The Incredible History Of Cafe Racers

In this Rare Motorcycles documentary, we go into the history of the most iconic shape and motorcycle style to ever exist, the Cafe Racer. These purpose built street brawlers have a fascinating history behind them that is rich in biker lore that not many people actually know much about.
So watch to the end to hear the short but fascinating story of how the cafe racer motorcycles came to be!
This video aims to provide a short history of these unique and rare motorcycles so you can learn about them in a quick, easy to digest video.
*Note, we are not historians. If you see an error in our research then please mention it in the comments!
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[@edwardosantiago7579]

I bought a brand new chrome Royal Enfield Continental GT650 2 years ago and finished the first phase of the slightly modified rebuild two months after bringing him home. I made just a few modifications to give him the classic cafe racer style. All the work was done with my own hands, except that I had the original seat wrapped in new leather by a local upholsterer. I wanted to stay as true as possible to the original cafe racer spirit by making as few modifications to the original bike, while giving it a raw street racer feel. I think it's beautiful, and it rides brilliantly. I first stripped and shortened the rear end to the length of the original seat, then had the seat reupholstered with nicer leather (my wife has to sit somewhere when we visit local cafes), plus I installed a short front fender with blackened fender bracket. Then I swapped the bar risers with clip-ons to lower the bars, and also lowered the headlight and gauges for an aggressive stance. I swapped the original marker lights with miniature LED markers bolted onto the new headlight bracket, plus I installed a large LED strip tail light with integrated signal lights onto a hand made bracket as well as installed bar end mirrors and signal lights for a stripped down look with more visibility. A nice cross between the future and past. For now the Enfield rides wonderfully, but future mods will include adjustable front and rear suspension, upgraded master cylinder and clutch, new tires to fit the original 18" wheels and some slight paint details. Maybe after a few years I'll consider some S&S performance upgrades. Who knows...

[@peterjones596]

@Rare Motorcycles , great vid! As a Brit I feel I must pull you up on a minor detail of pronunciation... The "café"... If it's a really swanky café then it's said as you say it. But! Cafe (notice no accent on the "e") Racer riders wouldn't go there, they'd go to a Cafe pronunced "Caff", so it's "Caff Racer"..

[@TriumphBeezaman]

It started with the Ton up boys then the Rockers & the term cafe racer referred to the rider a moniker they adopted while the majority of bikes would have been stock machines. It's become translated over time as cafe racer becoming the bike.

[@baldingoldbiker]

Good researching... far too many commentators wrongly say "the Cafe Racer harks back to the 70s/80s". I'm currently awaiting delivery of an RnineT Racer on May 1st. - a 74th birthday present to myself to re-visit the Dunstall Dominator I had in the 60's - [Ton + without effort]. Back, neck and wrists are aching already so what the hell ! 🤪

[@martinmuller2809]

As far as I have been told the whole 59 Ace Caff thing started with the availability of motorcycles that had been built for the war effort. They were not expensive but rather slow and considered ugly. So modifications were due to make them at least look a little more TT-ish. The leather jacket could well have been a soldier's jacket or a waxed cotton garment and the boots could have been wellies as money was tight. So if we had to build a caff racer today from a new or almost new motorcycle only a Royal Enfield comes to mind, be it a Bullet or a Classic or one of the two-cylinders.

[@albertoj.mollinedo4116]

I luv how you showcased Freedy Dobbs as an icon of Caff Racer subculture 🤣

[@kevintaylor31]

The Cafe Racers of the day invariably had their own ranking with the modified standard bikes at the bottom and the one offs made from several bikes and loads of tuning goodies from companies like Dresda and Morgo at the top. If you could afford a Vincent, you'd made it. Look at the cartoon strip Ogri for the ultimate Cafe Racer Ogri's bikeAmmegeddon. My personal preference is my Moto Guzzi Le Mans, which I've owned for 34 years now and have modified very heavily over the years with parts from various manufacturers (Suzuki front end for instance) and many, many one off hand made components. The engine is tuned to a very high standard and it's not only quick but reliable too.

[@alanhynd7886]

A Vinton. Black Lightening spec.

[@caseychadsalvador]

Triumph Thruxton 🔥

[@natecoozy208]

I wouldn’t say dream bike but I just acquired a 1979 Yamaha xs 1100 special that I’m planning to build a cafe out of. Should be fun!

[@lolyouwontfindme6070]

Cb 750.

[@darthbiden8675]

right now im building one from a 1982 honda gl1100 goldwing.

[@tedecker3792]

CX500 currently in my shop, slowly metamorphosing into a cafe racer.

[@dinoornido7805]

Motto Guzzi v7 build to a twin turbo

[@hatchetjack1031]

Have a Kawasaki W800 Cafe. 😊 ✌

[@thecollector9147]

imma use an 84 honda shadow 500 lmao

[@crantzdorf5929]

A v4 would be cool.

[@eye2eye949]

Cb125 would be my choice

[@geoffbeaton8231]

Yamaha 650 Virago.

[@darkphotographer]

from a guy that was born in 76 ,, the only subculture cool custom bike i had ever see as kid wash choppers , when i got my first big bike in the 2000 , the streetfighter was the only alternative to chopper , only when the world got internet in 2010 most leurn about coffee racers ,

[@hgm8337]

😂

[@jonlee3081]

The Husqvarna Vitpilen is a neo-retro cafe racer. To my eye, it looks like a modern version of a BSA Gold Star or a Norton Manx. That's why I bought one. It has a motard setting that allows you to disengage the rear anti-lock brakes... it's a cafe racing weapon.

[@MionCihuy]

Just sell your channel, sir, I'll buy it

[@bharadwajkrishnan2860]

Royal enfield continental gt

[@t.purkess9682]

That thing already looks pretty close to a cafe racer!

[@Foxtrot_Woof]

Have one... love mine.

[@edwardosantiago7579]

Get one! I bought a Continental GT 650 2 years ago and it took two months and not much more money to rebuild into a cafe racer. It’s a beautiful ride