Cafe Racer

DIVIn Café Racers, master photographer Michael Lichter and motorcycle culture expert Paul d’Orléans visually trace café racer motorcycles from their origins in the mid-twentieth century all the way into modern times. /div

What's old is new again, and the newest trend on the block is Cafe Racers. Written by well-known motorcycle and automotive author Doug Mitchel, How to Build a Café Racer starts with a history lesson. While those first bikes were built in the UK for racing from cafe to cafe, the current rage for Cafe Racers has definitely spread to the US. Converting a stock motorcycle to a Cafe Racer requires more than a fairing and a few decals. The book starts with chapters on planning and choosing an appropriate bike, followed by chapters that detail the modifications that will likely be embraced by anyone converting a stocker to a rocker. From shocks and tires to engine modifications, Doug's book lays out each type of modification and how it's best carried through. The center of the book holds a gallery of finished bikes. These are not just Triumphs or Nortons, but nearly every brand imaginable from Japan, Italy, the UK, and Germany. The final chapters include two, start-to-finish cafe builds. This is the chance for the reader to see how professional shops take a stock Honda, Triumph, or Ducati and convert it into a fast, sexy, and functional Cafe Racer, ready to race from cafe to cafe on Saturday night, or around the race track on Sunday afternoon.

Ton Up! A Century of Café Racer Speed and Style focuses on the story of the ton-up boys and their café racers. But it's much more than just that. Illustrated with historic and modern photos and featuring a text by one of the world’s motorcycle historians, it's really the story of motorcycle speed and style evolved from the early 1900s right through today. Cafe racers are most associated with the young, rebellious rock-and-rollers of 1960s Britain. These riders created the quintessential café racers—fast motorcycles customized to resemble the racing bikes of the period. They were called “café racers” because their riders raced on public roads, from one café to the next. The goal was to do “the ton” (exceed 100 miles per hour) on these runs, which led to their designation as “ton-up boys.” Today, ton-up culture is more popular than ever and recognized worldwide with a following of young and long-time riders alike.With Ton Up!, enjoy a scenic ride through the history of this vibrant scene.

A nostalgic look at the coffee-bar motorcycle culture of the 1950s and 60s. The book features photographs of souped-up BSAs, Triumphs, Nortons and Ducatis with technical analyses of some of the best bikes produced, from the Triumph Bonneville to the Harris Moto Guzzi.

A fascinating expose of the culture of the cafe racer - a motorcycle culture which emerged from WWII in the UK and the USA. Today, it's in the midst of a huge restrspective.

The Racer Within is a global compilation of the custom motorcycle industry's most influential builders, photographers, events and riders, featuring some beautiful stories and quotes of their inspiring journeys. Compiled with bold and striking photography that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the custom cafe racer community of today, The Racer Within is more than just a motorcycle coffee table book, it's a celebration of the pieces of art we build, ride and love.

During the 1950s, metal, grease, oil, leathers, and attitude bucked tradition and sprouted a revolution in machine masculinity. Owning and riding a café racer was about elemental emotions, where the relationship between man and machine was visceral, born out of intuition and a unique vision that was thoughtful, intuitive, and insightful. It was at the dawn of rock 'n' roll, when café racers grew to become a symbol of the lifestyle, and launched perhaps the most influential motorcycle movement the world has ever seen. Today, thanks to the retro boom, shed mechanics and professional engineers the world over act as conduits for yet further experimentation and aesthetic innovation. And just like before, the world is sitting up and taking notice. Café Racer provides a fresh canvas for bikers, builders, and bike customizers that make up the rich tapestry that is the epitome of casual coolness.

More than a memoir of a custom cafe racer build this book is a tribute to a teacher who inspired young people to be creative with their minds and capable with their hands. Growing up in Fargo, North Dakota in the 1970s and 80s, The Urban Monk had the opportunity to develop a love for machines, metal working and motorcycles. This book provides a glimpse into what life was like for the author and his young friends in Fargo during that time. It is also a poignant defense of industrial arts education in public schools. After an over three year effort building a custom cafe racer in his spare time and documenting the entire process in videos shared with the world on his YouTube channel Urban Monk TV, the author tells the story of how this project became more than a custom motorcycle build - it became a tribute to his middle school Metal Shop teacher who inspired him to go on to a life time of peaceful meditation in his garage with a wrench in his hand. Anyone interested in motorcycles, mechanics, do-it-yourself projects or a historical retrospective of life in 70s-80s Fargo will enjoy this pleasant read.

Popular Mechanics inspires, instructs and influences readers to help them master the modern world. Whether it’s practical DIY home-improvement tips, gadgets and digital technology, information on the newest cars or the latest breakthroughs in science -- PM is the ultimate guide to our high-tech lifestyle.

Covers everything from how to choose and maintain a motorcycle and how to buy appropriate gear to how to ride safely, and how to make the most out of trips on the open road. It also discusses motorcycle history and the timeless motorcycle mystique.