Cafe racer build first bike, advice on getting started and choosing/ sourcing a bike

5664 Views 51 Replies 14 Participants Last post by 3364, Mar 4, 2017

benhartick

Discussion Starter · Feb 25, 2017 (Edited)

Hi,
I'm looking for advice on which bike to chose for my first build and my first bike. I am currently 6'2" and age 15 so looking to be 6'4" most likely, i need help for advice on which kind of models i should be looking for on the market which would fit me for when i can ride and will suit as a good first project cafe bike.

My budget is under £1000 for the base price of the bike ideally under £800, i'm looking at the 70s/ early 80s bikes like the first gen suzuki gsx750, aswell as yamaha xs series, kawasaki z series. I was wondering if you had any advice on specifically which models i should be looking out for within budget that i would also be able to work on, and where i could find a bike in the UK ideally in east anglia or nearby. Also if you have any other advice for me on where to start in relationship with a build it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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woodsman

· #5 · Feb 25, 2017

There are some very knowledgeable guys from the UK on the forum who will be able to tell you how realistic your financial expectations are. Don't know if you read the "Read this first" sticky in the introduction thread but you should. The members here would love to help you make a sound purchase and discuss how to improve it but you are not likely to get positive feedback if your priority is what it looks like.

" I'm into cafe bikes because of their style" and " as well as tear shaped tanks with a flat bottom" are not going to garner positive responses. You have never had a bike and from the sounds of it are to young to have even ridden a road bike. "I'm looking for advice on which bike to choose for my first bike" would be a good question to start with, then people with decades of road experience could suggest what bikes and why.

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woodsman

· #8 · Feb 26, 2017

benhartick said:
Cafe racers specifically i was drawn to because of the originality of the bikes in that any classic bike that has been made into one its very own and reflects the builder.

The vast majority of "cafe racer builds" are junk, they're art projects not motorcycles. This is a prime example.

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woodsman

· #10 · Feb 26, 2017

benhartick said:
i understand what you mean, and how would say its best to find the medium between art project and functionality, personally i would not daily a bike and am into the aesthetic of the bikes but certainly respect that its a machine and its pointless to compromise it in order for looks

The beauty of a bike is how it functions, not how it looks. If you want to understand motorcycles start from the beginning.

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woodsman

· #14 · Feb 26, 2017

benhartick said:
so its the best to buy a bike strip it down and make it work the best it possibly can? so tune it and clean everything and make it work smoothly before making any alterations to aesthetic

You shouldn't be buying a bike that needs a bunch of work. You need to learn to ride, properly, safely first. You need riding gear that will keep you from getting mangled when shit happens...and it will. Get your ego in check, buy a modern 125, you have decades ahead to buy bigger or "build".

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woodsman

· #21 · Feb 26, 2017

TrialsRider said:
So why do you want to start out with a motorcycle that represents 45 year old obsolete engineering? You might as well study up on steam engines.

He's trying to justify his thinking to us. He actually isn't interested in motorcycles, he interested in having people say "isn't that cool" about his art project.

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woodsman

· #40 · Mar 1, 2017

Ben, the reason the greatest percentage of "cafe builds" are junk is that they were built by people who know nothing about riding a bike. When you say "can't" ride, is that not allowed or not had the opportunity?

Find something you can learn to ride on. Frankly I think your nuts if you don't start by learning to ride and maintain a modern bike. If you feel you must have a vintage bike, look for something like a Honda CG125, that as Brad said, has simpler systems. You know nothing about bikes so don't convince yourself that you are anywhere near being able to safely cut up, redesign and weld a motorcycle frame.

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