Vintage Style: Cafe Racers - The Downshift Episode 19

On this episode of The Downshift, we take a look at the stylish world of Cafe Racers and the vintage motorcycles they love.

The Downshift appears every Tuesday on the new Motor Trend channel.

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[TieFighterPilot]

"You never see a motorbike in front of a psychiatry office" - I like that.

[SpAceROkEr]

bikes are just one of the best inventions on the history of the planet earth

[robbyclark]

I’m 52 and just started riding about 6 months ago. The one guy said it so true, ‘you have to ride a bike to know what it’s about.’ No one can tell you and it’s not gonna be for everyone. But if you got on that bike and now you can’t imagine life without that’s it, right there, that’s riding!

[andycook]

Drugs and drinking ? No. Not at all. The 'ton up boys' only drank coffee. In the 60's leather jacket and motorcycles were not welcome in pubs. So they would hang around in cafes. . . . . hence the name "cafe racer".

[escedu]

I was a 20 years old when I first discovered the café racer world and I knew that was going to be a part of my life now 5 years later I got my first motorcycle and I couldn't be happier.

[andymandyandsheba]

my dad was one of the originals back in the mid 50s to the mid 60s he used to build bikes for other people
as well as his own i grew up with British bikes . we lost my dad in 1979 he was on his way home after a late shift
he was hit by a drunk driver early hours of the morning after all the bike he rode the day he died he was on a 90cc step thru
i still miss my dad so much if he was alive today he would be in his 70s he would still be riding a British bike

[mightyminimayfair]

i totally agree, i've only just turned 17 and got onto the road but i been following the cafe racer scene since i was 10 and i'm building my own at the moment! its not about where your from or what year the whole point of a cafe racer was to show theres no limits and enjoy the freedom of the open road

[Pointer]

I'm a 66 year old Watford boy, our Cafe was the Busy Bee on the A41 not a long ride from the Ace, guess what, I still have my Triton.

[misterjones]

In the 1960’s I watched the ton-up boys race from Johnson’s Café on the A20 in Kent – they raced from the café, past Brands Hatch race track and down Death Hill to the roundabout at the bottom and back up the hill to the café. There were BSA Gold Stars, Rocket Gold Stars Triumph Bonnevilles and even a Vincent. The sounds were fantastic. Some riders didn’t bother with helmets; just a leather jacket, jeans and shades for eye protection. I was too young to join in then, but it’s amazing to see that the British café racer style and culture has spread worldwide over 50 years on - Great Stuff!

[metubeusercom]

0:13 side stand down, hope he's okay

[prasannavenkatk]

For those looking for the songs playing in the video, They're "Esmae", "Outta my mind", "Sheila", all of them by The Black Tibetans :)

[HarshVardhanSolanki-le]

Watching this video after more than 5 years and finally I am able to customise my own bike into a cafe racer.
It keeps inspiring me till date

[joepyleproductions]

This was a really good watch. I just bought a vintage "72 Honda CL350 and I'm tearing into it. Really fun project, and I can't wait to ride it. It was made the same year I was born. My first street bike.

[daviddelano-oakes]

My dad and my uncles were cafe racers back in the 60's I hope one day I'll be able to join that tradition ☺

[samluckman]

definantly not a good thing to watch while waiting for parts.... 

[stevenzin]

I currently riding a 2014 Cafe/Bobber style Iron 883. I am definitely going to get another cafe modified to my liking, I just love the vibe and style of Cafe Racing.

[staminadan]

I came across Deus some years ago and loved the bikes. While working in L.A. I one day drove past the store in L.A. and had to take a look. Pulled up into the parking lot expecting a motorcycle shop, smell of grease and oil and motorcycles that are being built. The joy of finding this place by chance was short lived. First thing I can see is a large table at witch a bunch of people are sitting. All men and all looked like they came out of the same mold. Big beard long hair tied to a bun, all staring at the screen of a macbook and most probably drinking non fat, decaf, extra foam latte with a triple shot. I doubt that any of them actually have or ride a Bike. The shop is a boutique for all sorts of clothes and hipster wear. Two or three bikes that are pure props for the merchandise and lifestyle bullocks, are placed in the showroom. All walls are covered in shelves filled with wearables and so are the tables in the middle of the room. : ( The actual bikeshop is added on to the rear end of the building and does not look like it is the main theme of at least this store. I am a petrolhead and love motorcycles and building them, but this was a monster of a disappointment.
My hat comes of for the marketing of this brand, that successfully latched on to the motorbike world of custom build motos to sell s*!t that none of us riders need. Well done deus, but nothing worth looking at if you are really interested in their really nice builds, that no doubt Deus dose build somewhere.

Fazit: Love the bikes you build, but will not visit a store again. I think they even had avocado toast on the menu.

[MrPomdownunder]

I have a CB250 in the shed that a mate wants me to Caff Race for him ! It's early 70's and looks like the red one at the start of this vid. I'm enjoying watching and getting inspiration . This Honda will be more show than go - my mate owns a Cafe and this will be a great accessory !

[robw]

The true spirit of the original cafe racers is embodied far more by the working class guys riding modern streetfighters & tricked up sports bikes than by the middle class hipsters of the current 'scene'

Thats not me hating hipsters, just a statement of fact. The only guys I've ever met at a proper greasy spoon cafe to go tearing up the countryside at twice the speed limit were all the former, not the latter

[trevortrevortsr]

They met at Cafes not raced between Cafes - the ultimate would prob be a Triton - with parts from Dunstall or Dresden - a Triumph Bonnie engine in a Slim Line Norton Featherbed Frame - Vent 2 or 4 leading shoe brake - Chrome Headlight - Clip ons - Aoloy tank- rear sets - single seat