Cafe Cycles

When I was in high school I attended the @methighschool which was an intern based learning program where I had 4 incredible internships and mentors who taught me most of what I know today. So when I started #cafecycles I figured I would open the doors to a met student who was interested in building motorcycles. Gabe came along, we needed a project, so we built this #honda400F out of spare parts I had laying around. This was a very thorough build and I think it came out pretty cool. #tbt to 2015. .
.
#internship #400F #caferacer #racebike #custommotorcyxle #Rhodeisland #handformedmetal #learning

Here’s one from 2010. I had just finished restoring a 1970 Triumph Daytona and I had some left over Jacaranda purple and silver sheen paint. I thought it would be a good idea to paint this Honda tank with the left over paint. Turns out I was the only one who thought it was cool. Then, moments after putting the tank on for the first time, I set it down on the side stand which was not out all the way and the bike fell over and dented the tank. Two hard lessons learned on this early #cafecycles build. I had a hell of a time finding a buyer.
.
.
#Lessonlearned #earlybuild #CB550build #caferacer #builtnotbought #aluminumseat #custombike #vintagemotorcycle #customcafe #hondacb550 #racebike #vintagestreetbike #Rhideisland.

Going through old builds. Here’s an ‘83 #YamahaXV750 we built about two years ago.

#XV750 #custommotorcycle #cafecycles #Rhodeisland #handbuit #functionalart #yamaha #caferacer #bobber #racebike #vtwin #oneofakind

This one is heading off to Connecticut, once this snow melts and I can put a few shake down miles on it.

The ‘54 Gilera #150sport we built and brought to the @handbuiltshow a few years back.
📸 @revivalcycles
.
.
#handbuiltshow #custombike #handformedmetal #custommotorcycle #cafecycles #metLwork #custombuilt #gilera #borannirims #italianbike #italiancustommotorcycle #roadtrip

The #triumphthruxton we built in 2014.

📸 @mattfrancisphotos

#custommetalwork #handformedmetal #aluminumwelding #aluminumwork #metalart #cafecycles #caferacer #alloytankandseat #aluminumseat #aluminumtank #supportsmallbusiness #supporttheindependents #aluminumbodywork #handbuilt #englishwheel #handformed #custombike #vintagestyling #oneofakind #custommotorcycle

#tbt to 2009. This was the first bike I built that had a powder coated frame. I had built a few bikes under the name #cafecycles but most were just slightly modified with an #aluminumseat and #clubman bars. This was the first time I could afford to pay someone else to help me with a build. Back then I literally spent all the money to my name at the end of each month. I am grateful that I never gave up.

#caferacer #scrambler #cb360 #cl360 #supportsmallbusiness #supporttheindependents #aluminumwork #englishwheel #custombike #thowbackthirsday #alloysrat #cafeseat #handformedmetal #oneofakind.

Another one from about 8 years ago. Some things just never go out of style.
.
📸 @mattfrancisphotos
.
#hondacb550 #brat #custommotorcycle #custombike #supportsmallbusiness #supporttheindependents #caferacer #custommetalwork #oneofakind #bitchin #photography #vintagemotorcycle #antiquemotorcycle #vintagebike #cb550 #handbuilt #fabrication #beauty #builtnotbought #custommetalwork #singleseater #gnarly #cafécycles #cafecyckesri

I’m getting excited about the next round of customs bikes being finished up at the shop. For now we can all enjoy some previous builds.
#XS650build #277rephase #tracker #streettracker #racebike #yamahaXS #custombuilt #caferacer #xs650 #cafecycles #cafecyclesri #supporttheindependents #aluminumwork #handformedmetal #alloyseat #englishwheel #hughshandbuilt with help from @pandemoniumc2 @counterbalancecycles @mikesxsnation #excelrims @hughshandbuilt

I was just thinking about this ‘75 #SuzukiGT380 that I built in 2018, and took to the @handbuiltshow in 2019. Here are my top 10 favorite photos of the bike.

Comment with your favorite photo.
📸 1 thru 7 @mattfrancisphotos
📸8 @kinnanebrothers
📸9 @joshsteelephoto
📸10 @revivalcycles

Taken a decade ago. #throwback

📸 @mattfrancisphotos
#CB550 #caferacer

The ‘54 Gilera from a few years back.

Hitting metal with hammers and measuring pieces of hair today

She’s so ugly that she’s beautiful.

Form following function.

I love this trick I learned while working @agsandcars take a washer, bend it to a 90, right down the center, and tack it to the frame where you want your wires to run. Then you can use a zip tie to fasten the wiring to the inside of a frame tube without having a visible fastener from the outside.

We’ve only built a handful of choppers here at the shop but we do like diversity.

Custom exhaust for this #CB360 build.

I had to start the new year off right. With some exercise. HNY everyone.

If you’re looking for any last minute Christmas gifts, we just got these embroidered Beenies and caps in. Stop by the shop Monday-Thursday 9-5 next week to pick one up. Hoppy Holidays.

The #gilera150sport and #Gusrippinit

This one is back together and running like a top. We built this bike about 8 years ago. A couple years ago it was being displayed at a bike show and was knocked over. The tank and seat were damaged, a rear set broke, then it sat for two years. The front brake seized up and the carbs got gummed up. Today she’s is back to the way things were the day it left the shop. #cb550caferacer #honda #cb550 #cafecycles #repaired #newagain #readytorip

#aluminumwork is what I got.

Last week my good friend John Henry and I delivered this 1963 Ducati Falcon 50 to New York City. It can be seen @carriagehouse.nyc if you are in the area and need a place to stay, check them out. It’s a beautiful location. I will have more photos for you in the future

Finishing touches on our latest creation. ‘63 Ducati Falcon.

Straight out of the lens of @mattfrancisphotos

This might be the smallest #alloyseat I’ve ever made. #Ducatisport48 #falcon50

This one would have made a good Before & After. She was stuffed in a horse barn and forgotten about for a decade. We kicked the mice out and brought her back to life.

It’s really impressive how good of a job @dgb_paintworks did on our #DucatiFalcon tank. And I don’t quite understand how anyone can have as steady of a hand as Brian @chainay_kustoms pin striping. Thanks Fellas

Ready for action. #gusrippinit

I almost forgot about this one.

I just scheduled this #CB550 that we built in 2012 to come up from Maryland for some maintenance. Also, the customer likes it so much that he wants us to build another one with a different paint scheme. Badass.

On a lighter note, we finished up my Brother’s 1972 Norton Commando restoration. After two rounds of re-torquing, Bolts are coming back tight.

Last week I had to make the toughest decision of my life, and let my best friend go. Jack was the best shop dog anyone could ever ask for. He was in the shop for 11 of the 13 years we’ve been in business. I am thankful for all of those years. I spent the last two days of his life just sitting by his side. That was his favorite thing to do. I miss him terribly.