What is a Harley Davidson Cafe Racer ?

 Source: Autoevolution.com

At first glance, this seems like an oxymoron. Harley-Davidson, synonymous with big cubes and cruisers, associated with Café Racer, a category of lightweight and sporty motorcycles designed for short, quick races?

And yet, this combination has given rise to unique and fascinating machines.

Harley-Davidson and the Café Racer: A Story

Harley-Davidson, more focused on touring and custom bikes, has attempted several times to enter the "sport" segment.

The most famous of these attempts is the XLCR, produced in 1977. A machine very different from other Harleys of the time, featuring fairings, disc brakes, and a modified Sportster engine.

Why Does It Work?

• The Contrast: The marriage of the typically American V-twin engine with the sleek, sporty style of the Café Racer creates a unique and attractive look.
• Customization: Harley-Davidsons are particularly well-suited for customization. Transforming an existing model into a Café Racer is an exciting project for many riders.
• A Return to Basics: The Café Racer is also a return to the fundamentals of motorcycling: the sensation of riding and the joy of tinkering.

The Most Beautiful Harley Davidsons as Café Racers

Corban Gallagher's Cafra Sportster

Corban Gallagher, a nuclear chemist, is known for his ingenuity and precision in his work. When he takes a break, he dedicates himself to creating custom motorcycles.

Corban decided to build a "Grand Prix" bike on a budget, primarily using salvaged parts.

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Starting with a frame from a crashed Sportster 1996 and a rear shock from a 1998 Ducati 900SS, he assembled a unique machine.

The engine, a Sportster XL1200 from 1997, has been fully overhauled and enhanced with performance parts.

Corban also designed a new swingarm to accommodate the rear shock from the Ducati and a 200 mm rear tire.

The rest of the chassis comes from a Buell XB9R 2003, including the wheels and front brake.

For the bodywork, Corban opted for a mix of 70s and 90s styles, featuring a front fairing from Triumph, a tank from Norton Manx, and a racing-style rear seat.

The result is impressive. Well done, Corban!

PROJECT7 1994 SPORTSTER

Based on a 1994 Harley-Davidson Sportster, "Project7," created by the Solace Motorcycle workshop, is a compact café racer with a neat design.

The first step was to replace the wheels with 18-inch rims at the front and 17-inch at the rear.

Thick tires, a classic at the front and a huge drag racing-type rear tire from Hoosier, set the tone for the build.

The clip-on handlebars impose a sporty riding position, complemented by specially modified rearset controls.

The cockpit also includes handlebar mirrors and turn signals, as well as a Lucas P700 headlight.

The fuel tank, oil tank, seat, and fender were custom made by Brilliant Motorcycle.

Initially a Sportster 883, the displacement was increased to 1200 cc.

The original belt drive was replaced with a chain, offering more flexibility for gear ratios.

The air intake features a bent air scoop, and the exhaust is a custom-made stainless steel system.

Long, low, and aggressive, Solace's Sportster café racer may not be the most practical, but after all, café racers are not known for their practicality, are they?

Click here to see more about this project.

BLACKTRACK BT-03 FATBOB

Blacktrack Motors, a specialist in café racers, hit hard with the BT-03.

Using the powerful Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 as a base, the artisans at Blacktrack created a unique motorcycle that combines performance and aesthetics.

Key Features of the BT-03:

• XLCR Inspiration: The design is inspired by the iconic Harley-Davidson XLCR, offering a modern yet retro look.
• Maximum Customization: The frame, fairing, seat, and many other elements have been entirely redesigned and custom-made.
• Improved Performance: The Milwaukee-Eight (M8) engine has been optimized, the suspension and brakes have been replaced with high-end components, and weight has been significantly reduced.
• Limited Production: The BT-03 is produced in limited numbers, making it an exclusive and highly sought-after motorcycle.

In short, the Blacktrack BT-03 is a high-end café racer that combines the raw character of a Harley-Davidson with the elegance and sportiness of a custom bike.

It is a machine designed for wealthy enthusiasts seeking a unique and high-performance motorcycle.

In Conclusion...

A Harley-Davidson Café Racer is a motorcycle that combines the raw power and character of Harley-Davidson with the aesthetics and sporty spirit of Café Racers.

It is a machine for those who love contrasts and seek a unique riding experience.

If you want to build a HD café racer, here’s a complete article (in English) on the subject: How to build a Harley café racer

Find our parts here to create a Harley café racer: Harley CF Parts

Are you ready to get started?