What NOT to Buy for a Cafe Racer Project

Before you buy a motorcycle to turn into a cafe racer, it pays to know what to avoid. The cheapest bike isn't always the best starting point, and some apparently great bargains can quickly turn into expensive and frustrating projects.

In this guide, we look at some of the biggest traps when choosing a cafe racer donor bike, including non-running motorcycles, “ran when parked” projects, unfinished builds, cheap motorcycles and rare or exotic models. We'll look at why these bikes can create problems and why parts availability, aftermarket support and a good community of owners can be just as important as the motorcycle itself.

Whether you're planning your first cafe racer, bobber or custom motorcycle build, choosing the right base bike can save you a lot of time, money and headaches further down the road.