Benjie: I rode a 200 cc back in the mid 80s, I am looking for a bike and I think I just found out what I want, a Cafe Racer. They are so awesome. Do you have any bikes for sale? Can you give me some advice where to find one? Great job on your bikes.
Ramon D.:
I was browsing through your site and really admire your work. Everything looks very detailed with clean, aggressive lines. I’ve actually had a chance to ride a few of your bikes and I remember each experience to be an exhilarating ride. I was especially fond of the Green Goblin, but I hope that I may one day have the chance to ride the Pinas 550 among all of your other original works. The Pinas has caught my eye and I hope that you don’t sell it, but instead choose to keep such a beautiful work of art. I’d like to congratulate you and all of the BCR staff on a job well done. I see that you have taken up part production, but I hope that you don’t stop making complete bikes.
Again, congratulations and good luck on all of your future endeavors.
Troy:
Benjie:
I found you through Old Bike Barn’s recent newsletter. I imagine that you’ll be getting some calls. You do some great looking work!! I am thinking about taking some welding classes. What kind of welding do you use most? Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Shielded Metal Arc Welding? What type for the gas tanks? Do you need an appentice for a couple of weeks in the winter? Thanks.
Mike:
I have got to say, your racers are some of the most badass I have ever seen. My k5 project has gone into
the red right now, almost too much new inspiration from some of your bikes, especially the goblin. You
and carpy and gonna take to world by storm some day, once people get sick of looking at the 60k’s and
billet boys, maybe people will finally realize the the old hondas are the shit.
I was hoping to pick your brain if I could. Your tank and seat lines are exactly what I have been looking for, kinda reminds me of the dick mann look a bit. But those glass kits cost an arm and a leg that I dont have. Did you cut and stretch a factory tank? The seats look all steel. If there are any tips or secrets you could share with me how you did those I would be very obliged. Thanks for your time and help in advance!
Christopher:
Found your site through OBB. Nice rides.
Question. I have a 75 Kawi Z1 that I have had for awhile with it original seat. Would you make up one of your solo seats for my bike.
I would like it to attached to factory seat pins. (so i can change back to stock seat easily for girlfriend.)
If yes could you provide budget, etc.
I really liked your black whale, to bad it’s a Honda, that seat idea but not including the rear cover and tail light.
Hope it is going well for you. Best regards.
JR:
Hey Benjie –
Love the stuff that you’re doing. You have exactly the sensibility I’m looking for in my next bike.
Right now, I’m thinking about buying a Thruxton. I’m also looking into some vintage Brit Iron. The one thing I would love to have, is a vintage Brit café bike. I noticed the BSA you’ve got going. Anything else in the works? How do you decide what projects to take on?
Cheers.
Richard Pippin:
Hey Benjie,
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your site. I’ve been building Cafe Racers here in Charlottesville Virginia for about three years now. Felt like the only one out there who appreciates the older jap bikes and seen the potential. I’ve got a ’76 CB750SS as well as a ’83 XS650. Let me know if you get this email and I’ll send you pics.
Ralph Spencer:
Benjie,
Just saw your website, really enjoyed your creations. I appreciate your resurrecting bikes from death and creating something different.
I too share a common interest, except I’m into Suzuki T500′s. The Link below shows the AHRMA roadracer I created from a bike near death.
http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/suzi/desmo.htm
You’re a real inspiration to me, makes me want to create some more T500 cafe racers.
Cheers.
Alex:
My name is Alexander Karahalios and I participate in a forum that consists of vintage/neo classic british motorcycle enthousiast group called the Brit Iron Rebels. (www.britironrebels.com).
One of the members came across your website and posted it in the online forum. There was nothing but good things that were said about your website and bikes. The group puts together a newsletter and I recommended that I should take a trip to see what you are all about. I live in New York, and it would
only take me around 1 & 1/2 hour to get to your area.
Also, the individual who originally started the group is currently working on a documentary regarding the 50′s / 60′s rockers and hooligan culture.
So if you have some time please email or call to let me know if you wouldn’t mind meeting with me.
Again, we would love to get your background, take some pics and see what you offer.
Paul:
Great bikes, just found your site! Do you sell any of these bikes, its exactly what I’m looking
for!
Thanks
Jonnie Munleon:
Yo! I’ve been watching you come up with these beautiful cafes for about a year now (avid ebay viewer) great bitchin’ bikes. I used to ride (last one was from Indiana to Wyoming in two and half days). I have not ridden for 3 years now, kinda got side tracked with old skool VWs.
Anyway just dropping to say I do drool on your bikes.
Mark Laughlin:
Found your site through a listing on eBay. Sick work, man. Sick.
How often do your bikes come up for sale?
Thanks.
Paul:
Hello.
I’ve been admiring your bikes for some time and recently have started working on a few of my own. I had a few questions if you have the time. First of all, I have an old motor from a CB350F that needs to be rebuilt and was wondering if you could point me to some places that might be able to help me out. Also, I just got a 1974 CB750 that needs a new seat and tank – I was wondering if you do fabrication for other people’s bikes? I love the look of the CB750R or CR750 but have only found fiberglass seats and tanks. Finally, do you know of any place that has rearsets for the Honda CB’s?
Thanks.
Marcus Rogers "Our Enigmatic Co - Pilot" :
Enjoyed your site and have to say what i see looks really good. There are quite a few folks out there doing the one off cafe stuff now, but it looks like your imagination is a bit more developed than some of the others. I wanted to take some time to say hello and introduce you to our NC chapter of Ton Up. I am sure you are a member of the Jersey chapter? We have an event in Sept. of 06 and we would love for you to come and bring some bikes. I will certainly remind you later when the time is approaching, but please give it some consideration. I bet you could sale one of those beauties if you brought one.
Thanks for your time.
Steve, in Detroit:
Incredible bikes!!!!!! Outstanding! Good to see such devotion to these great old bikes.
I can’t wait to get a bike and start working on it. Your stuff gives me new inspiration!
Cheers.
Ted Sadowski:
Benjie,
I stumbled across your site in my random searches for Café Racer style bikes. I have always loved the simplicity and uniqueness of these bikes, not to mention the idea that not everyone and their mother drives one. You have done a great job with the bikes on your site; each one certainly has its own personality. This brings me to the reason for this email.
I have a 1980 CB750F that I have always wanted to completely rebuild into a Café Racer. Unfortunately I just don’t have the time to devote to this project and would love to have some help. So to the question, if I supplied the bike and a few ideas would you be for hire to do the work? I am not looking for a pristine piece of engineering genius just a bike that has a craftsman / Café style touch. I will leave the question on the table for now before I go into exactly what I have in mind.
If you would be interested and have the time please let me know. Keep up the good work, the old bikes open up so many new ideas. Maybe eventually all the chopper bike build-offs will pass by the wayside and make room for the bikes that actually got them there. TON-UP!
Take care.
Mike:
Fantastic bikes!! You build exactly what I like. Ever do any Yamaha RD’s? Im picking up a 75 RD 350 next weekend and want to build a cafe style bike out of it. Do you sell any parts? I would like to buy a seat pan that fits that bike,or something thats almost fits that I can mount. I dont have any metal working tools.
I cant say enough about your bikes. Just a great job!!
Shan:
hey benjie, i saw your bike on ebay and naturally had to check out your site. i am a total cafe enthusiast and i have to say that your bikes are by farsome of the nicest i have ever seen. not just blowing smoke up your ass either. i just finished my 77 rd400 cafe and a,m starting in on a 74 cb750 w/ sidecar. i would love some info/ advice if you would be so kind. i dig how you relocate the battery and oil tanks as well as the fuse panel! where does it all go? do you have any more detailed pics? are
you running battery eliminators? i am also interested in reworking my fuel tank should i have any concearns about welding on an old tank? any help or info would much appreciated! thanks
Ken:
Hey… your bikes are incredible! I love your style. What are the chances of you building a rear cafe section to fit my 81 yamaha seca? I have the bike stripped down to a point that I can give you pics and measurements. Just let me know what you think and the kind of money we would be talking about. Thanks.
Wyman:
hi, just checking out your site, excellent work!, i don’t know your age, but its great to see a fellow 60s cafe enthusiast. where i am from all you see are $40,000 harleys, and new sportbikes. i am working on a kz1000ltd1979. i am going for the cafe look, clubmans, rearsets, stripped down, all black. i also have a 74cb750 rolling chassis, maybe my next project. nice pics on your site, keep up the great work
Hi Benjie,
First, I must say, Amazing bikes! I’m Marlo from the Ton Up Club in NJ…how much are you asking for the “ExCess bike”? and how much do you charge to customize a bike? did Ryan Dunn buy the “Black Whale”? do you ride often? anyways, keep the good work…
Cheers.
Britt:
Hello, I’m a fan.
Accidentally stumbled across your “Silver Ghost” on ebay a few months ago, and I’ve been following your auctions since. Do you rebuild bikes for other people? If so, I have an old CB that needs to be redone(it is smaller than the bikes you have been working on) If you are interested, e-mail back and I can give you more details on the bike.
Thanks.
Scott:
I came across your website while looking for parts for my friends cafe racer.You have some really great bikes I especially like the killsaki just because I myself have been slowly customizing a suzuki gt750. I was curious if you would consider selling any of your mods? As I was mentioning earlier, my friend and I are in the process of building him a honda black bomber and I think those clip-ons on your kawi would be a step in the right direction.
Best regards.
S. Daxton Balzer:
I came across the Black Whale by chance wandering through Ebay and then looked into your site.
Just wanted to tell you, you do great work! I color myself a mechanic/fabricator and have just finished work on a 74 350.
My next project is a 74 CB 550 and I’m going to use your site as inspiration.
Hope the Whale sells well.
Paul Dorian:
Came across your site. Your bikes are awesome. Keep up the good work.
I’m bidding on your bike on ebay!
Kwakazuki:
Stumbled across your bike while looking through ebay. I got goosebumps looking at your bikes vroooooooooooooooom vrrooooooooooooooooom
You have a gift!!
Ton up
Elios:
Hey Benjie,
Came across your site from ebay…great racers and site! I love all the original work and I agree with the whole chrome thing is overdone…
I’m currently trying to find my project bike to get started…..it’s tough finding a ‘good’ candidate in jersey…
I’ve been looking for Honda cb’s and Suzuki gs’, any other bike you could recommend as a good café project bike?
Keep up the great work… I’ll be checking back frequently…
Mark:
Hi, I found your site on the Ton up Club Forum, I like your bikes very much. I think I may have seen them on ebay actually. The Black Whale looks to be a very promising project. I was wondering how much an example like yours would cost. I am moving from Germany to Massachusetts in June and would not be too far away. Thanks for your attention, I hope to hear from you soon.
Vin:
first off, love your bikes… very nice work.
I’m starting a CB750 of my own, and am thinking ahead to tank mods. By chance, are you willing to mod a stock tank on my behalf? If so, what are you looking for pricewise. Probably thinking something similar to your silver bike, with knee cutouts.
Either way, any chance you have some additional photos of your bikes I can grab a look at. I’m still trying to figure out a nice rear set setup, as well as oil tank relocation. The more I look at bikes, the more ideas I get.
Ben Manuel:
Hey Benjie,
I just wanted to compliment you on all your fantastic Café Racers. Building bikes like this for a living would be a dream for me. I’ve got a couple of old Honda’s at home, a ‘75 CB400F and a ‘73 CB350K. The 400/4 is becoming a mild café racer, nothing crazy, just something rare with a little bit of style. The 350 was a cheap find and the idea right now is to make it into a vintage racer for next season.
It’s great to see someone building old-school cafés in these days when $50,000 choppers are so trendy. Some friends and I are trying to build somewhat of a café scene here in Nova Scotia, but those who ride them seem keep to themselves.
In any case, cheers, and keep the rubber side down!
Let me know if you ever need an apprentice!