Is a Yamaha Fazer 600 a good donor for a Cafe Racer?

#ducati #ducatimonster #caferacer
After another week of orders not coming in and delays to the Monster build we're looking at how viable a Yamaha Fazer 600 is as a Cafe Racer Donor.
I think any bike can be made into a Cafe Racer but for that true look some have bigger challenges than others.
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[@hlad11]

I have to say that I have binge watched through your ~3years worth of channel videos since mid-way through Covid-19 lockdown and have finally caught up with your latest content. It's been enjoyable and informative to watch you. I hope to find the space one day to join the cafe racer building scene, but for now I watch with interest. Keep it up and thanks for the great content!

[@forthebold]

Wow, thank you! Hope you join us too one day.

[@Eight20]

The black and yellow one toward the end of the video is amazing 9:46 , and if I was to build one that would be the directions I'd go for! Great video, even better discussion point!

[@forthebold]

There are a lot for it, and they do scrub up well, heck, if DMOL can make their Kenzo from a Goldwing, anything is possible

[@Eight20]

@@forthebold Kenzo is one of the most amazing customs out there, if your Ghost project comes out half as well, it'll be awesome!

[@forthebold]

It would be a dream if it did. I don’t think it will be as radical but hopefully it’ll look ok next to it.

[@ericweber1969]

There were some pretty nice Customs presented in your video. This machine is a better base than my Seca II/diversion. I've done a triumph headlight and fork gaiters, looks pretty good overall, but not a real cafe racer. I'll probably be going for a different machine to do a custom build on in the near future, but the Seca has been a good bike for me.

[@gregoryaparker]

I needed this video before I built my custom Fazer almost 3 years ago.

[@forthebold]

Hope it helps even late.

[@ronfuller9503]

Greetings from Florida Brutally honest review Thanks for sharing Stay safe, ride safe

[@forthebold]

Thanks for watching.

[@darrenlucas2768]

I started off thinking I wasn't going to enjoy this....but you ended it so well with such an honest sum up. Only ever got to ride one once at a wheelie school.....had rental bars on and no front fairing....but what a cracking machine.... Good brakes,balanced and pokey. They look better modified in some pictures than others here.....I guess it's all about -taste, which is how you sum it up so well I've considered doing one for a few years myself after buying a very cheap GSXF750 F, only to bail out at the last min with that one once I saw it with it's clothes off!🙈....but that paid way to a complete build on that bike in a totally different direction....more restoration than diversity but equally satisfying.....having something that has your own expression is where it's at over going on to eBay and buying a GS bmw1200 because everyone is doing it!

[@forthebold]

Glad you enjoyed it. To be honest I started off the video hating it but the more I started looking the more I could see it working. I guess that's sometimes the nice challenge like with a GSXF

[@sorenfuhrer401]

I have one that's rebuild into something like a Cafe Racer and it is a great donor bike imho. It's a joy to ride and can look really amazing when done correctly as your pictures proof. BTW great channel!

[@forthebold]

It sure is fun high revs. Glad you enjoyed your build.

[@shaneweightman]

I have a red fazer, like the one here , and agree with what you say , no sole, bland , I ripped off the fairing and slowly slowly, converting to a cafe racer ,some tools required, I’ve got to save up for and buy , such as the welder , so can’t cut the frame till I have that , as that will put my bike off the road , not made my mind up on finished item colour etc ,, cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧

[@forthebold]

Thanks for the comment too.

[@markb3480]

with the fazer be aware that the early fz 600 fazer (fzs) and the following fz6 had the 599cc 95hp engine and has far more power and performance than the later fz6r that had about 75hp and feels as described in the video. but the fz6 uses the original r6 engine and it really does shift

[@forthebold]

Nice advice.

[@waffoo999]

Yes! I’ve got a Fazer custom - bit more street tracker than cafe racer but it’s such a good engine. Doesn’t play nice with pod filters though - EDIT actually you have a picture of my bike at 10:18 😂

[@forthebold]

Amazing. Glad to know who owns this bike. So many photos get shared through the web with no reference nowadays

[@veto5912]

Hi Craig, just quick question, have you tried to do anything with the frame underneath the seat (narrow it a bit) as started to do mine but the frame a lot wider than the seat in the end bit, thank you

[@nigelwren6295]

Great stuff enjoy the videos. Watching your builds has inspired me to start my own project I'm currently working on a1976 honda cb550. I'm fitting pod filters and know I need to change the jetting,only problem is I can't find a UK supplier. Can you recommend a company? Many thanks Nigel

[@forthebold]

I'm not too familiar with UK jetting suppliers, an important thing to add though is make sure you spend money on decent pods

[@NickRusty]

Hell yeah!! 🤟🔥

[@forthebold]

:)

[@carontecycles532]

I had to double take....A483? Judging by the direction you gotta be based around Wrexham? If so, once i finished the bloody project bike :) would be cool to meet up for a chin wag as you are by neck of the woods

[@forthebold]

I do ride around this area a lot. Be nice for a ride out when you’re finished.

[@wemel007]

It would be so cool if you could try an old style fairing!! I think a nice red one would go great with that tank! It might even look like a ducati a bit then. The engine does sound powerfull tho!

[@forthebold]

yeah the old style would look very nice

[@enlightenedidiot9552]

It's pretty perfect. Mostly just the headlight area sans big fairing and emptying the tail. Good luck.

[@forthebold]

Oh I won’t be doing anything to this. I have plenty on the go without a new one.

[@enlightenedidiot9552]

@@forthebold Ok well you asked about a cafe racer build...

[@forthebold]

Just as a discussion on the video. At the moment the Mongrel and Ducati is keeping me more than busy. And it’s not my Fazer.

[@enlightenedidiot9552]

@@forthebold Ok. Props on the Ducati :)

[@dazthejazz1640]

From the same family comes the XJ series, which your mate Jish, is doing atm. I have one in stock form and am considering a cafe conversion, but I’m still trawling for ideas and inspiration.. As you said, it’s just up to the individual to make their own mark on the bike of choice. As the older bikes become harder to get, we’ll need to look to the later bikes and they’ll become the next wave of cafe customs.

[@forthebold]

Absolutely, I think the XJ definitely has an easier time with converting as it still has the same stance as CBs, but still it is 100% how big people can dream

[@kihestad]

You can take a look at my Yamaha XJ600 rebuild: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIKoY5dnl9tmeLs

[@nathanbailey7903]

I agree that the Fazer isn't the best cafe racer donor, and it suits a streetfighter style but i wanted to make something different and turned my 2000 FZS600 into something i like. Happy to share photos if anyone wants to see it.

[@forthebold]

Street fighter it fits instantly

[@tonybrett7974]

Its possible to do any style to just about any bike, there are some pretty good examples out there (also some awful abominations), but beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc. Just one word of warning though old Yamahas are cheap to buy but are eye wateringly expensive on parts, as I now know all to well - having taken the angle grinder & club hammer to my XJ600S.

[@forthebold]

That’s very true. I’ve always wanted to do an XV and seen so many things going wrong with them

[@woodywoodpecker2708]

Makes me want to see what you could make out of it. In other words: this should be another project.

[@forthebold]

Unfortunately not mine. And they've increased in price

[@praveen.r4192]

Be safe stay home and watch for the bold😍😇

[@forthebold]

Always a good place to be

[@gabeonelio9139]

Where is my mongral build, I am waiting for it, it’s gonna be pretty sweet

[@forthebold]

2 weeks time there’ll be a video.

[@no_budget_youtuber_project6586]

Best donor for cafe racer. My fazer isn't finished but I love it

[@forthebold]

Excellent

[@no_budget_youtuber_project6586]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYrTkpV_at58ps0 I agree to you... The exhaust is Bull shit, the legal Part in germany is some times little bit difficult, but I will try one from hurric.

[@gregoryaparker]

@@no_budget_youtuber_project6586 I have a Hurric exhaust on my Fazer build..

[@BreezerVsTheWow]

Might be a bit boring, but it was my first bike, and really think its perfect for that first year of riding. Got nice enough power, think has descent looks for such a cheap bike. Wouldnt make it a project though. But would def recommend it to someone looking for their first bike.

[@forthebold]

It's true, it has that power without killing yourself in your first year of riding. The addition of the fairing makes it a much more pleasant ride also. Much different to my Monster say for a beginner.

[@itsdotincdot]

I actually really like the look of that tank on the stock frame. The stock tail assembly is way too long and pointy IMO, I've never been a fan of those massive canister mufflers either. I agree with you about the swing-arm, just black it out.

[@forthebold]

Blacking it out would be the simplest solution. A more complex one would be to find an old replacement.

[@itsdotincdot]

@@forthebold Are you suggested replacing it with a more retro style swing-arm?

[@forthebold]

A tubular steel swing arm would achieve this.

[@itsdotincdot]

@@forthebold That sounds interesting, do you have a particular compatible unit in mind, or are you thinking custom part? It would be a shame to substitute a more vintage looking part that didn't perform as well.

[@bobbobby4898]

What do you think of a Honda Hornet 600 for a cafe racer?

[@bobbobby4898]

Year 2000

[@forthebold]

I think any bike is possible, all depends on the builder and the vision

[@OldManTony]

Nice way to fill a gap. Delivery when you are a little out of the way (like you or where I am in Norfolk) can be a bit of a challenge. Amazon is pretty good but some of the others like “herpes” can be challenging!

[@forthebold]

It’s what I’ve ended up doing. Teaches me that it’s better to shop Amazon.

[@brunoh.9843]

YES! 🇧🇷

[@fog99uk]

Does it start with the letter Y?

[@forthebold]

No

[@pbkayakyer]

Absolutely.

[@forthebold]

:)

[@moarmoto9]

The fazers are pretty quick for a 600 commuter bike!

[@moarmoto9]

And I don't think anyone would obkect to someone cutting up the Fazer, its a bit of an ugly duckling!

[@forthebold]

Top end they are surprisingly quick, very different low end to something like a bonneville or monster

[@forthebold]

Just like the CX500

[@moarmoto9]

@@forthebold Blue spot calipers are pretty good for the era too! With some decent pads in they pull up my XJR1300 with ease so no problem stopping a fazer!

[@kihestad]

I went for street fighter look for my Yamaha XJ600: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIKoY5dnl9tmeLs In my home country (Norway) 70' bikes are hard to find. Most of them are already rebuilt or in perfect original condition, thereby also expensive. I also beleive we will get more cafe racer builds based on 80' and 90' bikes, many of the bikes from this time period is just not very good looking, too much plastic and strange color combinations 😬

[@forthebold]

Very nice

[@neilcole3406]

The bandit would make a better cafe racer!

[@forthebold]

It does

[@danieletzkorn2788]

The Yamaha FZ6 is a fantastic cafe conversion. 2004, 05, 06 offered a fantastic platform at something closer to 95hp. Please do it. You and I had this talk over a year ago!

[@forthebold]

I won’t be doing a Fazer build anytime soon unfortunately. Maybe one day

[@danieletzkorn2788]

@@forthebold You've got a lot going on all the time man. I look forward to the project one day!

[@pcbiker2995]

Hello check out this Yamaha Fazer 600 Cafe Racer conversion : kzbin.info/www/bejne/hV65d3iAqsymr6M or this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/joqVZ4Sfq9F4bKs. Ride safe ✌

[@BikerBrad72]

My Hermes by any chance?? 🤣🤣

[@forthebold]

No surprisingly. There’s a clue in what I say though 😂

[@libertyman3072]

🤘😷 VAS Y MA FAZER 🏍 T'ES BONNE BONNE BONNE 💪😜 🏍 🏁 🏍️ 🏁 🏍️ 🏁 🏍️ 🏁 🏍️ 🏁 🏍️ 🏁🏍️🏁🏍️2002 yellow 🏍️🏁🏍️🏁

[@forthebold]

The yellow is nice

[@luthaeris1]

Yes? 1st comment

[@forthebold]

Congrats

[@tacostwowheels4934]

Awesome video! I make simular content. Would be great to get your feedback

[@fit21guy]

There is a reason people keep the stock exhaust and that is because aftermarket exhaust and air filters cause flat spots at 7000rpm... which is also where the powerband should kick in. Gen 1 R1 forks and yokes fit with the stock front wheel, the stem does need to be swapped and 2 spacers made.

[@colinculverwell325]

To answer the question; no I dont think the Fazer is a good base for a cafe racer. Not because it's not a good bike but because it's the wrong shape to start with. What it is is a great all round bike. Ok it's a parts bin special but the basis of the engine started life in the FZR600 and shared a lot with its sister the 600 Thundercat so its reliable, smooth and has enough power for most real world situations. It also came with the best brakes in its class being lifted straight from the R1 parts bin. It will commute, tour and scratch even if the suspension it a little on the soft side. I've had two, still got one of them and covered over 150,000 miles on them. Great all round bike ,yes. Cafe racer, no!

[@forthebold]

Nice answer

[@orlymicholdampog8097]

2nd

[@forthebold]

second congrats

[@Wildernessoutside]

bet your talking about yodel

[@forthebold]

For once no

[@Wildernessoutside]

For The Bold makes a change lol

[@Reinemachefrau]

No, guys don't do a Fazer cafe racer. Lengthen the swing arm by 6 inches. Lower the front end an inch. Flatter bars. Voila! DRAG BIKE. No? OK please yourselves!

[@forthebold]

I like the idea of a drag bike even more.

[@Reinemachefrau]

@@forthebold Yeah as you so rightly say......stance.

[@stevemasters9539]

No

[@forthebold]

Simple, to the point