Top 5 Cafe Racer Bike Donors
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- Here is my own personal favourite list of my top 5 cafe racer bike donors. Looking at the engine, frame and accessibility to parts, which include:
Honda CX
BMW R
Yamaha Virago
Honda CB Four
Suzuki GS
Stickers available at
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Instagram: / for_the_bold_industries
Filmed with Canon 70D
amzn.to/2sfljUL
With 50mm 1.4 lens
amzn.to/2rXLzAk - Auta a dopravní prostředky
1) Honda cx500
2) BMW R80
3) Yamaha Virago
4) Honda CB4
5) Suzuki GS
Nice choice
Gotta love the summary guy
Your videos have given me a lot of confidence for building my first cafe racer. I know I'm gonna run into frustrations along the way, but that end goal of something beautiful that has my blood, sweat, and tears in it should hopefully keep me motivated. Thanks for the list, and I'm excited to see your channel grow!
Amazing, I'm glad they help you. Every project will give you frustration but keep a cool head and know if anything goes wrong or you get stuck there's always a solution
Just wanted to stop by and say that you really inspired me a couple years ago to start my build. I have a 1982 GL500i which is basically the touring version of a CX. I found a good deal on a clean one and after watching your cx500 series I knew I had to try it. It's been a long project but the end is in sight, and the bike runs and drives wonderfully! This channel was a huge inspiration and gave me a lot of confidence going into this project, so thanks!
Glad to hear it! That’s awesome
I myself am 6'4" and own a '83 GS550 cafe - this is a reasonably
comfortable bike and quite fun when the engine comes to life in the
higher rpm range. I typically ride a '99 Harley Sportster 1200 custom
scrambler, a '09 Honda XR650L, and a custom S&S powered
springer/chopper, but I could not pass on a solid running $700
cafe/street fighter. I love this thing, it is so light and nimble
compared to the heavy American bikes, plus I rarely ride bikes with
sportier riding geometry. I'm ready to start my own build on a GS
platform now. These high revving little monsters are a delight, if I
may say so. Thanks for the video, it was entertaining enough for me to
hit the subscribe button. Keep it up!
Thanks for subscribing. Sounds like you have fun riding. And all the best when you start on your GS
love this channel! Been watching it everyday for the past week, got a good idea how im going to start my project, thank you sir!
Amazing, glad you've been enjoying it, all the best with yours.
Hi, i work on my Suzuki dr Big 800. I try to do a scrambler...well maybe not the tipical one, but something that i really ride everyday going to work and on weekends - a make-a-trip bike. I really learn many things from you and the channel! Cheers mate!
Sounds amazing, I'm glad you enjoy the channel, all the best with your scrambler build. Look forward to seeing what it looks like.
+1 for the Suzuki GS! proud owner of one just recently. didnt run when i bought it for $500. was last running in 08' but with tlc and some time and effort it pulls hard now. well built engine. cafe racer here we come!
Amazing, all the best with the build and if the engine is fine it's half the battle
thanks for the videos it's nice to find a build that's not a cb. I have a 78 gs450 that I'm going to turn into a brat and I've gotten so much of the knowledge needed to do this from your videos. thanks and keep up the good work
I'm glad they've helped you. I think CB is the natural choice for cafe racers as they already have that look without doing too much. The GS is a trickier bike I think as at times it's pretty clumsy looking, but I like mine.
I'm doing a 1980 cb900f at present it's had a gsxr750 engine fitted from a 1988 bike been stood up since 2001 got it a year ago now got stuck into it this is the biggest project I've started got wiring mainly to do and styling but it is unique itself biggest problem is the fuel tap fits between the carbs and the head who started it rushed some of the important parts so taking it back and taking it one part at a time been watching your channel very informative and helpful all the best
Good luck, wiring is the worst part for me, thanks for watching.
For The Bold - dreegez the videos your making are great its showing me small jobs like rear hoop fitting I'm to in the UK suffolk near Ipswich I haven't yet got the luxury of a work shop so I'm picking good days to get on with the build I'm disabled so further to the challenge I would like to fit forward controls regards mark
Just started watching your videos and i can't stop. I just picked up my first project bike. A 92 Yamaha XJ600 Seca II (Diversion) for $400. Gonna turn it into a Streetfighter/Cafe. Got a lot of work ahead of me.
Glad you’ve found the channel. Best luck and enjoy your build.
Just wanted to say thank you and keep up the great work. Your videos are awesome
Thank you, means a lot to hear good feedback about my videos.
Just stumbled across your channel after I was looking for a Suzuki GN 125 build, your other videos are great that explains the designs and such. Keep it up, love the tip number 5 - Don't Give Up
Thanks, yeah number 5 is important :)
Have built a CX and GS I agree with your choices there...CX is a very heavy bike though. But I like your choices.
Great vid! Great info man, it's great to have good info with a high production quality.
Amazing, I'm glad you enjoy it. Thanks for your comment
I'm doing a GS1100g for my first build. I plan on doing it area by area as the bike is going to be a daily driver as much as it can be. First on the list is going to be upgraded gauges to digital, upgraded headlight with integrated indicators, clubman flat bar with a downward orientation, bar end mirrors, seat, possibly a floating rear fender, and brake light with integrated indicators. It'll get stripped down quite a bit for aesthetic, but all in all the work will go quick on the first grouping.
Eventually I'd like to rejet the carb, upgrade the muffler to make the bike run as quiet as humanly possible, but also install an electronic cutout valve on each side to take the exhaust from quiet purr to screaming roar when the occasion calls for it. The bike is currently orange in a bobber/cruiser configuration and will eventually get resprayed in a matte black with a pearlescent white. So far that's all I have on the list.
I have a GS750N & L model in the garage. Both are fully disassembled. I have plenty of GS parts on hand and plan to start a cafe project bike. Your GS looks great. In the late '70's, I had several GS750 and 1000's. Both were fast and decent handling bikes in their day. Thanks for the videos.
Sounds amazing. That's one thing my GS was missing, plenty of parts. All the best for when you start.
For The Bold - dreegez ..... Soon, we will share a few photos and/or videos of our build. Thanks for the inspiration! My son and I are having a good time with the build.
Good informative video. I have a 71 TR6 which I am "cafe racering". I like the way you keep it simple and accessible. Keep up the good work.
I do like those also, I've not seen as many around but definitely a nice looking bike. Good luck with it.
I'd really like to do a Honda CX. Just a bit more saving up to do...
They're gorgeous bikes, very much like Motoguzzi
I have one in progress at the moment.
Thank you for a good show! I´ve just done my first cafe racer projekt it is a Kawasaki Z500. Next up will be a CB500 Four. Sounds good that it is a good beginners bike its just hard to plan what you should do before hand. I would like to do a bmw sometime but im pretty novice so i will stick to the easy ones until i can handel the bigger ones :)
BMWs are nice bikes to modify. I love the engines on them.
82 Virago Build presently undertaking. Minimal welding to do if subframes are purchased off the shelf
definitely need a donor front end
Wiring can be tricky (Im doing barebones)
Good luck, I don't envy you doing the wiring from scratch.
Working on 2x Suzuki GS'.. a 450 and a 750. Unreal that they both had gear selection displays on the guage clusters back in 1980. My 750 even has disk breaks in the back (dual disks in front). And crazy dependable. Started the 450 in 2 min after it sat with zero maintenance for 3 years.
Awesome work
Amazing video! I couldn´t agree more!
Glad you agree ;)
Great videos man, keep them up! Lots of enjoyment and knowledge from what you have to say. Good luck with finishing the project...I'm thinking of a BMW K75 as a first cafe project. I love the look of Mike Flores k100 shown on bike exif. How difficult do you think it would be to replicate that, with a few personal changes, of course.
That's a nice bike. And Mike Flores K100 is brilliant example of a clean and simple bike. The only thing you might need to spend a bit of work on is the seat cowl.
Thanks for your time
wow, i saw two viragos for sale for $500 canadian for the bunch, i feel like a bit of a knob passing them up for an ascot now
Will you please do a bobber version of this?
In the US, the transverse v-twin Hondas were sold as CX with the twin shock set-up; monoshock versions were sold as Silverwings. Transverse v-twins just look rad.
I do love the engines.
XS650 in my opinion tops out this list. Parts availability is insane you can just about build a bike from scratch. Upgrades for this bike are also endless. It's also an easy foundation to start with. Most of the frame mods will be cutting excess bits off. Oh and they sound great too!!
Good shout
my virago was much harder to handle the carb servicing than my CB with standard config. i have the CB now and its a joy in contrast. but virago is a fun bike and sounds nice. the front and rear cyl's run different temps because of air flow and both carbs have different specs too.
That’s Yamaha for you. Tough to get right
I have a Honda cb400a I got for $350 dollars here in the state’s ,wasn’t running but the compression was great !
Got it running in about 1hour ,then I changed all the vitals ,sparks plugs,oil filter and oil runs great !
Cut the back end off and welded a seat hoop on also cut the fenders to a nice arrow tip shape on the ends .
Put some enduro tires on it .looking pretty cool so far ,trying to come up with other ideas as well 🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧
Fantastic.
I love your videos they helped me so much
Thanks, I'm glad they've helped you. What are you working on?
It really does come down to skill! With enough skill anything has potential. I personally like vintage English (bsa, Norton, triumph) 1930s and 40s Indians and Harleys, and for Japanese I had a virago great base, and the Hondas cbs.
Absolutely, for a beginner I'd recommend a CB. and you're right, with skill and vision anything is possible, even as far as engine swaps.
1. BMW K-series
2. Honda CX500
3. BMW R-Series
4. Yamaha Virago
5. Honda CB
Currently building a CX. Love your videos!
Ok.....now i worship you!......you completely understand exactly what i love and enlist in a gorgeous build.......art is how ART DRIVES....ty.!!!......you understand how different i am from most.......
Glad you like it.
The Virago also comes with either dual shocks or as the modified bike on the list had, a monoshock that goes up under the tank, this makes it so cool when its converted into more of a sport bike! 👍😎 But seems like a Little more advanced and expensive to modifiy then the others
Yes the monoshock version is the one that always fetches more money
Donor bike costs in the States are catching up to yours in the UK. In my area, anyway. A non-running 1984 Virago is going for $1100 on Craigslist here. Granted it's been available for awhile, but a running 1985 700 is selling for $1900! Same goes for costs for CB, CX, and GL models here. Just sky high here.
Love the videos you put out.... I was recently given a 94 Honda nighthawk CB 250 would I be able to turn this into a cafe racer style bike?
+Christina Mejia thanks. Yeah of course. You can pretty much give any bike a cafe look. All the best with it
The last cafe racer I built (Back in the early 90's) started life as a Suzuki GP100. It was done on the cheap, But I think it turned out quite presentable. The only silly thing I did was at the end with the paint scheme. During the build I was constantly being told by friends that I was silly to be spending all this time modifying a "Toy bike", So as a sort of p*ss take, I painted the frame blue, The tank, mudguards and seat were red, Then the wire wheels were stripped and powder coated bright yellow. I was going to get some "Fisher price" stickers made up for the tank but never got around to it. :)
Good video - your points are clear and the narrative is pretty logic. I'm currently working on a GS1000G (yes, the driveshaft one...). Lots of opportunities there - I wish I were more skillful and experienced though! :-)
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video
I have an 83 Virago - the monoshock version. My experience is limited but have found there are a number of solutions to avoid the issue you describe with welding a new sub-frame - I bought one from an Australian fabricator I found on CZcams. Electrics kind of terrify me - I'm completely ignorant (I can understand things that spin and drive but the magic, invisible power is a mystery) - but, again thanks to CZcams I found a system from a German manufacturer that is completely solid state, does away with mechanical relays - which also resolves the issue of where to relocate parts - it's called a Motogadget M Unit - mine is ordered and on its way to New Zealand now. You should definitely check them out. The web has been amazing - it's like doing an apprenticeship where you can get fired up, but never fired. I enjoy your clips, thanks for your efforts.
Sounds like you've got a good project on the go. I love M-Unit kits but they are so expensive. I'll see if I get one for the CX.
I can second what you said about the Virago. I've got an 82 750 - the mono shock. I'm going for more of a bobber look, but I can definitely say that it has NOT been an easy build. Almost a year later (working on it off and on) and I'm still having trouble getting it to run. And the fabrication once you remove the stock seat and subframe, is a challenge also. I've enjoyed it, and I've learned a lot. But, if I could go back, I would have gotten an xs650 or an old Harley instead (again, I'm more into bobbers and old school choppers).
+Judson Lowery thanks for the insight of the virago. All the best with your build and keep at it
Your CX500 build series gave me the inspiration to get at it again. It's been sitting, neglected, for the past couple months. I stripped down the wiring harness and last night it made a little noise! So, baby steps in the right direction!
Amazing, One step at a time, but some noise is positive.
Hey man been watching a lot of your stuff. I want to pull the trigger on a 1982 cb650 in good shape. Im a beginner and have no experience. Love the mono shock setups. Also want to do a fork swap but not sure if im capable of doing that. Will keep following to get all the help i can get.
Cheers
Amazing, all the best on it.
I'm working on a Virago XV1100 - twinshock. Have a set of Kawasaki ZX10 forks to go in, a TR1 tank and will clean up the rear subframe, lights and hide the electrics under the tank. But ... I've had a word with myself and I'm not allowed to start on it until I finish the Honda VLX600 bobber and Yami FZS 600 Streetfighter / stunt bike projects ... there's just never enough time in the day to crack on with the fun stuff!!!
It's very true, there isn't enough hours in the day, especially for the number of projects you have ;)
let's not even mention the FJ40 or Cobra projects!!! Or house renovations!!!!!!!! Anyway - keep up the good work - I'll flick over some photos and links once I get the Virago underway.
My vote is for the Yamaha XS series. Beautiful straight seat line, minimal welding, strong straight 2,3 or 4 cylinder (depending on displacement). Direct drive.
Xs is a good base.
I'm working on a kz650, but I really want to work on a smaller displacement bike like a Honda cr250.
It is a heavy bike the Kz, similar to the GS550
I also own a KZ650 and am wanting to convert it over to a cafe racer. It's a '78 with a strange angular gas tank. If you're switching out the tank what tank are you going for?
Personally I like quirky gas tanks, I like the blue one I've featured on this video. czcams.com/video/R7bE2ptuLmQ/video.html
Brian Wilkins kz650sr. You still working on it?
Good video lots of potential with all of those bikes. Keep up the good work and don't let carbs get you down!
Thanks, I'm onto them now ;)
Well traditionally Cafe' racers were small displacement bikes that had been stripped down to make them nimble and quick for racing through city streets. ...Aping the small road-race bikes popular in Europe in the 50's thru 70's. Seeing people call Honda Goldwings with glass seats and low bars "Cafe'" makes me wince. To me any of the Yamaha RD series is the perfect cafe' ride. A little modern to be authentic maybe. Smaller 4 cylinder Hondas are good too along with some of the Euro singles. It needs to be compact and light. Quick but not necessarily fast. A BMW R series is not that. ...anymore than a 4-seater can be rightly called a sports car. Cafe' styling elements do not make it a Cafe' Racer.
You talk about tradition, but that doesn't mean that the term cannot evolve, as Ducati made the SportClassic with a Cafe Racer feeling in mind, and I'm not saying that it is one, because it's not, but it's neither all about the technical specs, I believe there is a mix between styling, functional and technic elements to call a bike a Cafe Racer.
@@eddiecaplan1908 Those are definitely my top as well as the five in video. Very true but classic seems like a subjective term (except for specific 50 through 70 cafe racers) it really depends on the individual's experience. But I'm sure we have all seen someone take a bike and completely change every part to a mod to the point where it's original bike (make, year and model) is unrecognizable and might not really matter what they started with because it is a different bike than for the example of a 35+ year bike from Japan that has been sitting collecting dust. But basically the conclusion is doing ones homework and knowing what you are capable of doing/affording.
OG Kawasaki H2 is the best Cafe racer candidate. Lul. Then the CBX1000
a cafe racer is taking something you have making it better and suitable for speed it doesn't have to be some small little Honda or european bike
i know this is a little old but im getting a 1981 gs550l in a week and im going to turn it into a cafe racer im so excited
Excellent, enjoy the build
Singel upper tube on the frame (under the tank) is a thing whorth consider when chosing a bike to build.
Real proud of my Honda FMX scrambler. But reasantly I got a scratch on building a Transalp whit V-shaped upper frame, so I'd be glad fore a tip in case I cant hold myselfe :)
Gutted about the scratch, I did the same on the front fork after powder coating when my screwdriver slipped.!
I grabbed a lot of CB's recently (2-cb350f's, cb350, cb360t and a cb650custom) they are still out there. ;)
They are indeed
I´m working on a Suzuki Gr 650 from 1983. Downside of it is that it´s a very rare bike and hence it´s very hard and expensive to find spare parts for it. Also it´s a monoshock rather than a dualshock which I prefer more. The rear frame would also need some modification in the future. Today I´m gonna go pick up a Suzuki Gs tank for it ;) Good side of the Gr is that it has a straight-twin engine like the good old British bikes. One that would be interesting to work with would definitely be the Yamaha Xs.
I've started a love for monoshocks, I used to really like the bulky back ends of the twin shocks but now I like that void a monoshock creates. Good luck with your build
Suzuki 650 Savage / Boulevard L40. Such a beautiful thumper motor that you can do nearly anything with. The frame and running gear is shite, so to do it up right is almost as involved as a Virago, possibly more, but the versatility of that lump is inspiring!
Currently in my stable here in the US is quite a list FTB. Oldest to Newest....
1973 CB350 Four 100% original with 11K miles
1974 CL200 Basket Case (Future Cafe or Brat) Naked Goldwing
1975 GL1000 100% original also Naked Goldwing
1975 GL1000 Parts Bike
1975 CB550 Four very slightly modified. I'd say 75% original
1986 GL1200 Fully Dressed Goldwing
2003 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic, 100% Original with just 5,500 miles
2004 GL1800 fully dressed and comfort fitted for long trips with trailer
Plans?
CB550F will get a mild Cafe` "Ish" build
CB350F will always stay 100% Original as it's a time capsule.
Three older Goldwing's are up for sale
CL200 will eventually be a full Cafe or Brat build
Yamaha V-Star is the in town cruiser
GL1800 is the Long Haul Comfort car on two wheels.
When I run out of room, I sell off the bikes that get the least attention to make room for others on my wish list. Right now, CB750 K0 or K1 and a CB900C are the last two I'm wanting to add to the stable. Cheers and thanks for your time put into this video! Zip~
Great video. Can you do a similar video for scramblers?
Good idea.
My project is a 1996 bmw k1100rs. It's kind of a weird choice, but it's a really kind of a strange project though. I'm referring to it as a wasteland scrambler, it's kind of like a post apocalyptic bike built pre apocalypse(so without faux aging, rust, etc). I just loved the look of that flying brick motor, single sided swing arm, and shaft drive. So far I've done a bunch of precision machining(I'm a machinist with access to some pretty fancy equipment), and I'm using some fancy motogadget components, but really in the end I'm hoping to have a purpose-built looking bike rather than something polished.
Sounds good, good luck with your build.
I just got a 1975 Honda cb360 and ready to start the journey!
Fantastic, enjoy.
I have the Honda Rebel 500 and although a beautiful bike I really want to change the naked/cruiser style to more of a cafe racer look. Started getting worried it wasn’t going to be possible you definitely gave me hope. Any tips or tricks to what to look out for would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again in Advance
Amazing. As long as this give you inspiration. Start small and work your way up
Hi. I discovered and subscribed to you while looking at the cafe racer bike. I will start a new project next months. Do you know about cb600 hornet? Would you recommend me the bike? Is it easy to convert to cafe racer style?
what do you think of Yamaha Diversion 900? ..its a nice package and you get them cheap but I dont think Ive seen a nice cafe-ed one.
i have a yamaha xjr 1200 and a 1300 excellent donor bikes
BMW K100 looks the part when modified, plus it's great fun getting rid of the fairings.
+Quique Dalmau yeah it's a neat bike under all that
I’m building a Suzuki GS 550 myself, what silencers did you use in your build? I really like those and would like to put them on mine but the link on the earlier video is no longer good
currently working on a 1980 kawasaki kz750, she's almost done just have a couple of loose ends i need to get taken care of!
Awesome, sounds like a project well done.
with exception of the mono shock builds, 95% of the other cafe racers still look unfinished when they're completed. because of that big open space under the seat that is bordered by the sub-frame tubes and the rear shocks which draws your eye to that open blank space which just enhances the unfinished feeling, the lack of a rear fender doesn't help. whoever built that CB cafe in your video understood that and took care to make sure that space was filled which made that build look and feel completed. one thing i will say about the virago's, the virago with the best looking engine is unfortunately one of the smallest, the 535, that engine looks so classy, i love that little bike, it's just too small.......
I own a sym wolf classic 150cc and it pretty much a cafe racer out of the box really inexpensive model after the honda cb125s quality built with a 2 years parts and labor warranty weather your a beginner or we'll seasoned you can't go wrong with it and it goes highway speed and gets 85mpg but you have to run 91octain
Sounds awesome.
Olá, sou brasileiro e tenho uma cafe racer 125 cc HONDA 1986, adoraria entender com mais calma tudo que é dito aqui, uma sugestão, vc poderia acrescentar legendas em português!
Ps: Excelente Trabalho!
I just picked up a GS650 for $350usd. It runs kinda... it needs the infamous ignition piece that I’m just going to upgrade. And a full tune up. It doesn’t look the prettiest right now but it’s all there, it’s gonna be a great project, especially the price!
That's a good price. and yes, a dynatek ignition kit and coils is worth the price.
picked up a honda cg125 copy and gunna be turning it in to a cafe racer lookalike (wont be breaking any speed records) managed to get it for £50 so im laughing
found your channel and watching alot of your videos
Excellent, best of luck and enjoy your build
I want to build a Ducati 900ss for my first bike. What is your opinion?
Honda XBR500 for me; the purity of an air cooled single, twin shock and mine came with spoked wheels so the build was relatively simple. Still took ages though!
Amazing, yeah what you think is going to be straight forward still takes an age to do. Especially when you have to juggle that around every day work.
For The Bold - dreegez Thanks, really enjoyed your build videos. The custom shop cafe racers are lovely but it's all about men in sheds!
Absolutely, with you there. And it's the community around it all, exchanging ideas and build.
I had an 83 Virago 500 monoshock I was working on for a year. Ended up selling it because it got pretty far outside of my current skill set, I would fix 1 thing and something else would go bad. Luckily it went to someone who knows how to work on these bikes. Now I am currently working on an 81 CM400, the subframe on these bikes are really bad so I am fabricating an entirely new subframe to get ride of the weird angles that the stock seat mounts into.
There’s an interesting video from Clasified Moto on their CZcams called ‘last of the XVs’. All the issues they had and why they won’t build them any more
The Honda CB (K or G) is definitely the best coffee racer donor bike if you ask me. But I think you should choose the twin version even if that motor is much smaller, because then you have a much elegant form because the motor isn’t wider than the fuel tank.
I do like the sound of them all.
First... thanks for all the amazing videos! I've always wanted to build a bike. Just starting out with looking into a build. This would be my first bike and first build. What about the Yamaha SR400 as a platform? You can get a newer one (2015ish) for a 3 or 4 k so I'd assume you'd have a fresher engine etc. that would need less work etc. I think Yamaha makes bolt on parts too if you don't want anything too custom? Are there advantages to the CB4 over the SR400? I think my big disappointment with the Sr400 so far is it seems to not sound super great from videos I have seen. I like the look of the smaller more tear shaped tank it has though. It just looks more old fashioned which is what I'm going for in my build. But coming from the car world and I'm big into how things sound.
So you’re correct. If you go with a newer bike you have less issues and less cost to correct. You have a good wiring system and engine. As for sound you can easily change that with exhausts. I think you’ll be fine
Mate that virago from the top pic is diffrent that one on bottom one. The year older versions of the yamaha xv(before the virago) have different version of the frame(mono shock and twin suspension)
for a 70s inspired i like cb360t.....twin....disc brake...chain...good parts availability
For the Viragos, 81-83 was the only years it was made as a monoshock. Keep that in mind...
I have a K1100RS in the garage and am undecided whether to leave it stock or strip it out!
Entirely up to you and how you want the bike to look. Also depends on the condition. There'll become a point where all these stock bikes will no longer exist.
I’ve just got a zephyr 550 which is good to break down but seat panel etc needs a bit of reshaping
Go for it
Im from india here we have a bike called yamaha rx 100, and it is mostly moded motorcycle in india ,could you please a vedio on it and can we like fit engine of any size into the frame of any bike.
What would I need to remove in order to increase the speed? I definitely love the look of the cafe already. At this point, it's just the speed/CCs/ and or horsepower i want to increase
I guess compared to today's bikes old bikes like these won't be as fast them. Removing heavy items will help, but try engine replacements also with bigger engines.
Virago is the best donor for cafe's. Every Virago cafe's are bad arse. The Virago in your thumbnail I guess it's by JT Moto and I'm a big fan of that build. But in India we have only Royal Enfield as a donor for custom build because of it's high availability of spares and low cost.
It's amazing isn't it, he uses Viragos a lot and all his builds are brilliant
I really want a virago but only the monoshock model and it‘s super hard to find a reasonably priced one here in switzerland...
They do go for a hefty price
Just thinking of doing my 1975 Yamaha RS100 as a cafe racer, any thoughts? My only concern is cutting off the rear frame loop and not being able to go back standard easily at a later date if i decided to? Any suggestions as to refitting the loop later down the line without welding? I was thinking a sleeve inside the loop either side welded so it can slide back in place and then drill through the frame and use an unthreaded bolt drilled at the end to take a split pin to re-fit later on, meaning an option of either or? Any help appreciated
@Menny Thanks for.tour reply. The sleeve would not be seen when the seat goes back on as it covers it, the only time it is seen is when the seat is up. I shall give this some thought though, thanks again Menny
I'm looking at CB550 one cropped up in Blackpool near me but went for silly money.
They usually do, more than they're really worth.
You skipped my favorite although probably pretty hard to source nowadays. The Norton featherbed frame with the Triumph OHV twin...
I think most bikes are becoming either rare or expensive nowadays. I guess it's supply and demand that drives up the price.
I got a sohc cb750k 1975 for $100 here in the us. Was only the engine and rolling frame, some one took the body parts and electronics and left it out in the woods by their home Litrally. The carbs and points timing was the only thing wrong with the engine, it runs great. Still in the prosses of building it into a cafe racer.
That's super cheap
@@forthebold I got the bike on the road yesterday and it ran perfect through all 5 gears up to speed. I dont understand why it was parted in the first place. I am the happiest person in the world right now, this is my first bike.
You should be for that price
nice videos, it helps a lot, what do you think of a Royal Enfield Bullet or Classic 350, as a cafe racer or scrambler project?
Yeah absolutely, I think they could.
thanks! I will update you when my build starts ...keep up the good work!
What are your thought on the Kawasaki KZ650/kz750? I could get my hands on a twin 750, but straight fours are a dime a dozen.
+Juan Lopez I think the more variety there are in the cafe racer building scene the better it's going to get. A lot of cb fours and viragos etc. So definitely open for more alternative bikes
hey nice videos, yeah completely agree with you on donor bikes here in UK. retro cg 125 going for over a £1000. Thinking to import one from Asia. What do you think of CG 125 as a first project? Thanks again for the great content!
It's a really nice bike, lots you can do with it, you could go Cafe, Scrambler or even Brat Style with it
Honda CB four is good, how bout Honda CBX750?
hi . I am going to built scrambler in Yamaha RX 135 . but I really don't know that where I start from and what kind of look I give to him it's my first small project and I don't want to screw that all . will u help me or sujest me so.e thing or tips
Hey What do you think of a Suzuki dr 650 as a beginners build?
i really like the style of it
Yeah you can make it look a nice scrambler.
What are your thoughts on Honda Nighthawks? I see them every wear for very cheap. What would you do with one. I like modern cruisers/ bobbers but I’ve seen incredible cafe racer projects on the nighthawk.
They're ok, a different frame to these but any bike I think is good as long as you like it.
I have a 84 Honda Nighthawk cb650 and a 1980 Suzuki gs550. The Suzuki already has the café look. I would just have to add whatever modifications if I need to. The Honda is stock but I know some of the parts like handle bars, headlight, seat, directional etc. would fit on the Honda. I don't know which bike to choose. Also, is there a way to increase the CCs or horsepower on the GS550
To be honest once you've shifted all that extra weight off the bike you'll probably be happy with the bike rather than the expense of increasing the power. I guess compared to new bikes it's not much but I'm more into enjoying the ride and the build than after the power.
Loved your bikes project best bike modification and iam a Indian
Thanks. Glad you like it.
Would love to do a Honda hornet...
hey, short question: I might be able to snatch up a yamaha xk 600 DIVERSION really cheap, what do you think of it? Really appreciate your experience
It's an interesting bike, with an interesting frame. I guess you could go street fighter with it?
My current build is a ZX6R 1997, this will be my 6th "Café Racer" in a row, although I don't build to sell I've been fortunate enough that people (posers) chase me down and have offered me real good money. I've hit the problem you discribe, the better looking bikes now cost too much, so I've moved on to 80's and 90's, but with a bit of imagination and a reasonable skill level you can create something credible. It's a shame the " buy em can't build em " brigade are paying so much for ready built that it's pushing up the prices of even the "Vanilla" bikes, sorry CX500 included, don't get me wrong, looks cool, but it will never be a performance bike, I think later stuff is going to change the way "Café Racers" will evolve into a more modern version of the classic.
Nice stuff by the way.
They have gone up in price. I'm not too bothered with performance too much hence the CX500, it's more a styling thing for me and easy riding.
Unusual choices..I wouldve concentrated on recent bikes to become cheaply available like Diversions and Zephyrs
This list is 'money no object', of course all of our Cafe dreams have unlimited budgets, but good choice to think about more available tanks.
doing a Diversion at the moment. looks good. the back of the frame needs shortening but its easy to work on.
I got a virago handed down from a friend and it's my first bike I'm turning in to a cafe racer
All the best with it.