Café Racers: Speed, Style, and Ton-Up Culture. The Absolute Reference Book.

CafeRacer1Caferacer2If you didn’t visit Paul d’Orleans’ and Michael Lichter’s exhibition in Sturgis last year, and even if you did, the just released hardcover book “Cafe Racers, Speed, Style and Ton Up Culture” is a must own if you like the Café Racers genre. 224 pages of rich photography by Michael Lichter complemented by the writing of passionate moto-history expert Paul d’Orleans make this book the new reference regarding a motorcycling movement and style born in the 50’s and to this day still inspiring custom builders and manufacturers around the world.

After giving the definitive answer to the question “What Is A Cafe Racer”, d’Orleans takes you through decades of Café Racer evolution to the recent comeback of this motorcycling movement in America, each step being illustrated by Lichter’s portraiture of  many of the best,  fastest and most beautiful ton-up machines ever built on each side of the Atlantic. Order at Café Racers: Speed, Style, and Ton-Up Culture

CafeRacer3Caferacer4

11 Responses to “Café Racers: Speed, Style, and Ton-Up Culture. The Absolute Reference Book.”


  1. 1 TJ Martin Jul 9th, 2014 at 9:00 am

    Two of the best [ Writer and Photographer ] joining forces to put out one of the best M/C books in years . Even if you’re not a Cafe Racer fan … its well worth a look … as well as having !

  2. 2 Doc Robinson Jul 9th, 2014 at 9:28 am

    I’m with TJ Martin!

  3. 3 James just another Crazy Kiwi Jul 9th, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    There are a number of books on the “Rocker” scene and culture but as far as I know nothing on the bikes as well produced and finished as this book.
    I will be buying one for my library

  4. 4 Jeff Duval Jul 10th, 2014 at 6:07 am

    Me too; googlin’ amazon toot sweet 🙂

  5. 5 Mark Jul 10th, 2014 at 6:23 am

    I have a copy and will get a few more for friends. Lichter’s photos are large and superb, d’Orleans does a great job of tracing the Cafe Racer history. Good stuff for any motorcycle library.

    M

  6. 6 RUB Jul 10th, 2014 at 7:18 am

    not seeing alot of cafe racers out and about , anybody else seeing these on the road ?

  7. 7 Jay Horton's Private Shop Jul 10th, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Does Lichter ever take a bad shot? Later Jay

  8. 8 nicker Jul 10th, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    RUB,
    RE:
    “… anybody else seeing these on the road ?…”

    Some years ago Youngsters around the SF Bay Area started to showing up in full Rocker garb, riding both Bobbers and Cafed bikes. At the time i thought it was just a fad starting out and expected to see it quickly expand and fade out, like a typical fad, but it never did.

    However, in some places like Berkeley CA, Rockers never went away:

    http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2009/03/paladin-nobody-is-born-biker.html

    -nicker-

  9. 9 Blackmax Jul 11th, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    Mike Lichter is one of the (if not the best motorcycle / lifestyle photographer there is !!!!
    I would absolutely kill to get out to one of his exhibits in Sturgis.
    Looks like I’m going book shopping here, soon !!!!

  10. 10 Paul d'Orleans Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:08 am

    Many thanks for the generous review, Cyril. I’d never been to Sturgis before co-curating the ‘Ton Up!’ exhibit with Michael Lichter, on which the ‘Cafe Racers’ book is based, and I was amazed at the strength of the industry presence, including you! Great to meet you there, BTW.

    This year our exhibit is ‘Built For Speed’, showcasing original race machines (like the Vincent dragster ‘Barn Job’, a mind-blower) and contemporary builds from factories and small shops. Guaranteed worth a visit. Might be a book in there too…

    See you in Sturgis.

  11. 11 Steve Hog Radio Show Producer Jul 16th, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    This is an excellent book filled with loads of history and top notch photo’s We will be interviewing both Michael and Paul this Friday night 18th on The Hog Radio Show.

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Cyril Huze