Top 5 Mistakes about Cafe Racer Projects

[@erozC]

Cheat sheet for video content 1:18 1) have professional paint for tank, fenders, side panels 2:31 2) make sure parts fit properly, be careful 3:34 3) Choose a bike that's easy to start with (not a dirt tracker) 4:44 4) Don't be too ambitious or you will not finish 5:38 5) Do show off

[@HoldFastFilms]

My first build is not that great but I've learned a lot from it and it runs great and brings a smile to my face. If others don't like it, that's their problem.

[@PseudoSarcasm]

+Hold Fast Films Right on!

[@colinchicoine7378]

At least you built one and it's yours so the hell with the others and since you learnt along, be it from mistakes or success on the first try, then it it always worth it!

[@tskwared667]

Build it for yourself, not to show off. Nothing wrong with showing off and being proud of it, but the whole point should be the fact that you like your design

[@fishhuntadventure]

Hold Fast ya, what others said. My CB350F isn't a concours waxed wowboy and it shows 45 years of life in the chrome pipes, rims. I painted it myself a very retro pattern and even custom body men have been impressed. To me? It is rough, it's flawed, but it's mechanically very good and the little bit of 'raw' gives it a nice zen and 'rat rod' spirit. This guy here is generating views to please the uninitiated. Just makes me want to paint more bikes LOL

[@wombat2248]

HOLD FAST so what we never stop learning, bet you won't make same mistakes next time, as long as it runs sweet , tracks true and stops a bit lol !!

[@JohnWayne2122]

Play at 1.25 speed

[@geniemist]

play at 0.5 and light that joint ;)

[@dumbdog2924]

geniemist agreed XD

[@Johnnywhamo]

geniemist.............LOL! That's about it.

[@Johnnywhamo]

JohnWayne2122.... The BEST advice given, video included.

[@TheMainphrame]

.5

[@zeeKxxL]

I'm glad the voice for Anonymous has a side job

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you. :) Cheers.

[@alexanderbondestam]

RACER TV You're welcome. :) no problem.

[@TheMadee91]

Side gig 😂😂

[@buddmac4315]

This missed the whole point of building a cafe racer. I will damn well rattle can any "F"ing part I want. It's crappy advice that keeps young guys from learning.

[@tyrssen1]

Agreed!

[@jeremybrant8303]

Completely agree. I rattle can my bikes and they turn out pretty good. Not perfect, but Im not looking for perfect.

[@pete_boy71]

...word...!!! he even calls it a project,but doesn`t build it himself...so it`s bought and not a project...i understand he sees himself as a designer...lol..that`s when desk people go on about men`s work...

[@potnudles]

never knew Stephen Hawking was a motorcycle enthusiast..............................

[@RACER_TV]

+Stephen White Lol. But you have to recognize, that my robotic voice is way better. Isn't it?

[@potnudles]

+RACER TV yes, but I always find it very hard listening to robotic voices. haha :p

[@lukemastaah]

+Stephen White my thought exactly.

[@littlad]

+Stephen White I quite enjoyed the robotic voice. It's rather melodic, and this robot, whoever he is, is very knowledgeable.

[@benny868]

That's why he's in a wheelchair. Duh.

[@AimlessMoto]

Hold on... the best thing about a Café Racer project is that 9x out of 10 it's your first project bike... it's the bike that you learn how to do everything on... so doing your own paint is 99% of the process. If you screw it up, you can do it again, and learn from your mistakes. But telling someone to NOT do their own paint job goes 100% against what building your own bike is about. That's the difference between a REAL café racer bike, and real café racer attitude, and hipster garage jockeys that roll up to Starbucks on Sunday morning.

[@tesstickle7267]

dam straight cafe racers came from amateurs ha making things fit,doing it yourself, thinking outside the box. This is just some poser crap,can only buy a bike and not make their own.

[@RACER_TV]

+AimlessMoto You get it all wrong. You are just trying to interpret the main message in your own way. Try to hear everything i said from the beginning, and you will know what is wrong.

[@AimlessMoto]

RACER TV I heard exactly what you said... "do not try to paint the main parts on your own." Maybe the translation of the speaker-bot you're using got it all wrong... but here's the main quote: " But with respect to the main parts, such as the fuel tank, fenders or side covers, let a professional do the work for you. These parts are like the main clothes of a person. They are probably the first thing that will shine infront of your eyes. And that's why a perfect paint job is so important."

[@RACER_TV]

+AimlessMoto Well, maybe that statement was a little bit gruff. But in the beginning i also said that My intention, was not to make you change your mind, but only alert about the most common mistakes, that any beginner usually can't predict. These are only tips to help most of us, and this is always my main intention in all of my videos. Cheers.

[@RT22-pb2pp]

I have put some nice paint jobs from rattle cans, get good quality paint and follow paint rules of prep good them paint. This is not a car, the largest area is tank and to me that is a small part. You lay paint, then buff you can get great paint job cheap. Takes practice but that is the whole point of building yourself, trial and error and satisfaction of making it yourself. Paint is easier than mechanics and welding and fabricating, those take expensive tools, or a good buddy with great tools LOL

[@alexrios4064]

Thank you very realistic message 😊 I purchased an XSR700 Yamaha previous advice from friends whom have had a variety of bykes. I've received a Cafe Racer completed ! Litte changes like the horn, installed fog lights, a detachable 55 Lts. trunk, a skid plate, etc small stuff, fun ! Yamahas are ultra reliable, low maintenance, affordable parts, we know riders of European bykes ( pedigree assumed) look down over Japanese motorcycles, they don't really know what they are missing. Happy ride,cheers 🍻

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend for sharing your perspective. :) Cheers.

[@tyrssen1]

Well, the first mistake I noted was that so-called quote. Second, an amateur with a spray can is able to do a perfectly decent paint job; practice on car models and watch a few videos (or read a book or two.) Think through the details, by all means. Trying to build a caff racer from a dirt bike? Dumb. Caff racers were originated by poor guys in England who cobbled their bikes together as best they could, inspired by the race bikes of the time, using the street bikes they had available.

[@pirreli5]

café racers were designed to go from A to B as quick as possible!....the need to rid of excess weight is the goal!

[@tyrssen1]

Quite right -- the engines would be "beefed up" if possible, tuned as precisely as they could (remember, it was all new to these young guys in '64 and they were wingin' it,) stuff got bobbed to reduce weight, and the lower bars went on, to lower your riding position for less wind resistance.

[@charlieward7606]

bullshit, if you want a real paint job, proper gloss, then you need a spray booth with extractors, a quality gun, a massive compressor, year of experience... anyone can make something look alright with a rattle can but without some vital equipment you will never get the desired look

[@tyrssen1]

Actually Charlie, I think the key ingredient there is "experience." Having been an auto body shop manager, and had a compressor with decent guns, etc. in my home garage, I'm used to the "feel" of painting -- and honest, that's about half of it.

[@charlieward7606]

Seth Tyrssen well how do you get around needing an extractor to stop the paint falling back down, and there are pray cans with the quality of proper automotive paint? I'm no professional by any means but no matter what I do, can or guns there are always problems, cans are generally unreliable and one second of bad spray can ruin the paint job and the clear coat is never good enough and with a cheap gun, water catcher and compressor it's virtually impossible to get enough constant pressure unless you have a very big compressor and cheap guns are useless you need a decent gun, even the cheap water catcher failed me, I use cans for a lot of stuff and with proper prep, lots of coats of primer, base and clear, tarping off an area, wetting the floor around etc I can get a ok job, but not even close to a proper professional paint job. The video is saying that it's pointless to do all the work nicely then paint your own tank, it's going to let down the bike and the effort and cost p trying to get only a ok paint job isn't worth it. Your experience will help you a lot. He said take it to a pro, you are a pro ahaha

[@FernandoJFerreiraJr]

Como sempre um canal completo. Mostrando e ensinando a quem vê ou monta Cafe Racers. E como sempre, até semana que vem.

[@RACER_TV]

+Fernando J Ferreira Jr Obrigado amigo Fernando pela sua já habitual simpatia. :) Um abraço, e até Sexta.

[@ratjaw75]

Great points and solid advice. My young son and I watched this video on the day we decided to embark on building our own cafe bike together ('79 KZ 650). As I teach him about motorcycles I find many of the things I say are also reinforced in the videos on this channel, such as style, beauty, and proportion. Please keep up the great work.

[@RACER_TV]

+ratjaw75 Thank you for sharing your comment. Good choice with that bike. I'm glad knowing that this kind of videos are helpful to most Enthusiasts. Good luck for your Father and Son Project. Cheers.

[@ez_do_102]

One of the best portuguese motorcycle chanels .

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend for all your kind words. I appreciate your support. :) Um abraço.

[@coxbow]

And number 5 is the greatest lesson, because it`s applicable to everything in life... Great video as usual !

[@RACER_TV]

+coxbow I'm glad you liked. :) Thank you for your support. Cheers.

[@golfo0011]

Undoubtedly the best advices one can hear: simplicity and line coherence. An essential video, thanks for your channel.

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend for your support. :) Cheers.

[@Rochestermnlongboard]

please stop using an automated voice-great filming but I hate it!

[@wordreet]

+Ben .Orth Yeap. I watched, but the sound was off after 15 seconds!

[@TheLexiconDevils]

this idiotic fuckwit should just stop full stop. don't paint your bike. pfft what an idiot

[@davurbine7766]

Take a fucking chill pill

[@ellisoddities3953]

I'm pretty positive this guy is french. He may be using it because his English isn't that good. I would rather watch this in English than in french

[@TheClawsDesigns]

+Ellis' oddities i'm pretty sure he's Portuguese

[@rogeriomendonca2945]

Racer tv sem dúvidas é um dos canais mais elegantes, inteligentes e criativos do KZbin. Parabéns, parabéns, parabéns. Grande abraço

[@RACER_TV]

Muito obrigado amigo pela simpatia e pelo apoio. :) Um Abraço.

[@NorthPoleJeff]

This was a very good video. Thank you very much. However, I believe that a person should always paint their own Cafe Bike since it's part of the learning process and it shows that the builder really was the builder and not just someone who says that they built the bike but had everything custom made. I do my own paint and porting and everything except to make my own pipes, but that will be next. My jobs don't always come out right, but we all have a great time talking about our mistakes. Thanks again for a great video and showing some very beautiful motorcycles.

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend for your kind comment. :) Cheers.

[@NorthPoleJeff]

You're welcome, Thank you too.

[@eddiecaplan1908]

I truly belive the only way to learn, is to spend time tuning your own bikes, whether its just some piece of junk you have rescued from someones back garden , learning to strip down over complicated wiring looms, maybe tube bending, welding, making your own exhausts, re jetting and tuning your carbs, making your leather seat from the wifes old leather jacket/thigh boots etc...

[@Whiskeybuisness]

I like the words you speak at 6:30 and on. (not word for word, but my interpretation) " Don't live to impress others that you don't know, or don't even like. Live to impress yourself and you will know that when it happens." Those are good words to live by....THANKS!!!

[@jmackinjersey1]

+Whiskeybuisness In other words, Ride your own ride.

[@RACER_TV]

+Whiskeybuisness Thank you. I'm glad you liked. :) Cheers.

[@iancarman]

That's some damn good advice there, don't build things to impress people you don't know or like especially

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked my friend. :) Cheers.

[@RACER_TV]

***** Lool.

[@AutoBeta2T]

Mega advice and not appreciated by many. And as said this translates to life. I try to make my children aware of this fact - I don't want them to be controlled by people who use people's "need to please" as a way to control. Do your own thing for you. If people like it then great; if they don't then great. As long as "you" do your thing for you you'll remain true to yourself and disappoint no one.

[@antonboynik]

Oh, how much I like the way the author reads these wise and golden words about philosophy of relation to life, people and projects. Found this video accidentally and subscribed on the channel right after watching this vid.

[@RACER_TV]

+Anton Boynik Thank you my friend for all you kind words and support. I'm sure you will find on Racer TV even better videos than this one. :) Cheers.

[@Skinannagins]

Don't listen to this shit,do it then redo it until it right,that's the real reason for doing it..

[@lukesmith1463]

+ThatWasPrettyFunny I hope.others pick up on the sarcasm...lol

[@areeratlabwoothigai149]

vintagetriumphp

[@hrbestalkinme3690]

Do it, fuck it all the way up, and sell it on craigslist as a "cafe racer project".

[@glaysonrodrigues2915]

Anotado. Estou a procura da minha faísca, para usar todo conhecimento obtido na internet e principalmente aqui em seu canal para criar algo simples, único, fiável. e como sempre estou a espera do próximo vídeo e obrigado por postar.

[@RACER_TV]

+Glayson Rodrigues Obrigado amigo pelo comentário. :) Um abraço.

[@Wanda_Jannette]

OH MY GOSH.....so many beautiful bikes.

[@dhoumetaristocrat9247]

Wanda Miranda

[@supersonique001]

Extremely well put and quite right! It's a bit like making the mistake of judging yourself by your net worth as opposed to your 'self-worth'! Ton up!

[@RACER_TV]

+mrarch Thank you. :) Cheers.

[@nixmotovlog4538]

Every video is great! You inspire me to build my own motorcycle! Thnx!

[@RACER_TV]

+NiX Moto Vlog :) I'm glad for you. Thank you my friend for your kind words. Cheers.

[@vinegum8835]

Good video. Calm and right level on both commentator and bg music. In Norway you can either modefy the frame or the motor. Not both. Best tip is to choose the right bike for your project.

[@leegriffith5159]

OMG, the best layed out video on motorcycle advice I've seen so far. Great job.

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked my friend. :) Cheers.

[@alanblackford2962]

It doesn't matter if they make mistakes, it's all about the learning process. I like seeing different attempts to make things work. What I find boring is an immaculate finish on something that has been done loads of times and the creator expects to win an award at a show.

[@rem_92899]

I actually like the synthetic voice. Sort of relaxing. Good video as always!

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend for your kind comment. :) Cheers.

[@eddiekay9019]

Sitting here in NY under 8" of snow my fantasies run to cafe'ing my 300...happpens everytime it snows. That vid provides some of the best info I've heard/seen yet. Common sense.

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked my friend. :) Cheers.

[@PowerBeeEngine]

This was STUPID! Mistake #1....watching this video!!!

[@RACER_TV]

You know that you can always stop seeing the video if you are not enjoying it, right? Lol. Cheers.

[@chenook6]

You can't help stupid people....

[@jwj30000]

You can't help him with respect....

[@himalayansuperbikeencounte4368]

this video Has the Most disturbing ,Dead And The Most Boring Narration...Dude you need to get your speaking skills right......Stop Pausing Unnecessarily

[@quadflopper1012]

i agree, this video is stupid, just because he can't paint doesn't mean others can't figure out how to do it

[@215alessio]

Don't make things to impress people that you don't know and maybe don't like. The best person to impress is only yourself! What a nice citation. will use it

[@RACER_TV]

I'm glad you liked. Cheers.

[@collaredgreens1600]

#5 is life. I'm mind blown.

[@policiaeladrao9603]

o melhor canal de Café Racer do mundo !!!! parabéns

[@RACER_TV]

Obrigado amigo pela simpatia. :) Um abraço.

[@bendavanza]

Stop putting firestone tires on "racer" motorcycles.

[@stromeurm7410]

+bendavanza ...anyway you can't take a sharp curve with extreme suspension drop .

[@phlodel]

+stromeur M Don't call it a cafe racer, theb.

[@michaelslack5269]

Thank you!

[@felixrose1578]

hey there .. at the moment Im building my own caferacer and also first bike. It is an 1979 R80/7 .. it is in progress just over one year just because a limited budget. Your points are true. Like the paintjob: first I wanna do it by my self but it letzing it done by an professionell was the one and only you have to do. It was about so much money but everyone who just saw the gastank was with an big smile in his face and "WOW ... so great" :D Even if they like my projekt ore not doesnt matters me a lot. It s still a great feeling by getting this reactions. Go on with your great video work my friend .. I take a look at each of your videos .. see you in the next week ;)

[@RACER_TV]

+Felicitas Helikopter Thank you my friend for sharing your experiance. Good luck for your project. Cheers.

[@pablobasstb]

you sir are speaking pure truth!

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend. I'm glad you liked. :) Saludos.

[@paulolodicora4471]

Caro amigo já faz algum tempo que não lhe escrevo, mas nem por isso fico sem ver seus videos. Seus conselhos aqui não se restringem somente aos projetos de cafe racers, mas também de como devemos encarar nossas próprias vidas nos mais variados projetos. Parabéns pela sua generosa contribuição, e até lá!

[@RACER_TV]

Pois é amigo. O seu ultimo comentário aqui no canal foi à 2 anos atrás. :) Não se preocupe. O importante é que ainda cá veio para partilhar os seus pensamentos. Muito obrigado amigo por partilhar a sua opinião. :) Um abraço.

[@215alessio]

nooooooooooooo, not the honda cb 550 four K what a horror to see the four chrome exhaust amputated :'(

[@215alessio]

still good job but I feel pain because the four K is a beauty from factory one of the most beautiful bikes ever after the benelli 6 but four K is better as benelli 6

[@mr420B]

spot on, covered most of the bases- blunt but fair, its better to have a potentially bad idea nipped in the bud, than to try climb your way out and seek helps further down the line and feel a fool! best point is to not build stuff to impress those you dont know or like- its easy enough to jump on a fashion an half arsed do it but spend some time thinkng and you might be the one creating a new style!

[@samtucker2173]

The people bashing this video are the people who made all these mistakes

[@RACER_TV]

You're probably right. But there are also many others that want to make everything for themselves. It's not very recommendable, but it's also a valid choice if they really want. :) Cheers.

[@MrIcepick68]

yes,extremly good english to understand of anyone.thank you for all your videos.

[@RACER_TV]

+Mr.Icepick68 Thank you for your kind comment. I'm glad you liked. Cheers.

[@listomoto]

None sense. all bikers have unique side of what they want to look on their own bike. you cant judge if its a mistake or not. thumbs down!

[@MrMMods]

Great video! Do you happen to have the link to the build on the bike at 6:25? What kind of bike is that? Thank you!

[@RACER_TV]

Thanks, it's the Honda CX 500 built by PopBang Classics. Cheers.

[@kcklutch6029]

Great video! Subbed!

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked my friend. :) Cheers.

[@LeanSmith]

Siempre diciendo lo justo. Un aplauso. Un genio. El último consejo, un consejo de vida

[@hugodacosta]

Portugal rules!!

[@RACER_TV]

+Hugo Brás Da Costa :) Um abraço.

[@charlieward7606]

na sabia que eras tuga xD

[@crpth1]

Looking at the first riding footage gave me some "saudades". Greetings from a tuga in Norway. :-)

[@jonathwyllams]

Os melhores conselhos que já pude adquirir!!! Muito obrigado por mais um ótimo vídeo! Até próxima sexta, amigo!

[@RACER_TV]

+Jonath Wyllams Fico contente que tenha gostado amigo. Obrigado pelo comentário. :) Um abraço.

[@narekmnatsakanyan9207]

great video!

[@RACER_TV]

+Mn. Narek Thank you. Cheers.

[@tarsopizzorno7716]

Peças visuais sóbrias, objetivas e informativas... parabéns pelo belo trabalho!

[@RACER_TV]

Muito obrigado amigo. :) Um abraço.

[@clivedavies5618]

When l was a kid in the mid '60s on a DB Clubman's Gold Star we were "Coffee Bar Cowboys" - l never heard the expression "Cafe Racer".

[@fredgrove4220]

+Clive Davies..... Same here mate, I think 'cafe racer' is an Americanism. Another thing, if it ain't Brit, it isn't a true caff racer. I used to have a 58 Beezer Rocket, clip ons, rearset rests, sweptback pipes and Goldie silencers. Loved it. I only sold it a few years ago when I could no longer ride due to my age and getting too bloody fat, lol.

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

Clive Davies , yeah, I know!!, it was a GAY'S CLUB!!!

[@BEEBEE159]

@Clive From what I understand, it's a British term. In England, the riders in a group would race around from cafe to cafe, with their home moded bikes. It's basically the same group rides you see all over America, but with the race aspect added.

[@ahmadfaeq7199]

When legend tells what not to do. Great advice. Thanks.

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend for your support. :) Cheers.

[@FelipeLuizDickmann]

curti demais, esse lance do impressionar os outros vale pra tudo. faça por vice, obrigado pela contribuição.

[@RACER_TV]

+Felipe Luiz Dickmann Obrigado amigo pela simpatia. Fico contente que tenha gostado. Um abraço.

[@inkitatus1]

lol,yup,I made all these mistakes when I was a lad ;-) My Manx tank has arrived,now the awkward job of fitting it to my Thruxton begins....I'll send you pics once I'm happy with it. Cheers,keep up the good work.

[@RACER_TV]

+inkitatus1 Thank you my friend. I'm glad you liked. Good luck for your project. Yes, send me some pics by message using Racer TV Facebook page. Cheers.

[@KompletterGeist]

3:31 is probably the most beautiful bike i've ever seen

[@frederikclaeyssens9201]

6:22 my friend. Lord almighty do I like the way that machine looks.

[@markangelocaraos2548]

i'm inspired thank you racer TV, i'm 18 now and i have first cafe racer project. this video is help a lot

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend for your support. :) Good luck for your project. Try also to find some of my videos that can be helpfull to you. Try to search on youtube for "Cafe Racer Tips". Cheers.

[@thestrangerider2093]

Good really good 🏍

[@garyhoward4064]

Nice video and good advice. Having built a few cafe racers, I learnt that we rarely end up with something better than the original, more often the contrary.

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you my friend for sharing your perspective. :) Cheers.

[@jody024]

Dude you sound like you're speaking at a funeral service....

[@joaoa.sperandio5029]

+jody024 I sped it up to 1.5 ...

[@veganvvarrior]

+jody024 it's software speaking.

[@TannyrSD3]

+DonJuan DJ Thats fantastic advice lol

[@oldcaferacer]

great video if you wish to build a cafe racer start here look listen and understand this is a great start kick off point to learn more good luck with your build

[@RACER_TV]

+oldcaferacer Thank you for your support. Cheers.

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

Somebody also said: “don’t give me advices; I know to make mistakes on my own” 🤔

[@ranchero50]

Excellent advice per normal. My only addition is to spend time sitting on your creation making motor noises before making changes that may take the enjoyment away from riding it.

[@ricklorimer9984]

These bikes are all OK,for their day, but keep with it guys. Racing back then was "run what you brung". Don't copy old stuff, the guys who started this didn't. Now, moving on, here's my ideal café racer. Take any 500-650cc single from a Japanese dirt bike. Kit it for the road..(cams, valves, ports, pipes, exhaust, etc. One of the 250cc Japanese 2 stroke frames. Front end from any Japanese 600 cc road bike (á la CBR600RR etc) Rear wheel obviously from same bike as front end. Shove all that together, with the engine layed down a fair bit. Build some lean mean retro bodywork (or use or modify whatever does the job) That's how it was done. Hey I'll shut up now. If it's got 2 wheels I like it. Build whatever the fuck YOU want.

[@lonniecavenee6201]

Are you talking about a frame from an old two stroke street bike like an RD350 or Suzuki t250 or some such?

[@ricklorimer9984]

Not so old. More like an rgv, or a kr 250 Kawasaki. Definitely aluminium.

[@FCUChicago]

Really enjoy your contributions. Not only getting the message home, but really well put together with great (and less great..) bikes in it. Very professional appearance, well done and thanks a lt!

[@kipbloor2486]

nothing worse than no. 5! same goes for music and how females dress.

[@itsjussjerry]

Very good advice! Starting off with a good running and good condition platform pays off in the end. Sometimes just a nice seat and clip ons will go a LONG way!

[@RACER_TV]

+itsjussjerry Precisely. Thank you. I'm glad you agree. Cheers.

[@tm06ufo]

So inCrediblY bo RING Syn THE tic voICE

[@truemechanicsinc2406]

No biggie brother you do such a great job no complaints here. Really like your work

[@RACER_TV]

+Richard Medina Thank you my friend for your kind words and for your suport. :) Cheers.

[@JoaoKorreiaa]

1st. Making a cafe racer

[@George-ie1si]

John just make a coffee

[@entropicgirl8648]

I’m going to share with you all something I tell my clients. “What makes a café bike isn’t what you add or take away but that which you transform”~ Elle Mischa Fields This is why I usually keep and modify the original gas tank, sure I might split it down the middle and widen the front and cut knee pockets in at the rear flatten the top some and weld in a pop up bung, but I started with the original tank... that’s what matters.

[@RACER_TV]

And i agree 100% with you. That is precisely what i made with my Honda CX 650 project. :) Cheers.

[@pete_boy71]

@@RACER_TV ..you didn`t...somebody else did it for you,so you just bought it...there is a difference..that makes it a bought bike, not a project...

[@dannymacarthur13]

Hello my friend. Great video with good advice. Understanding is more appreciated after you have experienced building you own bike. My mistake was starting with a bike I was given for free. But that is the beauty of making your own bike. The skills learned, the mistakes, the appreciating of all those people who undertake and complete their own bike but most importantly the joy of riding your own creation! It may not be perfect but I made it and if you think it is easy? Go on build your own! Regards Mac

[@RACER_TV]

+Whitley Bay .Tunnel of Love Thank you my friend. I completely understand what you said. It's always a joy of riding our own creation. But if our creation could be very beautiful bike and perfectly done, the joy of riding it would be the double. :) Cheers.

[@marcespinosacubeles]

Buena reflexión compañero, 5 errores a no seguir si realmente quieres hacer un bonito proyecto de customización de una motocicleta

[@RACER_TV]

+Marc Dutschke Gracias amigo por su comentario. Saludos.

[@balajiiyengar4]

well said, In my opinion a first project should be like that first love, not infatuated, practical, it needs a lot of honesty, hard work, which will turn out to become a sweet memory in heart and mind forever rather a Scarry one. wishing all my friends and cafe racer lovers good luck.

[@RACER_TV]

+BALAJI IYENGAR You have just said it all. :) Thank you for sharing your opinion. Cheers.

[@ibadi45]

Excellent video. I am totally agree with you, because I made the first mistake that you mentioned. I painted my project, and at the end I got disappointed with the result. The main parts, should be painted by a professional, and that could save us time and money.

[@RACER_TV]

+ibadi45 Thank you for sharing your experiance. I'm glad you agree. :) Cheers.

[@mnhusin509]

6:29 name of the bike and builder please, or the name of finishing style on engine and silencer, that light goldy color on metal finish, what does it called?

[@shadaksharicr5924]

This video just changed my view about seeing things and simplicity

[@RACER_TV]

+Shadakshari C R I really glad by knowing it. Because that's also one of the main points that i try to teach in most of my videos. :) Thank you for sharing your comment. Cheers.

[@shadaksharicr5924]

+RACER TV And I and can say that you have pretty much succeeded in doing that.

[@revolution51]

Who (Whom?) ever the narrator is for this vid, he has got all the right stuff for this job. Love to listen to his narration. He tends to sound completely 'this IS how it IS'.

[@RACER_TV]

I think you are going to be a little shocked with my answer, but i'm glad you liked this voice. I use this "robotic" voice created by software, because i'm Portuguese, and my bad english accent (and voice), can ruin the documentary character that i like for my videos. I already tried a real american voice in one of my videos, but things didn't worked as i expected. Curiously, the robotic voice sounds very good for all non english natives. Cheers.

[@gwasha11]

Guts, pain, frustration, dirty, hunry, For Glory!!! awesom work!!! God Bless!!!

[@RACER_TV]

+Ayres deSouza Thank you for sharing your comment. Cheers.

[@gwasha11]

hey welcome!!! I am into small time bike builds myself

[@asterargos83]

Tenho uma grande admiração pelo seu canal .Obrigado pela legenda em português

[@RACER_TV]

Obrigado amigo pelo apoio. Fico contente que tenha gostado. :) Um abraço.

[@sarthakkhamari9064]

Its a very useful and important video for new comers in cafe racer making, thank you for guiding us

[@RACER_TV]

You are welcome my friend. My pleasure. Cheers.

[@JuanCarlos46]

Excelente! Sólo quiesiera agregar que la moto que sale a partir del minuto 5:50, no encaja en el estilo cafe racer, sino más bien en streetfighter. Y por último agregar que las motos enduro, sirven como base para scrambler, pero se puede ocupar al menos el motor para un proyecto cafe racer.Saludos a Racer TVFrom Santiago de Chile

[@RACER_TV]

Gracias amigo. Saludos.

[@alejmonzon]

5 suggestions that worth for a thousand errors to avoid. As one project begins is usually how will be finished. Almost any monstruocity some people want to call Cafe Racer. Well this is not so. Cafe Racer as you stated is simplicity and elegance. Thanks. Well I have whats left from my bike to begins with; also a long negotiation with my wife and daughter regarding motorcycles, because they were so scared by my accident. By the way I was allowed to walk this week. So life goes well my friend.:)

[@RACER_TV]

+Alejandro Monzon Thank you my friend Alejandro for your usual and kind comment. I'm glad to know that you are recovering. I must say that your accident seems to be only an eventual bad luck. My Father lost his leg with 12 year old in a motorcycle crash, just because of a dog that crossed out front. And even so, i had a motorcycle with 16 years, and he gave me also a motorcycle when i was 8 years old, and nothing bad happened. It's Just a question of luck. :) Saludos.

[@alejmonzon]

+RACER TV Sure is. My father also almost lost its leg in a Harley. I always will love motorcycles!

[@RACER_TV]

Alejandro Monzon That's curious, My father had the accident with an 1928 Indian Scout(From my Grandfather). It seems on those days there were only 2 motorcycle Manufacturers. Lol. Saludos.

[@alejmonzon]

+RACER TV Its curius how people from different background and origins share similar experience. My father motorcycle was a 1947 Harley Davison Special Sport Solo powered by a 74 cubic inch OHV Knucklehead engine. No doubt both american brands are legenday. Un abrazo amigo

[@alejmonzon]

+Alejandro Monzon I asume the accident just as you say bad luck.

[@heelscommando]

I built all my own stuff, fibreglassed seat pans, mouldings, covered the seat, painted the whole thing myself as well. It was a TL600 Ducati- very ugly - never intended on putting it back to "original"...I pulled the bike down completely in my lounge-room because I don't have a shed. I've been all over my bike and that's how I like it. I learned along the way. It took me about 6 years to get it from a wreck to rideable, but it's a project and I will change it again, I'm sure. The cost? I stopped counting at $11,000AUD - I budgeted for about $5,000. :-)

[@nightrider599]

canal e vídeos muito bons, msm sendo um canal português, vcs são referência aki no brasil abraços...

[@RACER_TV]

Muito obrigado pelo apoio. :) Um abraço.

[@ez_do_102]

+RACER TV eu sabia

[@pepinoavapor]

You're completely right! And you've chosen good pics... Have a nice week!

[@RACER_TV]

+pepinoavapor Thank you my friend for your kind comment. I'm glad you liked. Um abraço.

[@danbee8707]

Awesome vid. I listen to the #1 tip (painting) as I look over at my used painting mask to my right. Big weekend on the new paint job :)

[@RACER_TV]

+Dan Bee :) Like i said in the video, the most common mistakes, which i also made some. :) Cheers.

[@josepuebla6028]

Buen video amigo, muy realista en cuanto a que aprendemos luego de equivocarnos!! y como tu dijiste en otro video... intentar mirar el proyecto como si fuera la primera vez es muy importante!! Gracias !!

[@RACER_TV]

+Jose Puebla Precisamente. Gracias por su amable comentario. Saludos.

[@thatdutchguy2882]

Great advice,...and beautiful examples of how it should be done.

[@RACER_TV]

+ThatDutchguy Thank you my friend for your usual kind words. :) Cheers.

[@stianellefsen]

The one who makes mistakes also learns (hopefully). A bit of advice, make your bike functional, enough suspension travel, ground clearance etc. If you remove the airbox... no fun with your filters and motor full of crap, make a shield. Most "magazine bikes" are useless. Just a little rant. Nice vid :)

[@RACER_TV]

+Stian Ellefsen Thank you for sharing your thoughts. :) I'm glad you liked this video. Cheers.

[@jackallen6261]

Very good points! Thank you for the advice and my take away is keep it simple and elegant! Best advice for most of life I believe.

[@RACER_TV]

+Jack Allen Thank you for your support. I'm glad you liked. Cheers.

[@betao180z]

Que vídeo FANTÁSTICO!! Fotos, trilha sonora e texto EXCELENTES!! Sempre gostei de cafe race então minha opinião pode ser manipuladora. husauhasuhshasuhasha Enfim, gostei muito. Um dia farei minha cafe race.

[@RACER_TV]

+Beto Zanatta :) Muito obrigado amigo pela simpatia "manipuladora". Lol. Um abraço.

[@mcdamike]

i wasn't expecting life lesson from a moto video. but well noted.

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked my friend. :) Cheers.

[@MarkusReese]

As a regular with the Honda groups, the last and third is always an issue in forums. Sometimes people want a cafe to look good and be ___ but the bike they chose simply isn't good for that. They are more concerned with looking the part, then having something that can be the part. Putting shortie open exhaust on and pod filters, then wondering why the bike is not running or why their valves burnt up. The best way to build a cafe (in my books) is to build it for yourself. Keep true to what make the cafe racers of old look that way. Follow the reasons and you will get that style for the bike you have.

[@RACER_TV]

+MarkusReese Thank you my friend for sharing that. I'm glad you agree. :) Cheers.

[@MFP2241]

One thing I must agree: people building things to impress others, are just seeking for attention (good or bad) or acceptance. I used to work at an H-D dealer and there was a bunch of customers that right after buying their pricey bikes, just requested to fill them with whatever accessory I want to. Sure that was a lot of fun and profit for me, but believe it or not, they didn't even took a second to choose from; some gave me a hint (usually in the "live to ride, ride to live" range), others simply didn't care about my choices. They just wanted me to put stuff on... WTF? When I mess around with my bike or any other thing I have (hardly, whatever I own remains as stock for more than a few hours), it's because I feel like that. Always. Who cares about other's tastes? In the end, there's only one way your stuff should be done: the way you are!

[@RACER_TV]

Thank you for sharing your interesting experience about those kind of details. :) Cheers.

[@BobPruett]

Great stuff as usual. I always look forward to your videos each week.

[@RACER_TV]

+Bob Pruett Thank you for your support. I'm glad you liked(as usual). Lol Cheers.

[@giancarlexio]

as usual, great video!, and great selection of bikes, including the ugly ones, surely chosen to exemplify about bad decisions! best regards, from a RACER TV junky, hehe

[@RACER_TV]

+giancarlexio Thank you my friend for your support. I'm glad you liked all. :) Cheers.

[@thomaselliott573]

The Norton is the best looking bike of the lot. Elegant clean lines that have been simplified from the original bike. Lovely exhaust bracket that is even better than the original. Sheer class.

[@thomaselliott573]

+Thomas Elliott it is a shame they did not put the ignition coils up under the tank.

[@RACER_TV]

+Thomas Elliott Thank you my friend for sharing your comment. To be honest, i already tried to find the builder of that Norton, but unfortunately i never found it. I also love that project. Cheers.

[@thomaselliott573]

+Thomas Elliott I hope you did not intend this as a mistake

[@thomaselliott573]

+RACER TV thanks mate

[@RACER_TV]

Thomas Elliott I'm sorry for my limited english, but i didn't quite understood what you meant. Can you rephrase that?

[@watchfuleye5193]

"PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT... BUT PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!!!..." Remember that kids!! Happy riding!!

[@ViceVersaMusik1]

The BMW R80 at 6:50 in this Video....Im in love with that Cafe Bike!! The Engine Alone is Unique in its own way because its a Boxer Engine on a motorcycle. I want it and a couple of my all time favorite Cafe buildable bikes, The CX500 Honda!!

[@richardfortunati9652]

Thanks for the hints is a Honda cb250 a good one??

[@RACER_TV]

+richard fortunati Depends of the year. If it's old from the 70's, it's perfect.