Cafe Bikes? | FerrariChat

Cafe Bikes?

Discussion in 'Motorcycles & Boats' started by blue62, Aug 27, 2010.

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  1. blue62

    blue62 Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2009
    593
    Rainyville, WA
    Full Name:
    Chad
    A guy I work with has fallen madly in love with the whole cafe look and has decided to persue a bike but being new to the idea isn't entirely sure what kind of bikes would be best. He's on a budget of about $2500-$3000 and so far is currently leaning towards an older Honda CB750. Any suggestions?
     
  2. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 Wade, Aug 27, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. wang

    wang Formula 3

    Feb 23, 2004
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    Wow those triumphs look really nice.

    To have the look you want you really need to chop some stock bikes....
     
  4. ApexOversteer

    ApexOversteer F1 Veteran

    Feb 15, 2007
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    #4 ApexOversteer, Aug 27, 2010
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  5. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    Apr 3, 2006
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    I have been searching eBay for one for a few months now. Most good ones are on the west coast.
     
  6. blue62

    blue62 Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2009
    593
    Rainyville, WA
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    Chad
    He was looking at doing a '76 CB750 but now he's looking at about an '84 750. His argument is that the '84 with the right parts still look decent but the the '84 is about 50lbs lighter and around 25hp more than the '76, plus has rear disc brakes and parts are a little easier to find on top of bikes being a bit cheaper to start with. I tried talking him into an english bike but they're a bit out of his budget
     
  7. Air_Cooled_Nut

    Air_Cooled_Nut Formula Junior

    Nov 25, 2004
    952
    Portland, Oregon
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    Toby Erkson
    #7 Air_Cooled_Nut, Aug 27, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I really fell in love w/the look of cafe bikes too but didn't want yet another project so I bought one from the factory...a 2006 Ducati Sport Classic 1000 monoposto :D
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  8. blue62

    blue62 Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2009
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    #8 blue62, Aug 28, 2010
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2010
    That is deffinately an awesome looking bike! Unfortunately I think a little outside the $3000 price limit lol
     
  9. wang

    wang Formula 3

    Feb 23, 2004
    1,998
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    I have seen a few cheap 125cc bikes by yamaha etc chopped up and made to look like cafe racers and also some Indian made enfields as well. The look is quite good actually and definitely in your price range :)
     
  10. blue62

    blue62 Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2009
    593
    Rainyville, WA
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    Chad
    Though in the budget power would be a problem with a small displacement bike. He used to ride an R1 and while he knows the power will be nothing near it he still wants a bit of get up. The whole search actually began with a beautiful CB350 but power was one of the things that was required to be decent as he wants to be able to cruise on the freeway no problems and he's 6'3" and about 245lbs so the 350 was soon out of the picture
     
  11. Air_Cooled_Nut

    Air_Cooled_Nut Formula Junior

    Nov 25, 2004
    952
    Portland, Oregon
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    Okay, I recommend he check out the Naked Goldwing Forum (I'm a member there). Have him look at the potential: http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4781&highlight=bulldogbobber

    With an old GW he will have power to pull him and a passenger (if he desires) at a lower cost. This is a good route when cost and power constraints conflict. My stock '81 has about 81hp, CDI ignition (stock), light rims (stock) and driveshaft (stock). He can get an earlier model, swap parts, etc. to get a cafe look like spoked rims.

    Turbos and supercharges have been put on these motors. A good friend of mine put an aggressive cam in his (long time ago) and got more high-end grunt out of the engine.
     
  12. ApexOversteer

    ApexOversteer F1 Veteran

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    Fixed that for you. :D
     
  13. blue62

    blue62 Formula Junior

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    Unitil now I've NEVER liked Goldwings but WOW that looks amazing! I just forwarded him the page to see what he thinks
     
  14. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2004
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    You know I never really thought of Goldwings for this type of thing either but I kind of like that!
     
  15. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Whoa, a G/W? That's so cool and a stunning bike!
     
  16. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    I rode many a twisty San Diego back road on a Yamaha RD400 cafe racer many moons ago.
     
  17. JasonMiller

    JasonMiller F1 Rookie
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    #17 JasonMiller, Aug 30, 2010
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  18. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
    5,083
    Missouri
    If he can find a Honda GB500, it will give him the cafe look. I think you can find them for around $3k. Not as smooth as a CB four of course, but a realistic early 90's interpretation of the classing cafe single.
     
  19. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
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    Sweet bikes. I have a CL77 Scrambler, which is a brother to the CB77 Superhawk - you can grab a fine Superhawk for around $3K.

    Here's a nice one for $2,600 - needs the cafe rear and clip-ons, but these were sporty and rev nice!

    http://www.honda305.com/frames/zen-hld1.htm
     
  20. wang

    wang Formula 3

    Feb 23, 2004
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    That bulldog looks as bad(good!) as it's namesake.... That would definitely have enough power for your friend. :D
     
  21. Sikorsky

    Sikorsky Rookie

    Nov 11, 2006
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    Levi SMYTH
  22. Franko3

    Franko3 Rookie

    Jun 3, 2010
    10
    North Salem NY
    I'm a *long-time* cafe guy, before it was chic...

    Building 'em is easy.
    For the budget mentioned, you can't go wrong with a Honda 750 of earlier vintage, parts are out there and by far cheaper than anything else reliable ( e.g a Britbike is just not a truly reliable piece without frequent attention). Any Asian bike 500cc and up oughta do it for power..unless you envision long-haul MadMax-type runnings, then 750 & up is a must.

    I built a backroader from a *free* Kawi KZ400, had a blst, won a prize, sold it. Cost me about 400 dollars all done. Looked like a small Norton.

    I find the resurgeance(sp?) interesting, when I was a kid no one wanted to sell me clip-ons, let alone a fairing, for a KZ650...

    Frank
    '96 900SSSP
    '84 Laverda RGS
     
  23. Pong

    Pong Formula Junior

    Nov 5, 2003
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    #23 Pong, Oct 6, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I love the cafe racers..... But I never got around to build one. I actaully ended up buying the next best thing I can find in Thailand...

    Yamaha SR400.. the one in the background. I cafe it with flat handle bar, cafe seat, super trap-style exhaust and smaller stainless front mud guard... It end up looking decent.

    The one in front is the latest addition. It's a Kawasaki Estreall 250. It's small, light, nimble, a great commuter bike with the classic look. It will be cafe'd soon..ha ha ha.
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  24. Franko3

    Franko3 Rookie

    Jun 3, 2010
    10
    North Salem NY
    Nice lookin'! Too bad the US doesn't get a lot of the cool bikes...
    I'm looking at Enfields right now; nice traditional lines, lots of cafe potential, not expensive either.

    Frank
     
  25. Protouring442

    Protouring442 F1 Veteran

    Sep 5, 2007
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    Harriman, TN
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    One Stupid SOB
    #25 Protouring442, Oct 17, 2010
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