Staying True to A Concept

  Oftentimes when we’re wrenching on one motorcycle project or another, Nick Coumos, our resident Norton guru, will remind me that he’s not well-versed in Japanese or European motorcycles.  Nick is a gifted technician, having ridden and repaired classic Nortons since, well, since before they were considered classic motorcycles at all. And though I respect…

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The Tough Art of Selling Used Motorcycles

Much has been written online as of late concerning the difficulties involved in selling used streetbikes. For years, proffering pre-owned machines was relatively simple; you placed an ad with cycletrader.com, eBay or Facebook Marketplace and soon thereafter, offers came rolling in. And not just offers to buy your motorcycle, but legitimate offers from punters genuinely interested…

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License Plate Larceny

  As someone who’s been buying, selling and swapping streetbikes for over 40 years, I’ve convinced myself of being fairly street smart at this game. I’m careful about where I park my motorcycles when visiting malls, sporting events and other large, exposed parking areas. And I’ve grown downright cautious when it comes to allowing strangers to…

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Keep An Eye Our For Furry Friends

Chris Snatcho on his Suzuki GS450 that survived a crash with a road-hogging whitetail deer.   It’s that time of year when the last, few warm days make shot rides very tempting. In our region, we’ve yet to see any measurable snowfall and sunshine is quite common, despite the days being at their shortest. Still,…

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New Norton Drought Continues

The 2024 Commando 961 Special 125th Anniversary Edition. Not for sale in this country Several Cafe Racer magazine readers have asked us about the wheres and when of purchasing a 961 Commando from the re-born Norton Motorcycle Company. On gentleman spoke with several member of our team at the most recent Reader’s Ride-In Bike Show…

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Win This Bike

It’s nearing the time of year when folks expect to get a few items for free, though these are generally found beneath the tree parked, sparkling in our living rooms. Our friends at Ton-Up Clothing/Red Torpedo are giving away a present next month that I’m sure any rider worth their well-worn leathers will appreciate, a…

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A Global Customizing Trend

  We’d seen bikes on global websites and in images from custom motorcycles shows of modified Royal Enfields but had no real idea as to the scope and popularity of these adaptable machines. Not until we launched the Royal Enfield Custom Contest, that is. In case you haven’t hear, cafe Racer magazine has teamed up…

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There’s Imitation and Then There’s The 1200 Custom

  It was bound to happen. Harley-Davidson ended their 60-plus year run of producing their beloved XL series Sportsters in late 2021, leaving the newfangled, water-cooled and very rapid 1250s and its 975cc stablemate the Nightster as their sole Sportster models. There’s been a decent response to the new 1250s and for good reason- it…

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A Retro-Flavored Future

While building, riding and maintaining classic cafe racers holds charms and rewards you just don’t experience with a modern ride, plenty of custom bike enthusiasts have taken the altogether different route: they modify new school motorcycles to look like classics. Some purists- folks with muscular kickstart legs and grease permanently embedded beneath their fingernails- would…

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