BlackKat's Il Mostro Cafe 2.0 (85% done updates)

[corey]

For a better idea of what "defines" or doesn't define a CAFE bike, check out www.caferacerculture.blogspot.com om a daily basis...

Let's be very clear about one thing. This link currently is NSFW.
Big ass titties right on the front page.

Not that that isn't great... Just not between 9 and 5 for me...

[corey]

I didn't mean to shoot holes in his opinion. I was a bit surprised as I have been applauded by multiple REAL Cafe guys for the start of it and the ideas behind it. Guys that lived in London during the period, guys that build Cafes on a regular basis, in short people that are to the Cafe Racer what most of us are to the Monster.

I certainly understand the varied opinions. The biggest thing to point out, is the bike is a running, on going project that is very much in its infancy. I'm doing it my way but with respect to what it is and some of the classic things that make a Ducati a "Ducati". There are and will be more Cafe influenced bits of design. My plan visually may not come across in my words and early pictures enough to call her a Cafe yet, but it will be.

Ultimately, the carbon side panels will be gone and mounts trimmed, The modern Termi will be replaced with something simple. Canisters replaced and wires rerouted and hidden. It will be far more naked than it currently is. I've only had the bike a month. The new tank won't have and stripes...Really, EVERYTHING is being toned down.

Someone mentioned it couldn't be a cafe because it has modern brakes and suspension...That makes little sense as well. Why have speed if you can't control it? Look at the new Nortons...all have Ohlins and Brembos from the start...Or the recent failed Buell CR...modern performance, modern suspension and brakes, but still a cafe.

There is an obvious link from the Cafe bikes from Norton, Triumph, and BSA to the modern sport bikes of today... Monsters account for more than half of the Ducatis sold. I just want to make sure mine is different!

i just read a really interesting article on the future of the cafe scene in "cafe racer magazine."
The featured "cafe" bike in that article was a stripped down superbike with more modern suspension and brake doo-dads than you could shake a stick at.

it's silly of us not to embrace modern technology, and combine it with the ideals and ideology of the past.
IMO, "cafe" has very little to do with the bike itself.

[BlackKat]

xxx

[xcaptainxbloodx]

Someone mentioned it couldn't be a cafe because it has modern brakes and suspension...That makes little sense as well. Why have speed if you can't control it? Look at the new Nortons...all have Ohlins and Brembos from the start...Or the recent failed Buell CR...modern performance, modern suspension and brakes, but still a cafe.

absolutely not what I said.

you said you would have classic lines with modern materials/functionality.  I was saying I didnt see any classic lines in the build direction. necessary as all the modern components are they still form the lines of the bike and while the monster has an "oldschool" or "classic" silhouette  with its fairly long flat seating area and round headlight those lines can quickly be obscured or lost when the design gets too busy. A custom bike is not parts added to define a bike, a custom bike is a bike that defines what parts it gets. the other way is simply accessorizing.

  I forget who but a very famous designer was asked about how he consistently came out with clothes that were instant classics his answer was along the lines of "first I make a design, then I slowly remove things until its pure form emerges".

[Syscrush]

What tank are you going with?

I'm looking forward to seeing the bike together and reserving judgment until then.

[BlackKat]

xxx

[Roaduser]

spam looks a little like ham, smells a little like ham, does the same kinda job as ham, but it certainly is NOT ham.

if that's what he implied i think it was a little harsh. but each to their own, as long as your bike puts a smile on your face and doesn't bite u on the arse, your on the right track.

[BlackKat]

xxx

[$Lindz$]

I'm definitely interested to see where this goes. I think DSS Monsters look better for 'cafe style' but like I said... I'm interested.


Curious... What have you done with the old sparkly silver tank?

[BlackKat]

xxx

[corey]

Corey! Take it to your local dealer and get it warrantied! We do about 3-4 a month...As long as its not a salvaged title, it will be a good will warranty!

actually taking it in on saturday.

[xcaptainxbloodx]

... the fairing made itself most famous from a Guzzi LeMans in the 70's...

the one you have appears to be a copy of the one found originally on the 50's AJS 7R



the guzzi one is much larger, more angular and swept back. it also was designed to envelope the forks



while the guzzi one is clearly derivative of the AJS one, many others are equally so and just as recognizable. similar styles have been used on everything from vintage scooters ;
to the triumph thruxton

hell, even the jack of all trades "viper fairing" is somewhat similar

[BlackKat]

xxx

[xcaptainxbloodx]

I guess you just clarified that the cafe style isn't so much as timeless, but certainly stretches over decades with only marginal change.

the "cafe style" is vintage race style. the AJS posted above isnt a "cafe style" its a top of its class race bike. the lemans isnt "cafe style" its a typical 70s to early 80s naked bike with a bikini fairing styled after the guzzi that was raced  at lemans 3 or 4 years earlier. the differences in style, function and purpose are massive.  other than covering close to the same real estate on the bike, the too fairings look totally different (FWIW, the guzzi one with its angular shape would probably flow better on the monster with a bit of trimming)

while the title of "cafe bike" does give very vague guidelines (thankfully) its much the same as the word "sandwich". while tuna fish makes a great sandwich, and peanut butter makes a great one, together they are shite. at some point you have to decide which one to make.

I apologise if I sound aggressive but to look at a picture of a 50s AJS and an 70s guzzi and say that there are only "marginal changes"  gets me a bit cranky.

  the bike is looking much more cohesive with the tank and tail matching, I look forward to seeing it all come together.

[lazylightnin717]

  the bike is looking much more cohesive with the tank and tail matching, I look forward to seeing it all come together.

+1

Looks much better. I love that tail

Also the yellow headlight that I didn't think I could ever like fits in there very nicely