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What is a cafe racer?

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by NORMFERG, Oct 14, 2009.

  1. NORMFERG

    NORMFERG Member

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    Trying to understand the difference.

    Chopper/Bobber: lean back
    Stock: sit up straight
    Cafe Racer: lean forward
    Crotch Rocket: lay on stomach

    Am i close?
     
    NORMFERG, Oct 14, 2009
    #1
  2. schmuckaholic

    schmuckaholic Well-Known Member

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    schmuckaholic, Oct 14, 2009
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  3. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Close enough. The Wiki article is pretty good, except the first pic, the AJS 7R is NOT a "typical" Cafe Racer by any stretch. While it does look a bit like a Cafe bike, the 7R was a purpose-built full on production racebike; the one in the picture is evidently set up for vintage racing.

    Contemporary "crotch rockets" really ARE Cafe Bikes, being street bikes tarted up to look like the race bikes of the day, which is what the Cafe Racer was all about to begin with.
     
    bigfitz52, Oct 14, 2009
    #3
  4. markie

    markie Member

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    I think you are close EXCEPT there isn't really much difference between the riding position of a Cafe racer and a crotch rocket!
     
    markie, Oct 15, 2009
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  5. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    I would have to say that comparing the ride on my buddy's 2003 CBR 600RR and mine. I lean more forward on my bike.
     
    xulf13, Oct 16, 2009
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  6. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    The Wiki text is spot on, having been a patron of the Ace & many others at the time, I can say that was a true insight into the culture, I can add another tale to the juke box racing, Bartons, another favourite cafe hang out was located near the Slough trading estate & had one long straight road through the centre, which had sets of linked traffic lights, so you could get a green on them all if you kept your speed to 30 mph, however the boys worked out that you could also get green if you went 60 or 90, unfortunately this never took into account a semi crossing the junction too slowly, ouch. 8O
     
    wizard, Oct 16, 2009
    #6

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