Vintage Style: Cafe Racers - The Downshift Episode 19 

"You never see a motorbike in front of a psychiatry office" - I like that.

I’m 52 and just started riding about 6 months ago. The one guy said it so true, ‘you have to ride a bike to know what it’s about.’ No one can tell you and it’s not gonna be for everyone. But if you got on that bike and now you can’t imagine life without it........well that’s it, right there, that’s riding!

Drugs and drinking ? No. Not at all. The 'ton up boys' only drank coffee. In the 60's leather jacket and motorcycles were not welcome in pubs. So they would hang around in cafes. . . . . hence the name "cafe racer".

bikes are just one of the best inventions on the history of the planet earth

I was a 20 years old when I first discovered the café racer world and I knew that was going to be a part of my life now 5 years later I got my first motorcycle and I couldn't be happier.

my dad was one of the originals back in the mid 50s to the mid 60s he used to build bikes for other people as well as his own i grew up with British bikes . we lost my dad in 1979 he was on his way home after a late shift he was hit by a drunk driver early hours of the morning after all the bike he rode the day he died he was on a 90cc step thru i still miss my dad so much if he was alive today he would be in his 70s he would still be riding a British bike

I'm a 66 year old Watford boy, our Cafe was the Busy Bee on the A41 not a long ride from the Ace, guess what, I still have my Triton.

For those looking for the songs playing in the video, They're "Esmae", "Outta my mind", "Sheila", all of them by The Black Tibetans :)

In the 1960’s I watched the ton-up boys race from Johnson’s Café on the A20 in Kent - they raced from the café, past Brands Hatch race track and down Death Hill to the roundabout at the bottom and back up the hill to the café. There were BSA Gold Stars, Rocket Gold Stars Triumph Bonnevilles and even a Vincent. The sounds were fantastic. Some riders didn’t bother with helmets; just a leather jacket, jeans and shades for eye protection. I was too young to join in then, but it’s amazing to see that the British café racer style and culture has spread worldwide over 50 years on - Great Stuff!

i totally agree, i've only just turned 17 and got onto the road but i been following the cafe racer scene since i was 10 and i'm building my own at the moment! its not about where your from or what year the whole point of a cafe racer was to show theres no limits and enjoy the freedom of the open road

This was a really good watch. I just bought a vintage "72 Honda CL350 and I'm tearing into it. Really fun project, and I can't wait to ride it. It was made the same year I was born. My first street bike.

My dad and my uncles were cafe racers back in the 60's I hope one day I'll be able to join that tradition ☺

Great video! Cafe racer culture is so cool! I can’t wait to finish my Honda CB650 brat cafe build!

I currently riding a 2014 Cafe/Bobber style Iron 883. I am definitely going to get another cafe modified to my liking, I just love the vibe and style of Cafe Racing.

I grew up on late 1960 and early 1970s bikes and they pretty cool. I'm glad so new riders are now enjoying those bikes because the simplicity of those bikes is appealing. That said it hurts my knees and back to crawl around working on them these days so the modern retro are my bike of choice. I still love the look, smell and feel of the late 1960s bikes but enough to still ride them.

I came across Deus some years ago and loved the bikes. While working in L.A. I one day drove past the store in L.A. and had to take a look. Pulled up into the parking lot expecting a motorcycle shop, smell of grease and oil and motorcycles that are being built. The joy of finding this place by chance was short lived. First thing I can see is a large table at witch a bunch of people are sitting. All men and all looked like they came out of the same mold. Big beard long hair tied to a bun, all staring at the screen of a macbook and most probably drinking non fat, decaf, extra foam latte with a triple shot. I doubt that any of them actually have or ride a Bike. The shop is a boutique for all sorts of clothes and hipster wear. Two or three bikes that are pure props for the merchandise and lifestyle bullocks, are placed in the showroom. All walls are covered in shelves filled with wearables and so are the tables in the middle of the room. : ( The actual bikeshop is added on to the rear end of the building and does not look like it is the main theme of at least this store. I am a petrolhead and love motorcycles and building them, but this was a monster of a disappointment. My hat comes of for the marketing of this brand, that successfully latched on to the motorbike world of custom build motos to sell s*!t that none of us riders need. Well done deus, but nothing worth looking at if you are really interested in their really nice builds, that no doubt Deus dose build somewhere. Fazit: Love the bikes you build, but will not visit a store again. I think they even had avocado toast on the menu.

0:13 side stand down, hope he's okay

Loved the video. Love even more the vintage cafe racers

I just love guys like you who love motorcycle, especially a cafe racer.

One of the best little bike vids I've seen for ages I'm very excited now

I've been wanting one of these for a long time. Great bikes.

Yeah,back just before the Japanese bikes hit the market I was riding European and/or English machines.The "cafe" bikes were pretty much any bike you lightened up and added a bit of horsepower to.Man,we had a ball with those things!I still have my old Commando and give a ride once in a while,and it's still fun even after the years have passed.I'm not getting any younger and either is that bike but neither of us is dead yet so ....

Guy leaving with his kickstand down during the intro LOL I want to see more of that CBX!

been riding since 15 .. 40 years later . still riding multi countries ! love it

Fantastic episode. Fantastically produced. Loved it.

This literally explained how I feel about my bike even though life force me to live in my van for a little while I’m not giving up on my bike it’s my hope

Friendship and brotherhood began through riding since from late 50s and 60s.... Respect

In 1984 when I was 20 I had a 79 RD 400 Daytona Special, dropped the bars, put expansion chambers on it, re-jetted it, Webber filters, Pirelli phantoms. It was my pride and joy and the most favorite bike or car I've ever owned. That little beast was a rocket. It'd didn't have high end speed but man you got there fast. Ripping around the streets I left many a much bigger bikes in the dust. I miss that bike : )

Great video, keep the passion alive! You don't have to be a Rocker/Greaser and love Rockabilly/50s Rock'n'Roll to ride a café racer bike.

im more of a Bobber type a guy, but do respect this fuckers!

I have a CB250 in the shed that a mate wants me to Caff Race for him ! It's early 70's and looks like the red one at the start of this vid. I'm enjoying watching and getting inspiration . This Honda will be more show than go - my mate owns a Cafe and this will be a great accessory !

My Dad rode (with my mom) through Austria after WWII (around 1949-52) on a BSA 250 armybike with fixed rear axle-no suspension). We still have some inch sized tools(wrenches) from that time (we use cm here). ;-)

definantly not a good thing to watch while waiting for parts....

0:16, one the cool cafe dudes is riding with his kickstand down

I am digging these bikes! So glad to see this style coming back in style. Yeah baby.

I watch this every morning before going to work with my cafe racer. 👌

The true spirit of the original cafe racers is embodied far more by the working class guys riding modern streetfighters & tricked up sports bikes than by the middle class hipsters of the current 'scene' Thats not me hating hipsters, just a statement of fact. The only guys I've ever met at a proper greasy spoon cafe to go tearing up the countryside at twice the speed limit were all the former, not the latter

As a cafe racer I like BMW the most cause of the boxer motor. Looks so cool :)

just found this video. takes me back a bit. used to own a 58 ajs 600 csr and yes we raced. great bike. wish I could ride it just one more time.

Ex member of the 59 club in Hackney. My brother took me out on his bikes...Douglas, BSA. The Tudor cafe at Alexandra Palace was a big hangout in the 60's too.

Gonna buy me a RE continental GT. Gonna take it on all my favourite twisties! It's gonna be a blast!

Something old but it's feel When it getting on the road 🤙

I am 71 yrs old I used to go to the Ace in the 50s 60s,it was not the only café guys used to hand around There was Teds, The Green Tiles ,Johnsons and some others I cant remember the names of.There were gus on 7Rs a Manx with a 1000 Vincent motor in it.and too many more to mention.I had a BSA super rocket and T110 BACK THEN.We never had $10 to put on the table for a bet.We only used to bet a couple of Bob.I have to smile at some of these young guys talking B/S about the old days I remember .

I had a Kawasaki Mach 3, 3 cylinder two stroke back in the day. Crazy fast with a light blue cloud of exhaust... no engine compression braking, just freewheeling with the 2 stroke....touch of 2 stroke oil on my leathers.

I saw this video when they first uploaded it. And now a month later I'm buying my first motet cycle and it's a cafe bike :) I can honestly say, I contribute 90% of my reasoning of buying that bike, on this video :) its a 1979 Honda cx500 :) very custom :)

They met at Cafes not raced between Cafes - the ultimate would prob be a Triton - with parts from Dunstall or Dresden - a Triumph Bonnie engine in a Slim Line Norton Featherbed Frame - Vent 2 or 4 leading shoe brake - Chrome Headlight - Clip ons - Aoloy tank- rear sets - single seat

You Guys just talk a lot of sense , Brilliant ,,,,,RESPECT

I think that it is so cool that not only is Ace Café still in existence but so is the culture.

This is generally a load of bollocks. That whole "racing while the record played" - bullshit. And that guy who alludes to taking drugs and partying - also bullshit, for the most part, tonups didn't take drugs (no money for one thing) and didn't go to (or got thrown out of) pubs. Transport cafes were cheap, roomy meeting places with a parking lot. Somewhere to meet your mates, not spend a lot of money you didn't have to spend, and with space to park your bike. Simple! Watch (or read) "Up the Junction" or "Some People" to get an idea of how gritty and impoverished things really were in those days. FWIW I am old enough to remember, and I still have a Triumph 650 in the garage.

i'd die happy if i have one classic bike like those

Absolutely love the caff racer look.

Great to see all you Americans enjoying and keeping the Cafe racer thing going! it's a real compliment to the UK. Remember,,,,,"Turn from the future, put your back to the present and face the past!" It's way more interesting!

Hammer Video!! Bin selber großer Fan der Café Racer Reihe!!! Macht weiter so !!!!! Gruß Manu !

buy a heap of an old bike... Do it up, customise it, make it your own and don't give a toss what other people think... Its yours and an extension of your personality.. Its about the culture of the ton up boys not what bike it is or what you look like.. Its about getting the most power and handling out of a machine.... I think people look into things to much . Ps.... Its all about lane splitting... I feel sorry for most of you in the US... Stupid fookin laws

Have a 78’ cb400a hondamatic and enjoy watching this !

one of my fav vids...love cafe racer bikes..

Anyone notice the guy going out with his sidestand down? 0:15

feelin that bro i love some from almost all categories and wish i had one of each....go figure a biker that loves....bikes. Spect bro

Loved it. Hope one day i can own one of these.

rode cafe racers in the 70s, the last one was a 72 Norton Commando FastBack 750. But nothing beats the comfort of my Vulcan Voyager

0:15 side stands is down... Hope you make it back Racer!

ten days.... and i will ride again!!!! From Italy! Ducati maniac!

Worked with an Ex-Rocker that used to frequent the Ace Cafe back in 63 by the name of Chris , Superb fella and had some good stories to tell about the Mods and rockers of the time. i went to The Ace back in 2004 on my CBR600 for a mass ride out to the center of London , Great day and hope to purchase (Off my Son) his CB650 Cafe racer and go back again next year :) i live about 50 miles away from the Ace so shouldn't be a problem

Exactly! I’m 31 and my Yamaha is 39. Can’t believe it was 8 more years here than me.

Cafe,cafe, cafe at the cafe then back to the cafe for more cafe.

“Riding a bike, you have to do it to know what it is”

Very varied take on the 'caff racer' scene. Ace stuff!

So many channels and only this one matters😍the most

When I ride, I'm at Peace!

Love the look of café bikes, but damn, those low bars gotta be hard on the arms and wrists!

MY 2003 MOTORSTAR EXPLORER 150! MODIFIED TO BE A CAFE RACER AND NOW I LOVE THE WAY IT LOOKS

That is my favourite video about Cafe Racers.

Nowadays... Cafe Racer and all "tribes" are 5% true enthusiasts and 95% POSERS who wants to wear long beards, open helmets and look like rebels. Most of them spends on the barber the value of a Vespa per month. And rides 100.000$ custom bikes... yeah... the true spirit of a Cafe Racer.

One day! In Sha Allah soon! Vrrrooooommmmmm

saw a couple of cb350 fours in there. had one back in the seventys, loved it.

19, finally free from compulsory education, about to start my gap year... started learning how to ride last Thursday and am now saving up for my first bike... CANT FUCKING WAIT TO GET ON THE ROAD

Cool machines, but there is nothing "over-engineered" in today's sport bikes. Everything that it's there has a purpose, either being faster, easier, or safer. And if you take a modern bike and "go cafe" with her, you'll probably just make her slower.

just started building one from a honda cm 125 i found in a dump, horrible condition, no documents. Deep shit awaits ahead of me.

I had a 77 cb 550 cafe racer in '88. No front fender, Kerker 4 into 1, telefix clip ons, Raask's rearsets and a tail for an RZ 350. It was a rat with shot steering head bearings and it put oil on your left ankle and brake fluid on your right arm. Fun though, at least on a smooth road.

This guys are really living life

Hey buddy, yeah you with the sparkle helmet, you got your handlebars on upside down! .......27 guys turn around.........

I dont buy expensive car cause when I sit on a car I can only see interior. But I can still see the beauty of the bike while sitting on the bike

Still enjoy a good ride out on my Tribsa; 1961 BSA Golden Flash with 1954 Triumph Tiger T110 engine.

Yes living my second childhood bought A Thruxton last year and all the Harley buds are like thats cool. My road king is jealous 😅

We used to hang out at the Busy Bee they were great days one lad rode his bike in to the cafe gave it a real fist full Fun times We rode to the Ace and used to Frizz be plates at the Modes. We were told in 99% of pubs no bikers .We one time after a land lord told us to clear off went back in our Sunday best there where over twenty of us ordered a bar full of beer there it was all glassed up we said do you serve bikers he said no their scum and oil up my yard We said we are bikers so we better leave.

Cafe Racers should be modified by the owner, not getting a custom company to make a cafe style bike then picking it up when it is finished.

I'm happy watching this.

Im glad i clicked this video 🤗 love it

Hung Huy1 month ago which type of motorcycle at 5:42 , pleazzz ? thanks guys : Looks like a 70s Honda 500/4 engine

When I was a kid I used to hang out at the Triumph/BSA dealer down the street from my house, sweeping the floor, cleaning parts, anything just to be around those beautiful English bikes. Great memories.....

The driving scene is so dynamic that the video is so good. Thank you. Subscribe. From South Korean RU-vidr Woongkham.👍👍👍

Cafe Racing was invented by English 60's youth ... the Motorways had layby Cafe's ... the anecdote at the beginning is stolen from what English kids did - the money was in Pounds not Dollars. Let's keep the History straight folks ... my Great Uncle died as a pillion on the back of a Cafe Bike in early 60's London.

2:35 ROYAL ENFIELD fans hit like

Great video! We here at VikingBags really love your content!

Hello to the boys from Camperdown. (DEUS) You have come a long way.

Made the mistake of watching 5 more minutes of this..George Barris and his customization in the 40s and 50s? Try 60s and 70s.

Motor Trend please separate your Channels so it's easier to find and enjoy The Downshift and Ignition etc ?? !! The Aussie guy from Deus is talking bollox, they didn't do drugs and alcohol, it was tea and coffee and Coca-Cola as they were hanging out at Roadside Cafés, the British equivalent of a Truck Stop / Diner !!!

Super j’adore …. Tout ce que j’ai déjà fait dans les années 80 !!!

Thats the riders attitude mate. good for you, and lets have more like you !!

Can't decide if I want a cafe racer or a supermoto