Beachcomber
Well-Known Member
New here guys, but not new to biking. Been building Cafe Racers and Specials since the late 60's.
Until recently I have been involved in the design, manufacture and sales of my own brand of replica Sports cars. Porsche, Jaguar, Cobra and some one -offs. Retired in 2000 and have kept my hand in since carrying out engineering design consultancy to a couple of former business associates - again in the replica car industry.
Bikes have always been my hobby though, and since my retirement, I've been able to put more time into that. Several BMW Airhead Cafe Racers, Japanese CR's and Flat Trackers, some Streetfighters and currently a 60's Brit style Cafe Racer based on a Yamaha TR1 V Twin and a BMW K100 Streetfighter - both on their way to completion.
A couple of years ago I came across "Boardtrackers" and I've become more and more interested in the genre and when I ended up with a couple of spare TR1 donors - a Boardtracker seemed the logical way to go !
I have a specific idea in mind for the frame style, and the powerplant will be lifted complete from the TR1.
After a year of collecting various parts together I tripped over a 1920's "La Diamant Francaise" petrol tank in excellent overall condition - just surface rust. That was when the blue touch paper was lit and I started collecting 1920's parts with a vengeance - like brass hand oil pump, lamps, various Brass do-dads a Desmo Brass fire extinguisher and other trinkets.
That said, the bike has to be practical daily rider, so there will be a compromise as to brakes, wheel size, etc. Regrettably cost also comes into the equation, so the wire spoked XS650 wheels I already have will be shotblasted, powder coated and put into service, albeit with skinny tyres.
I'm still undecided about the front end - again costs mean it will be teles of some sort - unless Vincent Girdraulics come up for £100 !
Again undecided as to braking - drums for looks, or disc/s for self preservation. I'm thinking of going down the route of a pre - '72 rolling chassis with V5 to give me drum brake - and tax free title.
One thing is certain - the colourways - Cream for all the main parts including wheels, engine and Coffee for the frame and accents - hence "Cafe-Creme".
So there we are - just about to pull the donor down [ 17kms total mileage and sweet as ] and start mocking up the parts. I've contacted a couple of UK frame builders, but their costings range from -"just out of my pocket" to "Omigawd, are you serious ? "
As an automotive chassis designer of some 50 years experience, the design is not a problem - I really need a build buddy !
I'm hoping to gain more ideas and inspiration from this site.
Until recently I have been involved in the design, manufacture and sales of my own brand of replica Sports cars. Porsche, Jaguar, Cobra and some one -offs. Retired in 2000 and have kept my hand in since carrying out engineering design consultancy to a couple of former business associates - again in the replica car industry.
Bikes have always been my hobby though, and since my retirement, I've been able to put more time into that. Several BMW Airhead Cafe Racers, Japanese CR's and Flat Trackers, some Streetfighters and currently a 60's Brit style Cafe Racer based on a Yamaha TR1 V Twin and a BMW K100 Streetfighter - both on their way to completion.
A couple of years ago I came across "Boardtrackers" and I've become more and more interested in the genre and when I ended up with a couple of spare TR1 donors - a Boardtracker seemed the logical way to go !
I have a specific idea in mind for the frame style, and the powerplant will be lifted complete from the TR1.
After a year of collecting various parts together I tripped over a 1920's "La Diamant Francaise" petrol tank in excellent overall condition - just surface rust. That was when the blue touch paper was lit and I started collecting 1920's parts with a vengeance - like brass hand oil pump, lamps, various Brass do-dads a Desmo Brass fire extinguisher and other trinkets.
That said, the bike has to be practical daily rider, so there will be a compromise as to brakes, wheel size, etc. Regrettably cost also comes into the equation, so the wire spoked XS650 wheels I already have will be shotblasted, powder coated and put into service, albeit with skinny tyres.
I'm still undecided about the front end - again costs mean it will be teles of some sort - unless Vincent Girdraulics come up for £100 !
Again undecided as to braking - drums for looks, or disc/s for self preservation. I'm thinking of going down the route of a pre - '72 rolling chassis with V5 to give me drum brake - and tax free title.
One thing is certain - the colourways - Cream for all the main parts including wheels, engine and Coffee for the frame and accents - hence "Cafe-Creme".
So there we are - just about to pull the donor down [ 17kms total mileage and sweet as ] and start mocking up the parts. I've contacted a couple of UK frame builders, but their costings range from -"just out of my pocket" to "Omigawd, are you serious ? "
As an automotive chassis designer of some 50 years experience, the design is not a problem - I really need a build buddy !
I'm hoping to gain more ideas and inspiration from this site.
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and the red hair is right out. Tend to be too fiesty.
