Image via Complex Original
Cafe racers are about more than just aesthetics. Clean lines are beautiful and desirable, but they’re also a side-benefit of losing unnecessary bike bits that weigh you down and keep your bike from performing as well as it could. Add in further mods to unlock a bike’s performance potential, and you very loosely have the recipe for a cafe racer customization. Doing the ton -- that’s 100mph -- is, of course, a goal. But it’s not the only goal. Becoming a beautiful cafe racer is something that even tiny displacement bikes can aspire to do.
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Triumph Thruxton Doomrider
Builder: The Tarantulas
The Triumph Thruxton is essentially a factory-built modern cafe racer. Built around the same 865cc engine as the current Triumph Bonneville, it's a solid, nimble, agile bike. Its looks aren't bad, either. The Tarantulas sexed it up by powder coating a bunch of parts in black, adding fork gaiters, and adding a black wrap to the exhaust. The result? This Thruxton is ready for the apocalypse.
Honda CB360 Lucky 7even Cafe Racer
Builder: Peter Cabral
The lucky owner of this beautiful CB360 saw potential in the rusty hunk of metal with seized brakes that he bought a few years back. With a lot of loving care, he rebuilt everything that needed rebuilding, including the engine, carbs, and brake caliper. He also handled the cosmetic upgrades himself, although he did have a local shop mix up the metallic orange paint -- which he then sprayed on in his garage. Cabral bought this bike for a song, then put the money he saved into building it from the ground up and making it very much his. This is basic DIY at its best.
Honda JX110 Cafe Racer
Builder: Torsak
Yes, that's a 110cc bike. You'll see a lot of smaller-displacement bikes in Thailand and elsewhere in Asia, but not all have owners like Torsak, who make them look as good as this. The only things he didn't modify are the engine and the frame. Some bits were bolt-on, but others -- including the seat and the exhaust -- were custom-made.
Ducati S2R 800 cafe racer
Builder: Patryk Matla
Ducati's Sport Classics were modern factory-built cafe racers, and it's no surprise that they went up in value after Ducati discontinued them. But a Monster-based cafe racer? Specifically, an S2R Monster-based cafe racer? That beautiful trellis frame and single-sided swingarm just beg to be put on as much glorious display as possible, so why not? Matla upgraded the brakes and suspension, and also replaced the stock airbox with two unfettered K&N filters that jut out of the frame to flow air. We really love scratch-effect on the rims.
Honda CBX1000 Raw
Builder: MotoRRetro
Vaughan Ryan's vision for this CBX1000 build was that of a "modern factory prototype CBX cafe racer." In the right hands, there's something beautiful and alluring about raw sheet metal/alloy like this, almost like we're seeing something we shouldn't be seeing. Naked bike? Ryan will do you one better.
BMW R80 Ruby Racer
Builder: Kevils Speed Shop
If you can't get enough of the vintage aesthetic, Les Ateliers Ruby makes some gorgeous and unique high-end motorcycle gear. While a lot of motorcycle riders might choose gear at least partially to match their bikes, this is an example of a custom cafe racer being built to match a customer's lid. Classic BMWs can, by nature, look a bit bulky, so Kevils Speed Shop blacked out the engine. Boom! Visual tidiness achieved.
Moto Guzzi V35 "Black Boot"
Builder: Marco Matteucci
As if to further drive home the point that anyone who cares to put in the time and effort can build a bike, Italian graphic designer Marco Matteucci built this stunner on his very first attempt at building a bike -- after having never so much as changed the oil on a bike before. Being a graphic designer and photographer admittedly helped with his aesthetic sense, but Matteucci didn't just slap paint on the body work and call it a day. Instead, he tore down and rebuilt the engine with all necessary new components and polishing. Then he concentrated on the all-important aesthetic touches, including designing and laser-cutting the two brass eagles and "Black Boot" logos you see on the tank. Not bad for a first time out.
RSD Technics Harley 883 Cafe Racer
Builder: Roland Sands Design
Does it really count if it was a corporate-commissioned design? Do your eyes care? We're suckers for those turntable-styled wheels. How could you not love those? We hate cheesy advertising campaigns and commissions as much as the next guy, but we have to give them props when they're done well -- as is the case here. Good design is good design.
La Haduc
Builder: Piet van den Breevaart
Builder Piet refers to La Haduc as a "bitsa bike," meaning it's made of "bitsa this" and "bitsa that." The name should give it away to anyone into motorcycles. Primary components on this bike include Laverda 750F wheels, a Harley XL1200 R engine, and a Ducati 860 GT frame. Hence, La Haduc. We love builds like this that give new life to components of classic bikes, reimagining them in ways you'll probably only see once in your life.
Yamaha XT600 Cafe Racer
Builder: Christian
Christian's dad gave him the XT600 Tenere that formed the basis for this build as a hand-me-down. After deciding that he only really wanted to keep the engine from it, Christian went to work building the bike he wanted around that engine. Various Ducati bits (including a 916 front end), a tank from an XS750, a custom exhaust, and even a modified cup from IKEA (which houses the speedometer) all found their way into the build. Christian upgraded the engine a bit, including installation of a Keihin FCR 35mm carb. That headlight? From a Citroen 2CV.
Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk II
Builder: Kaffeemaschine
Kaffeemaschine's Axel Budde overhauled the stock LeMans engine before having it tuned by HTMoto, so it's now actually powered by a 1000cc lump. Other upgrades include a bespoke full stainless steel exhaust, electronic ignition, rebuilt brakes with stainless steel lines, and handmade matching leather seat and grips. Simple. Elegant. Striking. Beautiful.
Matchless Cafe Racer
Builder: StudioMotor
Vintage motorcycle fans know that Matchless was the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in England, having built bikes since 1899. Unfortunately, Matchless closed its doors in 1966, so seeing one of them is considerably rarer than seeing classic Nortons, Vincents, or Triumphs of the era. This beauty is based on a 1954 500cc, with paint and detailing by Comet Studio and a custom Jet Hot exhaust. Some other modern bits include a Yamaha headlight and modified wheels from a Honda CBF400. It is, indeed, matchless.
Voxin Cafe Racer
Builder: MotoMartin
Voxan was an unfortunately short-lived French motorcycle manufacturer that built sporty V-twin bikes for the European market. After the 2000 Voxan donor bike was wrecked, the engine was fine -- and renowned cafe racer builder Georges Martin (MotoMartin) stuck it in a custom frame to start building this bike. A Ducati 916 front end, a custom tank, and a Mecatig-Vattier exhaust were just some of the other components of this build. Did we mention that it makes 125 HP?
Yamaha SR500
Builder: Kurumazakashita
This SR500 is all about smoothness. Fabricator Mr. Noro of Kurumazakashita beat single sheets of aluminum into shape to form each of the body panels on this fully-faired epitome of the phrase "Oooh, shiny." As a result, this bike features no welds or seams anywhere -- even on its custom fabricated exhaust. We don't know how long it took to beat each piece into shape. Looking at the gorgeous end result, we're pretty sure any time it took was well worth it.
Suzuki GSX 1200 X "Tsar"
Builder: Holographic Hammer
BMW Motorrad designer Sylvain Berneron likes to design custom bikes under his "Holographic Hammer" alter ego. Unsurprisingly, he designed and built the Tsar himself, out of a Suzuki GSX 1200 Inazuma. With the help of friend and mechanic Hugo Lambert, Berneron made several key changes including shortening the subframe by 30 cm, changing out the exhaust and fitting a ZARD can, and adding some Yoshimura cams. Some black powdercoating and a Barry Sheen-inspired paint job make this bike look as good as it is fast -- it's already a proven drag race winner at Wheels and Waves in Biarritz, France.
Yamaha SR500 "Manxy Racer"
Builder: Addiction Customs
If you know the history of the Isle of Man TT, you know the 1950s were the years of Manx Norton domination. Like so many others, builder Nick of Addiction Customs in Sydney, Australia dreamed of this tribute to those bikes and began setting aside appropriate parts as he found them. This wasn't just a build for a customer, however; Nick wanted this beauty for himself. Sure, it's a potent showpiece for what his shop is all about -- but more than that, it's a glorious way to get around.
Honda CB750F "Secret Ninja"
Builder: Tige
Honda CB750s are seen by many as perfect starting points for a cafe racer build. It's easy to see why they're such an ideal canvas. Builder Tige didn't only want the cafe racer aesthetic, however. Instead, he wanted the true spirit of cafe racing: performance upgrades. To realize his dreams, he completely overhauled the engine to an impressive 915cc of displacement. The Secret Ninja also sports a full Yoshimura exhaust (which we'd guess makes it not so secret after all), as well as braided stainless steel lines. That gorgeous gray paint was a Porsche factory color -- and yes, Tige handled all the paint duties himself. This is advanced DIY at its best. The build thread linked above is quite long, but well worth it for inspiration if you're thinking of tackling a project like this yourself.
Suzuki Goose Cafe Racer
Builder: Gull Craft
The Suzuki Goose originally started life as a very basic 250cc motorcycle, but Gull Craft tweaked the engine to 376cc and performed numerous other performance upgrades so it can, in fact, do the ton. Serious suspension and brake upgrades followed; after all, a more powerful bike needs to handle and stop well, too. Several heavy stock Suzuki parts were replaced with aluminum ones that were fabricated in-house. The body work and paint are all custom work done by Gull Craft, as well. The resulting bike is clean, fast, and unlike anything else.
Shinya Kimura Cafe Sportster
Builder: Shinya Kimura and Chabott Engineering
It's impossible to talk about custom bike building, cafe racers, and/or the beauty of hand-fabricated, raw metal body parts without mentioning Shinya Kimura at least once. There are the kind of builds that use all bolt-on parts, the kind that use some fabricated bits and some bolt-on parts, the kind that stick to aesthetic improvements only (not really "building" at all)...and then there's something like this. Kimura is justifiably a legend, and bikes like this radical reinterpretation of a 2003 100th anniversary edition Harley-Davidson Sportster are the reason why.
Taimoshan Super Cafe Racer
Builder: Taimoshan Cycle Works
One of the great things about the upswing in cafe racer build popularity is that the rules are pretty relaxed. This Rotax Aprilia RSV-engined beauty is a great example. With everything on display in a cafe racer build, builder John Pellew needed a V-twin that was not only capable, but also aesthetically pleasing. RSV lump, meet cafe build.
Honda CB750 "Old Spirit"
Builder: Ruleshaker
This is what we mean by the CB750 being such an excellent blank canvas from which interested builders can make something amazing. We love a well-executed half-fairing, and wish we saw them more often. We also love the simple, beautiful blue stripe that goes all the way around. Ruleshaker opted to ditch the airbox for dual K&N filters, cleaned up the wiring, and swapped out heavier bits for aluminum ones where possible to decrease weight. We also love the sweep of the seat cowl.
Kawasaki La Latina 900
Builder: Valtoron
Brothers Pablo and Carlos Delgado started out as metal artists -- and it shows. Virtually all the body bits on their custom bikes are things they've built from scratch, showcasing the pinnacle of what gorgeous metalwork on two wheels can look like. There's something otherworldly about their designs -- like steampunk, but better. We like that very much. If you're interested in photos of their build process, they keep a really great blog here.
Blackjack - 1975 Honda CB500T
Builder: Gasser Customs
Blackjack is proof that matte black and chrome can look dead sexy together. Gasser performed loads of modifications to this bike, including epoxy-lining the interior of the fuel tank, strategically drilling various bits to save weight (they also look cool), rebuilding the engine and carbs, upping the power, and adding a custom 2 into 2 exhaust with a shiny Thruxton silencer at the end. New brakes, a progressive suspension system, twin K&N filters in place of an airbox, cross-drilled rotors...oh, and of course, that custom saddle and super-clean gauge cluster arrangement. Seriously, what more could you want?
2. 1959 Tri2ton
Builder: Peter Andrews
A clean and lovely Triton is something a lot of cafe racer enthusiasts aspire to have in their garages one day. For the uninitiated, that's what happens when you stuff a Triumph engine inside a legendary Norton Featherbed frame. Peter Andrews decided over 40 years ago that just one Triumph engine wouldn't do. Instead, he wanted to see what would happen if you stuffed two inside an elongated frame. When the opportunity presented itself (seriously, a friend was trying to sell an extended frame), Andrews finally started building in 2009. Full displacement of the Tri2ton is 1298cc. With the decompressors on the front engine open, you kick-start the rear engine and the entire two-lump beast wakes up and roars to life. You know, NBD, just a twin-engined classic-looking beast roaring down your street. It's no wonder this thing won Classic Bike magazine's Bike of the Year award in 2010.
1976 Benelli 750 Sei
Builder: Julius Bott
A large part of the beauty of building cafe racers stems from seeing the potential for something new and beautiful to come out of something old -- and often times, unloved. When German customizer Julius Bott found this old Benelli, it had definitely seen better days. After a complete engine rebuild, electrical system overhaul, and judicious installation of a Laverda seat and a Honda tank, this project came together beautifully. Add that custom-painted gold frame, and who could resist?