Cafe Racer Rage

RAGE1RAGE2RAGE3RAGE4Rage is another Cafe Racer by Santiago Chopper paying tribute to motorcycle chassis builder Georges Martin. Georges’ motorcycle frames were extremely popular in Europe during the 70’s & 80’s with those building a custom/racing bike. His first chassis were similar to the backbone design that Fritz Egli made so popular. Most of the CB 750 SOHC chassis were built in that design. The backbone frames were built between 1973 and 1983 in two versions (rear shocks upright or tilted). Starting in 1977, he also built frames with a framework design. Then in 1987 he abandoned the industry to come back to it a few years back…

RAGE55RAGE66RAGE7Alan Bernard is a big fan of his chassis and ordered one to build Rage, a bike mixing & matching parts from Kawasaki & Suzuki. Helped by Mike Lima for fabrication & assembly the end result is a machine whose promise is to provide continuous fun at all speeds.

Except the 1978 Kawasaki motor (1135 cc with 1982 Kawasaki z 1000j heads, Mikuni Flat Side carburetor and Dyna ignition), all parts are recent: 2010 front end, swingarm, brakes and wheels from a 2010 Suzuki GSXR. Gas tank by Georges Martin. Modified exhaust from Vance & Hines. Paint in candy black & orange by Craig Skiver. Time to build: 3 months. Santiago Chopper.

20 Responses to “Cafe Racer Rage”


  1. 1 Greeko Apr 1st, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Very nice.

  2. 2 robert pandya Apr 1st, 2013 at 9:19 am

    Very well done – great looking machine. My compliments.

    Robert Pandya

  3. 3 Edward Apr 1st, 2013 at 9:53 am

    Tres bien…

  4. 4 Drake Apr 1st, 2013 at 9:56 am

    It’s a nice one. But I would like to see a “different” Cafe Racer. Any builder able to innovate with this style, to show something keeping the culture but with new lines while keeping the racing stance?

  5. 5 Rodent Apr 1st, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    Alain builds nice shit!

  6. 6 Steve Carr Apr 1st, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    nice hot rod Alain….!

    Steve Carr

  7. 7 Septic the Sceptic Apr 1st, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    A couple of inches shorter in the wheelbase and it’ll be spot on.

  8. 8 Septic the Sceptic Apr 1st, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    Google Moto Martin for more info on the frame builder. Many CBX 1000’s found their way into MM chassis.

  9. 9 Aloha Terry Apr 1st, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    I know Alain, he is a local Tampa Bay guy and his bikes are wonderful. The design is great and the workmanship is outstanding. Makes you always wonder when you know the person, where does he get his ideas and how does he build such cool bikes.

  10. 10 Doc Robinson Apr 2nd, 2013 at 6:38 am

    I’m just recovering from reading a positive comment from Rodent. The smelling salts brought me around and a stiff whisky has be functioning again. I’ve been a big fan of Alain for ten or so years now and always admire his take on customs be it American V-Twin inspired bobbers or Cafe Racers or anything else he turns his hand toward. Robert Pandya, maybe you should toss him a secondhand Victory and see where that takes him?

  11. 11 Jay Horton's Private Shop Apr 2nd, 2013 at 7:52 am

    Santiago Chopper has been building great bikes and parts for years. This is another fine example of kool work from Florida. Later Jay

  12. 12 Rodent Apr 2nd, 2013 at 7:56 am

    FYI Doc, I was riding a Norton Dunstall with rear sets, clip ons, etc. back in the ’60’s. it was my daily rider on the mean streets of Manhattan.

  13. 13 Mack Apr 2nd, 2013 at 8:49 am

    Most excellent….

  14. 14 Kevin Apr 2nd, 2013 at 10:46 am

    Cyril,

    I think the Michael Lichter show at the Chip this year, based on the Cafe scene, is going to be one nice bit of eye candy.

    See you there.

  15. 15 Rodent Apr 2nd, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    I think th ACE CAFE the original CAFE in CAFE RACER is going to be at the rebirth of the Hollister Rally. It would be neat if a bunch of Cafe Racers showed up !

  16. 16 Woody's Apr 2nd, 2013 at 5:50 pm

    Nice nice nice ☺

  17. 17 Terence Tory Apr 3rd, 2013 at 5:56 am

    Geo Martin made the tank,who made the frame? Why is the front sprocket so far from the swingarm pivot?

  18. 18 Alan Apr 3rd, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    George Martin make the frame and gas tank

  19. 19 Alan Apr 3rd, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    this bike will be at the michael litcher show in sturgis

  20. 20 Terence Tory Apr 4th, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Septic the Sceptic .I go along with what you say about the wheelbase being too long.The front sprocket is too far away from the swingarm bolt and may cause a fair bit of squat under power and off.It’s more dragbike than café racer the way it is.O.K. to profile around on the road,I guess.

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Cyril Huze