Cafe racers came to popularity in London during the 1950s as a subculture to rock n roll. They had the rawness, aggression, and speed to match the music of the rock n roll scene. The name cafe racer stemmed from the practice of racing from one cafe to another or riders would “Race the Record”. Race the Record involved starting a song on the jukebox, then racing to a given point and back before the song ended. This required some high-speed riding with optimal maneuverability around busy city streets.
Often the vintage cafe racer motorcycle was personally customised, modified, or built by the rider. In the 50s riders would strip back their backs to the bare essentials. This gave the bikes a lightweight to enhance speed and manoeuvrability. The vintage cafe racers were also enhanced to best suit the rider's style with plenty of black, leather, and the rough bark of the engine. There are now modern versions of the vintage cafe racer motorcycle with customisations and enhancements to performance and riders' comfort.
Cafe racers have become synonymous with the carefree and rebellious nature of the rock n roll scene in England during the 1950s and 60s. Originally, cafe racers were bought by those that didn’t have deep pockets or couldn’t afford a car. They were stripped back and modified by the rider themselves to save money. They are raw and aggressive-sounding bikes that will make people’s heads turn for the sound if not the look. Stripped of any unnecessary parts this is the style of bike that screams virility and style as you hammer through traffic, rocket past cafes, or gun it along the open road. The vintage cafe racer style has become a symbol of rebellion and a representation of a carefree lifestyle. Mutt Motorcycles embraces the authenticity of the vintage cafe racer motorcycle style and enhances it for modern reliability, contact us for more information.
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