Motorcycles
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Cafe Racers are stripped down production motorcycles,,,all unecessary.. .ie.. weightier items are binned off,,,making em more nimble,,faster,,,similar to the American "bobber",,,what aint needed ,,is binned,,all started in the 50s over here,,,bikers used to race from cafe to cafe,,,hence the term,,,,google the 59 Club, and the Ace Cafe,,,
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I work at Viking Air at YYJ where we build de Havilland Twin Otters. I walked over to the Flying Club Cafe for a little lunch. Could see the bike from a distance. Told my coworker that we needed to go over and see it closer. After lunch made way over there and started taking a couple pics, when an old guy (in 70s) saunters over wearing this great old leather jacket and jeans and says "so you like my bike?" Turns out it is a 1950 Vincent Black Shadow. He tells us a little about its history, etc. "Was the fastest bike on the planet," he exclaimed. After a little chatting I foolishly say, "I don't know much about bikes…but I want that bike!" You have to realize, that while I LOVE bikes, I had no idea what I was snapping pictures of...just a beautiful old bike that I wanted to make love to. So he chuckles and says with a smile, "well son, I don't think you could afford it." What!!! I'm wearing $500 dollar denim on my ass old man!!! So I ask, "what's she worth?" He says, "well I have about 150 into it." It actually took me a few moments to realize that he wasn't talking about $150, but he was talking $150,000. He then proceeds to tell me that this particular one is worth at least $200,000, and he has "five more in the shop at home...but they aren't quite as nice as this one." I suddenly realized that my $500 jeans meant absolutely nothing. I was going back to our shop to sit at a desk in them...probably for the rest of my life, only wishing I could stain the seat of a bike like that with my indigo. He, on the other hand, was going to be jumping on his beautiful black Vincent and ride off into sunset...I haven't been the same since.
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For those interested…here's what we build at Viking Air: http://instagram.com/p/MwAN7HQxGD/
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Does anybody know what kind of helmet this is? I saw this photo on Burg & Schild, and I must find this helmet. Who says full face helmets can't look sick? This helmet is menacing.
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Search for bandit or simson…
Cheaper alternative http://stores.ebay.com/BIKER-SHOP-INC/FULL-FACE-HELMETS-/_i.html?_fsub=2267225017&_sid=344547887&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
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@joe … these are bandits ...
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And the guys wearing them are Rob and Keith from Eat Dust:
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Since there's a bit of Vincent loving, here's a picture of an Irving Vincent. It's a modern bike built around an updated engine and components by a bunch of Australian engineers.
As for old school, how about some nice Guzzi racers?
Both photos from the Goodwood Festival earlier this summer.
On a slight change of topic, Ruby (who make the world's most gorgeous helmets) are releasing a full face at the start of October.
They're an interesting brand, and do all sorts of weird and wonderful designs. My favourite is the Eley Kishimoto, but that's because Mark Eley has a matching BMW. But the Sponge Bob one isn't my thing…
At risk of putting bad ideas into people's heads, an Ironheart lid?
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Thanks for the info, guys. I hate how cheesy the American half and 3/4 helmets look, total HOG rube. I rocked a full face when I was a teenager, but it seems like I haven't seen one that looks right, and I just can't get comfortable riding lidless (it makes me feel naked, like when I shaved my beard).
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Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but as a rider who appreciates high quality denim, I've always shied away from the Kevlar riding jeans, on the basis that a) they look naff, and b) the denim is generally pretty cheap'n'nasty stuff…....so I nearly fell off my chair when my buddy sent through this link today http://www.maplejeans.com/
Anyone here heard of them/bought them…..did wonder if Dave is a member on here?
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Injunjack, I'm obviously more attached to my jaw.
Actually it was aimed more at Joesaintjohn's post, but I think that they make a compelling argument. That's a shame, as Davida make really nice lids that fit me perfectly. 
Incidentally, Austin Vince reckons that open face lids are better when travelling though, because it makes a rider less intimidating and more approachable. Oh, if you ever get a chance to see a talk by him then do so.
I've not heard of Maple Jeans, but I've just seen a post on them at Return of the Cafe Racers. They're using Forcefield armour, which is good stuff. I've got it in my leathers, and when I got knocked off last year I didn't feel a thing through the knee padding.
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I really don't care…honestly
it´s not just about you…it´s about everyone on here matey! might keep that in mind sometims
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That's a gorgeous ride, TJ! I love that seat and peanut tank. Gnarly. Gnice touch.
I'm jonzing to get another one. I was working too much and not riding enough and I let a buddy talk me into selling mine. I've been riding streets since I was 14, and I feel like a piece of my life is missing. I'm about to move…twice, so when I settle back in, I'm getting another horse. Here's my 'ole steed.
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Feck, I can't quit looking at TJs bike. I love that look. It goes so hard!
