This ‘Café 1958’ is a creation of Alan Bernard from Santiago Choppers. His passion for Café Racers started around the 1960’s. From American Choppers to European style café racer, his bikes represent his love for American culture and respect for European heritage.
This is the second bike we have featured from Santiago Choppers, the other Norley Cafe Racer was a favourite of our readers. Today we are talking about the ‘Café 1958’ designed for speed and good handling, and replicating the layout of Grand Prix road racer style. Many parts for this bike build were collected from Japanese and European models.
What this bike features is a sheer, 24-degree rake for quick steering and direction changes. The custom motor mount holds Panhead Outlaw 120 cubic inch powerplant, 6-speed transmission to consume the enormous 120 cubic inches, Suzuki GSXR hand and foot controls. Seat and classic full-sleeved shocks comes from Italian Benelli 350. This bike rolls on 450 Honda Super Moto wheels, Sportster front forks. Custom revers megaphone, stretched out gas tank is a triumph item from the late 1960’s.
The Café racers are coming back, builders like Alan Bernard are exploring all shorts of options to bring back that vintage café racer spirit. It’s just a matter of time before that Café riding style becomes the most popular option.
Something exciting, if you have the urge to build one of these for yourself , Santiago Choppers sells the frame/swingarm for $2,495 (USD)
