Such miscellaneous items may include hardware, wires, electric connectors, fuses, shop towels, etc. There will be several miscellaneous items you’ll need to get depending on the motorcycle you’re working on and the issues you need to fix. Don’t skip this step as it will give you the final touch of a cafe racer creation. New exhaust pipes and exhaust wrap are about $60 altogether. Let’s not forget about making the exhaust system more simple. You can paint your frame for about $15, I usually buy one can of self-etching primer and one can of black Dupli-Color aerosol from an auto store. Painting the frame is probably the cheapest part of the motorcycle rebuild and also gives the motorcycle the biggest face-lift. Expect to pay about $30 for simple, low handlebars. You’ll most likely need to replace yours. Low mounted handlebars is part of what makes a cafe racer a cafe racer. I especially recommend a new speedometer for safety reasons. Plan on spending about $30 for a new tachometer and $30 for a new speedometer. I like to replace them to have a cleaner feel. Some people like to keep the original speedometer and tachometer for the more vintage look. I usually use something like the Shinko 712 front tire and something like the Shinko 712 rear tire (both used in the picture above). I usually spend about $150 – $175 on a set of tires. You’ll want to get good looking tires that also provide good functionality as a cafe racer is meant to give you quick rides over short distances. One big reason a cafe racer is considered as such has a lot to do with the tires. I used the Shinko 712 front and rear tires for my 1969 Triumph TR25W Trophy Be sure to buy blinkers that blink yellow/amber and a tail light that shines red to avoid problems with road laws. I can usually find blinkers for about $30 (that includes front and back blinkers) and a tail light for about $20. When building a cafe racer, you’ll want to replace the taillight and the blinkers for something much smaller yet still functional. There are more expensive ones if you have expensive taste, but this is the price I usually pay and the motorcycles turn out beautiful. A new simple headlight for a cafe racer is about $50. When restoring a motorcycle, it’s a good idea to replace the headlight as this will prevent any safety issues. If you wish to have an upholsterer make a seat for you, you’ll need to plan on about $250 in addition to making a seat pan for the upholsterer to use as a frame for the seat. On Amazon, you can find a seat in the $30 – $50 range. Cafe racers are likely built from older motorcycles so the seats are usually torn and/or not usable. Restoring a motorcycle often requires replacing the seat. If you’re more comfortable with having these painted professionally, you’ll need to plan on paying about $200 – $250. This cost includes tape, bondo, primer, paint, and clear coat. If you plan on repainting the tank and fenders yourself, expect to spend about $70. The amazing thing about cafe racer motorcycles is the minimal cost because they’re minimal vehicles. Break-Down Of Costs To Build a Cafe Racerīecause I have done this project so many times, I’ve become familiar with the costs associated with each part of the motorcycles. There’s a lot more to it than just knowing how much you’ll need to spend. I’ve restored over a dozen cafe racers over the last few years and have learned a lot about them. The price of your motorcycle will depend on the area you live in and the time of year you buy. How much does it cost to build a cafe racer? If you plan to do the upgrades and rebuild yourself, the cost to build a cafe racer is between $700 – $1,000 in addition to the purchase of your motorcycle. I often get asked how much I generally spend on restoring cafe racers. I’ve done hours of research finding the best value replacement parts while still making a motorcycle look good. They’re sleek, minimal, and they catch the eye of anyone you pass while riding. Cafe racer motorcycles have become more popular over the last decade and it’s obvious as to why they have.
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