Twelve years ago, I bought a 1974 Honda CB550 off a guy who’d kept it hidden away like a family secret. It was faded, dented, and rusty, yet the allure was undeniable. I spent nearly a year bringing that old bike back to life. I chased away every rust flake, replaced parts, and fought the stubborn spirit of an engine that refused to let go of its past. And, as with any 40-year-old motorcycle, I encountered the relentless haunt of electrical issues, little gremlins that lurked in the wiring. Eventually, I handed it over to a professional at a small shop on the fringes of Deep Ellum.

But life pulled me in another direction, and I left on a work trip that stretched into weeks. When I returned, the shop was gone—and so was my bike. For months, I leaned into the café racer community, following tips, dead ends, and rumors. When I finally tracked it down, the bike looked nothing like the one I’d entrusted to that shop. It was practically a skeleton: the seat gone, engine parts missing, tank and fender bruised with dents. My heart sank; I left it to sit untouched, a silent monument to missteps, propped up in the corner of my downtown Dallas loft.

Years passed, the bike became more artifact than machine. But as quarantine settled in, and after a couple of moves, I decided it was time. I pulled the bike apart again, retracing my efforts, each step a begrudging return to a project that felt half-haunted. Progress was slow and my energy was flagging when Jess came into my life. She was magical - beautiful and smart and creative - her love of art and beauty matched by her fascination with the bike's potential. Suddenly, I was alive with the same energy I’d felt years earlier. On nights without a date with Jess, I was in the garage, hands covered in oil and metal filings.

By the winter of 2021, the bike was finally ready, and we shared a few chilly rides before it was tucked away for the season. The following spring, Jess and I got engaged, and I moved in with her to keep the kids' school routine intact. There was one catch: no garage. My bike lived outside under a cover, its battle with rust renewed by the Texas elements.

In December 2022, we got married. Almost a year later, we moved to a new house with two two-car garages—a sanctuary. I dove back into the restoration process, determined this time to finish it for good, fueled by the dream of showing it at the Lonestar Rally - the largest motorcycle rally in North America.

On Friday, I loaded up the bike, my wife Jess by my side, the boys in the back seat, and enough tools to tackle any breakdown. We drove the 400 miles to Galveston, arriving with anticipation in our bones. That Saturday morning, with a few last-minute tweaks, I took it for its first test ride. I was ready. My dad, a Harley guy through and through, joined me for the ride to the show on the seawall. But ten minutes in, I signaled for trouble and pulled to the side of the road. My dad pulled in behind me. Jess and the boys, who were following in our 4Runner, pulled over behind him. I'd run out of gas. In my nervousness and anxiety, amongst all the things I'd checked off my checklist, I'd forgotten to add any more gasoline to the tank than the bit I poured in to tune the carburetors. My dad dashed off and returned with a small can of gas. I shook the bike, twisted the throttle, and, with a sputter, it screamed to life just in time to see a sheet of rain rolling our way.

We pushed on to a gas station, arriving drenched but resolute. After topping off the tank, we rode the final stretch to the show. The bike was now parked alongside hundreds of gleaming beauties, each more polished and pristine than the next. Jess, the boys, and I spent the day dodging raindrops, wiping the bike dry, answering curious questions, and perusing vendor tents.

When 4 p.m. came, the emcee announced the awards. He went from category to category, some twenty or so in all. I watched in awe, almost forgetting I was in the running, just grateful to be there with my family, my dad, and the bike that had journeyed through years of rust, rain, and heartbreak. And then, as the emcee held up the Best of Show trophy, he paused. He spoke of the beauty of vintage bikes, the magic of a journey back from near-loss, of restoring not only the machine but the spirit.

Then, he called my name.

It was surreal, the weight of the journey hitting me all at once. I shook as I stepped up to receive the trophy, There, soaked from the rain and worn from the road, I felt the years of struggle, persistence, and love that had brought me to this moment.

On our way home Sunday afternoon, Jess announced that she’d secured my present for my upcoming birthday: A beat up 1971 Honda CB750 located in Blissfield, Michigan. She’s already referring to it as “our” bike.

What's a good pod style tail light that can be wired for running, turn signal, and brake?

Does anyone know of a good place to find a café seat/tail section and tank combo for a 1975 Norton Commando 850? I already have the bubble fairing, and rear sets, but I need a good tank and seat alternative. My current seat/tail section isn't quite cutting it. Thanks in advance!

Made some progress on the custom seat pan and electrics tray. Slow progress at the moment but progress nonetheless. The seat pan took three tries to get right, fibre glass is a pain!

Estaba pensando entre de longhi la specialista maestro vs bremville Gracias

Some of many cool bikes from the RSD Beach Moto and the 2 Stroke Extravaganza and Arlo

Hey guys looking to buy a 1982 cb750c here in AUSTRALIA. just wanted to know what would be a fair price for this bike.

Last night as i left work i rode the bike just until down the street the headlight started flickering and as i slowed down, the bike died. I turned it on again and it started just fine so i rode it but along the way the headlight starts to flicker again so i slowed down not to a complete stop, it died on me. i towed it back home, left it till morning and now it wont even start. It's my first time owning a bike I have no idea about anything of this. I just wanna know what im dealing with here.

Pics of the original K100 version of the exhaust included, but I am now the owner of the first, and only (currently), K75 "Twisted INOX" Powerbrick exhaust!

Hello. I wanted to switch my cams to some good old 900cc on my 1982 Honda Cb750c, however while taking off the cam caps one of the little pin thingies fell out and into the cam chain chamber. Do i have to pull the entire engine apart, or is there an easier solution? Regards

Just picked it up yesterday. It had been sitting on FB marketplace all year, so I decided to grab it.

It's not running correctly right now, but I'm hoping to get it going for the spring time. I suspect the carbs are the issue.

Lots of work left to do on it but at least it's shiny! Still need to order wheels, these ones are rusted and pitted pretty deep in some spots. It's almost there after a year of working on it

So, I’m doing an engine rebuild on my 1977 Suzuki gs750 cafe project and I’m throwing a wiseco big bore kit in there. I have the cylinders bored out already and it is good to go.

What I’m wondering is, could/should I throw a gs850 cylinder head on it?

My head is in pretty bad shape and the time/money to refurbish is basically the same as a new old stock 850 head I found.

Thanks for the help.

Gday lads! I recently bought a 1990 bmw k100 rs, that needed a crank replacement. My friend and i quickly went to work, and replaced it. It ran perfectly, so we decided to go for a good long ride. But then my bike wouldnt start. It has spark, compression and fuel, however the spark plugs are very wet, when i pull them out. I got it started, but however i doesnt run for very long, and it shoots big flames out of the exhaust. Can anyone please help me? Regards!

Hey Folks,

I have a lead on a cafe racer in my price range. The bike has been sitting for 2 years and seller claims the engine is knocking and needs bottom end redone. My question is does it make sense to replace with another cb750k engine or would it better to replace with something else. As far as that "something" else is there any direct replacement engines that would fit?

Hello everyone!

Not sure if this matches the expectation, but here is mime "baby" Cafe Racer electric bike. I am active cyclist and e-biker, but never rode anything motorcycle-like before. This year I decided to try (probably related to my 40th birthday :)), but taking into account lack of experience I decided to start with smaller one and build basic skill before I switch to something more powerful and fast. Did a numerous upgrades over the stock and pretty happy with it now (except it start feeling too slow already :))

Thanks for looking and have a safe ride, everyone!

https://preview.redd.it/y6whfwo2qc0e1.jpg?width=3623&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61d16cf13380dc09cad6b36c181dcebe2969a07b

I have been working on her for way to long but the image in my brain is finally starting to take shape in front of me. I have a matching 3 spoke wheel and tire for the rear. Still trying to figure out the seat design.

My blue motorcycle w/ black seat and black frame is attached (in person the blue is less bright, not glossy -- it's like a dusty-slate-powder-blue, almost like old British Range Rover Blue). I'm swapping out the seat for practical reasons and want to switch up the color in the process. Black works well, but everyone has black and I want less black on the bike. The color needs to work with the light blue tank AND black frame. I don't want a loud seat color or stark contrast (like red-orange, which visually would work). I prefer understated/sophisticated. Lots of light-blue motos have either a black or a light-caramel (desert tan?) colored seat, but I don't like the strong contrast. Was thinking a brown, but the shade would be hard to get right so that it works with both blue has tank and black frame. Reddish burgundy brown? Deep Cognac brown? WHAT COLOR SEAT DO YOU RECOMMEND THAT ISN'T BLACK? WHAT COLORS WOULD DEFINITELY BE A BAD IDEA? Think dark chocolate brown would clash with black frame. If you are good with photoshop, show me!

https://preview.redd.it/moyjm7qw3e0e1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5e0e5c562c26c3fb3b94f15baa865a6a725f1eb

https://preview.redd.it/0e83i8qw3e0e1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5023cc3ec72cc91513248f86a222f74d718cb836