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Cafe bike, but 2 seater?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lilbilly
  • Start date Start date
Buffalo Bill said:
Go to Triumph and have a look at the Thruxton. http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/2009 Triumph_Thruxton_9831.aspx
Look at these pics of the Triumph Thruxton, I'm using these as a guide for my own project:
picture.php
Click to expand...

That Thruxton/Bonneville is the perfect bike, IMHO, at least for my needs. It has history, reliability, real world performance ability and looks. And no puddle under the motor in the morning. Come to think of it, my GS650 is like that and its paid for!!!:D
 
Gimpdiggity said:
Nobody has pics, because it wouldn't look good.
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:rolleyes:

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The idea behind a cafe bike was not having ANYTHING on the bike you don't need. Last time I checked, tail cowls were less than "needed". On top of that, though I' haven't weighed the GS seat so it may not apply, I know my CX seat above weighed less than what a lot of people thought was a good "cafe" tail and custom seat. On top of that, my wife and I were able to cruise around comfortably all day.

If you're actually trying to do a cafe bike then work on ditching all the unnecessary stuff and stop over-thinking the cosmetic things. If you're just wanting to be one of the poseur wanna-be's then who the hell cares...
 
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makenzie71 said:
:rolleyes:

blackmaggot2.JPG


blackmaggot1.JPG


blackmaggot3.JPG


The idea behind a cafe bike was not having ANYTHING on the bike you don't need. Last time I checked, tail cowls were less than "needed". On top of that, though I' haven't weighed the GS seat so it may not apply, I know my CX seat above weighed less than what a lot of people thought was a good "cafe" tail and custom seat. On top of that, my wife and I were able to cruise around comfortably all day.

If you're actually trying to do a cafe bike then work on ditching all the unnecessary stuff and stop over-thinking the cosmetic things. If you're just wanting to be one of the poseur wanna-be's then who the hell cares...
Click to expand...

Regardless of practicality, I for one also like to admire the appearance of the bike I'm approaching to ride. I bought a CX500 brand new in 1978 and found it great but, lets face it, a bit funny-looking. You seem to have solved that one problem-yours looks functional and much lighter than the stocker. Getting rid of that unnecessary headlight cowling may not have lightened it much, but it made it a lot better looking. The CX is a great ride and just needed help in the appearance department. The cafe approach seems to go a long way towards fixing this. I don't think my poor old back could live with the clubman bars, but IMHO, superbike or Daytona bars would just as well serve the purpose. As for the seat, the size was accentuated by its enormous tailight, but functionally it was very comfortable two-up. Removing the big tailight, though not a weight saver, helps the appearance immensely while retaining good passenger capability. Lookin' good!
 
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The seat I made for this bike is considerably shorter than original but could still carry two.
This has an aluminum seat base that is formed tight to the frame rails and has cut down foam and a restitched cover. The fuel tank is 4? longer than stock and narrowed right to the rails at the rear.
I built it for racing when the bike was new and I expect with a set of rear pegs I could carry the wife on the back now.

GS-LR.JPG
 
makenzie71 said:
:rolleyes:

The idea behind a cafe bike was not having ANYTHING on the bike you don't need. Last time I checked, tail cowls were less than "needed". On top of that, though I' haven't weighed the GS seat so it may not apply, I know my CX seat above weighed less than what a lot of people thought was a good "cafe" tail and custom seat. On top of that, my wife and I were able to cruise around comfortably all day.

If you're actually trying to do a cafe bike then work on ditching all the unnecessary stuff and stop over-thinking the cosmetic things. If you're just wanting to be one of the poseur wanna-be's then who the hell cares...
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I didn't know there was a code to follow....:rolleyes:
 
Anyone that states how a cafe bike should look, is a poser in my opinion and I totally agree with Makenzie. I actually have started to dislike the word "cafe" because of this. There are also those who prescribe to the idea that only a british bike can be made into a cafe racer. These folks are the biggest posers of all. Makenzie, I love your Honda. It reminds me of a bike I'd see in a Mad Max film. As for my bike, the previous PO cut the tubing off from the frame that attaches the back foot pegs for the passenger, so I am pretty much forced at this point to keep it as a single unless I weld something or other to make something work. I would have loved to have the option to have a girl hold me snuggly while I am taking her home to her or my place. It seems my only option is to pay her cab, and say something like, "I'll meet you at your (my) place." This kinda sucks. I like the word "streetfighter" more these days than cafe, even if one keeps with the more vintage mods in comparison with modern streetfighter ones. Just my opinion.
 
I actually have started to dislike the word "cafe" because of this
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Me too, because when I built my 550 that is pictured above it was a Cafe bike. As true as could be. Interesting that when put in storage for 27 years it is no longer a Cafe bike. Humm which changed. A true cafe bike or peoples opinion of what a bike should be.

But then again, it is not a British bike so it can and never will be a true cafe bike.
 
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I agree with mackenzie on some points. But cafe bikes were also supposed to look like race bikes of the day. Which sometimes included tail cowls, low slung bars. A brit versoin of the american "chopper", but built for the twisty roads. any bike inmho can be cafe style. I've seen some pretty badass motoguzzis, vintage cb 750 hondas and bmw cafe bikes. I don't even want to talk about duactis, they really get my heart pumping. here is my old yamaha. Here is a link with some cafe style bikes with cowl, without cowl, hell some barely even have seats http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/postcard_gallery.aspx?cat_id=19
 
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My whole point was why would anyone else care if I want to have a cowl to enhance the looks or have "extra" unnecessary items on my bike? Does it make your cafe bike less special? I guess that ruffled some feathers somehow...

Anywho, does anyone else have suggestions for a 2 up cafe style seating?
 
Do what you want, it's your bike. I'll still give you credit for the work you put in even if all of those other toolheads stand there and mock.

The thing to remember is that there are NO RULES!!!. Chopper, Bobber, Cafe, Steetfighter - they're all motorcycle genres. You do what you want and what you see fit. It's completely up to you. No one with a self important attitude can tell you what it is or isn't.
 
lilbilly said:
My whole point was why would anyone else care if I want to have a cowl to enhance the looks or have "extra" unnecessary items on my bike? Does it make your cafe bike less special? I guess that ruffled some feathers somehow...

Anywho, does anyone else have suggestions for a 2 up cafe style seating?
Click to expand...

Might try using multiple seats, one for two-up and one for solo.
I prefer multiple bikes myself....
 
I 2nd what zooks said. That was kinda the point of my post too.
 
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Hey lilbilly,

Do what you want, make it your own and enjoy what you got!

Back on topic,
i can't find the friggin pic but back in the day, my Dad had an old trumpet cafe racer, the seat on the back was vinyl and the hump was also vinyl. The two were fixed together with press-studs and was easily removeable for two-up riding. You could do the same, have a seat made with a detachable hump (velcro maybe?). Any decent upholsterers could make and shape a new seat using your original base even. Passenger could wear it like a little rucksack and you just stick it back on when you get wherever your going. Could have room inside it for your sarnies and gas cash too! Hahahahaha

Have fun with it and show us some pics when you make a start, cheers.
 
Nice selection of "cafe racers" there, and how many had dual seats? I even saw a Yamaha amongst that little lot and guess what, a huge variety of styles too! Most share very little with what a lot of people of today call a cafe racer.
 
atb1998 said:
Here is an idea that one manufacturer used to put on their bikes. Your gonna build one try this
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Whoa! Neat idea, I think the execution could have been a lot more attractive, but very cool idea.
 
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