Re: CAFE Racers, Was Import Regs

["Bruce Blair" <bblair@xxxxxxxxxx>]

At 06:43 PM 7/25/03, you wrote:
> "Many safety and emission regulations have been altered to include them.
> Fuel economy regs for them are different. As far as I know, they are still
> not
> included under CAFE (this is where the term CAFE Racer arose, underpowered
> but highly stylized cars in the 70's, such as the Mustang II King Cobra),"
>
> Actually, no.  A Cafe Racer was a term for a performance motorcycle up through
> the 60's.
> Does anyone know where the term really comes from?  I dont, but I know it
> pre-dates the
> 70's - and I've never heard it in the context listed above.


I was hoping someone would pick up on that.

This site should provide some insight.   http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

One of the more famous escapades would be to drop a coin in the jukebox, 
run outside, start your 'cafe racer', and race around a predetermined 
street course at speeds exceeding 100MPH  (doing the TON)  and return to 
the cafe before the song ended.   All fairly illegal of course.

Triumphs, Norton, & Tritons were all popular cafe racers.


Bruce Blair
Seattle
'78 Spider
'72 Triumph Trident
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