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Definition: A Cafe Racer is a style of bike popularized in London in the '50s where bikers wanted
a fast, personalized and distinctive bike to travel from cafe to cafe. Many Cafe Racer bikes have
distinctive small low-cut fairings.
It began in Britain in the 50's and 60's. Known as Rockers, Leatherboys, Tonup boys, Coffie Bar Cowboys, Bike Boys (but never Bikers) the tough, antisocial leather-clad individuals
usually riding Triumphs, Nortons and BSAs would travel as fast as posible between the numerous cafes
throughout the British road system. The bikes were modified for speed and looks, most often with low
bars like clubmans or clip-ons, solo seats like the race bike of the day, and maybe a small windscreen.
I love that original classic look and style.
Although not a British bike and some will argue can never be a true café, I believe the Harley Davidson Sportster can be a marvelous café racer. Nostalgic style and a multitude
of after market parts make it easy to transform a stock Sportster into a Café Sportster.
Some more questions asked.
- Why don't you just buy a Buell?
I like Buells, I want a Buell I also want a Ducati and a Suzuki and four or five Triumphs.
It's a Harley, no it's a sport bike, no it's a Sportster, best of both worlds IMHO.
- The Sportster is a girls bike, when are you going to upgrade to a big twin?
I have to laugh, but people actually ask this. Most will never understand.
I usualy say: "When I get to old to handle the Sportster I might look into a Road King"
If someone calls your Sportster a girls bike or bitch bike, etc... Bottom line is he/she
is an uneducated fool and you should smile and treat them as you would a retarded cousin and then walk away.
- Why didn't you do a 1200 conversion first?
I didn't need more power I needed more control. Too much power and not enough control
equal disaster. Upgrade suspension first and depending on year of bike brakes. I like turns. Going around a 15 mph turn at 30+ is just as much (if not more)
fun than going 100+ mph in a straight line. I rode this bike as an 883 for three years before I did
a 1200 conversion. Anyone who thinks an 883 is under powered has probably never ridden one or doesn't know how to ride. With
recent gas prices I wish it still was an 883.
- Is that a XLCR?
Technically no. Harley Davidson manufactured a Café Sportster in 1977-78 the XLCR (CR for Café Racer).
The bike is now a much sot after collectors item. Mine is a 2001 XLH converted to café, so I still call it an XLCR.
- You ruined your Harley. WTF?
Not ruined, made better.
I believe the changes I made not only make the bike handle better,
they make it look better, but most important I like it this way.
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