Vintage Cafe Motorcycle - Distinctive Bikes
There is still an ongoing debate about the exact vintage period; but in general, a Vintage Cafe motorcycle refers to a motorcycle built between 1919 and 1930. In the automotive world, the vintage period was a significant time of transition. Some of the popular vintage motorcycles include ACE, AJS, Ariel, Benelli, BMW, BSA, Bultaco, Cushman, Ducati, Enfield, Excelsior, Greeves, Harley Davidson, Henderson, Hodaka, Honda, HRD, Husqvarna, Indian, Kawasaki, Laverda, Matchless, Morini, and Moto Guzzi. Other popular names in Vintage Cafe motorcycle include MV Agusta, Norton, NSU, Rickman, Royal Enfield, Rudge, Suzuki, Triumph, Velocette, Vespa, Vincent, Whizzer, and Yamaha. The Ace had been a very popular mount for competition riders in endurance runs and hill climbs. "Cannonball" Baker set a new world record in September 1922 by covering a distance of 5,365km from Los Angeles to New York in 6 days, 22 hours, and six minutes. A specially prepared ACE in the year 1924 also added to the growing popularity of various types of Vintage Cafe motorcycle. Red Wolverton used a specially prepared ACE and set a new world speed record of 129 mph. AJS motorcycles were one of the major players in the British motorcycle industry during the early 1900s. They were known for their competition record and performance. In fact, AJS is still considered as one of the highly appreciated and best respected motorcycle marques. Ariel, symbolized by the flying horse, was another Vintage Cafe motorcycle that was launched in the year 1898. After its launch, it ruled the motorcycle industry for the next fifty years.
BMW: BMW started its life ‘without a bang' in the year 1923. Since then, it has been synonymous with sophistication and quality. The design for the air-cooled horizontally opposed two-cylinder boxer engine used in the first BMW Vintage Cafe motorcycle line was actually based on aircraft engine design. However, the BMWs refined image has also played a very important role in its success. In their heyday, BMW motorcycles were considered as the fastest motorcycles in the world.
Café Racer: Café racer is another type of Vintage Cafe motorcycle. These motorcycles were very popular in Britain, Germany, Italy, and other European countries. But, it mainly has its roots in the Ton Up Club- the 1960s British counterculture group. They were a young and rebellious Rock and Roll counterculture and they used this Vintage Cafe motorcycle to travel between transport cafés in and around British towns and cities.
The motorcycle was specially designed for better speed and good handling rather than for comfort. The design of this type of Vintage Cafe motorcycle was basically derived from the contemporary Grand Prix roadracers - especially in terms of bodywork and control layout. Other features included a small rearward mounted humped seat and an elongated fuel tank. Even at high speeds, the rider would get more precise control of this Vintage Cafe motorcycle.
