Kawasaki Concours Forum
Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: Awaz on May 16, 2011, 01:35:20 PM
-
Trying to find a bike that I can turn into a cafe racer. Saw this bike very close to where I live. What do you guys think?
http://springfieldil.craigslist.org/mcy/2382083591.html (http://springfieldil.craigslist.org/mcy/2382083591.html)
Thing is it is two stroke. Dunno if cafe racers were two stroke.
-
Make a nice scrambler though... ;)
-
what's the diff between a scrambler and cafe racer?
-
Scrambler more off road bike... high pipes... a bit of a knobby tire... basically what you got. A cafe racer... some clipons... lower pipes... small flyscreen... flat single seat with a hump on the back...
Scrambler
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/1967_Honda_Scrambler_305_motorcycle.jpg)
Cafe Racer
(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/087/f/4/Cafe_Racer_motorcycle_by_Syvertson.jpg)
-
Sorry. Just don't see a cafe racer in it for any amount of work ???
-
My first bike was a '78 Yamaha DT175. Fun but slow 70 MPH was top end.
-
My first bike was a '78 Yamaha DT175. Fun but slow 70 MPH was top end.
I had a '78 DT400. I was stolen the night before mothers day of '82. Made a great dirt/trail bike - not to good of a street bike. It almost felt illegal when I road it. It was just a motocross bike with lights (and a knobby on the back). It would pick the front end up in any gear. You're right, they were fun.
I remember someone in HS (80s - so the bike was 70s) had an RD350 set up as a cafe racer. Looked pretty cool. I think it was purple metallic from the factory?
-
Rats ! Wanted a cafe racer. Guess I will go look at it anyways. For the price, even a scrambler will be nice ! ;D
-
Man, I just looked at the add. That's whats called and ENDURO. Its the predecessor to the KLRs of today. That would be mine it I lived near by. Parts are available on eBay for most things. My MOM has a 1971 CT175 that dad rebuilt from a basket case of $20 back in like 1979 maybe. It's name is Foo-Foo. We still have it. But it will never see the street again. It had the alternator and all the electrical thrown away back then. Also the oil pump has been removed so we just put premix in it. Those are great around town bikes. Great to take with you on vacation because you can put them on one of those sideways hitch ramp carriers too.
Those were hi-tech in their day. They have one of the first close ratio 6-speed transmissions produced. Many people (including mom's) have had port jobs done and larger carbs added. The front fender used to be a front wheel hugger type (like our bike).
-
Find a CB 450 DOHC Honda, they make good cafe' racers due to traditional looks as well as good performance. The traditional British Cafe' racers were Big bore singles and vertical twins in the 500-650 cc range. Low handle bars, rear set foot controls and elimination of anything that was not necissary was the standard of the day. Sort of like a chopper/bobber that you can actually ride fast on straights AND curves. Good Luck
-
Golly old England, birthplace of cafe racing.
I might take a more 70's American approach and get and RD350!!
-
Leo, you make me laugh. I'm in Texas, missing Indiana!
-
YoDoc, what do you look like, maybe we could switch residences and no one would notice. I could do Irving.
-
LOL... I'll have to change my sig now. That's great, Leo! ;)
-
Leo, my avatar is a picture of me, except I'm bald now, so.... the hair might set it off. LOL
-
One of the best bikes to make a cafe racer out of is Honda CB400 four SOHC or the even harder to find CB350 four SOHC. Many people, including myself go with the CB750 SOHC. It will be fun, whatever you choose though.
Good luck,
Pete
-
I have a CB400F cafe'd out, and it is about the most fun you can have with your clothes on. You would think a bike that will only do 80 would suck, but that is not the case. It is impossible not to ride at its limits. I have been cordially invited never to ride it on base ever again. ???
-
The suzuki s40 makes a good looking cafe, and they're cheap, to boot!
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/05/19/ryca-cs-1-suzuki-s40-cafe-conversion/ (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/05/19/ryca-cs-1-suzuki-s40-cafe-conversion/)
-
My first bike was a '78 Yamaha DT175. Fun but slow 70 MPH was top end.
Mine was a '74 or '75 DT125. Man I loved that thing! Till my bro wrecked it.
-
I have a CB400F cafe'd out, and it is about the most fun you can have with your clothes on. You would think a bike that will only do 80 would suck, but that is not the case. It is impossible not to ride at its limits. I have been cordially invited never to ride it on base ever again. ???
Pictures please.....
-
A 400F only able to do 80? It must be sick! My 350F would do the ton and change indicated and the speedy meter wasn't that far off.
If you can find one a 400 Bandit wuld make a great cafe bike.
-
Awaz,
A 'Cafe racer' is a pretty open catagory..... And when you say 'build' - what you really mean is "Stuff $20 bill into a small brass cannon and fire until finished".....
That said - if you're looking for something from the 70's that's NOT European (the 850cc moto Guzzi's make good cafe racers), take a look at hte following:
Yamaha:
XS 650 - the early standards are excellent platforms, pre...'76? After that they went with a 'custom' which meant smaller rear wheel, tiny gas tank. The earlier ones with larger hoops look better.
RD Series - yes they're 2 stroke, but they look the part and parts are still around. The RD400 would be my choice, but hte 350's are goo too. There's way cool body work available form AirTech.
SV 600. Great 4S single. A natural.
Kawasaki:
KZ400 - looks almost exactly like the Yamaha above. Same gig - pre 76/77 for the same reasons. Parts aren't as readily available for the 400's as the yamies tho.
KZ 650 Four - these were bargain bikes sold alongside the famous Z900's/Z1000'a and look almost identical to them.
H2 750 - Yes, a 3 cyl 2 stroke. Three motocross engines tied together. I called mine Cerberus (the 3 headed hound of hades). These are now made almost exclusively of unobtainium, but I recommend it over the more collectable 500 as many of the initial chassis issues of the 500 were solved with the 750 - and good thing too.
Honda:
Those already mentioned and two others:
CB 750/550 SOHC - the SOHC 750 had a great racing history and still runs in vintage events. There are many parts avail and lots of good looking body work for a transformation - BUT, it's become very collectable (and to think I used to buy 'em in the shop for $3-400 back in the mid 80's). A good substitue for a personal toy is the smaller 550 cousin. It already looks classi - a set of clubmans, rear sets and a faring and walla - you're in business.
Of course, you WILL SAVE YOURSELF a huge wad of $$ and buttpain if you just ride your skateboard down to the Triumph dealer and buy a clubman outright. :chugbeer:
-
Heres a good one to make a cafe. Many were and are 2-strokes. Offers being taken
-
Nice!
-
The suzuki s40 makes a good looking cafe, and they're cheap, to boot!
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/05/19/ryca-cs-1-suzuki-s40-cafe-conversion/ (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/05/19/ryca-cs-1-suzuki-s40-cafe-conversion/)
That is pure motorcycle porn right there!!!! OMG! :P
-
To the OP - I told you my mom has a CT-175 .....
-
That is pure motorcycle porn right there!!!! OMG! :P
Aint it though? Just sexy. I mean, for less than what you'd think, and not alot of elbow grease, you can build a brand new, cafe-racing thumper! I wish I had the scratch, man... I'd be on that like white on rice...
-
(http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx74/Uglydog56/Connie%20pics/DSCN0706.jpg)
Clubman bars, napoleon bar end mirrors, billet mounts everywhere, rebuilt but stock engine, pod filters, ontario pipe, cafe seat, hacked frame, remote reservoir shocks. Future plans include 520 conversion, emulators up front, and dyno tuning.
She will do more than 80, I just don't like how she strains when she's up there.
-
Thanks! - Looking veeery good! Drooling over it!
-
Wow, that looks pretty cool. That thing would look really sweet as a matte black rat bike! Use some bedliner paint on it!
-
Trying to find a bike that I can turn into a cafe racer. Saw this bike very close to where I live. What do you guys think?
http://springfieldil.craigslist.org/mcy/2382083591.html (http://springfieldil.craigslist.org/mcy/2382083591.html)
Thing is it is two stroke. Dunno if cafe racers were two stroke.
If you can find a Suzuki Savage, there is a great kit to turn it into a cafe racer. I almost did it, but my wife said that one of the bikes had to go when I got the C-14. :(
http://rycamotors.com/ (http://rycamotors.com/)
-
wow ! that is an awesome kit. The yamaha did not pan out. The guy did not have a title. And it is a pain to title something in illinois without a title. so, I did not buy it. I figured might as well keep my eyes peeled for a bike that I can make into a real cafe racer.
-
To the OP - I told you my mom has a CT-175 .....
That's awesome!! 8) ;D
-
I'm looking at that Suzuki kit, how do you shift the thing with the shifter still located so far forward? With the rear sets its got to be fairly awkward.
-
That's not the shifter.
-
I gotta get me one of those savage conversion kits. That is just too cool.