by "JEM" (jem)
Published 02/18/2017 at 10:37
by "JEM" (jem)
Published 02/18/2017 at 10:37
Tags: MOTORCYLES
; TWOWHEELSGOOD
STARS: 0
I’ve been wanting a vintage, cafe style bike for awhile now. Not something to take on trips/highways (Thank you Bandit 1250 for that!) but instead more to tool around town/back roads, tinker on, enjoy something with “style” and honestly, this looks perfect. Not too old, right engine size, and I LOVE the grey color with the brown/oxblood seat. Seems like most of the work has been done and visually, it’s what I would want. The $1000 price seems right, actually a little cheap IMO as I see one’s like this go more for about $2000.
Thoughts? Anyone have any pro/cons for these bikes?
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Oh and derp, I know a cafe racer makes a terrible first bike ;) This would be my third bike overall.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/18/2017 at 10:41, STARS: 4
Has anyone written about how a cafe bike makes a good third bike? I am not sure I would not trust it unless someone has written extensively about whether it was a good idea or not first.
Just as long as it isn’t you first bike. They’re terrible for a first bike. Have you heard?
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
02/18/2017 at 10:55, STARS: 3
Good price for any running bike in rideable condition.
"JEM" (jem)
02/18/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 1
You know, I don’t believe anyone has written that article. And dear god, if I buy this (or another cafe bike) I will SURELY write that.
Hell, that’s even another solid reason to buy this bike, as I love writing about bikes in general.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/18/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 1
Wetback. Not the slur - the first time you ride through a puddle or in the rain on this bike, this word will describe what you will have. I will never understand why people remove the rear fender. It keeps you from getting sprayed and protects your important bits if you slide off the back of the seat.
"Needmoargarage" (needmoargarage)
02/18/2017 at 12:22, STARS: 0
Seems like a fair price. Personally, if I wanted a cafe racer I wouldn’t trust buying somebody else’s project; I would start with a stock bike so that I could make sure it was done right.
"JEM" (jem)
02/18/2017 at 12:29, STARS: 1
I actually had that in mind with another bike I’m going to get running/buy/flip from a friend but when I saw this, I realized “this is the bike I want” and that the hard work had been done for me. I also know myself and if I start a “big” project like a full custom, I will never finish.
"JEM" (jem)
02/18/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 0
I probably wouldn’t ride this bike in the rain. On my main bike, since I use it for touring in all weather, I’ve kept the stock fenders. I’m well aware of what you mean though from my youth spent riding BMX bikes!
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
02/18/2017 at 12:34, STARS: 1
I’ll be doing a write up on the bike I built. It’s not my first bike and I’ve been riding for over a decade now. Mine is more of a Brat style bike. I personally think older bikes with less nannies make better learning bikes as you learn how to actually ride rather than letting the bike make up for mistakes. Older bikes also help put a little fear into you. Modern bikes are so smooth and composed. Sometimes they make people think they’re better riders than they really are.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
02/18/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 1
Seems like a good price. You can still find old running bikes for a grand around me which is what I prefer. I bought my ‘73 CL450 for $1,200 running. Just make sure you figure out the fuckery mentioned about the brakes. I’d be a bit wary buying someone else’s conversion as people tend to cut things that shouldn’t be cut. It looks like all that guy did was cut the seat and rear frame. Not much of a cafe bike, but it has some of the looks. If the frame was cut in the wrong spots and not reinforced properly you’ll get scary handling.
I’ll be doing a writeup soon on the bike that I built. It’s not my first bike, and I’ve been riding for a while. I won’t be telling anyone what first bike not to get because I don’t give a shit.
"JEM" (jem)
02/18/2017 at 12:52, STARS: 1
That looks pretty sweet. Love to read the write up when you get it done!
I see where you’re coming from, and def agree that all the modern traction control stuff is probably a good ida to do without at first so you can learn the basics better. That said, older bikes tend to be harder to keep running right and it can be daunting for a new rider. I’ve seen too many people get turned off from riding because there was always something wrong with the bike.
"GS400SV650CB350-4" (gs400sv650cb350-4)
02/18/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 2
Tell me about one wrapped, one unwrapped pipe? Is this like when George and Jerry couldn’t agree on tuck or no tuck?
"BobintheMtns" (bobinthemtns)
02/18/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0
As mentioned, not a bad price for a bike... but for someone else’s project bike... debatable.... especially with the issues mentioned in the ad.
And secondly, if you want a vintage cafe racer, why are you bothering with a late ‘80's brat bobber
hack-job
project?
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
02/18/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 1
Hahaha. No, thise pipes are from a junkyard and the wrapped one had a weld on it. They’re both wrapped underneath the heat shield, and I only had enough wrap to complete one pipe. The whole bike has a wabi-sabi theme to it. Even the tank has two different paint schemes from one side to the other.
"Needmoargarage" (needmoargarage)
02/18/2017 at 14:15, STARS: 1
Fair enough. I don’t know that particular bike well enough, but triple check the frame where it was cut as well as the suspension mounting points.
"JEM" (jem)
02/18/2017 at 14:21, STARS: 0
Excellent point. Other than a decent weld/no cracking - what should I be looking for on the frame/suspension mounting points?
"JEM" (jem)
02/18/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 0
Brat bobber is probably a better description of what I’m looking for than cafe. I just used the cafe term loosely. Honestly, I just like the looks of this bike. I don’t need/want something truely vintage, just something sorta vintage that I like the looks of.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/18/2017 at 18:05, STARS: 0
When I lived in Texas, there were always small rivers crossing the street where people were watering their lawns. There was no way to avoid them.
"Needmoargarage" (needmoargarage)
02/18/2017 at 18:53, STARS: 1
I guess that the loading points just make sense...it should be more intuitive than anything. I’ve seen some people mount suspension to something rather flimsy or have some weird geometry to make things fit.