| Author | Message | ||
     Bob_thompson |
Thought someone might be interested in "why I do/don't ride a Buell. This cafe racer I built in 1975 two years before Harley introduced its own cafe racer, the XR1000. Notice snowflake mag wheels, three disc brakes and cafe seat and tank. Not seen is 86 cu. in. engine, oil in square tube frame under tank and DeLorto carb. Reraked neck to about 25 degrees for excellant handling. Bike weighed about 420 lbs. I only kept it this way one year and then went the flat tracker route after much teasing from the boys I road with. Now I'm really satisfied with my M2. I guess what goes around comes around at least for me. Thanks for looking.  | ||
| Mikej |
Nice work. Are you still fabricating frames? If not you should be.  | ||
| Djkaplan |
I wish you had more pictures to post. I'd like to hear more details about the frame, wheels, and bodywork. Did you ever fab some rearsets for it? The seating position looks..., unconventional. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Oh, and post some pics of the bike tarted up like a flattracker! | ||
| Outrider |
Beautiful Work Bob. Post more pics if you have them and don't forget the Flat Tracker! | ||
| Rocketman |
Hey Bob, I know you know this but I believe you meant XLCR. The XR1000 wasn't really a 'cafe racer' and was manufactured 84 - 86 wasn't it? Your 'racer' looks better than an XLCR anyway. What happened to it after the flat tracker phase? Rocket | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Rocket; right you are, XLCR. To answer a few questions. This is only picture that survived the years. Found it in an old photo album stored away. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of it as a flat tracker. It seems I was more into fabbing and riding than photography then. However as flat tracker it looked very similar to XR 750 with exception of high pipes on right side as in picture and carb on right also. I used stock glass for the XR 750 for a Champion frame. I sold this to a classic bike collector/seller named Buzz Wallneck of the now famous Wallnecks Classic Bikes which you will see on AutoTrader.com The frame\seat\handlebars made for a nice lean forward position for this short stature of mine. Never made rearsets as frame extensions were not part of fabrication at first thought. Wheels were true magnesium, not aluminum and as I remember brakes were some of Performance Machines early units. To be fair I must admit it handled terrible compared to anything now but at that time we were into looks and street racing in the Chicago area and for that it held its own quite well. Once again I say thanks to those inovators who are not content with standing still but look for something new even if it is not fasionable. This was my "outlaw" bike. | ||
| Outrider |
I must admit it handled terrible compared to anything now As did everything else available at the time. Often wonder how we ever survived. LOL Bob, Thank for sharing. You rekindled a lot of good memories. | ||
| Philip |
that is too cool! i have been working off and on trying to make a cafe style bike with my 72 sportster. i keep trying to figure out how to clear the kick arm with the pipes and never thought to go high pipes! i will use a can muffler with whatever i use. my motor is only a 76 cu.incher so it won't be near the animal that bike must have been. man that is cool!!! i need to get back to it. thanks for the kick in the arse. |
