Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?

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Purchasing classics there

There are people who get flakes between their fingers from the idea of ​​converting classics and young timers into cafe racers and scramblers. There must have been people like that in the sixties. But look what we think of Tribsa's and Triton's now.

In the beginning

Building cafe racers was once, as now, mainly a budget affair for younger motorcyclists. That 'we' are now doing it a bit tidier out of nostalgia as long as the knees still want to bend? Also fine! The basic bikes and donors used to be cheap. And there was often more tinkering than driving (hard). But it was driven hard. It was at the time that De Jeugd kept busy in pubs and those kinds of festive locations.

The term café racer comes from the brilliant idea of ​​starting a single (vinyl, not a single, seeking, M/F) in the jukebox. The aspiring hero would then get on his motorcycle and have to do a predetermined lap and be back before the song was over. In the sixties and early seventies, a single lasted about four or five minutes. The idea that motorcycling was dangerous must have originated then. The premier league of cafe racers were the 'ton up boys', the riders of motorcycles that ran faster than 'the magic barrel', 100 miles per hour, say 160 km/h. We're talking about Tritons, Tribsa's and a sporadic Norvin.

At the moment it is mainly many classic-like, but not very appreciated Japanese and BMWs that are being transformed into café racers. These are often machines with so little collector value that they would eventually have been scrapped if they had not started their second life. Honda's CX 500, which until recently only fetched more than the kilo price when they were ZGAN. Yamaha XS 750 and 850 three-cylinder that - if not immaculate - actually have no value. But Honda CB 400s and CB 200s are also happy to be converted into cafe racers. And BMWs…

Remodeling a BMW. Is that allowed?

Now there is a taboo in certain circles on anything that makes a BMW deviate from its factory originality. For example, a BMW R75/5 is a historic highlight in motorcycle construction. And those Bavarians with their drum brakes are kind of icons. Early R75/5s are now quite scarce. So to restore a somewhat neglected R75/5 in all its glory? We understand that… But still: A BMW R60/6? That was a motorcycle that made little impression. Clearly an evolution model and second choice, actually made for government services. A BMW R60/6 was – with all due respect – a pretty boring thing. A kind of two-wheeled über Kadett.

The /6 we found was pale blue from the cold, completely dazed among the slender red Italian beauties at Startwin in Loenen. The Loenense Italo lovers find the German trade-in unreservedly endearing. It's a bike that's actually a perfect example of the kind of café racers (and scramblers) being built right now by people in their twenty-five-thirties. By the generation of which many classic enthusiasts can say: "The generation after us". And let's be happy about that. Because it looked quite a while if such a generation could not come at all.

But certainly in the Randstad, a growing group of younger people M/F etc. are completely 'into affordable, old motorcycles adapted to their own taste' again. Just like we used to be. We look at the BMW and see… That the paintwork is neatly done in any case. The taillights are cool classic. By conservative estimates, the headlight has previously lived on a Yamaha 650. We also know the clip-ons from somewhere. Wiring is minimized and the flat head triple clamp contains tiny warning lights.

The price of perfection

The entire engine block is traditionally painted matte black. Apparently just with a spray can. But we already mentioned it: Café racers were often budget bikes. Whatever the price of a perfect Triton is now. No idea what the exhaust bends are like. They are - very modern - wrapped with heat-resistant tape. Like the knees of a fallen skateboarder. In theory there could be a valid reason for this. Heat wrapping is used in the automotive world to limit heat radiation under the hood. After all, more heat in the exhaust gases gives a better flow? We see it more as camouflage of bad chrome and protection against heat. The side-slash exhausts on the powder blue trade-in at Startwin seem to belong more on a chopper or custom. Naturally, original Megatons* or Dunstall Decibel dampers belong on a café racer. The originals. Because Chinese imitation stuff often loses more power than you would like. That also applies to imitation K&N filters that you can buy everywhere for small change.

It's about the details

What is a bit sad with many cafe racers is the connection of the seat to the frame and tank. That is neatly done with the pale blue Beier. The dual front disc brake was once optional with BMW. The front fender is a trimmed standard one. The whole machine shows that it has been worked on with attention and a clearly limited budget. The rearset is clearly one of the series 1.0. But works. You can see on the air filters that they worked 'frugally', but not too 'frugally'. Those are real K&Ns. The former air cleaner housing is now home to some wiring and electrics. The suction holes are blinded. Correctly. We look at the R60 in peace. The previous owner has built a nice base with it. Those slash-cut exhausts are daft, of course, but that's no problem. And in terms of 'wraps', we prefer them on our plate, rather than around exhaust bends. Perfection is a laborious pursuit, but there really has to be a BMW emblem on the left half of the tank. Technically the BMW is in order. He recently had his interview. The machine still deserves, or requires, some detail care, just some tender loving care. Some cleaning and cuddling. And so other mufflers. The asking price of the /6 is € 3.350.

Typefour-stroke, two-cylinder, OHV, “Boxer” engine, air cooled
Bore X stroke73,5 x 70,6 mm
Cylinder content599 cm3
Maximum power40 hp (29,5 kW) at 6400 rpm
Max torque49 Nm at 5000 rpm
Compression ratio9,2:1
Fuel system2 Bing 1/26/111-112 od.1/26/123-124
Linksingle clutch disc with a diaphragm pressure group
Number of gears5
IgnitionBattery coil, contacts
Type of frameDouble cradle frame with bolt-on rear frame
Ferry travel208 / 125 mm
Front wheel1,85/19/XNUMX B XNUMX
Rear wheel2,15/18/XNUMX B XNUMX
Tank contents18 l, optional 22 l tank
Empty weight, with full tank210 kg.
Top speedMore than 160 km/h 

Uptime, reliability, parts availability, key friendliness: 100%

Suppliers/specialists of two-valve boxer gear: Beck from Wijhe, De Knalpot from Rilland, the Hobbyist from Hunsel, the Boxertoko from Ysselsteyn, Boxersteen from Serooskerke and others.

Suppliers of cafe racer gear: JV motors, Cafe Racer Parts, Ace-caferacerparts, customcaferacershopA, Japarts, Motolab, Femon. Cafe raceramsterdam and more. There are quite a few online providers from the Randstad. And then of course there is also the fair in Hardenberg and the local motorcycle demolition.

* Have those Megatons modified at Startwin. That takes the messy crackle out of the mufflers.

With a BMW you can fully indulge yourself as a builder. But you can actually do that with any brand. And the price of the final result? That is completely in your hands. Nice is not it?

Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?
A stub

Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?
Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?
Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?
The connoisseur sees the difference: This is a replica

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19 comments

  1. 15 years ago an R60/6 converted into a cafe racer, bought as a wreck, so nothing to mess up, very fun and educational to do, later heard many nice comments and sold "nicely".
    Not everyone's thing of course, but that's the case with everything.
    That the performance does not always improve with the changes is true, but such a 60/6 is not made for speed either, so always good what you do, as long as you enjoy it.

    Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?

  2. You can argue about taste, and what one person finds beautiful…is hideously ugly for another.
    This beast (XS850) has been a loyal stable resident of mine for 18 years.

    Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?

  3. I personally don't like the "modern" cafe racers, not very imaginative either. But the cafe racers as they were built in the past still appeal to me. My Honda CB500T from 75 was very old-fashioned and I still had an original tank from a Black Bomber, so converted it into a cafe racer in the 60s look. The frame has of course been left intact and all parts have been kept, so it can be rebuilt in no time. So fun.
    In my view, vandalism is rebuilding the frame and throwing away all original parts.

    Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?

  4. Well Dolf I think you have rarely bought a single, you should be happy if they are 4min. lasted let alone 5 or you meant an exception like Alice Cooper with a number that never ended.
    I myself love the original old look racers, but not like the motorcycles with half a meter of air between the rear tire and the saddle. I tend to close it with scraps :-).

  5. Some really know how to 'frit' together something nice, but others screw it up quite a bit. I'm more of a risk poorer and prefer to leave it as it is with respect to the original. I'm more concerned with the performance and 'Laufkultur' of the power source, the braking and the handling. A carefully assembled and adjusted kit from Hyperpro works wonders. At least with my Berlin Boxers anyway.
    The R60/6 shown will originally have had 40 horses in the stable, but I dare to doubt whether that is still the case with those 'slash cut' exhaust pipes. BMW makes really good exhaust systems that you can actually only ruin by putting open stuff under them 😢

  6. The position to which the rear brake key is set makes me fear the worst for the technical condition of this structure. And with K and N air filter and open pipes without balance pipe, this thing certainly does not run 160, perhaps just on the counter with wind at the back of a dike with the pub in sight ....

  7. I don't like the look of most conversions to cafe racers by far. Especially the 2V BMW Boxers are often converted or. raped. I don't like it, mummy tape around the exhaust bends, Bing CV carburetors without an airbox, short noise pipes on it, tractor seat or a covered plank as a seat, spring struts screwed directly to the main frame, 'nice' tires. And then find it strange that the engine does not perform well and it does not drive well at all.

    It cannot be driven further than the ice cream parlor and a circle around the church. And when selling, some also think that they have done a world job and then ask the top price for their misfire.

    But to each his own, go ahead if you need it!

  8. How often do I see a project started on fb and later with an excuse from I unfortunately don't have time for it anymore, and the bike is completely mutilated and is quickly offered for a candy price, some ready-made completely irresponsible roadworthy I think quickly enter the MOT for motorcycles tomorrow 😥😥😥

    Cafe racers: Fun or vandalism?

  9. That market in Hardenberg (ok..Hoogenweg) is only there one more time...and then it's over and done with a good old tradition...:(

    March 25 is the last edition..

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