Hitchcocks Forum

Just received my new catalogue and the Cafe Racer on the cover is..... WOW. Having seen some over dressed examples lately and the rubbish portrayed on the American programme Cafe Racer, this little beauty is what a cafe racer should be. Clean lines, reasonably basic and lightweight... Superb. Well done Mick.

The lines are so clean. My bike is a roadster, but I would like to achieve that "see through" effect. I'm wondering if the new l-ion batteries are small enough to fit in a toolbox.
I like the black powder coating - I can never seem to keep the rocker boxes shiny, but perhaps lack high temperature paint would do it?

I agree, the black finish is the master stroke, makes the motor look really modern! Only things I don't like are the too small front guard (just a bit more curve would be good,) and I can't stand flared bellmouths. I think the parallel side ones as on the Continental GT and Interceptor look better on the Mk1 Concentric which is a small carb and doesn't fill the space well enough. But that's just why we build specials isn't it?!
REgards, Mark

My brother (a lapsed motorcyclist) came over this Christmas and was much taken by said Cafe racer.
"They don't make them like that anymore!" quoth he.
Oh yes they do, Martin, oh yes they do!
I only wish I could! It is absolutely "right!"
stephen

Have a GOOD look at that cover bike. One of the reasons why it looks such a neat, clean job is that, as far as I can make out, it appears to be unspoilt by any trace of wiring! I can see a clutch cable, brake line and speedo cable, but no wiring loom or any wiring at all peeking out... If our hosts really can build them that clean, well done.

Regards,

Adrian

My compliments also. Untidy wiring is spoiling my bike at the moment; One thing I want to do is to move the battery into a toolbox. Mick, do you happen to know if one of the new L-ion batteries would fit in a standard Bullet toolbox? It's a kickstart model.

I have just fitted one of the lithium batterys and had the same idea of fitting it in the toolbox. There is plenty of room for the k/s battery, but you will need to do something to suport it. The weight saving of this battery alone is worth the money, it feels like it is just an empty box!
Jim B

I built a 612 cafe racer a couple of months ago, no toolboxes,I fitted a glass matt battery, Boyer powerbox and the horn all inside the seat

yes its a really nice bike matt black engine parts an all,i painted mt 350 bullet engine matt black last year theres nothing new about matt black engines the only problem is keeping the coating on when ridden in the winter ,a great job though well done mick atb paul.

It is a fine looking machine that will be a blast to ride, and affordable.