Moto Guzzi V50 Cafe Racer

 

Times were a changing in the 1960's, convention and established authority were being challenged by counter cultures that generally ran along generational lines . Before the "hippie" counter cultures who appeared in the late 1960's and 1970's - driving forward human rights and advocating sexual freedom, the disaffected youth, known as  the mods and rockers, had been opposing authority before this in the early 1960's

 

The cafe racer (pronounced kaff racer) was the motorcycle adopted by the rockers .  The rocker counter culture was made up of young rebellious rock and roll following men, who needed a fast motorcycle to travel from cafe to cafe, meeting up with other rocker groups who shared similar values, and a love of rock and roll music. 

 

The cafe racer needed to be fast, capable of at least 100mph - it was important to be able to record a "ton up". It is often said that a record was put on the Jukebox, then  a rider would race to a pre-determined point and have to return before the record finished.

 

Today we are grateful to have the cafe racer style of bike live on in classic and custom motorcycle design and build. The Moto Guzzi V50 Cafe Racer by AC Customs of Kent,  England , is a build dedicated to the bikes that frequented establishments such as "Ace Cafe" and "Johnson's Cafe" at Wrotham, Kent.

 

Can a cafe racer be based on an Italian motorcycle ? Well yes - because although the "rockers" counter culture originated in Britain and the United States, parts of Europe were also influenced and Italy had its own movement - their cafe racers were often based on Ducati's.

 

The AC Customs, Moto Guzzi V50 Cafe Racer started life as a virtually standard machine. The bike was completely dismantled and rebuilt. Engine, clutch and gearbox was all checked with parts replaced where required. The frame was powder coated and engine prepared and painted. Swing arm polished, wheels refurbished. The entire rear end of the bike was altered, with an AC Customs fabricated seat, rear light holder, and under-seat battery holder.  A completely restyled tank has transformed the look of the bike, giving a more streamline race appearance that blends neatly  back to the seat unit, allowing the rider to adopt a racing position to achieve that important "ton up".

 

The exhausts sweep back to an upward angle in traditional chrome, and produce the "sound of the sixties". No one who has a passion for motorcycles, would fail to be stirred by the sound that is produced in those exposed barrel's, and fine tuned, as it blasts out from the exhausts.

 

The instruments are traditional for a cafe racer, with a single clock mounted on an AC Customs fabricated aluminium holder. The handlebar's are "clip on's", and handle bar instruments are non standard custom parts. 

 

This  "Britallion" AC Customs Moto Guzzi V50 Cafe Racer, has received a great deal of attention and feedback that has been entirely positive. Lots of customers have been considering different bikes from various manufacturers, across the world, that may make the next AC Customs cafe racer.