-/111261595321?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item19e7b536b9


so what actually makes a good/great café bike ?

[Trigger]

The first one Mike, belongs to a member not too far away and you can see the quality of workmanship. The second one looks a bit cheap.

[MikeM]

so best to build one yourself over a few years ?

is there a guide to building a good café racer..... I would like one like my dads but a lot of money now around 10k I would guess, but the cb seems a perfect bike to make into a cafe

[Trigger]

It is down to personal chose. I think twins look better, CB500T.

[Norniron]

Didnt the 500 twin come with its own plank

[Ewan 500 K1]

so best to build one yourself over a few years ?

is there a guide to building a good café racer..... I would like one like my dads but a lot of money now around 10k I would guess, but the cb seems a perfect bike to make into a cafe

might be a bit like asking if there is a guide to how to dance to motorheid ... watch whats goin on around you, do your own thing and let it evolve over time

[Trigger]

Yes, but the engines are cheaper to rebuild, 2 cylinder.

[LesterPiglet]

There is only one I would be interested in but I would need a lot of cash. I'm not prepared to take on some back street mechanics idea.
Honda GB500. You know it's fun and reliable and in the spirit of cafes.

[LesterPiglet]

Yes, but the engines are cheaper to rebuild, 2 cylinder.

And you would be doing that often.   

[Ewan 500 K1]

There is only one I would be interested in but I would need a lot of cash. I'm not prepared to take on some back street mechanics idea.
Honda GB500. You know it's fun and reliable and in the spirit of cafes.

'cept it needs rid of that mingin tank , silly big rear light and indicators  .... if only I could claim to be any kind of mehanic I'd be dancin    .. Meantime I've become a top end fixer at typin. Now where's that universal 10mm spanner gone again ?

[LesterPiglet]

I'm sure if I owned it I would remove some of the larger items as well. If I can make it lighter I will.   

[Bryanj]

Amember has put up an unfinished projet for sale based on a 550 four, look in the for sale bit