Every motorcyclist needs a leather jacket in their riding gear collection. Protective motorcycle apparel manufacturer Alpinestars claims to have created...
JoinedApril 30, 2018
Articles2,449
Geoff launched Return of the Cafe Racers in 2006 as a place to document his very first cafe racer build. He has also worked as the editor of the independent custom motorcycle magazine Tank Moto, contributed to other online publication like BikeExif and co-hosted several Australian automotive events. Geoff also regularly visits custom bike events around the world as a special guest or media partner.
From building show cars to display at the hallowed halls of the Las Vegas Sema show to tinkering on Honda...
“Creative Director by day, bike builder by night, virtual builder in between.” These are the words of Paul Drake, otherwise...
Christian Boosen runs 86 Gear Motorcycles, a custom motorcycle shop in Warsaw, Poland. Growing up alongside the Dutch border in...
As motorcyclists we know it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. But there’s something to be said for...
“Elegance is the first thing that comes to mind when we look at our Honda CB750,” says Arián Campos of...
Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are at it again with their epic cross-continental motorcycle adventures. This time in the new...
In Greek mythology, Perseus was a legendary slayer of monsters and was responsible for beheading the serpent haired gorgon, Medusa....
High-tech polymer and composite firearms accessory company Magpul Industries rocked the motorcycling world when they launched their motorcycle manufacturing division,...
They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. In the commercial world, not so much. But when it comes...
When we reviewed the Kawasaki Z900RS Z900RS cafe back in 2018 we noticed something familiar about its styling. Kawasaki stated the...
We have a serious soft spot for BMW cafe racers but we’re also big fans of Scrambler styled Beemers. There’s...
In 2020, Triumph released the most powerful model in the history of the Modern Classic range. The Thruxton RS offers...
There was a time when we wouldn’t touch camo riding gear with a ten-foot pole. During the nineties, camo was...
Bernhard Naumann, aka Blechmann, grew up in Burgenland, a federal state of Austria in central Europe. Growing up in a...
Alongside Harley Davidson‘s Sportster the Triumph Bonneville is arguably the most customised motorcycle ever made. We’ve featured countless Bonneville cafe...
If you’re anything like us, the lack of motorcycle events this year is sure to be getting you down. Thankfully...
Just as we’d come to terms with the death of two-stroke road bikes, a new independent manufacturer has raised the...
In the early 1960s, the Surf scene in California was peaking. Skilled fibreglass workers were in high demand by up...
Thanks to the pandemic the world’s going crazy for face masks, but if you ride a motorcycle, there’s another really...
I met Michael Capraro some years ago at a communal motorcycle workshop I was involved in. His enthusiasm for bikes...
Belstaff doesn’t have the race-bred reputation of their competitors in the motorcycle apparel category. What they do have is the...
The world of Cafe racers is primarily a playground for adults, but South African Johann de Wet is out to...
Based on a 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 this bike is a rolling eulogy to 1970s composite creativity. During the ’60s and...
Long time friends, racers and bike builders Dominik and Havana formed their workshop, Moto Essence, back in 2015. Dominik was...
Similar to motorcycle riding gear, workwear has seen an increase in demand for stylish apparel. But simply looking good isn’t...
Krzysztof Rogalinski, aka KrisBiker, is a Polish bike enthusiast who documents his two-wheeled exploits on Youtube. The self-taught mechanic and...
The year is 1973 and Bavarian Motor Works has just celebrated their 50th anniversary. In addition, they’ve also just completed...
It’s getting almost impossible to distinguish between motorcycle gear and regular streetwear. One brand who are experts at disguising their...
Back in 2013 BMW Motorrad celebrated the 40th anniversary of the legendary BMW R 90 S with the unveiling of...
For a motorcyclist, nothing beats a clear blue sky, warm breeze and the open road. But one of the biggest...
Throughout the late eighties and early nineties, 600cc sportbikes dominated the sales charts of Japan’s big 4 manufacturers. Leading the...
For us, it’s often the small details that make a custom motorcycle special. Intricate details demonstrate a workshops commitment to...
If the third times a charm the fifth must be downright glorious! These Icon Superduty 5 motorcycle boots are the...
There’s no denying Royal Enfield hit a sweet spot with their 650 twins in the European market. The Indian manufacturer...
We love a good concept motorcycle, even if it isn’t a cafe racer styled ride. These two Ducati concepts are...
It’s not often we veer away from our retro riding gear theme, but every so often there’s an exception to...
The Ducati 749 was designed by renowned automotive designer Pierre Terblanche. The bike shared a lot in common with the...
In early 2018 I started using the Earnest Hardin Overalls. If you missed the full review I did on them...
Trever Scales of Scales Studio is no stranger to these pages. But today, for the unveiling of his latest project,...
No one that thinks of themself as creative likes to be pigeonholed. It’s fine to be recognised by your unique...
We’ve seen a lot of great new riding gear from Pando Moto in 2020. With each new addition, they’ve refined...
There are countless failures throughout automotive history. All of the big motorcycle manufacturers have at least one they’d prefer to...
Labelling a product as ‘premium’ tells customers you’re offering something that’s superior to other alternatives. Italian motorcycle riding gear manufacturer...
Sometimes techniques for overcoming adversity are found in unexpected places. Scott Campbell found the solution to his battling his demons...
Mid-2019 we featured Simon Leake’s amazing 21st Century Vincent Black Shadow. Well, I’m a big believer that you can never...
Two things we don’t feature on this website all that often are Harley Davidsons and Scramblers. Well, today we’re bucking...
For the upcoming 9th Edition of Wheels & Waves, the French moto lifestyle festival will be heading home to its...
Many of 2020s most significant motorcycle shows have been cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Amongst them was the...
It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen a cafe racer roll out of the RSD workshop. But rest assured...
Despite his Taiwanese workshops rather specific name, Alex Gao’s ‘Cowboy’s Chopper’ builds all manner of custom motorcycles. One thing that...
It’s a rare thing when your first purchase for a new hobby or past time turns out to be one...
Few motorcycles have stirred emotions and polarised opinions like the Suzuki Katana. A true product of its era the Katana...
When it comes to customising older BMW motorcycles the R series airheads are the most popular weapon of choice. Fuss-free...
A classic silhouette, everyday versatility and modern safety. The Merlin Trance Jacket fuses 3 styles into one to create a...
We rank Stile Italiano as one of our favourite custom builders in the world. Everything they do pulls at our...
Recently I had the pleasure of being interviewed by David Woll for his candid interview series the Pigeon Whole Podcast....
Riding gear brand Icon are, without a doubt, experts at what they do. Their motorcycle apparel has proven its ability...
Building a short series of custom motorcycles is a great way for a workshop to be financially viable. In most...
About three years ago I was visiting my friend Joel at his shop, Custom Bike Electrics in Willeton, Western Australia....
Every time I hear the words ‘Buell Motorcycles‘ uttered melancholy descends over me. I imagine the amazing motorcycles that Erik...
If you’re a fan of Bavarian airheads, oilheads, water-cooled boxers or flying bricks you can now fly the BMW flag...
If you’re on the lookout for a donor bike for you next cafe racer build have you considered a tourer?...
Whether you’re a die-hard Ducatista or not there’s something special about the Italian marque. In fact, some hold the Ducati...
German father and son team, Michael and Allen Posenauer build bikes under the title of AMP Motorcycles. They don’t consider...
Sometimes a bit of extra storage space can make a huge difference. Motorcycle luggage experts Kriega have set out to...
Everyone knows by now that fossil-fueled transportation is inherently bad for the environment. This, of course, includes our beloved motorcycles....
Despite their hooligan antics on two wheels, Roland Sands Designs have established themselves as a riding gear brand that takes...
When we think of off-road motorcycles it’s often the bright orange bodywork of KTM that first comes to mind. The...
Austin’s Revival Cycles have amassed an impressive portfolio of custom motorcycles. Each one has a unique story of how it...
Back in the 1960s and 70s Alpinestars made a huge impact on the motorcycle scene with their award-winning Oscar motocross...
During the 1950s, under the leadership of racing engineer Walter Kaaden, Motorenwerke Zschopau GmbH, otherwise known as MZ, developed a...
Bomber jackets are well and truly back in fashion. Originally designed for, you guessed it, fighter pilots the style has...
Adrián Campos and the crew at Spain’s Bolt Motor Co. are back again with yet another impressive build. This time...
For Nick Xiromeritis working as an automotive designer has had its benefits. Born in Detroit Michigan Nick has been lucky...
Japanese helmet manufacturer Arai has a history dating back to the turn of the century. Their story began with manufacturing...
After immigrating to the US with his family 12 years ago, Johann Keyser turned his passion into a career. The...
Prior to Hinckley releasing their acclaimed water-cooled Bonnevilles they’d had a great run with their air-cooled predecessors. Despite not offering...
As a kid, the image of the highway patrolman will always be linked to my first memories of motorcycle riding....
Suzuki’s SV650 offers riders a cheap entry point into the mid-sized sportbike category. That doesn’t make the twin-cylinder UJM sound...
As efficient as automation is has been responsible for the death of many age-old skills. In the world of aftermarket...
Italian motorcycle apparel manufacturers Spidi have been producing riding gear since 1977. The new Spidi Clubber jacket dips into that...
Similar to cafe racers, streetfighters were originally all custom-made creations. The similarities between cafe racers and streetfighters isn’t a coincidence....
Jesse Spade owns and operates a workshop in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to 2016, his business was focused on customising...
When I think of Nepal I picture mountain ranges that touch the sky and vast, baron landscapes. Nepal is after...
Wearing motorcyclist ear plugs while riding is something I wish I’d made a habit of earlier in my life. I...
If you’re a Triumph owner living in Europe and you want to modify your bike you’re spoilt for options. There’s...
Let me introduce to you the Cortech Voodoo Riding Shirt. It’s not quite a fully-fledged motorcycle jacket but it is...
I think the term ‘patina’ is often misused in the custom world. Nowadays it seems to be applied to any...
What’s worse than being stuck indoors for days on end? Not being able to ride your motorcycle! Here’s another edition...
Late in 2019 three friends in the Spanish town of Almoradí joined forces to launch Plus 3 Motors. Each with...
Every motorcyclist wants to be more streamlined. With no boot or cabin space to utilise, being organised and clutter-free is...
Sheilas Shakedown is really like no other festival. It encapsulates the zeitgeist of the 70s and 80s Aussie bike rally...
When two greats come together to launch some new motorcycle gear, like the 100% Barstow Deus Ex Machina goggles, people...
During this week’s edition of Sunday Screening, we feature new motorcycle videos from the US, Japan and France. First up...
For many years the United States was the biggest source of inspiration for custom motorcycle builders around the world. Then...
Replacing handlebars on a motorcycle can dramatically change its look and feel. For better or worse, the handlebar affects a...
I was going about my morning routine, perusing motorcycle blogs with a coffee in hand. As I skimmed through my...
Norton Motorcycles has a rocky history that predates Stuart Garner’s recent disastrous efforts. Since the early 1950s owners of the...
Bell Helmets set the benchmark in open-face helmet design with their Custom 500 helmet. The latest addition to the 500...
