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| 1977 Harley-Davidson XL CR |
A café racer, originally pronounced {kæfei} racer, is a type of motorcycle as well as a type of motorcyclist. Both meanings have their roots in the 1960s British counterculture group the Rockers, or the Ton-up boys, although they were also common in Italy, Germany, and other European countries. In Italy, the term refers to the specific motorcycles that were and are used for short, sharp speed trips from one coffee bar to another.
Rockers were a young and rebellious Rock and Roll counterculture that wanted a fast, personalized and distinctive bike to travel between transport cafés along the newly built arterial motorways in and around British towns and cities. The goal of many was to be able to reach 100 miles per hour (called simply "the ton") along such a route where the rider would leave from a cafe, race to a predetermined point and back to the cafe before a single song could play on the jukebox, called record-racing. They are remembered as being especially fond of Rockabilly music and their image is now embedded in today's rockabilly culture.
Cafe racers vs choppers
The cafe racer has a lot in common with the chopper or bobber scene in the USA and both have their roots with post-World War II veterans. Riders rejected the large transportation-oriented motorcycles of the time by taking these motorcycles and removing parts deemed unnecessary. While American GIs would take military-spec Harley Davidsons and "chop" off anything unnecessary to improve performance, European veterans took similar measures with their motorcycles. Both looked to make the standard factory motorcycles faster and lighter, although the difference between the nature of the US and European road systems led to somewhat different results. While the Americans favored... Read more
Full-Bore SHEET METAL
The first in a series of custom fabrication “how-to” books written by shop guys, for shop guys.
HERE'S THE BAG
Let's face the facts, not everyone is into Hondas or Cafe bikes, but anyone can see the skill used in this project and I think the "Rodan" is super cool. If you've never ridden an 836 kit on a 750 FOUR don't laugh, they run good. The tail section proves again that the size of the project isn't what's important but it is the process that we need to focus on. It was pretty much the same as all the projects wasn't it? The process is always the same and I hope it is starting to sink in and you are starting to believe it becasue it is true. This tail section was an excellent project and it just happened that it was featured on a hot new T.V. Show.
Just Remember
-All Projects present certain challenges, follow the rules you've learned in this book. They will guide you through it.
-Always establish the main stat point and roll with it.
-Patterns make parts, take the time to create tight patterns, it will create tight parts.
-Always use cleco's to hold the part in the same place.
-Yes, we can use the frame for a hammer form in some instances.
-Metal is Metal whether it is on a Honda or a Harley.
-Mark clean lines and make nice welds.
-Don't be afraid to try new techniques and tools.
FULL-BORE SHEET METAL presented by FULL-BORE PUBLISHING. This is the first in a series of custom fabrication “how-to” books. This book is about sheet metal, it is a very readable INFOTAINING book that focuses on the custom sheet metal shaping /fabrication industry. This book was co-authored by Bryan Fuller and Mark Prosser. Bryan is the owner of FULLER HOT RODS and also the host of the speed channels “Two Guy’s Garage. Mark teaches welding and fabrication at a Wisconsin technical college. The two of them have come together to create a very informative book that is presented in an amusing and engaging way. The book is packed with useful information for anyone interested in this industry on any level. It was written by shop guys for shop guys.
Mark grew up in a family-owned collision/restoration business. He has worked on automobiles in some capacity most of his adult life. There came a time when he gave up working on cars and began his educational excursion, which included several different degrees. After a 10-year break from the auto industry, ironically, Mark’s first teaching job was at Wyotech, the automotive school in Laramie, Wyoming. At Wyotech his love of the automobile was rekindled, but in a different way. This time the Kustom Bug bit and just wouldn’t let go. Mark earned his Master’s Degree in Adult Education in 2010; he is a certified welding inspector and educator through the American Welding Society. He is now a full time instructor at a Wisconsin technical college where he teaches welding and metal fabrication. Mark is also an author for Goodheart–Wilcox Publishing, for whom he writes welding books. In his spare time he runs a small custom paint shop called ProsserPaint.
At lot of people know Bryan as the host of Two Guys Garage the oldest automotive-based show on television. What some people don’t realize is that he is also a nationally renowned custom bike and car builder. He owns and operates Fuller Hot Rods out of Atlanta, Georgia. His creations have been highly decorated at most every major bike and car show in the country. Interestingly, Bryan did not grow up in the auto industry; it was only after college and time spent working a job he did not dig that he threw it all away, got some training, and moved to Southern California, where he worked with and learned from the best in the business, including So-Cal speed shop, GMT, and Foose Design. At the time, Bryan was one of Chip’s members on the TLC show Overhaulin’. Bryan packed up and moved to the ATL to start his own rocket ship, and that sucker hasn’t slowed down yet.
On Aug. 10 from 5 – 8pm, Bryan Fuller and Mark Prosser are having a party for the release of their new book, FULL-BORE SHEET METAL, the first in a series of custom fabrication “how-to” books written by shop guys, for shop guys.
After the book release, Fuller, Prosser and Lincoln Electric will co-host a premier viewing of the HD Theater series, Café Racer TV. Throughout four episodes this season, Bryan will be featured as he modifies a 1969 CB 750 Honda motorcycle, inspired by his classic hot rod roots. This bike along with several other Fuller Creations will be on site during the viewing event.
As an added bonus, stop by to try your hand at welding with Lincoln Electric, and who is offering attendees the chance to win a POWER MIG® 140C Welder and VIKING™ Auto-Darkening Helmets to those who enter the drawing while at the viewing event. Follow the Company’s Facebook and Twitter pages, for live updates from the 71st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Come out and help us celebrate the new book.
Food and drinks will be provided till they run out, get there early!!
Download a map of where you can find the Product Demonstration Fair at Sturgis 2011.
Visit official websites; Fuller Hot Rods & Prosser Paint
