Ace Cafe London

[@slumpsg1901]

As a London lad I first went to the Ace in 1966, It was a true greasy spoon no shop no glamour and the juke box was in a cage. In those days we were the Cafe racers not the bikes a common misconception in these times. The Ace was cool but for me The Busy Bee was where is was at it was like an American diner 24/7 364 days a yr if memory serves . I never stopped riding and now at near 74 yrs old still with no car I hope to be riding a few more yrs yet. Off to the Harley rally in Italy next week woo hoo as the kids say :) .

[@regaz1486]

What is it they say "growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Keep the shiney side up Slumpsg1901.🙂

[@thomasmachelak1014]

Bet you've got some stories. Please tell as many as you can before they're lost.

[@failranch9542]

I was always told to fear an old man in a young man’s game. I fancy myself a pretty good rider and the last old geezer I rode with left me in his dust. Proving again what I’d been told.

[@cablejudge]

See you there!

[@brucefraser5363]

2016, a Canuck from Vancouver is visiting England with his wife who left England back in 1968. We’re in a little village staying with family outside Milton Keynes and I say “who wants to see the iconic Ace Cafe?” No takers so off I go on the bus to Leighton Buzzard, get on the train and eventually find my way to The Ace Cafe! On the forecourt is a a car show and inside is a great history lesson of the infamous mods and rockers era. After a burger I head to the gift store and get a couple keychains for the guys back home. I decide on the bullet shells attached to a key ring. Bad choice. On the way home at the airport of course the x-ray picked them up and they were immediately confiscated! I shoulda thought of that. Consolation: I also got the black t-shirt with the motto “speed thrills”👍🏻 Thx for the memories Freddie!

[@Cayres9]

Im glad Ace Cafe is still in existence as that is a national treasure to the UK

[@chrisdowns3725]

My grandad was one of the ton up boys and this is on my bucket list of places to visit

I visit the Ace every single week. I am from Spain but I’ve been a Londoner for the last 17 years. I love the ace. When is sunny lots of riders go down there and it’s lovely.

[@davericketts9101]

I first went into the Ace cafe, in 1966, as a 10-year-old pillion, on my brother`s Triumph. It was a fantastic experience which influenced the rest of my life. Sadly, he was killed the following year, on that bike. When the original Ace closed, it seemed to me that it was a link with the past, that would never return. Glad it survives today.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

We’ve never been to the Ace Cafe, believe it or not! Great to chat with you on Friday. Catch up soon 👍🏼👍🏼

[@JW20236]

A bit far from you but it would make a great place for the proposed meet-up. Or where the meet-up finishes...

[@zachariaszut]

Your channel is top notch. Glad to see the OlMan back. Awaiting future videos. Cheers.

[@silkycherry]

What are you doing here!? 😄👍

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

@@silkycherry we love to watch Freddie too 😁

[@jasm361]

more colabs from brit moto content creators😊

[@m.f.m.67]

I and a riding buddy flew into Heathrow from the states last year. Hired (rented) a couple of bikes. The Ace was our very first stop for breakfast on our way to the Yorkshire Dales. The Ace had been on my Bucket List for years. Couldn't believe I'd finally made it. (And it didn't rain 😄)

[@nickbazan27]

the bonnie turned out so good. The wurks really out did thenselves

[@martinlegrice1414]

Preservation of history at its finest…a beautiful thing

[@jotel7862]

Funny! I have been there today and it is very cool seeing this on KZbin. Yesterday I was on Tabacco Docks at the Bike Shed and it was a great motorbike weekend. Now back in Germany I must say that your motorbike culture is great 👍

[@bigadventuremoto8634]

Really enjoyed the history lesson Freddie…..

[@stevelong5510]

We used to play ‘mods and rockers’ in the playground at school when I was 11 years old in 1966 , the heyday of British bikes and Italian scooters . Still love both!

[@sussexbikerpillion]

Must be great to have the old girl back. Wish Joe had taken mine! Look forward to your on going adventures. 👍

[@zzzsydneyhom1379]

Thanks for the tour Freddie! Glad you've got your baby back...

[@dewipeach]

Just Ace Freddie, what a Classic place and show case for the Bonnies ride out.. we just need better weather..! Hows Monica, well on way to recovery. Cheers

[@cloggsy1971]

Freddie. Your bike is transformed from skip fodder to almost show-worthy! Stunning! I hope you look after it with the same care and attention that Joe has put into its restoration 🙏🏻

[@NickStaib]

I live in SW London, so an early Sunday ride for their Big Breakfast is often on the cards. I'm no 70 and my son is 37 - there is nothing quite like racing (er, riding) there. Me on my Super Meteor and him on his Street Twin as we anticipate the taste of those bacon n eggs, sausages, beans and a welcome catch up! Your Bonneville is simply magnificent, enhanced of course by the quality tool roll!

[@enriqueperla4939]

Was just like being there. Thanks for the tour Freddie!

[@RichardParsons65]

Lambretta, Freddie, not a Vespa. The Ace Cafe looks fab. Thanks for the tour. We, in Manchester, would a place like this. Your Bonnie is both looking, and sounding, amazing. You must be so pleased.

[@shaundewar7397]

It's actually a Scomadi, a lambretta GP knock off.

[@michaelcallan4121]

@@shaundewar7397 Correct mate.

[@FreddieDobbs]

Thanks Richard, it feels really good to have it back🏍️ I need to up my scooter knowledge!

[@PeterNolan-009]

Wow Freddie. I just watched the big reveal on Joes channel. Man, you are so lucky to find him and have him take care of your bike. It looks brand new. I am so looking forward to seeing your next adventure on the bonnie.

[@PaulBean-qf5mp]

Hi Freddie, great to meet you yesterday at the Bike Shed, Tobacco Dock. Don’t forget to put Coggeshall and its 13th century monastic barn on your list. Ride Safe!

[@sandysteve97]

Dave day ride from there is going to be amazing

[@ourhudlathome8885]

The Ace Cafe and all the British bikes feature in a great kitchen sink drama from 1963 called the leather boys. A few KZbin channels have the whole film in decent quality if you search for it. It even has a young Mike Baldwin from Corrie in it, a great period film whether you appreciate the bikes or not.

[@andrewp634]

Love your video's so honest and your passion for bikes really come through. Just got back into biking and enjoying your channel

[@lord.onk99]

Good visit Freddie, thank you.

[@bigwill4423]

Will never forget the absolute nightmare you and Monica had with trying to bump start the bonville at that very spot....what an unbelievable transformation....god bless Joe and here's to the phoenix that has risen from the ashes known as the Bonneville...many happy miles to you and Monica together on it! 😎😎😎👍

[@jannerfox9292]

Nice one Freddie, our ancestorial home, I as a 1967 BSA rider the bike is a hooligan and yes still ton up, oh shame on her she is harlett but my personal harlett she is called Julie😍😍 It is so good to see you back on the bonnie.

[@stephennewell6628]

Hi Freddie, if you do want to come to the Adventure Bike Festival this year, I have a spare VIP ticket for the whole event which I would be very happy to donate so you can experience the best biking event of the year. It will only cost you a beer! Bring your Wingman of the Road and join us for a great weekend. Just let me know if you are interested. Steve.

[@michaelmclarney1994]

Nice of you to offer Freddie your spare tickets, I think he would love it, especially after his Transalp experience! I'm going for the first time this year and can't wait as I'm considering buying an adventure bike 😀👍

[@stephennewell6628]

@@michaelmclarney1994 it’s such a fun weekend, you will have a great time, see you there 👍

[@dogzero1]

I'll have it if Freddie doesn't take up your offer. I have never been and really cant afford it being a pensioner. I will donate 50 quid to a cancer charity.

[@DazmatronMotorcycleTrips]

I'm surprised Freddie's not already been invited as a guest speaker to the massive ABR festival, especially with all the speaker tents. If not this year I'll certainly be miffed if not next year.

[@BanzoUnchained]

👏

[@insertgoodname4809]

This is the best automotive blogging channel on youtube. TopGear for bikes!

[@FreddieDobbs]

I really appreciate it, thank you

[@Spondoodikins]

Get a fender extender Freddie to keep the crud off that rebuilt engine 😊

[@johnratcliffe4105]

Freddie. Was great to see you at the DGR Tamworth last week. You took the time to jump in a photo with me and have a quick chat, despite being pulled in several directions.. That meant a lot. Every bit the gent i was expecting. You have something pretty special, keep doing what you do, it's infectious.. Hopefully bump; into you again at a future event with a little less time pressure.. You are a class act... 😉👍

[@johnwatson5473]

Good to see you back on the Bonneville - please, please, please get some good bike locks to protect it !

[@johnbiddal5951]

1963. Tea and a Bacon Sarnie or for some Dripping on Toast. Tea 6d a cup, three 45rpm records (singles) for a Shilling or one for 6d. Joe Brown and the Bruvvers ' That's what love will do' got played a lot.. My 500 Triumph 5TA parked up outside and those Tower block flats were not there!! Happy days.👍

[@timothybrockbank7474]

That Norton looks stunning

[@jcblum1507]

Nice place fully of love for motorcycles 🏍

[@TheNorthernClassicRider]

Great little trip around the Ace, love all that 50's /60s nostalgia. Bike looks and sounds great Freddie 👏👏

[@Ormsmoto]

I tried to get across to Ace after the BikeShed Shown on Sunday, but the weather was against me. Love to visit that place when I'm down there 👍

[@leewatkeys9065]

The Bonnie is looking good Freddie. A very good job from The Werks on the rebuild 👍🏻

[@jamesgordon4754]

Great memories of riding hard under the Ferodo Bridge near the Ace back in the early '80s. Great to see it open again. I dropped in quite recently. The day after Stan Bowles passed away, I'd visited Loftus Road to lay flowers for Stan the Man and dropped into the Ace for a late breakfast. It was absolutely heaving. Fantastic place.

[@ChaplainMike777]

Thanks for the video! Great video, too! I was curious what the ACE Cafe looked like on the inside. It is a very interesting place with a great history for sure.

[@maximusmiles8435]

Great history lesson. Need to get me one of their t-shirts

[@jawadamin3761]

Hi Freddie, great to see you were at the Ace Cafe recently. I’ve been a subscriber to your channel afew years now and really enjoy your trips (Goa) and followed the @TheWurks rebuild of your Bonneville, amazing job. Would you consider holding a Q&A event at somewhere like the Ace Cafe for your subscribers? I’m sure we’ve all got a load of questions and it would be a real pleasure to see you in person. All the best, Joe

[@guyrose2239]

Yea....on a Sunny Sunday in July....would be a great gig!

[@Pigdowndog]

Went there a couple of times in the mid sixties on my '59 Bonnie but being a "Sarf London" boy my cafe of choice was Johnson's near Brands Hatch. No helmets required.

[@Americathebeautiful49]

Even South London isn’t that close to Brands Hatch is it. I’m a Yank but i had a BSA in 68 then got into motocross with an AJS and finally needed up at Motor Racing Stables at Brands Hatch.

[@Pigdowndog]

@@Americathebeautiful49 From where I used to live in South London to Brands Hatch was about 25 miles and the roads were nowhere near as busy in the sixties. A skip and a hop on a motorbike. There was also another cafe called Salt Box in Biggin Hill, Kent which was also a bikers cafe in those days.

[@Richard-pe4cx]

i like your new bike ! only been to the cafe once with Southampton MAG on a stop of to one of the MAG demos at trafalgar square must go back one day

[@skynyrdd1]

Great video as always, good to see you back on the Bonnie, it doesn't matter the weather when you're on the right bike.

[@leanatale7251]

Nice to see your bonnie back on the road.

[@johnnyralf3453]

I spent most of my teenage years back in the early 60s in the ace cafe, being all night with bikes coming and going. The likes of BSA"s triumphs bsa gold stars tritons Ariels Velocettes and many moore. In 69 it shut down and became a tyre company. And what is so wonderful when it reopened as the Ace cafe as we know it today the original Rockola juke box was found upstairs on the first floor if my memory doesn't fail me. Good old days, had a great impact on my teenage years..

[@brucesaville6976]

Thank you for the tour ,thank you for you're informative channel.....

[@stan9636]

Your bike sounds great now

[@TheWhitey321]

The Bonnie is looking Sweeeeeet…! Sounds great too… Love it.. 👍🏼

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

The most famous of those ' ton-up ' 2 minute records Freddie was Sheila by Tommy Roe , released in 1962, at the tail end of the Rock N Roll music craze for a while, very much based on the style of Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly.

[@longjonwhite]

Very old biker here. Yes, a great joke was to put something really shite (like Tommy Roe) on, inflict it on the others , while you went for a nice little 3 minute ride! 😂😂

[@jonmartin88]

Great video. Interesting and enjoyable.

[@maxtonfurnival4120]

Hi Freddie, you have got to watch the Leather Boys. 1960s British film set mainly at the Ace cafe.

[@eddiemizen3703]

Nice bit on the ace cafe, nostalgia Freddie

[@markwilliamson2795]

Thanks Freddie & Monica.....May 30 th 2024 to June 1 st Big Daddy Ed Roth Reunion , Manti , Utah.....Food music , Cars , Rat rods , Bikes and trikes take over the very small Mormon town...

[@stevezahn8056]

Thanks for going there Freddie. That’s been a bucket list place for me for a long time. I sure would love to cross the pond and check out all the places that you go to over in England. Remember now when you get home, you CLEAN the Bonnie👍😎

[@steveaga4683]

"A hundred miles an aaah!" Love it!

[@guyrose2239]

Ha Ha .....spot on chap!

[@volt8684]

Of all the bikes we have seen u on. I am so glad ur back on the bonny. It’s why I subbed years ago.never let that one go and don’t worry about its cleanliness. My gt85 regular application and acf 50 twice a year has served me all my many years of biking and bikes. Only think is, is maintenance and pay for it Fred but with someone you trust. I dont need to name names where you have been stiffed

[@gilesl]

It's a very special place. I like you started going just after it reopened in 2001(it was a tyre shop before). I've not been for years after leaving the area but will be back at some point!

[@backontwowheels9469]

I am glad to see it is open again, I have only visited when working in London and at that time the car park was mainly pot holed and part unmade. I will have to bring the speedmaster down. I am also booked in to the ABR festival

[@FabulousWanderers]

Quality KZbin content, totally Awesome Freddie & Monika 🌟🌟🧡 Thank You 😀

[@redhedhair]

Thank you ❤

[@derekfairminer4263]

I live fairly close to the ace and was a regular visitor once, not so much now though. I tend to head south more now, Rykas has new owners and they are doing a fantastic job, Loomies also is a great coffee stop. Ive done many Ace Runs, Brighton, Southend and Margate to name a few. Since Mark did a great job on getting the Ace reopened many other coffee stops and biker venues have opened and maybe over taken (no pun intended) the Ace, great of the nostalgia although not often worth the effort of getting there for me anyways. If you've never been a must visit. Just found you're channel this morning and really enjoyed this film, many thanks.

[@guyrose2239]

Good to read about Rykas...a fave watering hole when I lived in Kent...must get there again on a sunny Sunday....

[@gaborbaranyai2142]

Thanks for the cool video! Yes, I got the Ace Cafe on my bucketlist! so, hopefully in 2025 , I need to plan trip from The Netherlands to Londen on my Triumph Speed Twin 1200!😊

[@kenhampshire9917]

The scooter isn't a Vespa or a Lambretta. It's a Royal Alloy, a British designed Chinese/Taiwanese built Lambretta clone with a Honda GY6 125cc engine. I know this because I own a 300cc version. Love your videos Freddie, always really interesting.

[@mrcintheuk4641]

The Ace Cafe leather jackets are made by Aero Leather Clothing which is based in Scotland. A snip at £750.

[@trailingarm63]

In the early to mid 1990s I used to stop by the site on my bike. You would often see Mark Wilsmore sitting in front of a little cabin with a sign explaining the campaign to reopen the Ace and a bucket for contributions. He was a friendly bloke and I would put a few quid in the kitty even though I thought it was a bit of a longshot. Shows how much I know! An amazing success, well done Mark. The location is superb - a service road off the North Circular and close to the start of the M1. The neighbours are more commercial than residential which helps keeps the complaints down. Re the Bonneville, that front mudguard is useless, get yourself a full-size one, it will help you keep the bike clean. Cheers!

[@BanzoUnchained]

Wonderful spot. Thanks for all the detail!

[@BlackThor15]

Really awesome tho see that Bonnie is back, what an iconic machine! 👍👍

[@zachariaszut]

1:18 Eagle-eyed then. So much for wading on bikes. Not to mention the proverbially destructive desert sand. Good of you for sticking with sweet ol Bonnie. And how sweet she proved to be. She churns out charisma in spades. Thanks for the encyclopaedic tour in Ace Cafe London. Spot on as usual. Ride safely mate. Cheers.

[@pleun315]

I'm having breakfast with Freddie and Monica , life is great ❤ hi from Holland

[@justkidding9751]

Hi Freddie, great vlog, me and my two brothers all born in the 50s love our bikes and have been bikers all our lives. Lovely to see your bonnie back on the road, you must be chuffed. Myself I know what it's like to be off the road as I had a 9 year break after back surgery in 2014 and I got mine back on the road last summer. Happy days buddy.

[@jimkieninger8097]

Great video Freddie, thanks for showing us around the place.

[@PaulTomlinson-rs7wk]

love the ace, always make sure we head there when back in blitey. cant beat the breaky and always drewl over the ace 904 thruxton.

[@robinbowler2955]

Really enjoyed that one I was going to comment on the scooter but got beaten to it . I keep meaning to go to there when I’m back visiting family and friends but now I got given a Triumph Ace Cafe cap from my dealer the other week when I picked up my 400 Scrambler X from North of Montreal I’ll definitely have to go . The Leather Boys a great film from 1964 depicts that whole era brilliantly , ahead of its time too with its other content .

[@JohnSmith-xw5qe]

Tho I live in London I’ve never been to the Ace Cafe on the North Circular Road tho I’ve passed it hundreds of time over the years! As I’ve got some time off soon I think are jump on the bike one morning & take a trip up there for breakfast, very good video Freddie & the Bonnie looks & sounds great too Joe from the WURKS has done brilliant!

[@Nils_Martin]

Brilliant video, love how you incorporate a bit of ACE CAFÉ history. I would like to recommend the WARR'S 100th anniversary celebration on Saturday 6th July. You can't miss out on that!

[@planefrog]

Really enjoyed that explanation of the Ace cafe. Cheers. Maybe we'll get a summer this year, who knows !

[@trevorphillips3055]

The thruxton featured was modified and tuned by T3 racing. It has 80bhp and 60 lbft of torque. Upgrade suspension, etc. I remember reading about it at the time. 😊

[@ColinVance-q8u]

"Life, life you hear me...give my creation liiiiffffe! Nice you back on the Bonnie!

[@karenwiltshire4311]

Great video defiantly going to go and visit soon the Ace Cafe, we are going to the ABR for the first time this year really hope you are there

[@keithduncan9304]

The Ace is my local and I missed you on the Wednesday you visited only due to the weather. When you went into the cafe and went to the Duke box there are 4 guys sitting at the table, this is our usual table, 2 of them, Martin and Keith are original 59 Club members and Keith was one of the well known Teddy boys as well back in the day. They both know more about the Ace than anyone who visits and works there. Friday night is bike night, car park is packed out every Friday with practically every bike make and model you can think of. Great place to visit, we meet many bikers at the Ace who have it on their 'tick list' to visit. You will always get a warm welcome at the Ace 👍🫡

[@davidrobinson4118]

Nice vid as always Freddie. Bike looks great and it's good to see that you are not worried about a little rain. Too many bikes are hidden away at the merest hint of a raindrop!

[@mikerider58]

Freddie, you didn't mention the Worlds most iconic guitar amplifier The British Marshall. It was sitting there on the stage amongst The British Bikes. Marshall Amps back in the day we're used by Most Rock Bands including bands like The Who, Jimmy Hendrix and a million more. I used a Marshall JCM 800 50 Watt combo during my Rock years, Fantastic Amp. I'll excuse you this time Freddie but never walk past and ignore The Greatest British invention to come out of Britain again 😅 Great video and Well done Joe & Emily 😊

[@BulldogBill]

My friends Aden and Barry Gerrens [Son and Father] both use 50 Watt JCM800 2 X 12 Combos in their Band "Forged Classic Rock" 🙂 Both JCM800's are mid 1980's models and they are in superb condition as I maintain and Service both amps for them😎 The JCM800'S have a very unique sound matched, but different in character, only by Aden's Marshall Silver Jubilee 100 watt head🙂

[@CyberspyUsurped]

Yoooo that's my friends Scott and Linda in the background (currently visiting the UK) with a couple of people starting at around 7:40

[@youngeroldie5089]

A great nostalgic video, been a few years since I have been but its a must do visit for anyone who loves motorbikes. Well done Freddie.

[@Surbatron]

Great to see things come full circle, you made the decision to commit to your relationship....with the bike! and its great to see you re-united. Enjoy.

[@larrywade9041]

Almost like old times again with you & your bike. I say almost because Monika enhances things. What a beautiful smile she has. Now be straight up Freddie- who puts the music to your videos? How far wrong would I be if I guessed Monika? Anyway, could we please have a video with the 2 of you buzzing around? Pretty please!! Cheers!! Have a great day!! Illinois, USA

[@paulhaskin73]

I hope you cleaned the Bonny when you got home!

[@TheBikerFormerlyKnownAs]

It's great to see the Bonneville back out on adventures again. A great video to start Sunday, before heading over to Bike Shed to watch Moto Gp, then back down to Bike Shed Show for the final few hours.

[@douggantenbein5382]

What a “ time trip”. Thanks Freddie, very entertaining!

[@TheSpectre223]

That moped is inspired (here meaning 'with tracing paper') by Lambretta design cues, not Vespa, and it's actually a Scomadi. It's also a lot newer than it looks.

[@loddude5706]

Thanks Freddie; it's 16.50 on a dull & damp Monday, & NOW I want a 'Full English breakfast'! : )

[@derekhastings8481]

Great video Freddie. Really enjoyed it. I haven’t been to the Ace Cafe, but it’s back on the list now! Thanks

[@porroh869]

Great video, will pay it a visit when next in the smoke 👍

[@mikemcgeehan4321]

Very cool.

[@kaizen2049]

The bonnie is back to it's old stomping grounds ❤ & now with a lot more love & care ❤

[@guyrose2239]

It’s been way too long for me to see the Ace… great to have a tour with you… thanks Fred 👍🏻🏍️⭐️

[@jontaylor5322]

I used to work in Park Royal for over 30 years, before it's reopening as you see it now, it was a car Tyre Centre... Hence the big front windows where the shutters used to be.... They do a very good breakfast & are always very friendly here. Great video! 👍👍👍