GRiSO Cafe Racer

I quite like the Bella but the Sportster not so much.

AAAHHH! Yikes, that one's been crashed bad! The cylinders got bent ninety degrees!

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Look for Bellagio Jarama, if you want to see more pics:

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A nice bike that can't ride so far... Spanish laws are made to restrict the mods you can do to your vehicles. If you cross the "red line"... You're f*ucked.

Not sure about these modern cafe racers, but originally it had nothing to do with lattes and shite. You can blame the Ton-up Boys and a place called Ace Cafe (more like a truck stop with a jukebox that played American rock n' roll music) in London, I believe. These crazy youngsters, dressed in surplus British military leather, would modify Vincents, Nortons and Triumphs to go over 100mph back in early 50's. The idea was to put a coin in the jukebox, jump on the bike and race up and down the road before the track stopped playing. No lattes and pinkies. Just nutters, the only rock n' roll playing jukebox in town, the best of British engineering (modified) and 'The Ton' (100mph).

With most being working-class and young and low on funds no "respectable" place would have them, but the truck stop restaurants (transport cafes to the non-Yanks) would - although they didn't trust them: one picture I've seen shows the silverware chained to the tables! The fact that these were also situated on newly built roads with no (or almost no) speed limits meant good fun trying to top the ton. Bonus fun: 6V lighting and drum brakes!

The Saint wrote:

Not sure about these modern cafe racers, but originally it had nothing to do with lattes and shite.

Well there our contradicting theories on this.
I wasn't around back then, but I know a man who was, and he tells me that the term "café racers" was used to describe poseurs, who just rode their bikes to the cafés and sat around looking the part.
If you called the real ton up boys café racers, it would have been the ultimate insult, and you would have got a smack in the mouth.
I guess the hoorah henry's were as much a part of the biking culture then, just as now.

Saint, your dates are out by about a decade. Principle rides for young men in the 1950's in the UK were singles. The most lusted after being the BSA Gold Star. Twins were in very short supply and the majority were destined for the export market. Rationing and strict financial controls meant that only the rich and privileged could afford a 'New' vehicle in the fifties.

Things changed around the turn of the decade and it was the early 1960's when places like the 'Ace' really took off. Twin cylinder machines also became much more available on the home market and wage growth allowed them to become an attainable dream. A Vincent, which by that time were no longer being built, was always a fantasy.

The alloy tanked 'Proddie Racers with lights' were always few and far between. Most young men could hardly afford tyres and petrol. A Lyta tank was out of the question. The reality of post war Britain and the fantasies of those who wish to glamourise a lifestyle that never was are two very different things. For the great majority it was a time of hardship and grinding poverty in a country broken both spiritually and financially by the events of the Second World War. For the vast majority the establishment of universal health care and education and the replenishment of housing stocks destroyed by bombing were of far greater importance than whether you had a shiny tank and clip-ons on your motorbike.

Pete

A very dismal picture of the UK painted there, most of which is bollox



The UK economy benefited from a period of rapid global economic growth, in the earlry 50's.
Overall the UK enjoyed a period of rapid growth in trade and economic growth during that time.
Our growth was so rapid, we experienced massive labour shortages – leading to the mass immigration of the 1950s and 60s to fill these shortages

As for the original "café racers" I cannot speak, must admit though I have always admired their bikes, especially polished alloy tanks on Norvin's and the like. Every generation has its poseurs and wannabe Ronald McRacer (cousin to that other clown in his multi coloured suit). Somebody already mentioned, "Do these leathers match my bike"?

Brisbane's version of the Ace Café is called Maiala Café, at the top of Mt Glorious. Frequented by all things two wheeled. Most of the faces I would recognize up there are frequent flyers and grey beards. Some are on crotch rockets, most are on more conventional or even touring bikes, but follow them down the back and they move smartly. As for the younger set they all look the same, Panigale and Dianese central. But beware the short fat bloke with well worn knee sliders, some are very quick.

On Mt Mee I had two psychedelic clad clowns slowly catch me on the short straights, I saw them coming and gradually upped the pace keeping things smooth so as to not upset my passenger. Finally one guy got past on a longer straight leading into a long fast left sweeper, followed by a very tight right hander. The CBR1000RR rider was doing his best impersonation of Valentino, and I just rode around the outside of him, sitting bolt upright, two up, on a Cali Stone. The next long straight they both went past at 200+. Got to Dayboro and fuelled up at the same servo, the two clowns were discussing how fast they were, I butted in and asked, "Fast, really"?

Louise asked me why I had to pass him in a corner, and not safely in a straight line. She was a good root, but a true blonde.

But hey, we were all young once, gotta start somewhere.

bikesnbones wrote:

A very dismal picture of the UK painted there, most of which is bollox



The UK economy benefited from a period of rapid global economic growth, in the earlry 50's.
Overall the UK enjoyed a period of rapid growth in trade and economic growth during that time.
Our growth was so rapid, we experienced massive labour shortages – leading to the mass immigration of the 1950s and 60s to fill these shortages

Revisionism is a wonderful thing.

I was born in 1957 and my father was one of the 'Founding Fathers' of the NHS. They were not good times, especially for those in industrial cities that had born the brunt of blitzkrieg.

The economic growth was rapid and monies made went on two things, retiring war debt and paying big dividends to shareholders while starving manufacturing of R&D funding. It's why the United Kingdom no longer has a motor industry or much manufacturing of any kind for that matter.

You may choose to see it differently. It matters not a jot to me. I got out when I could.

Pete

Pete Roper wrote:

bikesnbones wrote:

A very dismal picture of the UK painted there, most of which is bollox



The UK economy benefited from a period of rapid global economic growth, in the earlry 50's.
Overall the UK enjoyed a period of rapid growth in trade and economic growth during that time.
Our growth was so rapid, we experienced massive labour shortages – leading to the mass immigration of the 1950s and 60s to fill these shortages

Revisionism is a wonderful thing.

I was born in 1957 and my father was one of the 'Founding Fathers' of the NHS. They were not good times, especially for those in industrial cities that had born the brunt of blitzkrieg.

The economic growth was rapid and monies made went on two things, retiring war debt and paying big dividends to shareholders while starving manufacturing of R&D funding. It's why the United Kingdom no longer Hamas a motor industry or much manufacturing of any kind for that matter.

You may choose to see it differently. It matters not a jot to me. I got out when I could.

Pete

Not being able to afford the latest bikes in this context, has nothing to do with poverty, and everything to do with being young.
Yes, those young lads aspired to owning more exotic tackle, just as most of us did in our late teens, early 20's
I had to make do with a bodged together accident salvaged Honda 250N up till I was 19, that would have sat in shame alongside some of the bikes guys were riding back then when they were my age, and I'm talking about 1982, and I was working in a decent job.
It wasn't till I got into my late 20's early 30's that I could afford more serious bikes, and cars were out of the question.
How many young people do you know today who can afford the latest sports bike, or the BSA Gold Star equivalent.
You may assume young Men had to lash together home builds in their sheds because of the economic climate, whereas in fact, young people now, in terms of what they can actually afford, are no different.

Check out this great vid

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bikesnbones wrote:

Check out this great vid

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The answer to the V7 racer. Get a Bellagio and make it a V7 racer replica.
But I can't get a Bellagio in California. Sniff.
Time to channel my inner Dr Frankenstein.........

DM

DungeonMaster wrote:

The answer to the V7 racer. Get a Bellagio and make it a V7 racer replica.

Perhaps what Piaggio should have done to begin with,

bikesnbones wrote:

DungeonMaster wrote:

The answer to the V7 racer. Get a Bellagio and make it a V7 racer replica.

Perhaps what Piaggio should have done to begin with,

Hooray, looks like somebody has figured it out and/or copied ghezzi's lead here.  But don't know if it has Bella's Matris suspenders, re-mapped engine etc, and it certainly doesn't have her ultra light CF wheels - a good, if expensive start, though.

Sorry Pete. But I'm not a fucking historian.

The answer to the V7 racer. Get a Bellagio and make it a V7 racer replica.

Hey, I resemble that remark. Except I didn't want a V7 Racer replica, I built a Guzzi big block, Tonti framed, light weight, quick turning, fast stopping, orgasmic feeling machine with some retro café style.
Complete with "crass and vulgar" chrome, and I love it.

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The Saint wrote:

Sorry Pete. But I'm not a fucking historian.

Neither am I but I lived close enough to the bad times of the post war years to have a good understanding of and researched both the 'Motorbike Culture' and the historical causes of my home countries demise from manufacturing giant to manufacturing minnow to not swallow the revisionist line sprouted by post-Thatcher ideologues and jingoistic bullshitters.

There is still a lot in the UK that is very good and admirable, (I love visiting, especially in winter.) but is no longer the 'Country fit for Heroes' people like the post-war labour leaders wished to build.

Pete

I agree with Pete.
Watch a great Ken Loach movie "the spirit of 45"
Great doco on the rebuild and what became of it once the neo-liberals cashed in.
Enjoy

Hey, is this a bike forum or a fucken hang out for every political wannabe?
Had enough of that shit over the last 2 weeks with the bloody election tomorrow.

If "Donkey" wins, you can congratulate me for my unyielding support.

Pete Roper wrote:

The Saint wrote:

Sorry Pete. But I'm not a fucking historian.

Neither am I but I lived close enough to the bad times of the post war years to have a good understanding of and researched both the 'Motorbike Culture' and the historical causes of my home countries demise from manufacturing giant to manufacturing minnow to not swallow the revisionist line sprouted by post-Thatcher ideologues and jingoistic bullshitters.

There is still a lot in the UK that is very good and admirable, (I love visiting, especially in winter.) but is no longer the 'Country fit for Heroes' people like the post-war labour leaders wished to build.

Pete

If revisionism is putting right ill informed garbage as has been written on th this thread by people who don't even live in the UK and have picked up all their "facts" from the magazine shelf in the newsagents, , then I'll take it every time
You were born in 1957.
What the fuck do you know about living in the post war years in Britain.
Give me a fucking break from bar stool "experts"

Fuck me BnB, you joined this forum 1 week ago and the majority of your 50 posts have been in disagreement about shit that is not even bike related. If you wanna get political, go join the fucking Nazi party or something, this here is about Guzzi's, and predominately one specific model of Guzzi, El GRiSO.

Please, no more Harley shit, and definitely no more political crap!

Stunning bike Wayne! Love it. Looks like a V7 with balls.

Sorry Wayne. I promised to pull my neck in but sometimes.... Well, just fuck!

I'll try to ignore this shit from now on.

Pete

+1 on what Ghezzi says.