The term "Cafe Racer" refers to man and machine. This sub-culture is a certain character of man and machine, not your typical Harley guy or Sunday afternoon cruzer type of dude. Some don helmets and leathers and venture out for a Sunday morning ride to random cafes for a cup of coffee or hit the streets in the evening looking for a cold Beer. You could say that the term "Cafe Racer", is a term that defines a man and his machine.
Not all motorcycles make for good cafe racers; it doesn't matter if it's a Honda, BSA, Norton, Norvin, Yamaha, Triumph, Triton, Moto Guzzi, Ducati, BMW or Kawasaki once modified into a cafe racer its not going to be built for comfort. In fact, when a man determines which type of motorcycle he wants to modify, its all about speed and handling not comfort. The kind of man that modifies bikes into cafe racers appreciates engineering and is not afraid to take on the risks of reconstructing some manufacturer's production line plain Jane and converting it to a fine runway model. These are calculated risks, however, and are only for the man who has the vision and the love of the sport and are not risks for the weekend warrior. In fact; some of the parts that are fitted onto these motorcycles are unique and can't be purchased, they are custom built in machine shops. Therefore, "Cafe Racer" is more than just the motorcycle alone, it is also the man behind the creation of the machine.
The bike and the man are "The Cafe Racer". So, in the end its about man and machine, the thrill of the road, the chill in the air, the all-by-chance feeling of living free as we go from one cafe to the next. Personally, I know its all worth it when I'm standing in front of a cafe, sip that first cup of hot coffee and someone says "Is that bike yours?"
By:Dana Wilson
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Walt Siegl
Not all motorcycles make for good cafe racers; it doesn't matter if it's a Honda, BSA, Norton, Norvin, Yamaha, Triumph, Triton, Moto Guzzi, Ducati, BMW or Kawasaki once modified into a cafe racer its not going to be built for comfort. In fact, when a man determines which type of motorcycle he wants to modify, its all about speed and handling not comfort. The kind of man that modifies bikes into cafe racers appreciates engineering and is not afraid to take on the risks of reconstructing some manufacturer's production line plain Jane and converting it to a fine runway model. These are calculated risks, however, and are only for the man who has the vision and the love of the sport and are not risks for the weekend warrior. In fact; some of the parts that are fitted onto these motorcycles are unique and can't be purchased, they are custom built in machine shops. Therefore, "Cafe Racer" is more than just the motorcycle alone, it is also the man behind the creation of the machine.
For me, the Sunday morning ride is more than the need for a cup of coffee (how much coffee can one drink anyway). We go to multiple cafe's for comradeship, show off our bike, check out other bikes and appreciate the work and creativity that went into building them. By pulling up in front of a cafe’ and peers, the cool mystique of the man quietly demonstrates his knowledge
through his creation by which he is held accountable for its out come.
The bike and the man are "The Cafe Racer". So, in the end its about man and machine, the thrill of the road, the chill in the air, the all-by-chance feeling of living free as we go from one cafe to the next. Personally, I know its all worth it when I'm standing in front of a cafe, sip that first cup of hot coffee and someone says "Is that bike yours?"
By:Dana Wilson
This is my 2009 Ducati 1198
