[lbengtson1]

I have a 1983 Honda v45 Interceptor that I am looking to turn into a cafe racer. Any ideas or suggestions on looks or best parts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Geeto67]

Fast Freddie: 1984 Honda VF500 Interceptor Spencer Replica | Rare SportBikes For Sale

1st & 2nd Generation race bikes

Unless you are one of those dipshits that thinks a cafe racer has checkerboards and clubman bars....in which case the door is to your left.

 

[parkwood60]

If you think you should build a classic 80s superbike into a 50s/60s style cafe racer you must have been dropped on your head as a child.

 

[brad black]

i expect what our ever so eloquent friend parky is trying to say is that the frame style of the vfr is not at all conducive to the traditionally stylised concept of a "cafe racer". the trad cafe, as people would imagine you would have seen outside the ace cafe mid 60's, will use a backbone style frame with a tank draped over it.

a fellow called sabre cafe has threads on here and dtt about doing one. check it out, the visual nature of the frame and radiator should be obvious. a pic here: http://www.caferacer.net/forum/general/24436-ride-country-warm-day.html

 

[DesmoDog]

View attachment 15691
Fast Freddie: 1984 Honda VF500 Interceptor Spencer Replica | Rare SportBikes For Sale

This...

 

[8ball]

.....a fellow called sabre cafe has threads on here and dtt about doing one. check it out, the visual nature of the frame and radiator should be obvious. a pic here: http://www.caferacer.net/forum/general/24436-ride-country-warm-day.html

There is a massive difference between the form, style and function of the V45 Sabre and the V45 Interceptor. The Sabre that CafeSabre did was a strange enough choice, but it worked, somewhat. And what he did, was make a Sabre look more like an interceptor, not really a "cafe racer". The Interceptor is a completely different animal.

 

[parkwood60]

I could go buy a Subara Impreza WRX and build a "rat rod" out of it, but all that would do is piss off the hot rod guys and lessen the performance of the Impreza. Does that make more sense to you?

I can't find a WRX "rat rod", but this BWM may be an even better example of what you are doing by turning an 80s sport bike into a 60s cafe racer

 

[Geeto67]

Park, I think that is a bad example because honestly I totally dig that little 2002 hot rod. Yeah it handles like shit and goes like stink but it looks like it handles like shit and goes like stink so no surprises.

Let's back up, I think we all assumed he meant cafe racer like 1960's custom, but I still fully support the superbikes and early race replicas (before the factory race replicas) fit into the cafe racer genre as well since the method was still the same: build your speed.

I doubt he is coming back, but if he does I would like to see what the OP meant by Cafe Racer.

 

[Farmer_John]

Well, it is a whole new take on pod air filter mods!

 

[TCed]

That BMW is awful.

 

[brad black]

There is a massive difference between the form, style and function of the V45 Sabre and the V45 Interceptor. The Sabre that CafeSabre did was a strange enough choice, but it worked, somewhat. And what he did, was make a Sabre look more like an interceptor, not really a "cafe racer". The Interceptor is a completely different animal.

not being from the usa, it's sometimes hard to keep up with the model names they use there, lots of which are completely unique. we just had vf750 that i recall. i was envisioning the frame used on the bikes geeto posted pics of.

 

[brad black]

I could go buy a Subara Impreza WRX and build a "rat rod" out of it, but all that would do is piss off the hot rod guys and lessen the performance of the Impreza. Does that make more sense to you?

I can't find a WRX "rat rod", but this BWM may be an even better example of what you are doing by turning an 80s sport bike into a 60s cafe racer
View attachment 15702

there's a local festival out here called chopped, which is completely "off road" meaning no need for any of that pesky rego shit and that'd fit right in.

 

[8ball]

not being from the usa, it's sometimes hard to keep up with the model names they use there, lots of which are completely unique. we just had vf750 that i recall. i was envisioning the frame used on the bikes geeto posted pics of.

FYI

VF750S (Sabre)

VF750F (Interceptor)

...and there was a 3rd model which we don't even want to discuss
VF750C (Magna)

 

[8ball]

.....also, if you notice, the "F" motor is rotated rearward a bit compared to the "S" and "C" motors to reduce the wheelbase

 

[knappyfeet]

i expect what our ever so eloquent friend parky is trying to say is that the frame style of the vfr is not at all conducive to the traditionally stylised concept of a "cafe racer". the trad cafe, as people would imagine you would have seen outside the ace cafe mid 60's, will use a backbone style frame with a tank draped over it.

a fellow called sabre cafe has threads on here and dtt about doing one. check it out, the visual nature of the frame and radiator should be obvious. a pic here: http://www.caferacer.net/forum/general/24436-ride-country-warm-day.html

That bike wasn't a "cafe bike".........even if you really stretched the "cafe" envelope I never saw it as what is somewhat traditional cafe.

It's hard enough to swallow early 70's Japanese cafe themes and incredibly harder to stomach 80s machines but the interceptor is everything a cafe is not.

Can it be made into one? Of course. But one of two things or both you would need.........massive skill and a massive amount of disposable income. Basically using the motor only. If you just want to throw b ar ends and clip ons and that checkered tape you can get on Ebay then it would look about as funny as tail fins from the Plymouth Fury on Christine welded to the back of an 83 Buick T-Type. The interceptor is an 80s superbike, muscle bike and the prelude to the modern sportbike not this....

 

[brad black]

did they make different cases for the different models, or just rotate the engine and made different side covers so the name was still level?

 

[hillsy]

did they make different cases for the different models, or just rotate the engine and made different side covers so the name was still level?

The Sabre and Magnas were shaft drive, so the engine crankcases were totally different.

 

[kenessex]

I think you cafe purists need to take a step back and consider what the essence of "cafeing" a bike is. If the classic approach is to improve the performance aspects of the original bike, which was done in the day by putting on rearsets, lower bars and lower seat and perhaps an engine swap (triton), then the same can be done with any bike, including an Interceptor. That is evidenced by the pictures that Geeto posted. Traditional cafe racers had the same look because they started with similar looking bikes. Standard tube frame, separate gas tank and seat, naked, wire wheels, fenders, etc. If you look at the Interceptor and its similar bikes, FZ750, GPZ900R, GSXR 750, etc. They will all end up with a similar look with square tube perimeter frame, blended tank/sidecovers/tail, quarter/half fairing,mag wheels. plastic front and integrated rear fender. That is the 80's superbike look, but follows the same formula of improving handling, suspension and ergonomics. That can and should be done to an Intercepter. 17" CBR wheels, CBR900RR forks, rearsets, exhaust, solo seat, slicked up front fairing, and it would all be good.

 

[knappyfeet]

I think you cafe purists need to take a step back and consider what the essence of "cafeing" a bike is. If the classic approach is to improve the performance aspects of the original bike.

I couldn't agree more. The classic approach to improving ones machine is the "essence" of cafe. But you know as well as I do that most who want to "cafe" a bike out dosen't mean that.........they're after the look.

In my HT-1 thread I said I wanted to do a Yoshimura replica or a road race replica for an 85 or 86 GSXR. From that you can probably deduct that it won't be bar end or Firestone big heaven for the gsxr......rather era specific performance and aesthetic appearance.

But when someone comes in and says I want to cafe out a GS1150......I'm going to assume bar ends, solo seat and pods. So in that case...tail fins on a 83 Buick T-type is funny...not natural and not cafe.

 

[DesmoDog]

Now you're getting into what is the definition of a "cafe racer"? I think it's fair to say that putting an Acura engine in a Honda Civic is the essence of hot rodding, but anyone who thinks a Civic can be a hot rod has never spent time around traditional hot rodders. You'll be teased if you call a street rod a hot rod. You'll be shunned if you call a Honda a hot rod. As well you should be. The term defines more than the existence of performance mods. The era/style plays into it too.

No, An Intercepter will never make a good cafe racer. It could make an awesome race replica. It will never be a cafe racer. Just as a Civic will never be a Hot Rod. You can chop it, you can put a more powerful engine in it, you can put vintage gauges, lake pipes, and reversed chrome wheels on it, but it still won't be a Hot Rod. Sure, you might say you're "hot rodding" it, but you sure as hell aren't going to hang out on hot rod forums looking for tips and tricks for it.

A VF500 can make a great race rep. There are common threads for performance mods between older bikes and newer bikes, and yes the lines get blurred on what is what, but a VF500 will never be a traditional cafe racer. That doesn't mean it needs to be shunned here, but you have to expect that, on a cafe racer forum, saying you want to make a cafe racer out of a VF500 is going to meet resistance.