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

5660 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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41 - 52 of 52 Posts

hillsy

· #41 · Mar 1, 2017

benhartick said:
To answer those who were posting so, frankly yes my interest isnt into riding the thing at the moment probably because i cant ride and havent experienced riding before. But yet isnt just as a vainity project to show off, i am looking for a project that i can learn how to restore and rebuild im looking to gain knowledge and i thought the best way to do that and gain the most experience is through a cafe build, because then you also learn skills such as welding as well as being a creative process, in addition to what you would gain from a more modern bike.

With regards to your comment on learning how to weld via a cafe racer project, you really need to practice a LOT of welding before you attempt ANY welding on a motorcycle. There's not much on a motorcycle frame that isn't structural for the most part and even if you're just welding on a mounting bracket, you're still welding it to a structural part of the frame and you need to know how not to muck it up.

If you want to learn how to weld go get a flux core wire feed welder and make a metal sculpture or weld up some gates or something. Have a look at YouTube for some beginner tips then keep practising until you are confident your welds have good penetration / integrity.

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benhartick

Discussion Starter · #42 · Mar 4, 2017

Okay, i'm beginning to understand the comments on getting a 125cc, are there other bikes i should be looking out for as well as the cg125 or cb125, i would still like to find something simple to work on and i cant see myself going along the lines of getting a sport bike looking 125cc so vintage would still be my preference. Again the size is going to be a bit of an issue for me so any suggestions id be greatful for

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grandpaul

· #43 · Mar 4, 2017

MOdern dual purpose bikes are quite tall, and some models can be had very inexpensively.

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TrialsRider

· #44 · Mar 4, 2017

benhartick said:
... I am currently 6'2" and age 15 ...

Dual sport dirt bikes have much taller wheels, more suspension travel and taller frames to accommodate both of those things. I know that is not the "look" you are going for, but you are either a big guy standing towering over a tiny little motorcycle or a big guy sitting tall in the saddle, that's the reality of being a big rider.

... if I was you I'd be looking for a 250cc single cylinder enduro type bike and be trying to figure out how to restrict it the bare minimal amount to pass your license restrictions. If it had to be old I would be wanting one of these:

Remember it will be your first ever motorcycle and hopefully not your last ever motorcycle.

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benhartick

Discussion Starter · #45 · Mar 4, 2017

Yes i understand, i think its not legally possible to restrict even a 200cc to meet the 125cc requirements and has to be 125cc stock and not more than 11kw in order to ride at 17. Otherwise the next bracket is age 19 when you can restrict any bike up to 96bhp down in which case i would probably be getting a 500cc plus

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benhartick

Discussion Starter · #46 · Mar 4, 2017

I have seen a suzuki 125gt for sale and seems like it would be a good bike to start on, it is 2 stroke though is that something to be advised against in a first bike?

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TrialsRider

· #47 · Mar 4, 2017

benhartick said:
Yes i understand, i think its not legally possible to restrict even a 200cc to meet the 125cc requirements and has to be 125cc stock and not more than 11kw in order to ride at 17. Otherwise the next bracket is age 19 when you can restrict any bike up to 96bhp down in which case i would probably be getting a 500cc plus

You might want to investigate that further, my Montesa 260 arrived in a restricted state complete with all of the hardware to make it street legal in many countries including signals and a catalytic converter exhaust system.

This is for all intent purpose the same motorcycle I ride in trials competition except with a tall seat and road type stuff added :/ btw my bike weighs in a 160 pounds soaking wet.

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TrialsRider

· #48 · Mar 4, 2017

benhartick said:
I have seen a suzuki 125gt for sale and seems like it would be a good bike to start on, it is 2 stroke though is that something to be advised against in a first bike?

A 2-stroke is actually highly advised; they are dirt simple to work on and inherently light weight and produce more power per pound particularly on an older model. You are fortunate to be able to ride them where you live, they are pretty much outlawed here because of environmental considerations.

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TrialsRider

· #49 · Mar 4, 2017

Suzuki GT125 and Suzuki T125 were bikes that I really wanted when I was your age :/ mind you when I was your age I was half your size and had 5 more years riding experience. If I could find a nice seldom used and not butchered T125 right now I would buy it, my wife would kill me but I would probably buy it anyway.

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benhartick

Discussion Starter · #50 · Mar 4, 2017

That sounds like it would possibly be a good choice then, its a twin and they seem to be at the upper bound for what you can legally ride in the uk. I just need to find out how well it would fit is the only major problem, what are the best ways of knowing whether a bike fits?

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TrialsRider

· #51 · Mar 4, 2017

benhartick said:
That sounds like it would possibly be a good choice then, its a twin and they seem to be at the upper bound for what you can legally ride in the uk. I just need to find out how well it would fit is the only major problem, what are the best ways of knowing whether a bike fits?

Saddle test it. That's the term used for just sitting on it when it's stationary, which is probably the only way any seller is going to let you try out the bike seeing as you have no previous riding experience.

Have somebody steady the bike and sit on it with both feet up and in a normal riding position. You will very quickly find out how much you have to fold up to sit on the bike. Also take note of how much the suspension compresses under your weight.

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3364

· #52 · Mar 4, 2017

Now that is nice!

TrialsRider said:
You might want to investigate that further, my Montesa 260 arrived in a restricted state complete with all of the hardware to make it street legal in many countries including signals and a catalytic converter exhaust system.

This is for all intent purpose the same motorcycle I ride in trials competition except with a tall seat and road type stuff added :/ btw my bike weighs in a 160 pounds soaking wet.

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