How’d you do that?

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We love to hear how our Cafe Racer fans built their bikes. So, please keep ’em coming.

Here’s a build we wanted to share.

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Paul Bicker, from the UK sent us this before and after. Paul knew the look and feel he wanted to create. “I always wanted a cafe racer in the garage, something hand crafted, light, nimble and great fun to ride”, Paul told us. But, he also admitted he had to find something cheap. This bike is the result of years of desire. Paul says three years age he started “keeping an eye out for a classic donor bike”.  Paul admits he has no mechanical background. He was looking for something he could work on and learn as he went. He finally came across what he calls “a ratty 1976 Honda CB400 that needed stripping back to bare bones” and the best part, it was cheap!
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“I knew in my mind I wanted a classic looking racer, something that gave a nod to the classic cafe racer bikes. For years, I knew the look, the paint scheme I was going to use, and now it was finally time to make it reality”, Paul said.
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 He began by stripping the bike so that he could powder coat the frame and swing arm. The next steps he details in this list.
Powder coated frame and swing arm, done by Redditch Shot Blasting
Painted wheel hubs
Rebuilt wheels
Fitted clip ons
New wiring harness
New clocks
Fitted new controls
Fitted Suzuki SV 650 front brake caliper
Suzuki GSXR 600 brake, clutch lever and master cylinder
Yoshimura 466 piston kit
Motad Exhaust
Home made fiber glass seat hump
Bridgestone tyres
Steering damper
Paint by Plastic Surgery
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He finally finished last September. “I was pretty dam pleased”, Paul admits. He says “the little Honda is great fun to ride, puts a smile on your face every time and sings when you get the revs up.
Thanks for sharing Paul! Let us know about your builds!
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Before & After: Kevin Stanley

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Kevin Stanley, who runs his own chop shop in L.A. sent us these before and after shots.

The Honda Brat:

What did he change? “Custom frame hoop, new dime city cycles brat style seat, clubman handlebars, new lighting, new lowered shocks, new tires.”

The Hawk:

What did you enjoy most and what did you find most challenging?  “Making this particular less desirable model and frame actually look good! Modifying the seat to flow with the hard to work with stock frame. And relocating all the wiring under the seat along with the lithium battery.”

How long did it take? “We worked on this bike for about a month.”
Stanley says when it comes to restoring bikes, he loves “seeing ideas become reality and the transformation of what the bike started out as and how it ends up. The real test is when you are out on the road with it and they turn heads!”
So, which bike does he enjoy riding the most?
The Honda Hawk:   He says, “it was quick and nimble after tearing off all unnecessary parts and after the new exhaust was installed, airbox was removed and carb rejet mods we did, it was a blast to ride!”
Below is a shot of Kevin at a Progressive International Motorcycle show. He’s displaying, “our 2011 Harley Sportster Cafe Racer, 2014 Royal Enfield Continental Gt Cafe Racer and 2004 Triumph Thruxton Cafe Racer. “
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