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Discussion What is the definition of a cafe racer ?

Discussion in 'The Pub' started by kiffsta, Jul 29, 2018.

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  1. Wozza

    Wozza Active Member

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    If you read up on the history of the "brat style" it kind of makes sense
    for me there are 3 main categories of bikes
    Stock
    User modified
    art/show bikes..... or lamlams (look at me look at me)
    all the other titles are just lifestyle identity tags :D
     
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    Wozza, Jul 30, 2018
    #21
  2. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    I actually posted this link in another thread but it is probably more relevant here. This is a 4 part BBC Doco on The Glory Days of British Motorbikes and covers the "Cafe Racer" phenomenon..
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6f9PDd78CvFPJ8amNERcD58FCzopH_z9

    Realistically.. the British boys were doing a very similar thing to what the Americans were doing to their homegrown bikes (Harleys)... Early Post War bikes (AJS, BSA, Norton) were originally military machines with plenty of weight so they were stripped down to allow them to road race.. they all wanted to be "Ton up" boys and weight was always a limiting factor so anything that didnt make it go faster.. had to go... Manufacturers soon got on board and the likes of Norton, Triumph and BSA were producing powerful (for the day) machines with increasing capacity and much better handling with styling similar to the early Cafe Racers or even race machines barely legal for the road once optioned up.

    Americans were doing the same sort of thing with Harleys and they were "chopping" them up initially to go faster but then they were being stylised with extended forks, sissy bars etc as this was more suited to the American roads.. they didnt need to go round too many corners.

    Then along comes the Japanese Bike industry.. The bike that really broke the British Bike industry and hit the US hard as well was the original Honda 750 4. The rise of the sport bike started there and has gone on in leaps and bounds.

    Cafe Racers have gone very much along the line of Choppers... many these days are so far removed from the original concept that they bare very little resemblance to what we would call a "classic" Cafe Racer or Chopper.

    In the end it doesnt matter what you call your modified bike... if it suits your purpose then that is all that matters.. my tastes are different to yours etc.. in the end.. we all just love Bikes :)

    Some other reading material...
    http://caferacertv.com/the-history-of-cafe-racers/
     
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    Andych, Jul 30, 2018
    #22
  3. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    strong espresso and the resulting dash to the toilet
     
    ruckusman, Jul 30, 2018
    #23
  4. Wozza

    Wozza Active Member

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    At our age who has got time to dash anywhere :D
     
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    Wozza, Jul 30, 2018
    #24
  5. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    "Cafe Racer" phenomenon has to be better than some of the trends of late...

    A "Bagger" appears to be a bike with a huge front wheel and saddle bags!

    Bagger 1.jpg Bagger 2.jpg

     
    Frankster, Jul 30, 2018
    #25
  6. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Geez, I only know of 1, 2 or 3 baggers. Nothing at all to with motorbikes, more like Town Bikes


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     
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    Andych, Jul 30, 2018
    #26
  7. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Why does something about that, the name, some thing else perhaps, suggest scrotum - bagger...
     
    ruckusman, Jul 30, 2018
    #27
  8. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Ha ha ha. You may have to explain that to some of our younger viewers. ROFL.
     
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    Murdo, Jul 31, 2018
    #28
  9. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    I'm going to start referring to those bikes as "Tea Baggers".
     
    Frankster, Jul 31, 2018
    #29
  10. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Isn't it referring to air bag rear suspension ?
     
    my67xr, Jul 31, 2018
    #30
  11. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Im going to refer to them as stupid , ugly , gross and a total waste of time and money ..... and I bet they corner well too

    A bag of shite

    :lolsign:
     
    GreyImport, Jul 31, 2018
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  12. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    I'm not sure. I know HD and Indian folks talk about "baggers" when they refer to touring bikes or anything with saddle bags. More importantly, I'm with the Chief on my opinion of them...yuk. They remind me of a tricycle I used to ride as a 2-year old.
     
    Frankster, Jul 31, 2018
    #32
  13. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    It is certainly the case.. .the term was originally used as an insult but they are becoming a bit of a cult thing in the US now for some unknown reason.. oh wait.. their taste is in their a$$... that would be it.
     
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    Andych, Jul 31, 2018
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  14. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Here u go boys ... for 50 grand u too can look like a tosser :)

    tosser.png
     
    GreyImport, Jul 31, 2018
    #34
  15. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    At least it will never fall over... or go round corners either :)
     
    Andych, Jul 31, 2018
    #35
  16. Cuda

    Cuda Guest

    Not a hard one to work out really is it .......

    THIS ....is a Cafe Racer
    upload_2018-7-31_11-1-11.jpeg
    THIS ... is a Cafe Racer
    upload_2018-7-31_11-1-46.jpeg
    THIS ....is just WRONG on SO MANY levels
    upload_2018-7-31_11-2-26.jpeg
     
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    Cuda, Jul 31, 2018
    #36
  17. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Exhaust wrap - check
    Brown seat - check
    Illegal / lacking mudguard - check
    Exhaust wrap - check
    Pod filter - check

    Case closed
     
    Linkin, Jul 31, 2018
    #37
  18. Cuda

    Cuda Guest

    So ..Just to check-check
    I take it you're agreeing the little Honda 'isn't, what some deem to be a 'cafe racer-check?
    Coz 'if that's the case ... I'm in complete agreement-check :D
     
    Cuda, Jul 31, 2018
    #38
  19. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Yep, a 'cafe racer' built for looks and flogged for sale by the likes of certain trendy inner city 'motorcycle garages' to hipsters... $10,000 for a GSX250 hacked to bits... bargain!
     
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    Linkin, Jul 31, 2018
    #39
  20. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    You inspired me @Linkin, problem solved. The new name for those things is 'Latte Racer', or we could go for Starbucks Racer.
     
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    maelstrom, Jul 31, 2018
    #40
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