Readers Rides

NYC unrefined Bonneville

Living in a big city can make it difficult for anyone wanting to customise their own bike. It was one of the main reasons we set up the Kustom Kommune communal motorcycle workshop in Melbourne. Without garage space you’re limited to dragging your bike indoors or working on the side of the…

Cafe Racers from our readers

For years now I’ve been receiving photos and stories from Return of the Cafe Racers readers showcasing their own custom motorcycle builds. As amazing as they all are the reality is I simply don’t have the time to feature every one I receive on the site…until now! Thanks to Pinterest I have…

Harris Bonneville T140 Cafe Racer

When John Bloor purchased the Triumph Motorcycles Meriden factory site in 1983 he purchased the land, buildings and all the materials still on the production lines. When Triumph went in to receivership the workers just stopped the machines, turned off the lights and left, locking the doors behind them. To keep Triumph…

Readers Rides: Yamaha RD350 Cafe Racer

In the two stroke scene the Yamaha RD350 is somewhat of a legend. Known best for it’s cheeky ad campaigns featuring the headline “Don’t feel bad. You’re not the first 750 rider to get blown off by a Yamaha 350” they were quick, light and fun as hell to ride.

Readers Rides

Readers Rides: La Haduc Cafe Racer

What do you get when you cross a Laverda with a Harley and a Ducati? You get a Ducati 860 GT framed, Harley XL 1200R powered custom Cafe Racer rolling on a set of Laverda 750 SF wheels named “La Haduc”. – – No motorcycles were harmed in the making of this…

Readers Rides: Honda CG125 resurrection

I will be the first to say that this isn’t going to be a top performing vehicle. This 1986 Honda CG125 is a 4 stroke, overhead cam “commuter” that is good for around 65mph. That however doesn’t mean it can be a fun ride and that exactly what this bike was built to…

Readers Rides: tight golden Triumph

To kick off our “Readers Rides week” we’ve got a bit of bling in the form of a gold leafed ’07 Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer. The 24 karat gold leaf covering this ’07 Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer is enough to turn anyone’s head, but looks aside this Bonnie’s got plenty more going for…

Readers Rides: Honda CX500 Cafe Racer

Chris, the owner of this Honda CX500 Cafe Racer built the bike after deciding it was time to have a ride that was a little different to everything else. He found the Honda neglected and decaying in the shed of it’s previous owner and had come up with a direction for the…

Readers Rides: Honda CM125 Riot Bike

This little beauty of a bike from Simon and Singapore. He built the bike in the car park outside his work (I wish my boss was that cool!!) and did it all on a shoestring budget. Starting out with a totally stock 1995 Honda CM125 Simon pieced together out of scrap and…

Readers Rides November 2011 part 1

We have to say readers rides have quickly become our favourite addition to the site in years. we’ve been overwhelmed with the number and quality of the Cafe Racers being sent in. That said it takes a fair bit of time to sift through everything we receive so if you’ve sent me…

Readers rides: Moto Guzzi Le Manns 1000

This Moto Guzzi Cafe Racer sent in by Henry is the latest readers ride to have our jaws dragging on the ground. Based on a 1989 LeMans 1000 this Guzzi is a fraction of it’s former self. Much of the Le Mans original bodywork has been removed (thank goodness) to be replaced…