http://www.sportster.org/thebikes/images/kevin_bluhm-2882-1.jpg

All you do is enter the word CAFE in the description form on the boutique page , the bike should pop up.

NIce looking, but has to be uncomfortable riding with Forward Controls!!! :D

The bike is friggin sweet.... Love the look.

Just curiosity, why not edit the existing posts instead of replying each time?

I had to come back... I keep staring at that rear setup with the exposed tire... that is soooo sexy. Don't like the bar position, but the rest is awesome.

Interesting contraption. Don't understand the fwd controls. should have rear sets on a street fighterhttp://www.sportster.org/thebikes/images/kevin_bluhm-2882-1.jpg

I gotta be the one dissenting opinion here, guys.... While I kinda dig the bike, no self-respecting cafe guy would have forward controls or pipes that hang out so much and compromise lean angle. :frownthre

I do like the overall lines of the bike though.

I agree with RedRider on this one!

Rearsets and hi-pipes would finish it off.

Ditto that

It is kinda neat looking though!

Gazza

Hmm. It's missing something.

Maybe a scrotum catcher would help. :yikes

http://www.photopile.com/photos/warchild/bikes/163838.jpg


Bart

Anyone had their bike down to the frame? What does the rear of the frame look like? Can the fender supports be removed and the shocks bolted to the frame like in the picture?

Help a fellah out here....

I have an 86 and the fender struts bolt on to 3-4 in long stubs and the shocks mount forward and below the strut mounts. it will be a perm. alterration so dont do it and expect to return everything back to stock easily

I love the look of that bike so much , I'm looking for another sportster to start working on so I can have one just like that. Now do I do a ruber mount or Iron......

I gotta be the one dissenting opinion here, guys.... While I kinda dig the bike, no self-respecting cafe guy would have forward controls or pipes that hang out so much and compromise lean angle. :frownthre

I do like the overall lines of the bike though.

Yep, yep. Agreed.

Would the placement of the shocks in the pic , have any different effect on the way the bike handles? Or is the placement pretty much the same? I cannot figure out his seat pan, or fender?

Would the placement of the shocks in the pic , have any different effect on the way the bike handles? Or is the placement pretty much the same? I cannot figure out his seat pan, or fender?

Seat pan is likely a hack-job off a crotch rocket. As for the shocks, that looks pretty darn close (if not right at) stock mounting. Just looks more forward cuz of the lack of fender and all.

Interesting contraption. Don't understand the fwd controls. should have rear sets on a street fighterhttp://www.sportster.org/thebikes/images/kevin_bluhm-2882-1.jpg
I would do this but would chop the rear fender right at the base/start of the rear of the seat. I like this. Looks pretty straight forward.

http://www.geocities.com/evuellution/EvuellutionEvolution.html

Heres another nice one!

From the looks of it it appears that they hacked off the frame right after the shock mounts. I think they are in the original position. Still don't get the forward controls. This bike needs rear sets and an upside down set of forks with dual PIA lights and it would be perfect for me. It would suck in the rain.

One of my favorites just incase you haven't seen it...

La Vida Loca (http://www.american-v.co.uk/custom_bikes/001_sxl/)

http://www.earth2us.com/bike/88lavidaloca.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/evuellution/EvuellutionEvolution.html

Heres another nice one!

That guy is on the forum somewhere. Looking at Edmans info, maybe it's his?

Would the placement of the shocks in the pic , have any different effect on the way the bike handles? Or is the placement pretty much the same? I cannot figure out his seat pan, or fender?

Rear section of 1993 Sporty frame...

http://www.hr3rdgen.org/gallery/data/3025/280Sporty_Rust_039-med.jpg

Well, it's definatly a love it or hate it, and i think I'm on the hate it side.

Hey Jeffytune...if I wanted your opinion I would've given it to you! Nice bike, did it come with a matching cup holder and a pair of assless chaps too?

Great thing about bikes, your free to do what you want..eh!

Hey Jeffytune...if I wanted your opinion I would've given it to you! Nice bike, did it come with a matching cup holder and a pair of assless chaps too?

Great thing about bikes, your free to do what you want..eh!
Please excuse me, but this is not accepted here! have a good day

Hey 883Punk, nice first post. :rolleyes: Anyway welcome to The XL Forum.

Would the Cafe being talked about here be yours by any chance?

Play nicely.

883Punk: Your bike? Tell us more about what you did to it.

Cut the fat! Shaved fork sliders, Pro-flo clip-ons with sleeved bars to fit the 1" H-D controls, Goodson Aircleaner with "horseshoe" crankcase breather tube, FWD controls(more comfortable than mids), chopped frame fender struts, 14.25" Progressive 412's(can't afford Ohlins), Siamese drags, changed out the cams, rejetted the CV, Badlands Turn/Run/Brake module, reduced dummy lights to just Neutral and Oil, removed speedo(have a GPS with speed for trips), lowered headlight, built the seat/tail from raw flat steel(buddy did the welding) then finished the paint/body/upholstry myself. All the shop does is change my tires!

Hey Jeffytune...if I wanted your opinion I would've given it to you! Nice bike, did it come with a matching cup holder and a pair of assless chaps too?

Great thing about bikes, your free to do what you want..eh!

hmm... Nice start on the WRONG foot. Just because someone doesn't like your bike doesn't mean you have to be pissy towards them. Most bikes are either a like it or hate it setup anyways since everyone has different tastes.

Welcome to the board BTW. :rolleyes:

883PUNK- I've sent you a few emails thru the SPORTSTER Forum , did you get them? AWESOME bike , I've said that from the start...AWESOME. How does she compare to stock? & What modifications did you have to make to the rear springs if any to make them work?

My first post on the thread wasn't exactly friendly, but it was only meant for the naysayers. All I'm saying is, if you can't offer "CONSTRUCTIVE" criticism then don't offer any at all.

First of all, welcome to the forum 883punk. Nice bike.

You are going to find a wide range of opinions here, don't take them personally. You should have seen the threads for Ironhead vs Evo, or rigid vs rubber to get a feel for this place. You can search them if you want. We sometimes talk loud, but in the end we remain civil. It's a true community here.

If everyone here agreed on everything, what would we have to gain?

That said, Jeffytune is one of the most mellow, as well as helpful members we have. I think an apology is in order, but, that is only my opinion


Bart

My first post on the thread wasn't exactly friendly, but it was only meant for the naysayers. All I'm saying is, if you can't offer "CONSTRUCTIVE" criticism then don't offer any at all.

Once you post photos of anything on the world wide web, they are up for public scrutiny. Kinda like when ya run for a political office- everything in your past is drug out for the public to see and comment on.

People have many different views and opinions- they will not always agree with yours. If you consider yourself to be "thin-skinned", and don't handle feedback well, it's probably best to refrain from posting in a public forum.

883Punk, first off, it is a really cool looking bike. Secondly, and as respectfully as can ask this ... How do you ride it? Could you post a pic or 2 of you or someone operating it? It looks like the bars would be low enough to hit your knees and pull the rider into a very unfomfortable V rather that a mildly uncomfortable C. Also, I personally like nicely blued pipes like those. I was going to put uncovered Bassani Pro-Streets on mine, but decided to stick with SE IIs to keep it a little quieter.

My first post on the thread wasn't exactly friendly, but it was only meant for the naysayers. All I'm saying is, if you can't offer "CONSTRUCTIVE" criticism then don't offer any at all.


If ya start off friendly then ya likely to get a more positive reponse to any more of your posts....

While not my shot of bourbon I can appreciate the work...and the fact that it's different

I'll agree with most others here, I wouldn't put it in the cafe racer mould.....

more the "post apocalyptic gothic bar hopper" category

I disagree...Its a CAFE.

it's certainly more Cafe.....than racer

I disagree...Its a CAFE.

While I fully agree that he's on his way to making a cafe bike, I gotta disagree with you. The forward controls and the pipes that stick so far out to the side do not lend to fast cornering. Its a cool bike to be sure, and he is well on his way to a cool cafe, but those two issues should be addressed.

Mr Dogman .....

Have a look here for some REAL cafe racer sporties......and you'll see why the majority here would NOT put it in that category



http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cafe_Sportsters

Mr.STEVO....I say just call it a BADD ASS SPORTY

yeah, this argument is like trying to determine the definition of chopper and bobber....

more Cafe than cafe racer

To each his own....

The man likes his bike the way it is. He's the one that has ta ride it.

My preferences are my own and aren't gonna change.

Everyone's all happy the way I see it.

Café is a state of mind.

I agree with RedRider on this one!

Rearsets and hi-pipes would finish it off.

Another ditto that :D cept maybe some small fenders,
I wouldn't want to get caught in the rain on it :laugh

Personally its not my cup of tea either. There is just something about fenderless bikes. I took my rear fender off and you should have seen all of the tar and crap under it that would end up on your back. Just not a practical bike for what I would use it for. But I am glad you like it 883punk

Café is a state of mind.

Ditto that! BTW I like it

Hey Jeffytune...if I wanted your opinion I would've given it to you! Nice bike, did it come with a matching cup holder and a pair of assless chaps too?

Great thing about bikes, your free to do what you want..eh!


Hello Punk883.

First off, an Opinion is like a Nose, everyone has one, but it's up to you to pick it, just don't let your friends pick it for you. :laugh

I like Caf`e bikes, I just do not care for this one. There are just things about it that in My Opinion are not right.
I mean no offence here, but...
No front fender? That will be good the first time it rains or you find a puddle.
Forward Controls?,. rear or mid I could understand, but that would fold you up and throw the balance to the rear tire, not good for turning.
The rear fender is just too short, about 1 foot longer would balance the look and the bike.

All in all, it is a intriging concept, but not what I would do. That is not to say that the workmanship is bad, It looks like you put some good workmanship into it.
I would just love to see it with a 1 foot longer version of the rear end, and a minamal front fender.

That is my Opinion, and no, you didn't need to give to me, I can pick it myself, Thank you.


Oh, and welcome to the forum, no hard feelings on my part.

I guess the interpretation of the definition comes down to this...


If ya like sitting around sippin latte's


or firing up on all cylinders with a double espresso ;)


but that just defines the cafe ya like ............................not the racer.....that's where the origon of cafe RACER comes from....but I guess like most other things to do with bikes these days.... image is everything..


and it looks like a nice bike to hop between latte's on

I don't think he's a comin' back ...

Definately a double espresso...it's like liquid crack!

My bike's alright for getting around town or cruising back and forth between GA and NY, and if you stuck in the rain you'll get soaked. But hell, your getting soaked anyway so it doesn't matter much.

I've had it set up with the FWD controls and Clip-ons for almost 3 years and have put over 25,000 miles on her without a handling problem...the riding position is similar to a Zero Engineering bike, low bars and FWDs.

It is what it is.

What it is, is a cool bike! close to a cafe but closer to a bobber or a streetfighter if I had to catagorize it! But, definatley Cool and I'll bet it's a whole lotta fun to ride!

It is what it is.


and is all that all of our bikes should be..


no labels .............................

The new American Iron has an article on a "Mutant" chopper and a previous issue had a "Bobber", that both probably have similar seating positions. So, I guess some people ride 'em like that. I obviously went a different route with my ride, but I think yours looks cool. I like the pipes. Some back fender might be nice, but again, I've seen others without. It's your creation 883punk, and a work of art. :cheers

I guess the interpretation of the definition comes down to this...


If ya like sitting around sippin latte's


or firing up on all cylinders with a double espresso ;)


but that just defines the cafe ya like ............................not the racer.....that's where the origon of cafe RACER comes from....but I guess like most other things to do with bikes these days.... image is everything..


and it looks like a nice bike to hop between latte's on
:censor :yikes

Its a awsome Sporty I like the clip-on bars. Any gear changes like putting a 22-23 tooth front sprocket or lowering the rear from 48 to 46. I have a 22-t in the front and a 46 in back. The take off can be slow, like most sportbikes. but it will go 80+ at 3500rpm.

WOW,,, that was intense for a little while there. Any how I do like what you done to your rie there 883 Punk. This past spring I was at a Bike Show in Saskatoon Sask Canada and for the first time in thirty years of riding motorcycles I finaly sat on some crotch rockets. Not as bad as I always thought they would be. I am going to plead ignorance on my past beleifs that they would be uncomfortable to ride. After this I have considered purchasing a crotch rocket as my next bike.
I have also considered making a crotch rocket out of my 86 sporty which has seen many makeovers through the years. I was going to officialy chop the frame next winter for a wild Idea I have been entertaing in my head for the past two years but a simular Idea to what you have done has also crossed my mind.
Dont know which way forsure Im going to go now on it. Depends what parts show up at the next swapmeets.
Anyhow lets face it guys and Gals, We are in the same boat togather when it comes to sporties. Yes we are all pretty sure that sportys are one of the coolest bikes on earth but we seem to get critisized from even other HD riders, Now that I have to laugh at. So lets cool are jets and rock on.

Hmm. It's missing something.

Maybe a scrotum catcher would help. :yikes

http://www.photopile.com/photos/warchild/bikes/163838.jpg


Bart

NOT! I REALLY do not want to dis-em-bag myself on my bike. Bad move.
Just the thought, ..., Yeesh! :doh

Neat lookin', but i would agree, mid or even rear set pegs, different pipes, about 6 inches longer on the rear, and a small front fender....small small. Regardless its yours and if you like it thats all that matters.

Original and kick ass!!! To each his own, but the creativity is definetly there!!!!
I give it 2 thumbs up!

BADASS!!!!

for what its worth I like it, its certainly different and I like bikes that are hard to pidgeon hole .

With the look the builder is creating with that bike, I'm really surprised he didnt just start off with a Buell. Would seem more suited for the platform and style he is after.

But Buells aren't Cafe Racers...they look too modern.

The whole point of a Cafe, IMHO, is invoking the look and feel of the old Nortons, Truimphs, and Ironheads that used to race from cafe to cafe back in the 60's and 70's.

The Sportster and Kawi W650 are a couple of modern bikes that would be fitting to modify in this way to create a nice retro Cafe...modern perimeter frames and monoshock suspensions need not apply...

Interesting contraption. Don't understand the fwd controls. should have rear sets on a street fighterhttp://www.sportster.org/thebikes/images/kevin_bluhm-2882-1.jpg



That's what I'm thinking

But Buells aren't Cafe Racers...they look too modern.

The whole point of a Cafe, IMHO, is invoking the look and feel of the old Nortons, Truimphs, and Ironheads that used to race from cafe to cafe back in the 60's and 70's.

The Sportster and Kawi W650 are a couple of modern bikes that would be fitting to modify in this way to create a nice retro Cafe...modern perimeter frames and monoshock suspensions need not apply...


But weren't the cafes of the day also made to be competetive? If that is the case then Buells and others should very much apply. Lets not forget Ducati as well :)

Competitive in what? They were used to "race" from cafe to cafe. At the time, it was kind of a derisive term, IMHO--not real racers, but cafe racers. Kinda like a bar-hopper.

I would buy that bike in a heartbeat. If he ever sells her-I hope he calls me first. I would build one but I do not know how do go about building that rear tail section.

Competitive in what? They were used to "race" from cafe to cafe. At the time, it was kind of a derisive term, IMHO--not real racers, but cafe racers. Kinda like a bar-hopper.
the "story" i heard or relate cafe racers to goes like this "a beatnic biker puts a Nickel in the Jukebox runs out to his bike (triump or a norton type bike) races to the bridge or other point predetermined and back to the cafe before the song ends".
like i say i dont know the true story i wasnt there but thats what i think of. :bananinj

the "story" i heard or relate cafe racers to goes like this "a beatnic biker puts a Nickel in the Jukebox runs out to his bike (triump or a norton type bike) races to the bridge or other point predetermined and back to the cafe before the song ends".
like i say i dont know the true story i wasnt there but thats what i think of. :bananinjThat is also my understanding of cafe racers.

Competitive in what? They were used to "race" from cafe to cafe. At the time, it was kind of a derisive term, IMHO--not real racers, but cafe racers. Kinda like a bar-hopper.


I agree, but they were also fast for their day, the modern version of cafe racing is the kids on sportier bikes(to include buells and triumphs still) who go out on saturday nights and race from one street racing venue to the next then to a resturaunt at the end of the evening. Some of those old nortons and ducatis and triumphs are truly some of the most gorgous bikes made though. Since they are street fighters this is kinda like saying an F16 is not a fighter because it does not have a propeller hanging off the nose.

Whatever happened to 883PUNK? Awesome bike!

Whatever happened to 883PUNK? Awesome bike!

Awesome bike for sure! :)

I would stop to admire 883Punk's bike in the parking lot. It's not a cafe racer, but that's OK, I think it should be welcome here. There are all sorts of flat trackers, street fighters and hot rods here as well as traditional cafe's. It's sort of a radical bobber actually. IMHO I'm not so sure that bobbers shouldn't be grouped here instead of with the choppers. The spirit of the bobber movement was more similar to the cafe racer movement than the chopper movement.

i wanna see it! all i see is red x's.

i wanna see it! all i see is red x's.

Here ya go. ;)

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/twolaneblacktop/rad.jpg

I'm thinking he changed the tail/seat a bit since this pic, but not sure. Definetely a cool one of a kind ride.

thanks, thats cool, i'd loose the forwards just because you cant stand up with them. looks like fun

very cool, IMHO

Cool bike even though I don't think I'd ride it. I'd really like to see a picture of 883punk riding it because I'm having trouble viualizing someone on it. Forward controls and me don't get along. I rode a wide glide and spent most of the my time trying to find the pegs.