Happy new year! Well, that wraps up yet another year of cafe racer content. Like the previous year, 2021 was...
Triumph Cafe Racer
The origins of this famous British motorcycle marque go back to 1884, well before the first actual Triumph motorcycle appeared in 1902. By the 1920’s Triumph was building 30,000 cars and motorcycles a year. During the 50s many cafe racers were powered by Triumph engines due to their ability to reach the revered ‘ton’ or 100 miles per hour. Triumph is arguably one of the most popular motorcycle brands in the world and is arguably the leader in the “everything old is new again” retro bike wave.
Russia’s not just the home of borscht, vodka and Oscarworthy dashcam footage. In recent years there’s been some stellar motorcycle...
In the Tamarit Motorcycle catalog of more than 180 bolt on parts, you’ll find everything from fenders to seat cowls. Developing said...
The world’s biggest Triumph motorcycle focused event ‘Tridays’ celebrated its tenth anniversary this year. Spanning 3 days the Austrian based...
It’s fair to say that a hell of a lot of work goes into the custom motorcycles I feature. So...
“The SE is a clever tweaking to move the range into the ‘70’s’ at minimal cost, so I would not...
Building a short series of custom motorcycles is a great way for a workshop to be financially viable. In most...
The Japanese custom automotive scene is bursting with unbound creativity and world-class craftsmanship. So for a photographer whose passion lies...
I’m a sucker for retro fairings. I’m obsessed with Honda’s legendary CR750 and the TT race bikes of the seventies...
Story contributed by builder – Larry Maas This bike started its life around 1970 at Kosman Specialties, where I worked...
“Designed to appeal to a new generation of motorcyclists looking for a new interpretation on the classic, vintage cafe racer,...
What is it about the idea of an apocalypse that gets so many guys excited? In reality the end of...
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when building your own Cafe Racer, or any style of custom motorcycle for...
Cafe Racer TV has continued to spawn top quality Cafe Racers from the workshops being featured in each new series....
Triumph Motorcycles have been adding a myriad of updates and special editions to their 2022 Modern Classic lineup. We’ve seen...
In 2011 a self-confessed motorcycle nerd and his fashion model girlfriend took part in their first land speed trials event...
The Super Rat Trident Cafe Racer was recently shot by Chad De Rosa for Cafe Racer magazine. Have a drool...
With over a million Instagram followers ‘Cafe Racers of Instagram’ (aka CROIG) have one of the world’s biggest social motorcycle...
Built by Moscow’s TCD (short for Timokhin Custom Design), this one-off Thruxton was commissioned by a client who works in aviation...
In 1969 Triumph motorcycles took out first, second and third places in the Thruxton 500 mile endurance race. 35 years...
Triumph has well and truly hit the nail on the head with their new Modern Classics range. The British manufacturer...
Tim Kills BSA A65 Bobber On November 3rd & 4th I co-hosted a custom motorcycle exhibition in Melbourne named Oil...
For custom motorcycle builders making ends meet is a tough gig. Sometimes it takes more than just waiting for customers...
So you’re obsessed with two wheels? Well, we see no reason why that obsession can’t span beyond motorcycles to include...
Had to share this video as it’s not often we get such a good insight in to the work that...
I don’t know about you but when I was a kid if I went anywhere near my Dad’s car with...
“My main goal was performance and low-key style. Most of the modifications made decreased the Triumph’s weight and added to...
The 2012 Bonneville Speed Week is wrapping up for another year. Thankfully it looks like we’ll be seeing a lot...
This Triumph motorcycle has undergone a cafe racer-style transformation, skillfully executed by Jeremy Cupp of LC Fabrications in Grottoes, Virginia....
This Trident Cafe Racer has been doing the rounds on all the custom bike blogs and for obvious reasons. It’s...
In Cafe Racer terms the Triton was the ride of choice for Rockers of the 60’s and 70’s. The combination...
On the southern coast of Wales, stretching out for 7 miles along the edge of Carmarthen Bay, is a...
Being a cruiser-style bike the Triumph Adventurers has somewhat of a laid back stance. To even out the bikes stance...
“We had a client from Perth in Australia contact us after he saw a picture of our Bronco Racer” recalls...
At the heart of the Triton is a special blend of Triumph engineering. A ’61 Pre Unit 650cc engine was...
Before the “new wave” custom motorcycle scene and websites like this existed, custom builders like Nicola Martini (aka Mr Martini)...
Back at work wishing you were still out on your motorbike? Here’s a little something to help you through your...
Take the most powerful engine in the Triumph modern classic range and shoehorn it into one of the most revered...
In 1953 Marlon Brando appeared on screen wearing black leathers and riding a 1950 Triumph Thunderbird 6T. The movie was...
Look at those…prices! Back when men were men and scantily clad women were every advertisers secret weapon (not much has...
Built for professional surfer Chippa Wilson, the Beach Sled was designed to be a versatile motorcycle for both adventurous pursuits...
It’s been a while since I’ve paid Japan a visit on the site, but this beauty of a Bobber from...
Michael Hammer’s workshop, Hammer Kraftrad, is located in the northern reaches of Bavaria. So it’s no surprise he loves his...
When John Bloor purchased the Triumph Motorcycles Meriden factory site in 1983 he purchased the land, buildings and all the...
Beautiful Cafe Racer, motorcycle racing, classic bike and two wheel lifestyle shots from Zebra in a Box....
Triumph knocked everyone’s socks off with the release of the new water-cooled Bonneville range back in 2016. But of all...
Icon 1000 has just unveiled their newest range of riding gear and with it comes a new website and more...
It feels like only yesterday that Tamarit Motorcycles was celebrating its 50th build. Today the Spanish powerhouse workshop is about...
A while back I posted a preview of Pier 18, a video that was in production featuring Hammerhead Industries much...
And here I was thinking the best thing to come out of Belgium was chocolates and Jean Claude Van Damme!...
“The build started by changing the headlight to something that was more classically styled.” says Michael. “Then I removed the...
If you saw my post recently about the Tidy Triumph Bobber I’m sure you’d like to see more about the...
There’s no denying the Triumph Thruxton R is a great looking bit of kit. When the Hinkley team created a...
German father and son team, Michael and Allen Posenauer build bikes under the title of AMP Motorcycles. They don’t consider...
The donor for the project was Jean-Francois’ own 2008 Triumph 1050 Speed Triple. Although his plan was to add bodywork to the...
Not only do the Iron & Resin crew know how to design some pretty cool threads they also build slick...
Bosozoku biker gangs once ruled the streets of Japan, these days though they are more of a nuisance than anything...
The Triumph Rocket 3 is a lot of things. A monstrous cruiser. A torque powerhouse. A modern classic. But it...
“We are fetishists.
We worship speed. We adore motorcycles.” Kalup is a new brand/breed of motorcycle riding gear from the...
In this third and final instalment on Blacktrack Motors BT02 Triumph ‘Thruxman’, we learn about the final build stage. Sacha Lakic...
Last month “The world’s greatest Triumph event!” Tridays, took place in Neukirchen, Austria. Over the course of 7 days thousands...
“Triumph has a glorious racing history” explained Matthias Becker of Hanse Qustom in Hamburg, Germany. “The ‘Shady Sam‘ is our...
Down & Out Motorcycles of Yorkshire, renowned for their bespoke Triumphs, have tastefully customized this Bobber Black. The distinguished builders,...
Psychologists have a theory that goes something like this: your brain’s synapses are set in your teen years and they...
If there’s one thing I love about my job, it’s picking the brains of the diverse handful of people that...
We have to say readers rides have quickly become our favourite addition to the site in years. we’ve been overwhelmed...
The build started when a client came to Marcos looking for something “out of the norm” that could double as...
Here’s a little something to get you through another night glued to the couch. Our latest instalment of the Sunday...
Last week I featured the Tridays 12 Triumph Bonneville by Free Spirits Racing Components. What I neglected to mention in...
There are currently 4 models available in the Triumph classic range. The Boneville, Boneville T100, the Thruxton 900 and the...
Some nice footage of the new Norton Commando in action alongside the Triumph’s “modern classic” Bonneville with a quick review...
Back in the early two thousands, Steampunk was all the rage. Popularised by films like Sky Captain and the World...
No it doesn’t have a headlight. No it doesn’t have indicators, a rearview mirror or a stop light. No it’s...
I often wonder what the guys who run the custom motorcycle workshops ride. You’ll see plenty of photos of their...
One of the trademarks of Tamarit Motorcycles is that their only constant is change. With a portfolio fast approaching 100...
One of the perks of running a custom motorcycle website like ‘Return of the Café Racers’ is being invited to...
ChopperTown Nation are holding their 3rd annual backyard build contest and Return of the Cafe Racers are on board to...
I love those fairings. Really adds some speed to the look of the bike....
If you’re a Triumph owner living in Europe and you want to modify your bike you’re spoilt for options. There’s...
If you haven’t already seen Brit Town the following video containing the first 10 minutes of the documentary style film...
It’s not often you hear of people fulfilling their childhood “When I grow up I want to be …” career...
Yuri Shif, builder of the 2010 AMD World Championship winning bike “The Machine” has been rolling beautiful custom motorcycles out...
If you’re on the lookout for a donor bike for you next cafe racer build have you considered a tourer?...
This bikes popping up all over the place. Anyone happen to know who made it? Is this the start of...
Despite the clear improvements and benefits of the newer water-cooled models, the air-cooled Triumph Bonneville T100 is destined to be...
As efficient as automation is has been responsible for the death of many age-old skills. In the world of aftermarket...
Revisiting an old piece of work can be a cathartic experience. Identifying past mistakes, comparing your old skills to your...
The year is 1954 and 15 year old drag racer Bobby Sirkegian positions his ’51 Triumph Thunderbird alongside a souped-up,...
Since 2011 Bologna, Italy has been home to Hook Motors, a “lifestyle store” aimed at those who appreciate passion, elegance...
Triumph Motorcycles range of Modern Classics is arguably the best mix of modern technology and classic style money can (currently)...
Is it just me or are Heiwa the epitome of ‘can do no wrong’ custom motorcycle building. Out of their tiny workshop...
Let’s face it – 2020 wasn’t the best year to be releasing a new motorcycle. Heck, it wasn’t a good...
This year at the Bonneville Salt Flats the Low Brow Customs team turned up with a dual engine Triumph named...
For a designer who’s range of clothing has had such an enormous impact on men’s fashion I am disgusted by...
Here’s the latest custom motorcycle build from the new Deus ex Machina in Venice, USA. The modern Triumph Bonneville has...
From eBay: “You are bidding on (You should have bid on) a ground up custom 1974 Triumph Bonneville dual sport. This bike,...