Highlights
- Matching numbers
- Constructed by a longstanding motorcycle enthusiast and collector
- Perfectly captures the spirit of the ‘Ton-Up’ era
- Numerous bespoke parts used in the build
The Appeal
From their conception in the 1950s, in the back gardens of oily-fingered young men who fancied themselves as the next Geoff Duke, the appeal of café racers has never faded.
Though their mainstream popularity may have peaked by the mid-1960s, when every leather-clad Ton-Up Boy hankered after a Triton to get from the Ace Cafe to Box Hill faster than anyone else, since then their flame has been sustained by die-hard enthusiasts, who have invested time, thought and money into making café racers realise their greatest potential.
One of the great British road bikes of the ’60s was the Norton Atlas, a bored-out development of the famous Dominator with a mighty 55 bhp, 750cc twin and the hallowed Featherbed frame.
Originally intended for the American market, where big engines were much in demand, it was marketed in Britain from 1964 and became quite an object of desire in the twilight years of the Ton-Up generation.
While the Triton has its place in history as the most famous and celebrated café racer, its sacred reputation stems from the fact that, in the late 1950s, the combination of a Triumph 650 twin and a Norton Featherbed frame was pretty much unsurpassed when it came to building a fast café racer that handled well.
Had café racers not taken off until 1964, the Atlas 750 would surely have been the engine of choice. Instead, it came along too late to win the status it merits.
Even so, some people have seen its potential for a first-class café racer, like the one offered for sale.
Freshly built – there is just one mile on the odometer – by a classic motorcycle enthusiast and collector of many years’ standing, it looks phenomenal and, we are assured, goes very well, too.
It’s guaranteed to draw an admiring crowd.
The History and Paperwork
- In single ownership from 2000 to 2017
- Then owned from 2017 until July 2023 when the current owner acquired the bike
- Fully rebuilt as a period-correct 1960s café racer in 2018 and not used since
- Paperwork consists of the current V5 and a list of new parts used and work undertaken by the vendor
- It comes with an Authorised Certifier's Certificate of absence of Asbestos, for any who would like to import it to another country
The Condition
- Freshly built – everything virtually as new
- Slimline Featherbed frame
- All the components of a classic café racer, including aluminium racing tank, racing seat and clip-on handlebars
On the one hand, it’s difficult to believe that so much of this bike is brand-new when it looks like it’s been lifted straight out of a black-and-white snapshot from a Rockers’ ride to Margate in 1967.
On the other hand, it’s hard to believe the rest of it is 55 years old when it’s all so immaculate. Essentially, it’s a classic bike with a lot of new parts, all put together seamlessly by a builder who knew exactly what he was doing so that the finished look is just right.
The Slimline frame is in excellent condition and all the necessary parts have been fitted to get the café racer look, including the racing seat and fuel tank. As the centrepiece of the bike, the fuel tank has to look spot-on, and so it does, being bright but not blindingly shiny, and it should mellow very well with age and use.
It’s actually a brand-new tank of five-gallon capacity, hand-made in England, and the seat is also a brand-new item.
We feel we should highlight the bespoke mudguard and headlight brackets, too. Decorated with an Ace of Clubs, Ace of Spades and Iron Cross motif, these are beautiful pieces in themselves and they give the bike an extra degree of individuality.
Further new parts are as follows:
- New aluminium mudguards front and rear
- Hand-made stainless steel clip-on handlebars
- New wheels built by the vendor, a trained wheelwright, with stainless spokes and aluminium rims
- Aluminium café racer oil tank
- Hand-made stainless steel chain guard
- New stainless steel tank straps
- New aluminium top yoke
- New clock mounts
- New headlight with ammeter
The Mechanics
- Engine reportedly starts and runs splendidly
- Twin carburettor upgrade and many new parts
- Barely ridden since completion
When the vendor acquired this bike in July 2023, it displayed just one mile on the odometer as the previous owner had not used it at all since completion. It has since gone into storage so we understand that it has still barely been ridden since completion.
The engine itself is a thing of beauty and the superb, shining exhaust pipes set it off magnificently. As would be expected with a bike which has just been assembled, it is extremely clean with no evidence of oil or fuel leaks.
Significant mechanical parts fitted during the rebuild include:
- New rear shock absorbers
- Twin carburettor upgrade with two new Amal concentric carburettors
- New brass fuel taps
- New chain
- New clutch
- New clutch and brake controls
- New throttle
- Vented twin leading-shoe front brake
- Electronic ignition
- New exhaust system including downpipes and silencers
Summary
Not only is this Café Racer extremely well put together, the whole assembly looks just right and the icing on the cake is the prodigious Atlas engine, which will easily push you past the ton should you ever feel inclined.
It’s one of the best café racer builds we’ve seen, so don’t miss this excellent opportunity to make it yours.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
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✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
