Royal Enfield Cafe Racer - Return of the Cafe Racers https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/category/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/ Cafe racers, custom motorcycles and riding gear news and reviews. Tue, 23 Jan 2024 18:10:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/cropped-rocr-emblem-32x32.jpg Royal Enfield Cafe Racer - Return of the Cafe Racers https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/category/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/ 32 32 188132605 Bike Of The Day: 2021 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 ‘Spitfire’ https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/bike-of-the-day/bike-of-the-day-2021-royal-enfield-interceptor-650-spitfire/ Tue, 23 Jan 2024 18:10:45 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=45116 Introducing the ‘Spitfire,’ a custom masterpiece crafted from the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 – 2021, a platform as agile as a dancer, designed for the soul of a cafe racer. This exceptional two-wheeled creation emerged from numerous sketches, each stroke on paper striving to capture the essence of the perfect cafe racer. The custom heat-resistant brass paintwork on the engine goes beyond being a mere coat; it’s a proclamation that rises above the ordinary, ensuring the Spitfire always commands attention. […]

The post Bike Of The Day: 2021 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 ‘Spitfire’ appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
45116
Keeping Spirits High: The Royal Enfield Custom World https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/2023-custom-world/ Wed, 27 Dec 2023 06:43:11 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=44899 Turn back the clock to 2016 and you’ll see motorcycle manufacturers scrambling to get involved in the custom scene. Yamaha’s Yardbuilt Series was in full swing, BMW had unveiled the R NineT alongside custom builders Rolands Sands and El Solitario, and Triumph was gearing up to release a whole raft of new modern classic models ripe for customization. It was the peak of the “new-wave” custom scene and manufacturers were working hand in hand with some of the world’s top […]

The post Keeping Spirits High: The Royal Enfield Custom World appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
44899
First Look: Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Motoverse Edition https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/shotgun-650-motoverse-edition/ Sun, 26 Nov 2023 11:16:54 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=44649 The world’s biggest Royal Enfield enthusiast event, the Rider Mania ‘Motoverse’, took place at the beachside state of Goa in India on November 24, 25 & 26 of 2023. Spanning a huge outdoor space the event included dirt races, an impressive custom motorcycle exhibition, test rides, displays featuring current and new models, a shopping area, cinema, live interviews, and 3 music stages. To top it all off at the end of Day 1 of Motoverse, Royal Enfield Managing Director Siddhartha […]

The post First Look: Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Motoverse Edition appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
44649
Bike Of The Day: 1964 Royal Enfield 700 GTC2 ‘Mistral’ https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/bike-of-the-day/bike-of-the-day-1964-royal-enfield-700-gtc2-mistral/ Tue, 31 Oct 2023 20:17:07 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=44323 The Royal Enfield 700 GTC2 ‘Mistral’ is a custom-built British sports bike, taking inspiration from the classic Southern California ‘desert sleds.’ Its origin dates back to a 1964 Super Meteor 700, initially imported to the UK from Canada by Hitchcocks Motorcycles of Solihull. The transformation of this bike was spearheaded by Jeff Duval of Jets Forever, with Andy Berry of Preston handling the engine rebuild and upgrades. To accommodate the revamped engine, a ‘BSA A10’ frame, crafted using ⅞-inch nickel-plated […]

The post Bike Of The Day: 1964 Royal Enfield 700 GTC2 ‘Mistral’ appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
44323
Stellar Interceptor: French Moto Royal Enfield 650 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/french-moto-650/ Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:16:47 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=44147 Giving away a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle you’ve just spent 12 months planning and building doesn’t sound all that appealing. For siblings Thibault and Florian Klingler, it’s an integral part of their French Moto business plan. The lifelong motorcycle enthusiasts turned their passion for bikes into a business back in 2012. Since then, their business has grown to become a service center, custom shop, online retailer of parts and accessories, and a Royal Enfield dealership; and they have no plan to […]

The post Stellar Interceptor: French Moto Royal Enfield 650 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
44147
Bike Of The Day: 2022 Royal Enfield GT 650 Cafe Racer https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/bike-of-the-day-2022-royal-enfield-gt-650-cafe-racer/ Sun, 25 Jun 2023 23:23:26 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=42593 This 2022 GT 650 is a modified version of the original Royal Enfield British café racer. It incorporates genuine Royal and K-Speed parts to enhance its performance. The bike showcases a British Racing Green paint job and is equipped with an aftermarket K-Speed Diablo exhaust system. Notable K-Speed modifications include LED turn signals at the front and rear, a front headlight grill, an engine cover, and a side pocket cover. It rides on 18” wheels and tires, supported by front […]

The post Bike Of The Day: 2022 Royal Enfield GT 650 Cafe Racer appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
42593
Asymmetrical Superstar: AN-BU ‘KAI’ Continental GT650 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/an-bu-gt650/ Tue, 11 Apr 2023 23:59:59 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=41478 Asymmetrical design is a difficult concept to grasp. Finding harmony in the unharmonious is as challenging as it sounds, and it takes a unique mind to master. In the world of custom motorcycles, the unequivocal expert of asymmetry is Koichi Fujita of Japan’s AN-BU Custom Motors. Since 2000 Koichi-san has used his fabrication skills to build unique, punk rock-esque machines shod in asymmetrical race-inspired bodywork. His unique approach has built him quite a following and in the past, we’ve seen […]

The post Asymmetrical Superstar: AN-BU ‘KAI’ Continental GT650 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
41478
A Savage Six Fifty: Hedgehog Motorcycles Royal Enfield GT650 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/hedgehog-motorcycles-gt650/ Mon, 13 Mar 2023 15:34:28 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=40990 The Royal Enfield Custom World initiative aims to connect 650 twin owners with verified custom workshops around the world. It’s a clever way to ensure that Enfield’s customers are entrusting their products with builders whose work they know and trust. If you’re looking for such a workshop in Europe, one place Royal Enfield recommends is Hedgehog Motor Co. in the South of France. Along with bespoke motorcycle modification, the Hedgehog team offer complete kits for transforming Enfield’s parallel twin. If […]

The post A Savage Six Fifty: Hedgehog Motorcycles Royal Enfield GT650 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
40990
California Dreaming: Wedge Motorcycles Continental GT650 Roadster https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/wedge-continental-gt650/ Thu, 05 Jan 2023 06:06:21 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=40389 Alongside Triumph’s water-cooled Bonneville range the Royal Enfield 650 twins are some of the most authentic-looking modern retro motorcycles on the market. Royal Enfield has successfully recreated the quintessential classic motorcycle aesthetic with their Continental GT650 and 650 Interceptor models. So classic looking are these bikes that it’s hard to believe they could look any better. But if writing about the custom motorcycle scene for almost 2 decades has taught me anything, it’s that there’s always room for improvement. Unsurprisingly […]

The post California Dreaming: Wedge Motorcycles Continental GT650 Roadster appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
40389
Categorical Cafe Racer: Royal Enfield Continental GT History https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/continental-gt-history/ Wed, 30 Nov 2022 11:46:53 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=39182 Factory-built cafe racers are somewhat of a paradox. By definition, cafe racers are customised motorcycles built by enthusiasts or aftermarket workshops. Regardless of that fact, manufacturers have insisted for decades that they too can build a motorcycle worthy of the cafe racer name. Royal Enfield knows a thing or two about factory-built cafe racers. Back in 1963, they released the first-ever production cafe racer, the Continental GT 250. Since then the manufacturer has released several models that bare the Continental […]

The post Categorical Cafe Racer: Royal Enfield Continental GT History appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
39182
Bitten by the Bug: Ormotors Royal Enfield Continental GT 865 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/ormotors-gt650-racer/ Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:46:26 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=39500 After attending the 650 twin launch back in 2019 I was pleasantly surprised by how well Royal Enfield had done with their new parallel twin platform. Along with being great to ride the 650’s straightforward construction and affordable price point meant it was begging to be modified. Since then there’s been no shortage of heavily customized 650 twins by builders around the world. What I didn’t expect though was how many riders have been taking the 650s to the track. […]

The post Bitten by the Bug: Ormotors Royal Enfield Continental GT 865 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
39500
Top 10 Royal Enfield Cafe Racers https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/top-10-cafe-racers/ Mon, 12 Sep 2022 13:46:17 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=39027 Royal Enfield lays claim to being the “oldest global motorcycle brand in continuous production”  and they know a thing or two about cafe racers. Back in 1965, they released the first-ever production cafe racer, the Continental GT 250. Forty-nine years later they did it again with the Continental GT 535, which at the time had the largest displacement of any motorcycle in their range. They then completed the trifecta 3 short years later with the release of the hugely successful […]

The post Top 10 Royal Enfield Cafe Racers appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
39027
Granted Wishes – Surfside Motorcycles Himalayan 650 Twin https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/surfside-himalayan-650/ Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:01:09 +0000 https://returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=37385 There’s no denying the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a capable ADV bike. But when the manufacturer unveiled their new Scram 411 ADV crossover with great fervour there was a little voice in the back of my head saying “but where’s the 650 twin!?” Based on what other people are saying online it seems this sentiment isn’t unique to me. Lucky for us all, one resourceful Royal Enfield dealership located on Sydney’s northern surf coast has granted our wishes. The team […]

The post Granted Wishes – Surfside Motorcycles Himalayan 650 Twin appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
37385
The Regency Scrambler by MotoMAX https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/regency-scrambler-by-motomax/ Mon, 04 Apr 2022 14:54:33 +0000 https://returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=37448 Have you ever wanted something that doesn’t exist? Have you wanted it so badly that rather than wait for someone else to do it for you, you’ve gone out and made it yourself? People get tired of waiting, and some of the greatest success stories in history start this way. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Ferruccio Lamborghini wanted a grand touring car more refined than a Ferrari, so he made his own. Simone Giertz wanted a […]

The post The Regency Scrambler by MotoMAX appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
37448
And the Winner Is – 2022 Royal Enfield Busted Knuckles Build Off https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/2022-busted-knuckles/ Fri, 01 Apr 2022 02:47:54 +0000 https://returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=37347 Royal Enfield dealers from Australia and New Zealand have just gone head to head for the latest iteration of the Busted Knuckles Build-Off series. All of this year’s builds were based on the brand’s 650 parallel twin engine platform commonly found in the Continental GT and Interceptor models which have become the poster child of the modern classic custom scene in recent years. For the 2022 edition of Busted Knuckles 5 Royal Enfield dealerships were invited to build their own […]

The post And the Winner Is – 2022 Royal Enfield Busted Knuckles Build Off appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
37347
The Top 10 Cafe Racers of 2021 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/cafe-racers/top-10-2021/ Sat, 01 Jan 2022 10:03:17 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=36066 Happy new year! Well, that wraps up yet another year of cafe racer content. Like the previous year, 2021 was challenging for all of us, but it certainly didn’t stop custom motorcycle enthusiasts around the world from doing what they love most. We saw outstanding builds from some of our favourite workshops as well as an incredible lineup of bikes by backyard and first-time builders. As is customary here on Return of the Cafe Racers I’ve taken a look back […]

The post The Top 10 Cafe Racers of 2021 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
36066
Duff’s Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Cafe Racer https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/duffs-royal-enfield-continental-gt-650-cafe-racer/ Sun, 05 Dec 2021 09:21:47 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=35939 I have a bit of a soft spot for the Royal Enfield 650 twins. This is evident whenever anyone asks me what classically styled motorcycle they should look at buying. Most of the time, I just tell them to go ride an Enfield 650 and see what they think. Hell, one time I convinced a mate to buy one in the time it took us to quaff our lattes. We went straight to the local dealership, he took one for […]

The post Duff’s Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Cafe Racer appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
35939
Retro Round Up – New Modern Classics from EICMA 2021 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/motorcycle-news/2022-eicma-modern-classics/ Wed, 01 Dec 2021 15:32:08 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=35816 Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse one of our favourite motorcycle events on the planet got cancelled. Thankfully after a 1-year hiatus, EICMA is back and as always it’s delivered no shortage of new motorcycles for us to crave. As you’d expect it’s the neo-retro modern classics that we look forward to most and EICMA 2021 hasn’t failed to deliver. This year we saw a new 650 twin concept from Royal Enfield, Kawasaki showed off the newest […]

The post Retro Round Up – New Modern Classics from EICMA 2021 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
35816
EICMA 2021 Modern Classic – The Royal Enfield SG650 concept https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/royal-enfield-sg650/ Sun, 28 Nov 2021 03:25:10 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=35854 The release of the Royal Enfield 650 twins has been a huge success for the Indian manufacturer. It was only a matter of time before we saw the acclaimed parallel-twin utilised in another format and at EICMA 2021 that time finally came. According to Royal Enfield Chief of Design Mark Wells, their goal with the SG650 was, “To build a unique concept motorcycle that pays homage to Royal Enfield’s rich history of custom motorcycles, but one that wasn’t encumbered by […]

The post EICMA 2021 Modern Classic – The Royal Enfield SG650 concept appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
35854
Lilith – XTR Pepo Continental GT650 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/xtrpepo-continental-gt650/ Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:15:34 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=34868 If there’s one builder whose work can be summed up by the adage “looks fast standing still” it’s that of Madrid’s XTR Pepo. XTR founder Pepo Rosell has a soft spot for motorcycle racing and it has had a profound effect on the style of bikes he builds. Almost every motorcycle in his extensive portfolio wears race-inspired custom bodywork and livery. Along the way, he has also developed a range of his own XTR Pepo parts and accessories which help […]

The post Lilith – XTR Pepo Continental GT650 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
34868
Dead Reckoning – Revelry Cycles’ ‘Double Tap’ Royal Enfield Drag Bike https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/revelry-cycles-650-drag-bike/ Fri, 13 Aug 2021 00:01:47 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=34479 If you’re anything like me, you’ll regularly find yourself daydreaming about moto-related projects. That track-day bike you’ll make out of an old BMW S1000RR. Or maybe it’s a custom scrambler you’re going to create out of an old Bonneville? And what’s really stopping you from prepping that flat tracker out of an old Honda Dominator? Real life is what. There are too many bills to pay and too few hours in the day for anyone of sound mind, body, and […]

The post Dead Reckoning – Revelry Cycles’ ‘Double Tap’ Royal Enfield Drag Bike appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
34479
Six Days a Week: Schlachtwerk’s Royal Enfield Himalayan Enduro https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/schlachtwerk-royal-enfield-himalayan-enduro-custom/ Fri, 21 May 2021 09:38:28 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=33630 In many ways, Tommy Thöring from the Schlachetwerk custom motorcycle workshop is your typical, dyed-in-the-wool German. The Sydneysider-via-Frankfurt is typically dry, sensible and brutally efficient when it comes to anything technical. Here he’s ticking pretty much all the stereotypical Deutschland boxes, minus the lederhosen. But take a deeper look and there’s a whole heap of unexpected Aussiness that can leave you scratching your head. For instance, the guy loves four-wheel driving, Toyotas and the outback. If he’s got a few […]

The post Six Days a Week: Schlachtwerk’s Royal Enfield Himalayan Enduro appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
33630
The Hunter – Bandit9 Jaeger GT650 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/bandit9-jaeger-gt650/ Fri, 14 May 2021 11:31:13 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=33290 Generally speaking, when we see workshops producing bolt-on kits, they aim to recreate the classic styles. Cafe Racer and Scrambler kits are by far the most common and many manufacturers now offer them for their bikes. It’s not often we see a bolt-on kit quite like this though. It’ll come as no surprise that this Bladerunner-esque Royal Enfield GT650 cafe racer is the work of Saigon based workshop, Bandit9. Owned and operated by designer Daryl Villanueva his work has always […]

The post The Hunter – Bandit9 Jaeger GT650 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
33290
Interview: Daniel ‘Beardy’ McLaughlin from TV’s ‘Bondi Rescue’ https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/teaser-beardy-royal-enfield-himalayan/ Wed, 31 Mar 2021 13:29:29 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=32942 As far as jobs go, working on Sydney’s Bondi beach would have to be right at the tippity top of the pile, yes? The sun. The surf. The eye candy. And for Australian lifeguard, biker and TV personality, Daniel ‘Beardy’ McLaughlin, it’s not just the place where he punches the clock. It also made him famous. Forget the rest of us calling in sick and spending a sneaky day barefoot on the sand; Beardy gets paid to do just that […]

The post Interview: Daniel ‘Beardy’ McLaughlin from TV’s ‘Bondi Rescue’ appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
32942
Korean Cafe – Motorbike Magazine GT 650 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/motorbike-mag-gt650/ Wed, 12 Aug 2020 11:48:39 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=25396 There’s no denying Royal Enfield hit a sweet spot with their 650 twins in the European market. The Indian manufacturer has just revealed that the Interceptor 650 is the best-selling motorcycle in the UK for June 2020 (over 125cc) stealing sales away from major competitor Triumph Motorcycles. This is due to the 650’s near-perfect balance of style and performance, and an incredibly attractive price point. Where Royal Enfield doesn’t compete with Triumph though is the range of Modern Classic styles […]

The post Korean Cafe – Motorbike Magazine GT 650 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
25396
The Royal Raven – TMW Continental GT 650 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/tmw-continental-gt/ Thu, 05 Mar 2020 04:21:20 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=22707 Royal Enfield has been stirring things up in the custom scene with a string of commissioned builds based on their 650 twins. Late last year they invited their Australian dealer network to get involved by creating the ‘Busted Knuckles Build-Off’. A few weeks back we took a look at one entry built on the west coast by Rogue Motorcycles and MotoMax. Today we travel to the other side of the land down under to its most southern state. This is […]

The post The Royal Raven – TMW Continental GT 650 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
22707
Sinroja Motorcycles GT 650 Drag Bike https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/sinroja-continental-gt650/ Sat, 04 Jan 2020 09:11:57 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=21572 The Sinroja Brothers, Rahul, and Birju have just celebrated the 5 year anniversary of their workshop. Looking over their portfolio it’s hard to believe how much they’ve achieved in such a short time. Along with building an impressive collection of custom motorcycles for their customers, they’ve teamed up with brands and manufacturers on several special projects. Perhaps their proudest achievement has been the work they’ve done with Royal Enfield. 2019 was a particularly exciting year for the brothers. After completing […]

The post Sinroja Motorcycles GT 650 Drag Bike appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
21572
Autologue GT 650 Cafe Racer Kit https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/gt650-body-kit/ Thu, 19 Dec 2019 23:05:13 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=21080 Royal Enfield has been making waves in the custom scene since the release of their 650 twins. They’ve collaborated with custom workshops and hosted several of their own dealership build offs around the globe.  What makes these bikes great as a basis for customization is that they’re amazingly well priced and how well they respond to modifications. So far Royal Enfield hasn’t offered much in the way of their own aftermarket parts to personalize these bikes. Thankfully a few enterprising […]

The post Autologue GT 650 Cafe Racer Kit appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
21080
Under Pressure – Project RE Continental GT 650 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/rogue-continental-gt-650/ Mon, 25 Nov 2019 08:59:43 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=20892 What happens when you task an Avengers-style dream team of builders with a crazy 6-week deadline? In short, this Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 cafe racer. ‘Project RE’ is the result of a collaboration between  Billy of Western Australia’s Rogue Motorcycles and Ric Steele of MotoMAX. Ric approached Billy to see if he would like to join forces for the upcoming Royal Enfield Australia Busted Knuckles Build Off. Ric pitched a relatively straightforward brief and Billy accepted. Now I said “relatively” […]

The post Under Pressure – Project RE Continental GT 650 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
20892
Royal Treatment – Kromworks Bullet 500 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/kromworks-bullet-500/ Wed, 30 Oct 2019 09:30:54 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=20112 For years it was the west who produced the best custom motorcycles. The greatest rides were done by cashed-up Europeans or well-heeled Americans. But in the last few years, there’s been a dramatic shift as the developing world has been the one to really watch when it comes to creativity. Take exhibit a) Indonesia’s Kromworks and their retro-futuristic Royal Enfield Bullet 500 cafe racer. Of all the builders across the islands of Indonesia, Jakarta’s Kromworks is one that really stands […]

The post Royal Treatment – Kromworks Bullet 500 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
20112
Full Metal Jacket – J&D Continental GT 535 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/jd-continental-gt/ Fri, 20 Sep 2019 00:48:13 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=19482 Jay Patel of J&D Custom Co. knows his way around a Royal Enfield. The last time we spoke he’d just launched a bolt-on Royal Enfield cafe racer kit for the Bullet. Today we’re taking a look at his latest build that also happens to be built on his favourite platform, the Royal Enfield Continental GT 535. This is Jay’s 3rd time customising the GT 535 and he decided to do things a little differently. So along with taking a fresh […]

The post Full Metal Jacket – J&D Continental GT 535 appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
19482
Petrolettes Wrench Off – 650 Twin Build Off https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/petrolettes-650-twins/ Fri, 09 Aug 2019 06:01:46 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=18429 Europe’s first all-female motorcycle festival, the ‘Petrolettes‘ has teamed up with Royal Enfield to create the ‘Petrolettes Wrench Off’. The Wrench Off is a freestyle custom build-off created by Petrolettes founder Irene Kotnik. Created as a way to connect female and inspire riders the Wrench Off challenges 4 all-female teams from 4 different nations to build 4 custom bikes based on the Royal Enfield 650 Twin platform. The project kicked off earlier this year with each team taking delivery of […]

The post Petrolettes Wrench Off – 650 Twin Build Off appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
18429
Chop Talk – Madhouse Royal Enfield Indian https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/madhouse-indian/ Tue, 23 Jul 2019 00:43:27 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=17392 It takes a lot of courage to dare to be different. For our latest ‘Chop Talk’ Progressive Insurance collaboration, we hear from J. Shia of Madhouse Motors. At her Boston based workshop, J. Shia specialises in antique motorcycle maintenance and restoration. It would seem though that when she has spare time on her hands she struggles to keep her creativity at bay. This bike, for example, a ’57 Royal Enfield Indian, was her entry into the 2019 Handbuilt Show where […]

The post Chop Talk – Madhouse Royal Enfield Indian appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
17392
Nought Tea – Royal Enfield GT 650 Factory Custom https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/harris-gt650/ Fri, 28 Jun 2019 00:17:24 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=17828 During the press launch of the Royal Enfield 650 Twins, they announced plans to work closely with custom builders in 2019. Well, they’ve certainly kept their promise! To date, they collaborated on an impressive 12 custom projects with both workshops and aftermarket brands. Amongst them is an S&S performance recording breaking land speed racer and a Continental GT 650 drag bike that’s taking part in the Sultans of Sprint race series. This latest project was created as part of another […]

The post Nought Tea – Royal Enfield GT 650 Factory Custom appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
17828
Up For Adventure – Wrench Kings Himalayan https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/scrambler/wrench-kings-himalayan/ Wed, 26 Jun 2019 05:41:22 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=17738 There’s very little that dual-sport bikes share in common with cafe racers. When it comes to customisation though every builder shares a common goal of creating a better performing, better-looking bike. Take for instance this new build by Netherlands based workshop the Wrench Kings. Based on a Royal Enfield Himalayan this custom urban adventurer was developed in collaboration with Gannet design. Outright performance improvements were never the goal of this project. Instead, the Wrench Kings aimed to improve the bike’s […]

The post Up For Adventure – Wrench Kings Himalayan appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
17738
Royal Enfield Continental GT and Interceptor 650 Twin Review https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/ride-review/royal-enfield-650-twin/ Fri, 15 Feb 2019 07:18:12 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=15566 Royal Enfield lay claim to producing the world’s longest constant production motorcycle design. The first Royal Enfield Bullet rolled out of the UK factory back in 1931. Despite it being produced for some 88 years there are still many similarities between the first Bullet and those being produced today. So, as you can imagine, when Royal Enfield releases a new motorcycle it’s kind of a big deal. After announcing the development of a new Royal Enfield 650 twin back in […]

The post Royal Enfield Continental GT and Interceptor 650 Twin Review appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
15566
Lock Stock – Royal Enfield 650 Twin https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/lock-stock-drag-bike/ Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:14:18 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=15441 I’m in Sydney for the Australian release of the new Royal Enfield 650 twins. During the next couple of days, I will be spending time in the saddle of both the GT 650 Continental and Interceptor 650 and will publish a full GT 650 ride review soon afterwards. In the meantime, let’s take a look at a special project Royal Enfield completed last year in collaboration with performance experts S&S Cycles. Nicknamed ‘Lock Stock’ this heavily modified Royal Enfield 650 […]

The post Lock Stock – Royal Enfield 650 Twin appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
15441
Bandit9 Continental GT Cafe Racer https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/bandit9-continental-gt/ https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/bandit9-continental-gt/#respond Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:28:14 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=15057 Most of the bikes in the Bandit9 portfolio would look right at home exhibited in London’s Tate Modern. Bandit9 chief Daryl Villanueva fettles futuristic bodywork from sheet metal and merges it seamlessly with the raw mechanics of each donor motorcycle. However, for his latest project, Daryl has returned to more of a traditional cafe racer composition. Built using a Royal Enfield Continental GT the ‘Arthur’ Bandit9 cafe racer is a bike I’m sure many motorcyclists would happily pilot home. The […]

The post Bandit9 Continental GT Cafe Racer appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/bandit9-continental-gt/feed/ 0 15057
10 Off-The-Shelf Modern Cafe Racers https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/ride-review/cafe-racers-for-sale/ https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/ride-review/cafe-racers-for-sale/#comments Wed, 26 Sep 2018 11:22:11 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=13082 Is there such a thing as a factory built cafe racer? If you ask a purist they’ll tell you no way, but Honda, Ducati, Triumph, BMW and several other manufacturers are determined to have you thinking otherwise. It’s become pretty clear that this Cafe Racer fad is well and truly here to stay. Hell, I’ve been harping on about them for more than a decade now, and manufacturers want a piece of the action. As a result, many now have […]

The post 10 Off-The-Shelf Modern Cafe Racers appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/ride-review/cafe-racers-for-sale/feed/ 5 13082
Royal Racer – J&D Enfield Bullet Cafe Kit https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/bullet-cafe-racer-kit/ https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/bullet-cafe-racer-kit/#respond Wed, 25 Jul 2018 23:22:14 +0000 https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/?p=13271 Do you want a Royal Enfield cafe racer? You could just go out and buy a Royal Enfield Continental GT, but what if you’re after something a bit more unique? Indian workshop J&D Custom Co is in the final stages of developing a bolt-on kit that will transform any run of the mill Enfield Bullet into a bonafide cafe racer. Not only will this give you a unique bike, it will also improve the Bullets handling to suit. We spoke to […]

The post Royal Racer – J&D Enfield Bullet Cafe Kit appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers.

]]>
https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/royal-enfield-cafe-racer/bullet-cafe-racer-kit/feed/ 0 13271