Topic: Cafe Racers/Bobbers. Who's got one? who wish's they had one?

[Shamb]

 I'm looking into buying a bike, doing some research the past few days and I REALLY like these "cafe racers" basically taking a old bike and stripping it down with some pretty cool mods here and there.

I need some schooling because i've never purchased a bike before and know nothing about the process.
We have a motorcycle class at the college that I plan on taking along with getting my license (obviously)

Do these need a smog? what does insurance run? I would have to imagine not much?  what should i be looking out for?
Alot of the bikes I like are far away which sucks because i'd like to go see it in person.... do these bikes constantly need to be worked on? wondering what the maintenance is, what's considered "high miles" on a bike... things like this.

Any info is greatly appreciated as always!

Oh yea, this is what i'm looking at. Pretty sick!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-XS500-Cafe-Racer-/200916381967?ViewItem=&item=200916381967&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&forcev4exp=true#ht_746wt_1165

[emsvitil]

You can also Cafe a Sportster......

Here's a Cafe sportster group: (but nobody will care if it's not a sportster)

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cafe_Sportsters/

[kneedownnate]

Insurance will be retardedly low, as long as you remember you've had your m2 license since you were 16    No smog or emissions of any kind.  High miles on a bike is waaaay lower than a car/truck, but I'd look more closely at condition and how complete it is.  Remember, a basket case is that for a reason: somebody else likely had the same or similar intent as you, got into it and gave up when they realized how much effort had to go into it.

Stick with the big 4 japanese manufacturers and mainstream (popular) models so parts are more readily available, cause you'll likely need to replace way more than you'd expect to get it good.  Look for a well cared for, running and complete bike and you'll be miles ahead.  Honda cb models are abundant and well built.

[Shamb [OP]]

 Thanks Nate, yea i'm looking for something completely done.. I have no desire to build...my uncle has a bone yard of about 100+ bikes. I'd guess he has ALOT of these kinda bikes out there.. so i'm sure I can get parts for little to nothing if I want. I'm thinking about going out there and cutting a deal for a few to see if I can trade them and get the bike cheaper.

What size bike should I be looking for? .. i'd prefer to keep it small/low since i'm short.

Also are these kinda bikes good for long trips?  or are they like riding in a lowered honda civic that smash's your brain into the top of your skull after hitting every little bump in the road.

[jimbo74]

shamb, I recommend http://www.ca-msp.org/ I just took the basic rider course last weekend, and passed it. it is a good class.... you learn a lot, I had never been on a bike before

with completion of that class, you will get a dl-389... that form @ dmv allows you to bypass the driving test on a bike. just take a written @ dmv and get your bike license

also, you don't need a permit to take the class, your regular license is fine, and they provide the bikes and helmets

[Stocker]

I wouldn't buy / build your ultimate dream bike right away since you're a new rider. Too many guys get in trouble with their first bike, maybe a case of too much bike (too much engine) for a newbie. No offense intended, and not everyone has a bad experience. I just think it's better to start with something smaller / slower for a first bike, then move up. Always assume the cagers are trying to run over you. As long as you're in control of the bike and not the other way around, you'll have a blast. I'm an old fart and I still enjoy a ride now & then. 

[Cheesemaker]

I'd go and find out what type of bike feels comfortable to you.  I've ridden crotch rockets and I hate the feeling that your sitting on your nuts, and leaning forward all the time was uncomfortable.  I do like a cruiser style of sitting.  Your upright, and your legs are stretched out and not underneath you all the time.  My favorite little all around bike was my 85 Honda Rebel.   It was a 250cc, but for around town it was low and comfortable to ride on.  I hated going up long steep climbs with it.   I had a 85 Kawasaki Vulcan 750, even though it was a cruiser style, it sat up too high for me to get comfortable on, and seemed top heavy in the corners.  It ahd alot of power, but I never could feel comfortable on it.  So, I didn't keep it long.

I would definitely take the class.  Alot of insurance companies will give you a break on ins. because of this too!

[jimbo74]

from what the instructors of the class told me, the class is actually harder than the dmv driving test...... they usually don't have any fails out of the class, but there are people that fail the dmv test......

I am glad I went to the class, having passed it gives me more confidence in myself than if I had just gone to dmv and tried it. also, I don't yet own a bike. I need to take the advanced class as well...

I am active duty military and they make it a requirement for us to ride anything

[x250f23x]

I completely fell in love with the bike from the movie "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo".
 And the movie too..

http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2012/01/girl-with-dragon-tattoo-motorcycle.html
 

[toyotajoe35]

I have that bike sitting in my garage. Well not the one that was in the movie but the one it was based on. I am keeping it for a day when i am ready to build my dream bike. Good luck on your search but thee is nothing like riding a motorcycle.

[Shamb [OP]]

Yea they have a great local motorcycle class at the college that im going to take.

[BadnewsBob]

I really like the hondas especially the CB 750s I have been riding them for almost forty years now Here is my current bike.

[BadnewsBob]

Didn't do something right here is a few more......

[BadnewsBob]

Rebuilding the top end.

[BadnewsBob]

Then the worker dwarfs slipped into my garage and took the whole thing apart....So I am gonna repaint it all before I put it back together.....I'll post more pictures later if ya like.

My good friends here have a couple bikes we have built here I'll post some shots of them later also.

We like cafe style bikes for sure.