r/CafeRacers

Haven’t been on my bike since September of ‘25. Spent all winter doing various mods. Almost forgot how to ride 😂

My grips were getting chewed up and tearing apart (cheap thin rubber) so i went looking and found these thicker ones on amazon for $20 ish bucks. Just had to cut the ends off for the bar ends and off i go! Barely took 20 minutes to swap and my quality of life while riding has multiplied for the better in both comfort and enjoyment

I hosted the local DGR again this year on my '21 Continental GT650. We had a couple of nice Nortons and a couple other cafe racers. Mods: YSS front and rear suspension, TEC Stinger exhaust, DNA filter, PowerCommander, TEC headlight mount, TEC adjustable levers, Woodcraft clip-ons, low profile LED indicators (front and rear), LED headlight, BAAK tail light, blacked out fenders and mount, bar end mount mirrors, other blacked out bits and bobs

I have this 83 Virago XV750 project on the go. I'm not sure if I should try and get the seat/tank line straight. If I left the tank it just created a gap and still won't get the line of the subframe. Modifying the subframe will take a lot more work and I don't want to go any lower than it is. It's the seat/tank line an important aesthetic with a cafe?

What a beautiful day for the DGR! #ChelseaMotorworks built my bike. She had me do two days of shake down prior to the ride, then plopped it in the back of my pickup for the drive home. Love you Steph!!!

Okay, let me start by saying I’m not a seasoned bike mechanic and only have basic knowledge.

I have a 1983 Kawasaki GPZ 550 (Canadian model, I think). It has pods instead of the stock airbox and a vacuum-operated petcock (a vacuum line connected to carburetor #2’s vacuum nipple, as per the manual).

I’ve been trying to get it running right, but I can’t seem to figure it out. Basically, I can start the bike when the choke is pulled all the way out and the fuel petcock is set to either ON or RES. However, as soon as I try to throttle, it either makes a huge sucking sound and stalls, or the revs shoot up super high and hang. If I try to push the choke in (turn it off), the bike dies immediately.

My dad suggested pulling off the gas tank, emptying the carbs, and pouring a 50/50 mixture of gas and seafoam into the main fuel line and letting it sit for 48 hours. I’ve since reassembled everything, and the problem persists.

Any ideas about what the issue might be or any steps I should take to figure it out? I’d really appreciate any help, as I’m genuinely stuck.

After 6 years of working on it on and off (at a point I had stopped completely for about 2.5 years as I had picked up sport climbing. ADHD all or nothing hobby syndrome). Lots of custom work done, everything designed and fabricated by myself, quite a few parts CNCed from billet aluminium. Many parts also printed out of SLS nylon. Full rewire, motogadget, chrono classic 2 gauge, ignitec spark ecu, rae san hall sensor, custome seadoo COP conversion. Fork from an 03 CBR600RR, discs from a Ducati 749, calipers from a Ducati monster 696...anyway no expenses spared build. Some more stuff I posted on Instagram: CX500 Build

Cleaned up, ready to go in Chicago tomorrow. For those participating, ride safe, ride dapper!

This ‘85 K100 just popped up on marketplace in my area. I’ve always loved cafe racers and especially the BMW conversions. Having a project bike is a dream of mine and I was just curious if you guys think this is a good fit? Anything to be weary of?

This is from the listing:

“1985 BMW K100 cafe project

This bike is a cafe project. I have all of the original parts but the frame has been modified. It was a running and riding bike before the project began. Valve clearances in spec and driveshaft lubed. Last photo shows what the bike started as. It will need finishing.

I have an aftermarket headlight, gauge cluster, clip ons, plug n play Tenet unit, and seat foam that will go with the bike. I also have the Clymer workshop manual that will go with it.

Between a new job, 9mo old kid, and starting my masters, I don’t have time to work on it anymore. Clean title in my name. $800”

Any advice? What do you guys think? Seller said it’s got 58k original miles.

Hello, sorry for my poor English. I’m planning to buy CB350rs and make it cafe racer. Always have a special place in my heart for cafe racers from childhood, found a picture of cb350 or gb350 from Internet that’s modded like cafe racer but im planing for cb350rs become of it’s little sporty and footpegs also in good position for clip on handle bars.

I need a guide how can I make my bike like this.

New project, what do you think?

Any tips?

The bubble is definetly temporary, still don't know which clocks to put.

Currently working on fork, wheel, and brake swap, along with digital combo gauges.