The beautiful Cafe Racer pictured above is called “Brownie” and derives from a 1980 Honda CB750, the first Honda motorcycle to feature a transverse, overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder engine. The bike has been created by Spanish company CRD (Cafe Racer Dreams), which added Keihin carburettors, free-flowing filters and a custom-made exhaust system, while suspension is provided by Showa forks on the front and Hagon shocks on the rear. The bike also uses Renthal Ultra Low handlebars and tailor-made front and rear lights.

Electrics have been revised too, with the battery now relocated in a small custom-made aluminum box and the ignition key unit placed under the modified standard fuel tank, on the right side. All these changes created an empty space underneath the custom-made saddle that gives the “Brownie” a definitely original look, aptly completed by the classy brown, gold and black color scheme.

via | BikeExif
pictures | CRD Mototrcycles

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The pictured bike was built for Season Two of Discovery Channel’s “Cafe Racer” TV show, and it is what Mr. Greg Hageman of Doc’s Chops made out of a Yamaha Virago XV750 from the 80s. Hageman built a new subframe, lowered the fork by two inches (about 5 cm) and added a Tarozzi fork brace as well as a couple of Tarozzi rearsets and clip-ons to improve the riding position. On the rear there is an adjustable air-assisted monoshock, while a simple Acewell unit replaces Virago’s standard instrumentation.

The original engine has not been touched, although its Hitachi carburettors got now a new jet and new K&N filters. The model also uses a Mac Performance exhaust system, and Bridgestone tyres.

via | BikeExif

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This post won’t be for everyone - particularly those who might be upset on seeing a Ducati 900 SS taken to bits and put back together again to become this new Ducati Café Racer. Still, kudos must go to the guy who spent nine long months building his creation, starting from the basics of the 1991 900 SS and adding an 1100 Hypermotard engine.

In fact, the only thing that remains of the original 900 SS model is the front part of the trellis frame. In addition to the Hypermotard engine we can see Aprilia RSV 1000 front forks and Ohlins suspension. Other features include magnesium wheels and aluminium handlebars, and a completely redesigned exhaust which we’ll leave to you to decide whether you like it or not.

Our guys at Motoblog.it are calling the rear a masterpiece - it’s made from a carbonfibre piece using autoclave techniques. In the Ducati Cafe Racer pics below you can see the original 900 SS and see what it became at the end of the process.

Ducati Cafe Racer

Source | CafeRacerTeam

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Cafe cowboy from benedict campbell on Vimeo.

In a wonderful amalgamation of tradition, family history and motorcycle culture, Americans build some of the most beautiful custom bikes often inspired by European motorcycle culture. In this video, we hear custom motorcycle builder Dustin Kott describe how and why he makes his vintage custom bikes. The Benedict Campbell film is beautifully shot and was made after Campbell met Kott at a Harley-Davidson photo shoot.

Campbell is British and wanted to make the film on Kott because the bike builder is a “classic American” who rebuilds 1970’s Hondas in the style of British Cafe Racers. In the video Kott describes his early days and goes on to discuss the similarities and differences between American hot rods and British cafe racers, how he managed to make a living in the industry and why he uses Hondas. Check it out above.

Source | Jalopnik

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Here’s another Triumph cafe racer special, this time in the form of a Bonneville cafe racer from Fabio in Italy. It’s unusual to see this kind of bike in Italy, as the Italians generally go for scooters or sports bikes and nothing in between. In fact, our colleagues are saying it could be an age thing or the desire to have a bike that’s different to all the others on the roads, but these kind of Triumph cafe racers are becoming more appealing (although this one is perhaps a little less refined than other examples we’ve seen).

Bonneville special cafe

Source | Motoblog.it

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Take a look at this Triumph Thunderbird 1600 in café racer guise. The bike has been put together by Swede Sivert Raask from Raask accessories specialist, and has a new tank, seat and fairing. The exhaust has also been given an overhaul.

Raask has also built café racer versions of the Bonneville and Rocket III and thought the Thunderbird would equally lend itself to a few modifications. The tank comes from a Ducati 900 and the seat is all home-made. A new speedometer and rearsets have also been fitted. The Triumph Thunderbird 1600 Café Racer is the latest in Raask’s career, which first started back in 1967 with the rebuilding of a Norton Atlas.

Triumph Thunderbird Cafe Racer

Source | MCN via Motosblog.fr

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This Moto Guzzi special edition by Filippo Barbacane, called the “Coppa Acerbo” is based on the beautiful Moto Guzzi V11. The ‘Coppa Acerbo’ name refers to a race that was held in Pescara, Italy, from 1924 to 1961, which was then renamed (Circuito di Pescara) as the creator of the race, Giacomo Acerbo, was a government minister during Italy’s fascist period. The race was more than 25 kg long, and much of it was on a city track.

Barbacane dedicated the ‘Coppa Acerbo’ to this race, in a Guzzi which apparently disappeared from the sales list a few years ago. This special edition Moto Guzzi features “Alpine” spoke wheels, hand-built chrome exhaust, aluminium front mud guards, and an Ergal transmission shaft. The seat is wider than that of a classic V11 and the rear lights are also new.

This particular Moto Guzzi Coppa Acerbo has a few extra modifications from Rossopuro, specialists in Moto Guzzi accessories. If you want to see more of their work, visit the Rossopuro website.

Moto Guzzi V11 Coppa Acerbo by Barbacane

Continue reading: Moto Guzzi V11 special edition by Barbacane: the Coppa Acerbo

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Here’s a look at the Super Rat Triumph Cafe Racer, based on an early 70’s Triumph Trident, which has apparently created some controversy due to its mandrel bent oil tank feature. The project started off with a Trident engine that needed to be rebuilt, and the frame of a 70’s Trident. The whole process involved digging out old “how to” books from the 70’s and a whole lot of technical creativity. See how they did it in the “making of” movie after the jump (auto play). For more pics, see de Rosa photography.

Continue reading: Super Rat Triumph Cafe Racer: custom-built Triumph Trident

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In an example of lovely, pure workmanship, here is the Riviera 2008 café racer from Walt Siegl. The bike brings to mind style and class of bygone days, in delicate but robust workmanship. Something for Sunday afternoon outings, we should think. For a closer look at some Walt Siegl’s motorcycle masterpieces, check out the custom bike builder’s site.

Source | Motosblog.fr

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Chabott Engineering custom bike builder Shinya Kimura has put together this café racer for Hollywood hearthrob and motorcycle lover Brad Pitt.

This one off custom bike dubbed ‘Flash’ has a 1974 Ducati engine and the rest is pure Kimura craftmanship with the oil cooler uniquely mounted next to the headlight.

Pitt may want to avoid the paps when he’s out riding, but with stylish bike he’ll stand out even more on the California roads.

Source | topspeed

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This impressive Harley Davidson Café Racer comes from American Motorcycle Parts and has a whole 1750 cc of power. The Café Racer XRTT has a mix of English and US style, with the rear tail and single seat dominating the overall look.

Other features include twin Supertrap mufflers, retro look orange tint fuel tank, two large bespoked wheels and plenty of chrome. See the AMCP site for further details, or to get in touch with the famous Bill Nigro from American Motorcycle Parts.

Source | Racing Cafe via Motosblog.fr

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