Top 5 Cafe Racer Motorcycles For Beginners
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- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2024
- Top 5 Cafe Racer Motorcycles For Beginners
In today's video I give you my top 5 cafe racer motorcycles for beginners. The motorcycle platforms on this list were chosen because of their more affordable price and price of parts, their stock shape which lends itself well to the cafe racer look, and their large amount of support and information. Any of these 5 cafe racer motorcycles should be a good starting poaint for anyone looking to get into the world of cafe racers and custom bike building. I hope you enjoy the video. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE for new automotive content!
~Enjoy the Road~
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Contact: driversside@outlook.com
#CafeRacer #Motorcycle #DriversSide
Classic Octane RUclips Channel: / @classicoctane
Dime City Cycles RUclips Channel: / dimecitycycles
Bay City Restorations RUclips Channel: / @baycityrestorations
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Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_C...
motoborgotaro.com
opumo.com
pipeburn.com
pinterest.com
motorcyclespecs.co.za
thearsenale.com
/ @nakedbikesworld
evshift.com
returnofthecaferacers.com
shiftcraft.com
analogmotorcycles.com
bikebound.com
bikereview.com.au
bikes.bestcarmag.com
www.bikeexif.com
throttleroll.com
bikebrewers.com
bringatrailer.com 
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What was you first project bike? COMMENT BELOW⬇️
First lesson. It’s not a “CAFÉ” racer. It’s a “CAFF” racer. The British rockers who first built these bikes back in the 60’s, rode them to greasy spoon diners and truck stops called “Transport Cafes” Now they didn’t know how to pronounce “Café”, they saw it as “Caff”. In fact, in the UK, a diner that does fried breakfasts, coffee, tea, basic lunches, is still universally known as a “Caff”. A café is something far posher with cakes, maybe wine, tapas, that sorta thing.
@@SvenTviking Sounds like more of a regional pronunciation thing rather than a rule lol. I thing most people nowadays will continue pronouncing it “Café”
87’ Yamaha Radian. Not the best choice for sure but I basically got the bike for free. And it actually came out pretty good.
Goldwing 🤟😂
@@SvenTviking Potato/Tomato...... Depends where you're from.
I have no business being on any motorcycle, but I've always liked the look of cafe racers. Really enjoyed this one!
Glad you enjoyed it! Just take a rider’s safety course and you’ll be right at home!
I had maybe worst expectations from motorcycles than you, never wanted to be even around them. Tried later in life, and now this is my favorite hobbie.
Yup likewise, I can appreciate the look at all bikes but cafe racers to me are timeless
Something about a cafe racer is pulling me - super affordable as well
I agree, you shouldn’t even be watching these videos
News flash; none of the bikes mentioned will be “the fastest on the road”. When pursuing the build style called a “cafe racer”, remember all the bikes mentioned are anything but race worthy. It’s just nostalgia basically, and the pursuit of creativity.
well said!
News flash? How stupid do you think everyone watching these videos happens to be?
Just bought my first bike to build into a Cafe racer. 1985 CB650. Got it for 300 bucks off a a friend which is a steal! I'm so excited to start building it. Love the videos on this channel. Definitely will help me alot with the build!
So awesome! Enjoy it! Now that the weather is getting nice again, I should be finishing up the CB650 build
Thanks for the video! Looking forward to the 2 additional videos. Working now on a 1200cc Goldwing. Cheers!
No problem! We have a goldwing build going on this channel as well!
Appreciate seeing these old bikes on the road again. Hope you guys post videos of your builds.
The videos are starting up again this week!
The fu part some people are trying sale these bike for 100k plus when they go for around 6-8k
I’m making my first project it’s a Honda tool 125 and I’m exited, great video 🔥
Thanks so much! Good luck on your project!
I just started my first build a couple months ago. It's a 1982 Kawazaki Z550 LTD (KZ550C), which is more of a cruiser style. I'm converting to monoshock rear suspension, upholstering the seat pan in more of a cafe racer style, but it's still going to be good for two riders and I don't plan to lower the handlebars for a more comfortable riding position. So it's kind of a hybrid chopper/cafe racer/brat bike. Hopefully pretty unique.
Howd the bike end up? any pictures?
A tenant abandoned a '74 Yamaha Tx 750 basket case at a rental property. Do I throw it away, or Cafe bike it? How did your build go?
Yamaha xs750/xs850's are super cool triples sound amazing
First project bike was an '84 Cb250N and now a Kz440 - Fun times! Great vid btw
Awesome couple of bikes! And thank you!
Planning on starting my first project bike in a year or two. This vid comes in handy now and will probably be brought back up when it’s time to start building😁
Awesome! Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! This was super helpful
No problem! Glad I could help! :)
Well, it was surreal clicking on this random cafè video and hearing your familiar voice (I’ve followed your film channel since the beginning) and seeing a familiar setting. Never had a clue from watching your film channel that motorcycles were in your life.
Cool beans.
Really awesome content brother very inspirational and informative
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy it! I’ll hopefully get back to posting once I’m back from vacation
So in love with the Honda cb
BOMBASTIC 💯❤️
I've owned a couple Yamaha XS over the years.
I personal like my xs400 over my 750 because of how light and nimble it is. I'm looking at an sr500 this week for the same reason
That’s a good point! There’s something to be said about small, light, and nimble bikes!
that's the one thing I dont like about my 750 is not the lightest cafe racer haha
Hi, just discovered the channel and subscribed! OK, so I'm working on a 1966 Moto Guzzi 125cc Stornello Sport. it was my wife's late father's bike, so I'm doing a complete resto mod on it. converting from a 6v to a 12v system, fresh suspension, new carb new wheels and tires, basically building the remnants from scratch and have a long job ahead of me. thanks for all the great content! keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching and subscribing! What a great bike and it sounds like you are doing that project tastefully!
That Canon P at the background 👌🏼
Just starting my first project bike, it’s an 82 Cb900F. My inspiration is CRD’s #1 EVO except without the fairing and maybe with an OEM “Freddie Spencer” inspired paint scheme.
Sounds awesome! Good luck on your build
Great video. I'm working on a Suzuki GS450 now. Still working on teardown and waiting for parts to show up that were ordered in November. USPS sucks!
Great bike! Waiting for parts is no fun!
I have a skyteam ace 125.
I'm building a scrambler / Cafe racer hybrid sort of thing.
Low budget build, not show bike quality but I'm loving it
Thankss
Very interested in what's going on with the Goldwing?
I mostly restore classic sportbikes from the late eighties to mid nineties. But I’m doing a 1972 Honda cl 100. I’m going to switch out the motor for a 100cc 2 stroke. Bike was running all original and cheap.
Very nice! Can’t go wrong with 2 strokes
Dude thanks❤
I’m picking up a 1980 Honda CB900 custom in two days. And I’m planning to build it as a cafe racer lol. Any suggestion of where to buy oem/aem parts for it? Thanks!
I think the old TX yamahas are pretty easy. I’m doing one right now and have had minimal issues and nothing super hard to figure out and I am not mechanically inclined. I haven’t watched your other videos yet but I’ll have to see if my bike made the cut.
Ah yes the TX bikes are pretty solid platforms!
I recently acquired a 1970 Yamaha AT1 125 that I'm wanting to build into a scrambler.
'Course, it sat in snow drifts every winter since around the time I was born, so it's gotta be got back to running, so I've got a baked in excuse to mod it to what I want in the first place.
What a coincidence, I was watching this Vedio to possibly find a future build idea. You mentioned how you love the 5 spoke wheels on the Suzuki gs models! I have a gs850 cafe with 5 spoke wheels 😂
Haha that’s funny😂 those wheels are sweet!!
CB360 here, in the midst of the conversion. I would have gone for a 550/750, but availability in my neck of the woods is limited and this bike came up for a great deal
Nice! I really like the CB360! Its a fun around town bike
Great video, what about the engines , we can new one or we need a mechanic ?
I just got a hold of a 1972 kawasaki 175 enduro , I think i got an idea from your videos what im going to do with it...Thanks.
Glad the video gave you some ideas! Cheers
Picked up a 79 CB750 with light cosmetic damage for 600$! Looking to build my first cafe racer!
Great buy! Good luck!
Tokyo revengers has really gotten me into Motorcycles. I used to overlook them, but know I know the real value of them
Mikey and his bobber!
Is their channel dead? I can't find them
@@Andrew-qc8jhit’s a manga/anime series!!
Beautiful examples of what can be done with custom bikes, thanks a lot man 🙂
Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it!
The Honda CB bikes are definitely a good cafe style bike to start with and build. I have inherited a 83 Honda GL 1100 that I'm going to be turning into a cafe racer
Heck yeah! That’s awesome!!
GR 650 here, just aquired it and I am looking at different options :)
Oh awesome! I hope you figure out what direction you want to go with it!
The Thruxton RS is probably the best bike from factory that’s a cafe racer. Obviously not cheap, nor a beginner bike.
Working on a 92 cafe /street fighter xj6 got her used so she needs some love
Should be a fun project!
what do u think of pursang electric bike for beginner or a calk or a dab motors cafe racer or a land moto electric bike or suron off roader or tourer
I'm currently in the process of buying a 1980 honda cb. It's a project im really excited for! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Great choice! There are tons of resources online. Feel free to email me or leave comments with questions and I’ll try my best to answer
Currently doing a riding restore on a 86 Kawasaki zl900 Eliminator. Looking at picking up a ft500 as a cafe racer build
Do it! That would be tons of fun!
I'm building a 60s/70s style hardtail chopper out of a 75 kz400. After a year of working on someone else's half finished project, I'm only about a week from the first kick and a couple from the first ride
So cool! I hope its a fun ride once its on the road!
I was recently gifted my Pop’s old ‘79 Honda Cx500c because he inherited our buddy’s ‘07 Fat Boy when he passed away. My dad left the CX out in the elements so it’s been a bit of a pain trying to get it looking good again and I told him I really want to turn it into a cafe racer but my plans for it have freaked him out a bit since he thinks it’s such a great bike, originally. I don’t blame him and I agree. Although I’m an artist (he is too) and he appreciates my vision, and I do see how it could be much better put to use on a CB model as I always see so many more parts readily available plus the body style is already flat unlike my CX which is very angular. Just making a Cafe seat entails so much more for a CX than a CB. :/ Anyway, my inspiration for my bike is the “Thunderflite;” a concept car created by Ford in 1961. The year is off, sure, but the curves and the details are just way too amazingly James Bond-ish to pass up!
What a great story behind that bike! The CX is definitely a more difficult platform to turn into a cafe racer, but they are very cool when done right!
what tire set would you recommend?
I have an Yam XS650 Special, it’s a previously wrecked basket case, and I haven’t worked on it at all since buying the thing back in June. It’s been sitting outside for presumably decades and most everything, save the chrome and LP are rust ridden.
The engine is seized and I’m fairly certain the interior is rusted stuck, as the gas tank had holes rusted throughout it, and and kick starter will not kick. I just put in some Marvel Oil on either cylinder via the spark plug tap, as well the oil intake, and am allowing it to rest inside for the next week or so.
So if I’m unable to clean out the engine, much less get the thing to turn, I may well be SOL.
Damn.. I hope the bike was easier to revive than you thought
I’m between a cafe racer and a scrambler for my first bike. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for watching! Good luck with your first bike!
@@DriversSide Thanks. As much as I love the cafe racer style, the scrambler seems very practical. I just have no clue how much riding I’ll do on the road versus gravel, back roads, etc. I’m in the mountains of NC so while I’m hoping for a good mix, I have no clue what I’ll enjoy yet. Any suggestions?
@@tockingwatches2377 It's all personal preference! Off roading is more taxing on the body and the bike but it does look very fun!
just picked up a xs500 that’s pretty much a full cafe, got rear disk, dropped bars, cut & welded frame with a fiberglass cafe style seat and tank
Sounds like a sweet bike!!
Question. Do you recommend a new rider to purchase a bmw k100 custom built?
I'm in Jamaica and I'm working on a CB550 four 1975
So it seems that the general consensus with beginner café racers is to stick to bikes that wont need a lot of custom work and that don't have complex engine lay outs if you want to do modifications there. then it seems in the intermediate café racers we still have bikes with good parts availability and community however these bikes will often have more complex engine layouts or parts that make them harder to work and cost some more money for parts (if you are a car guy bike parts will seem cheap at just about every level though). Then in the advanced category we have just about anything.
Exactly!
Am Daniel Richard from Nigeria, Am working on a sym Wolf classic 150 ,. I can't get any of those bikes you've mentioned in your review..
Seriousl Question here:
How much would all of you pay for a 1978 Yamaha XS1100?
I'm debating on whether or not to pull the trigger on this particular bike to start as a cafe racer project. I don't want to overpay.
cool videos
Thanks :)
Working on a 1983 Suzuki GS650, building a Cafe Racer that screams GSXR in aesthetics.
That sounds awesome!!!
Ngl I just bought my first motorcycle with very little info about what’s the best option and seeing my bike is on this list is really reassuring it’s a Yamaha xs750
Nice!! I’m glad this video gave you a little peace of mind
Hi I’m new to this. Which will be the best one for commuting here in NYC traffic? From one borough to another? I don’t mind the speed
You honestly can't go wrong with any of these!
Thanks I'm looking for something
I got the gpx 250 twin 2 as my first bike
I haven't seen much info on this specific bike before. I'll have to check it out!
Are building cafe racers/bikes, for riding in streets, legal in most countries or is it more something to keep in your garage.
It’s legal most of the time! Especially working with older bikes that didn’t have to follow as many newer safety regulations
The Yamaha XJ 650 is Also perfect cafe racer similar to the xs
I have alot of honda hornets in my garage perfect bikes to turn into a cafe racer which is what i plan to do with em
That’s awesome!! I don’t see those much!
Surprised I didn’t see any old BMW’s, they’re not very common to my knowledge but damn are they they sexiest cafe racers I’ve ever seen
BMWs do make for cool and unique looking custom bikes!
I know nothing about motorcycles but would love to get a cafe racer.
Do it! I knew nothing about them when I got into them and bought my first motorcycle!
@@DriversSide I’m trying to save up for one how much would u say I’d need to do a build like this?
@@luvphineus7486 glad to hear it! It depends what you want to do and if you plan on doing it yourself or hiring someone. A very bare bones build can be maybe like $2000 but for a more comprehensive build I would say $4000-$5000
Would love to know your opinion about royal Enfield continental GT 650
That bike may or may not be in the next video in this series!
I loved the video by I would've appreciated an average price for the bikes
What is the model of the all black bike!?
I’m buying a Yamaha xs400 for my first bike and I’m gonna try to convert it into a cafe racer style I like while I’m learning how to work on bikes
Nice! That’s how I started!!
Got a CB650 Nighthawk 83 as my first bike, will try to make a cafe/scrambler build! Paid 600$ for it, just needed a battery
Sounds like an amazing deal!
@@DriversSide Yeah, had not run for 10 years, new battery and it started just fine
Honda cb 550 can you give me some tips
I’m in need of as much info as I can get on Cafe Racers when I get out of bootcamp. I’m hoping to get me one but Ik I’ll be near the cost when I get stationed
Don’t buy one from any dealerships near your base.
Do you think a BMW K100 or K1100 is a good beginner bike to learn with?
I have a xs1100 and was curious if it would be a good platform for a Cafe racer?
I think it would work pretty well!
What is your opinion on opinion on the Yamaha Virago as cafe racer build for a beginner? Many thanks.
Hey there! I think the Virago is an awesome platform! There is lots of content out there for you if you're looking to customize one and they seem like great bikes!
Are they as adaptable and easy as the Honda CBRs?
I'm brainstorming on changing an original look 2007 BMW R1200R into a cafe racer or toaster. Suggestions?, send them my way. Thanks
My first was a rebuild on my 1975 Ducati 860 GT. the problem with most of the Bikes of earlier than the late 80s was the frames weren't stiff enough for the tire tech improvements so setting one up might take some frame stiffening. My ducati was stiff enough and had a wide swing arm so converting to a DiD wm6 rim and running state of the art tires of the 90s worked well. Drawbacks crappy switch and electrical gear and a long wheel base made is a slow turner but supremely stable healed over even in dumpy conditions.
That's interesting! I didn't consider the frame stiffness when thinking about how tires have improved over the decades
Would a CB be a good first bike to get and to learn to ride on ?
Oh yes! CB motorcycles are great for all levels!
I got a 80 cb750 for my first bike, about a month in right now
xs750 engine I can say is probably bullet proof. I have 2 extra I bought and got to run each under $300
Awesome! Yes, that engine is great!
1. Honda cb
2. Suzuki gs
3. Kawasaki kz
4. Yamaha Sr400&sr500
5. Yamaha xs650
The Honda CB platform also has the honda cbx, which is in many people's opinion the best sounding engine on any motorised vehicle outside of the Lexus LFA, and unlike a Lexus LFA you can get a cbx for under 15k
Very true!!
@@DriversSide I would recomend it as a bike for people to build, however it's hard to find, and when you do find one you usually don't wanna ruin it
There is this Bike here in my Country Its called Kawasaki barako Its single Cylinder 175cc the Barako 2 has 177 and both versions had 4 gears on and mainly used as Business bikes we put it in a sidecar and call it "Traysikel" Its pretty cheap in us i gues cuz Its 80k+ here and 1 dollar is equal to 50php here
That’s awesome! I will have to research these!
I got a 1997 Suzuki GL 750 not sure what I want to do with it but really like some help but I want to do it myself just don't know where to start pay 50 bucks for it.
Wow that is a great deal! I would start by getting it running well
@@DriversSide thank you I'm going to give you my best thanks for all the great videos and tips you're awesome dude I wish I could do what you do I'm going to learn.
I pAid ,$800 for a 1996 nighthawk 750 that runs but needs work. What u think?
Nighthawks are always a good pickup!! For $800 and a little work, I think you’ll be really pleased
You got a subscriber just for having a firebird in your video.
Aye let's go! Thanks for the support! Got lots of videos planned for this season!
@@DriversSide oh yeah and as for my first bike I chose a 1980 Kawasaki kz750 g1 that’s been modified into a cafe racer gotta say the learning curve is steep
What do you think about BMW? Something like a R 45 or R 65
Those will be in a separate video!
Bmw k75 is much better and fairly easy and cheap to work on.
I’m looking to work on a 1970s AMF Harley Davidson Z90, Comments or suggestions?
That's awesome! I have a similar AMF Harley waiting to be worked on in the garage. Once I dive into it, I'll probably have some videos for you!
Nice I’m looking forward to it 👌
What year is ideal for the cb’s for a cafe racer?
I’d say the cb500 or cb550s are my favorite
I have a 1981 CB750 and honestly it looks great as a cafe without a lot of custom work, but the 1980s are probably the best years for cafe racers
Just curios, what's your opinion on Royal Enfield Café Racer's?
I think they’re extra cool because they’re British and that’s where the cafe racer scene started! I would want to be more experienced when making one a cafe though to make sure I do it justice
I'm 6.2 which motorcycle should I look into if someone my hight were trying to make a cafe racer
Oooh that's a tough question.. I am not a tall guy by any means so it's hard for me to say. I would say look at bigger cc bikes because larger engines typically lead to larger and longer frames that might be more comfortable for you
I’m 6.3 and my 1981 CB750 is a great fit for how tall i am
Thanks for the advice
What purpose will these bikes serve when cafes are no longer around as a destination to race towards?
Just fun custom bikes to ride around on I guess haha
@@DriversSide I think our species may have to reluctantly give up detonating petroleum for fun. I customized a 2002 500EX and ride it locally only for errands. I had a CB750 in 1969 right out of the Army and rode it without a helmet on busy LA freeways. Insane? Of course! The most fun I can remember was riding a friend's Cushman in 1958 at age 13. That 25mph on a Cushman has not been topped. It's all about context I guess-
I Snagged up my 80 CB650 for a Steal mint condition new carbs new tires
just got a Gs 850 time to make a cafe racer
Do ittttt!!
Where can I find the Cb honda
Link to the shirt?
I bought the shirt at the Petersen Automotive Museum in LA. Maybe they have it for sale on their website?
Bring back goldwing build 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
It’s on the way soon!
GS750
Just came across this video an older gentleman just gave me a 650 cb Honda
Thats awesome! They are great bikes!
Goldwing is the only real opinion
Obviously😂
Looking at the history of cafe racer cast rims never appeared. Only spoke.
I'm confused as to what the goal of this comment is. Are you saying that it's not a cafe racer unless it has wire wheels?