Cafe Racer Motorcycle Culture Reborn at the Ace Cafe London

Cafe racer motorcycle culture is now enjoying a revival in London, England, with the new Ace Cafe London.  The cafe racer motorcyle tradition begain in the 1950's following WWII.  The new generation of youth was experiencing a cultural revolution, rejecting the social norms of the time and taking on a new attitude and style of their own.  This was the birth of the rock 'n' roll era, and the new music was the heart and soul of the cafe racer motorcycle lifestyle.  Bands of young adults began to form motorccyle clubs, planning races from one rock cafe to another around the countryside to gather, celebrate their interests, and listen to rock 'n' roll.  During the early fifties, rock music was not to be heard on the radio, and the only places kids could go and get their fix were the newly-born rock cafes.  The cafe racer motorcycle culture began to wane toward the end of the '60's, with the Vietnam era and the accompanying social movement.  But today, motorcycle enthusiast and rock cafe afficianado has reopened the famous Ace Cafe London, bringing the cafe racer motorcycle tradition back to life with rallies, meets, and annual reunions.  The Ace Cafe London has become a wildly popular destination for bikers, vintage car enthusiasts, rock 'n' rollers, and those who are nostalgic for the days of their youth, with Teddy Boy rock 'n' roll, black leather, and the Ton-Up Boys.  Visitors to the cafe get a glimpse of the past while enjoying great food and drink and soaking up the cafe racer motorcycle atmosphere.

Cafe racer motorcycle culture:  In post-WWII London, the country's youth began to undergo a cultural revolution, rejecting the old ideas and attitudes of their parents in favor of a more expressive and liberated lifestyle.  With the advent of rock ''n' roll music, the custom of gathering in motorcycle gangs and racing between rock cafes became a popular pastime.

Cafe racer motorcycle music:  Rock 'n' roll music, at its beginnings, was considered vulgar and uncivilized.  "Nice" kids did not listen to rock music, and it was not played on the radio.  To hear the new music, kids gathered in rock cafes to party; these rock cafes were considered places where "decent" people did not go.

Cafe racer motorcycle events:  Mark Wilsmore realized a dream with the first succcessful Ace cafe reunion.  This massive bike rally attracted tens of thousands of participants, and the event has become an annual tradition.  Mr. Wilsmore reopened the cafe in Spetember of 2001, and the club now sponsors meets, rallies, rides, and much more.

Vintage motorcycle and auto shows take place here, and the venue hosts live bands as well as a house dj.  For those wanting to return to the days of their youth, there could be no better place to relive the heady days of black leather and rock 'n' roll than the cafe racer motorcycle club, the Ace Cafe London.