All custom builders may get a little bit tired of working on the same type of motorcycles. In the case of James Roger-Caldbeck, he needed a refresh after working exclusively on Bobbers & Choppers. The opportunity came up when he was proposed to build a Cafe Racer. And since James loves the late 70’s XL’s it became the inspiration for the bike featured here. But no 70’s Sportster being found, James used as a donor bike a late 80’s FX Super Glide in stock dress, but with the Harley motor swapped for an S&S 80” Shovelhead powerlant.
First task was to give the well-handling FX frame 2 of the main attributes of any Cafe Racer, a new seat pan and cowl. But James decided that this cowl should be fabricated to run longer and higher, more in the sport bike style. It is fitted with a touch of England, a Triumph taillight. For the road race fairing, James was ready to modify an existing one made in China that he found and ordered on eBay for a very modest price. Surprise, it was of good quality and worked perfectly on the stock headlight…
To achieve a more agressive stance, James raised the rear of the bike with Progressive Shocks and slightly lowered the front end with a “drop in” lowering fork kit also from Progressive. Surprisingly, the gas tank is not a fabricated one-off but the original FX reservoir with very slight modification. And it actually works well on this type of bike. Mid-set controls are fabricated from scratch, hand controls remaining almost stock. Exhaust system is a one-off created to mimic those of Ducati sport bikes. Sounding awesome and not burning your ass, swears James.
When you inherit an S&S 80” motor already equipped with a Super Stock ignition system pumping 40% more hp than the stock Shovelhead, there is no reason to touch it, but it implied getting much better brakes than the factory offering. So, James went for dual front discs with Performance calipers in front & rear. With a discreet 80’s paint job, result is an elegant and mean but atypical Cafe Racer. Jamesville Motorcycles (Photos @ Mark Dexter, The LAB Copenhagen)
Crossover between Cafe Racer and sportbike. Different and I like it.
At last, a motorcycle that looks like one and probably rides like one too 🙂 !
Just right James … and with an S&S 80 … does it do wheelies, or does the back tire just go up in smoke?!
……………………………………. Domino Dave …………………………………………..
Nice.
No one built that bike to ride it, look at those tyres, they look like something for a farm tractor. Add some 21st century rubber.
Interesting build, very nice lines.
Good looking sled. I would ride it.
Like the tail section. Well done.
Nice build. It reminds me that there is a place of a big V-twin on the cafe scene that isn’t a Ducati. It’s a little reminiscent of Keanu’s Arch motorcycle, which is good. I saw it at the Quail and it looks way better in person than in photos.
Thats one of the best I’ve seen in along time … DIFFERENT…man I really like it
!!
what’s not to like (except for the pipe)….???
-nicker-
Excellent.
A nice bike. Very nice.
I like the look.
I’m completely n love with this bike.
A + here
I like this. peace
Perfect beauty…………..
Didn’t they used to call this “gunfighter” style in the 80’s
Big in the Northwest ???
Anyway, this is a Very Cool bike !!!!
A simple Supertrapp exhaust is what this needs.
RE:
“…Supertrapp exhaust is what this needs…”
Spot On…!!!
-nicker-