What's a good bike to "cafe"???

[bowie]

Hi All,

Seeing lots of cafe racers being built, and was wondering what bikes people reckon make a good basis. I know a lot of older bikes lend themselves well to "cafe-ing", but I couldn't pick an XS from an XJ. Maybe include a picture of a stock example and then one that's been "cafe'd"? Tempted to do a cafe myself, but not sure what bike to start with.

cheers,
Bowie

[Commander Keen]

BMW R series

[HotelBushranger]

Don't have pics now, but:

Yamaha
SR series (single)
XS series (twin)
XJ series (triple)

Honda
CD series
CB series
CX series
CM series

[Roger Explosion]

Pretty much anything smallish with air cooling and a twin shock rear. Go nuts.

[mcmurray]

Honda CB750 4cyl.

[Nero Diablo]

Guzzi's seem to be popular .

[Rodent]

Bonneville's look sweet - check out Laika's in the PSB Garage:fap::fap:

[bobinatcat]

what is meant by 'to cafe?'
What are some characteristics of a cafe racer?
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[HotelBushranger]

Clip ons, rearsets, sometimes ally tank, reduce as much weight as possible, basically taking the neutral riding position bikes that were stock in the 60's & 70's and making them a lot sportier, think Norton Commando's and BSA Goldstars/Lightnings. They're called cafe racers because the riders used to congregate at truck stops and cafes and race the song on the jukebox, a very important characteristic is handling, bikes doing 100mph on twisty English roads needed to have good handling.

[robwas]

Start with an XS250. I know where you could get one to start with.
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