2.0 cafe racers

Auto Motor Klassiek » Engines » 2.0 cafe racers
Purchasing classics there

Café racers have always been strange bastards for lovers of originality. But in the meantime, the 'real' café racers like Tribsa's, Norvins, Seeleys and Egli's are dearly paid collectors' items. What about café racers' popularity over the last few years? This has resulted in a lot of 'new' motorcycles that are completely pure in the spirit of café racer construction. In addition, many of those reborn motorcycles would otherwise have been scrapped.

Café racers, passion and money

In the first days, building a cafe racer was a thing of passion and money. Really not every enthusiast had enough money to build a slick Tribsa, Egli or Seeley Honda or whatever. A Ducati 250 with clip ons and a steering cockpit were already priceless for many people. But even with a lightweight with an 50 cc Sachs block, a low handlebar and block tape on the front fender, you could be completely out of control.

The new generation

The youngest generation of café racers is often in the budget corner too. Only passed well in the 50 cc station. But just like in the early days, there are now motorcyclists who start building their dream with an 'old', or let the classic, motorcycle. And that the purchase of a technically good basic machine does not have to cost a lot, as everyone knows who sometimes roams the advertisements on the Internet.

It is not rocket science

"The market" has responded to the trend. There is a very wide and pleasantly priced range of beautiful creatures for cafe racers. And a lot of that stuff is very easy to assemble so that as a starting cafe racer builder you really didn't have to go through TH Delft. Of course the party only gets bigger when your technical possibilities are bigger. Being able to do something with a welding device and a lathe, that's fun. Having a milling machine at your disposal is great.

The basis does not have to be expensive

You don't have to find a Ducati 900 or a Kawasaki ZZR 110 to build your dream bike. The pleasure lies precisely in finding an engine from the segment in which not all potential buyers are stumbling over each other. And think 'out of the box'. It is precisely engines that are not directly reminiscent of circuits that, in terms of price, are also extremely suitable for putting such a statement on two wheels. Consider a BMW R60 or a Goldwing. Or an Ural. The CX500s have since been discovered to model everything from them, but you will find a Honda CB360 or a Suzuki 500 four-cylinder for very little. And there is something really fun out of it.

Work wisely

Of course, make sure that your changes have been made responsibly. And start every project with checking the steering head and rear fork bearings, replacing all fluids including the oil in the front fork legs and the brake fluid. And also replace the brake hoses. Check the tires not only for drought cracks and tread, but also for their date. Tires of more than three years old should not be covered by a motorcycle.

But if you have made the right purchase and have met the preconditions, then nothing stands in the way of the birth of your own unique motorcycle.

And if you go 'easy' you can now drive classic on a Royal Enfield instantly. So there is no chance of escaping the café racer virus.

All's well that ends well

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