Hey Benjie,
I just wanted to compliment you on all your fantastic Café Racers. Building bikes like this for a
living would be a dream for me. I’ve got a couple of old Honda’s at home, a ‘75 CB400F and a
‘73 CB350K. The 400/4 is becoming a mild café racer, nothing crazy, just something rare with
a little bit of style. The 350 was a cheap find and the idea right now is to make it into a
vintage racer for next season.

It’s great to see someone building old-school cafés in these days when $50,000 choppers
are so trendy. Some friends and I are trying to build somewhat of a café scene here in Nova
Scotia, but those who ride them seem keep to themselves.

In any case, cheers, and keep the rubber side down!

Let me know if you ever need an apprentice!

Ben Manuel
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first off, love your bikes... very nice work.

I'm starting a CB750 of my own, and am thinking ahead to tank mods.
By chance, are you willing to mod a stock tank on my behalf?  If so,
what are you looking for pricewise.  Probably thinking something
similar to your silver bike, with knee cutouts.

Eitehr way, any chance you have some additional photos of your bikes I
can grab a look at.  I'm still trying to figure out a nice rear set
setup, as well as oil tank relocation.  The more I look at bikes, the
more ideas I get.

Thanks,

Vin
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Hi, I found your site on the Ton up Club Forum, I like your bikes very much.  I think I may have
seen them on ebay actually.  The Black Whale looks to be a very promising project.  I was
wondering how much an example like yours would cost.  I am moving from Germany to
Massachusetts in June and would not be too far away.  Thanks, for your attention, I hope to
hear from you soon, Mike
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Hey Benjie,

Came across your site from ebay..great racers and site!  I love all the original work and I
agree with the whole chrome  thing is overdone….

I’m currently trying to find my project bike to get started…..it’s tough finding a ‘good’ candidate
in jersey….

I’ve been looking for Honda cb’s and Suzuki gs’, any other bike you could recommend as a
good café project bike?

Keep up the great work ……I’ll be checking back frequently…..

Thanks,

Elios
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Stumbled across your bike while looking through ebay. I got goosebumps looking at your
bikes vroooooooooooooooom vrrooooooooooooooooom

You have a gift!!

Ton up

Kwakazuki
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Came across your site. Your bikes are awesome. Keep up the good work.

I'm bidding on your bike on ebay!

Later - Paul Dorian
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I came across the Black Whale by chance wandering through Ebay and then looked into your
site.

Just wanted to tell you, you do great work! I color myself a mechanic/fabricator and have just
finished work on a 74 350.

My next project is a 74 CB 550 and I’m going to use your site as inspiration.

Hope the Whale sells well.

S. Daxton Balzer
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I came across your website while looking for parts for
my friends cafe racer.You have some really great bikes
I especially like the killasaki just because I myself
have been slowly customizing a suzuki gt750.I was
curious if you would consider selling any of your
mods? As I was mentioning earlier, my friend and I are
in the process of building him a honda black bomber
and I think those clip-ons on your kawi would be a
step in the right direction.

Best regards,

Scott
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Hello,
I’m a fan
accidentally stumbled across your “Silver Ghost” on ebay a few months ago,
and I’ve been following your auctions since.
Do you rebuild bikes for other people?
f so, I have an old CB that needs to be redone (it is smaller than the bikes you have been
working on)
If you are interested, e-mail back and I can give you more details on the bike.
Thanks,

Britt
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Hi Benjie,

First, I must say, Amazing bikes! I'm Marlo from the Ton Up Club in
NJ...how much are you asking for the "ExCess bike"? and how much do
you charge to customize a bike? did Ryan Dunn buy the "Black Whale"?
do you ride often? anyways, keep the good work...

Cheers,
Marlo

www.tonupnj.com
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hi, just checking out your site, excellent work!, i don't know your
age, but its great to see a fellow 60s cafe enthusiast. where i am from all you
see are $40,000 harleys, and new sportbikes. i am working on a
kz1000ltd1979. i am going for the cafe look, clubmans, rearsets, stripped down, all
black.i also have a 74cb750 rolling chassis, maybe my next project.nice pics on
your site, keep up the great work, wyman
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Hey... your bikes are incredible! I love your style. What are the chances of you building a rear
cafe section to fit my 81 yamaha seca? I have the bike stripped down to a point that I can
give you pics and measurements. Just let me know what you think and the kind of money we
would be talking about.
           Thanks, Ken
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hey benji,
i saw your bike on ebay and naturally had toi check out your site.  i
am a total cafe enthusiast and i have to say that your bikes are by far
some of the nicest i have ever seen.  not just blowing smoke up you ass
either.  i just finished my 77 rd400 cafe and a,m starting in on a 74
cb750 w/ sidecar.  i would love some info/ advice if you would be so
kind.  i dig how you relocate the battery and oil tanks as well as the
fuse panel! where does it all go? do you have any more detailed pics? are
you running battery eliminators? i am also interested in reworking my fuel tank should i have
any concearns about welding on an old tank? any help or info would much
appreciated!
thanks
shan
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Fantastic bikes!! You build exactly what I like. Ever do any Yamaha RD's? Im picking up a 75
RD 350 next weekend and want to build a cafe style bike out of it. Do you sell any parts? I
would like to buy a seat pan that fits that bike,or something thats almost fits that I can mount. I
dont have any metal working tools .                       
    I cant say enough about your bikes.Just a great job!!    
Mike
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Benjie,

I stumbled across your site in my random searches for Café Racer style bikes. I have always
loved the simplicity and uniqueness of these bikes, not to mention the idea that not everyone
and their mother drives one. You have done a great job with the bikes on your site; each one
certainly has its own personality. This brings me to the reason for this email.

I have a 1980 CB750F that I have always wanted to completely rebuild into a Café Racer.
Unfortunately I just don’t have the time to devote to this project and would love to have some
help. So to the question, if I supplied the bike and a few ideas would you be for hire to do the
work? I am not looking for a pristine piece of engineering genius just a bike that has a
craftsman / Café style touch. I will leave the question on the table for now before I go into
exactly what I have in mind.

If you would be interested and have the time please let me know. Keep up the good work,
the old bikes open up so many new ideas. Maybe eventually all the chopper bike build-offs
will pass by the wayside and make room for the bikes that actually got them there. TON-UP!


Take care,

Ted Sadowski

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Incredible bikes!!!!!! Outstanding! Good to see such devotion to these
great old bikes.

I can't wait to get a bike and start working on it. Your stuff gives me
new inspiration!

Cheers,


Steve, in Detroit
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B - I found your website and I'm really intrigued with what you are doing!  I like the BSA
project bike..... any more ideas on the mods? Is she spoken for?



Cheers
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Howdy,

Enjoyed your site and have to say what i see looks really good. There
are quite a few folks out there doing the one off cafe stuff now, but it
looks like your imagination is a bit more developed than some of the
others. I wanted to take some time to say hello and introduce you to our
NC chapter of Ton Up. I am sure you are a member of the Jersey chapter?
We have an event in Sept. of 06 and we would love for you to come and
bring some bikes. I will certainly remind you later when the time is
approaching, but please give it some consideration. I bet you could sale
one of those beauties if you brought one.

Thanks for your time.       

Marcus Rogers
"Our Enigmatic Co - Pilot"
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Hello,

I've been admiring your bikes for some time and recently have started working on a few of
my own.  I had a few questions if you have the time.  First of all, I have an old motor from a
CB350F that needs to be rebuilt and was wondering if you could point me to some places
that might be able to help me out.  Also, I just got a 1974 CB750 that needs a new seat and
tank -  I was wondering if you do fabrication for other people's bikes?  I love the look of the
CB750R or CR750 but have only found fiberglass seats and tanks.  Finally, do you know of
any place that has rearsets for the Honda CB's?

Thanks,

Paul
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Found your site through a listing on eBay. Sick work, man. Sick.

How often do your bikes come up for sale?

Thanks.

Mark Laughlin
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Yo! I’ve been watching you come up with these beautiful cafes for about a year now(avid
ebay viewer) great bitchin’ bikes.  I used to ride (last one was from Indiana to Wyoming in
two and half days).  I have not ridden for 3 years now, kinda got side tracked with old skool
VWs.  

Anyway just dropping to say I do drool on your bikes.

Jonnie munleon
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Great bikes, just found your site!  Do you sell any of these bikes, its exactly what I'm looking
for!

Thanks
Paul
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Dear Benji,

My name is Alexander Karahalios and I participate in a forum that
consists of
vintage/neo classic british motorcycle enthousiast group called the
Brit Iron Rebels. (www.britironrebels.com).

One of the members came across your website and posted it in the online
forum. There was nothing but good things that were said about your website and
bikes. The group puts together a newsletter and I recommended that I should
take a trip to see what you are all about.  I live in New York, and it would
only take me around 1 & 1/2 hour to get to your area.

Also, the individual who originally started the group is currently
working on a documentary regarding the 50's / 60's rockers and hooligan culture.

So if you have some time please email or call to let me know if you
wouldn't mind meeting with me.  

Again, we would love to get your background, take some pics and see
what you offer.  

My cell# is 917-
I look forward in hearing from you.

Best,
Alex

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Benjie,

Just saw your website, really enjoyed your creations.  I appreciate
your resurrecting bikes from death and creating something different.

I too share a common interest, except I'm into Suzuki T500's.  The Link
below shows the AHRMA roadracer I created from a bike near death.

http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/suzi/desmo.htm

You're a real inspiration to me, makes me want to create some more T500
cafe racers.

Cheers,

--
Ralph Spencer
Shoemaker Vintage Racing
Fremont CA
AFM #498/AHRMA #933
Suzuki T500 Roadracers
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Hey Benjie,

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your site.  I've been building Cafe Racers
here in Charlottesville Virginia for about three years now.  Felt like the only one out there
who appreciates the older jap bikes and seen the potential.  I've got a '76 CB750SS as well
as a '83 XS650.  Let me know if you get this email and I'll send you pics.



Richard Pippin
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Hey Benjie –

Love the stuff that you’re doing. You have exactly the sensibility I’m looking for in my next
bike.

Right now, I’m thinking about buying a Thruxton. I’m also looking into some vintage Brit Iron.
The one thing I would love to have, is a vintage Brit café bike. I noticed the BSA you’ve got
going. Anything else in the works? How do you decide what projects to take on?


Cheers,
JR
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Found your site through OBB. Nice rides.

Question. I have a 75 Kawi Z1 that I have had for awhile with it original seat.
Would you make up one of your solo seats for my bike.

I would like it to attached to factory seat pins. (so i can change back to
stock seat easily for girlfriend.)

If yes could you provide budget, etc.

I really liked your black whale, to bad it's a Honda,  that seat idea but
not including the rear cover and tail light.

Hope it is going well for you. best regards,

Christopher
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I have got to say, your racers are some of the most
badass I have ever seen. My k5 project has gone into
the red right now, almost too much new inspiration
from some of your bikes, especially the goblin. You
and carpy and gonna take to world by storm some day,
once people get sick of looking at the 60k's and
billet boys, maybe people will finally realize the the
old hondas are the shit.

I was hoping to pick your brain if I could. Your tank
and seat lines are exactly what I have been looking
for, kinda reminds me of the dick mann look a bit. But
those glass kits cost an arm and a leg that I dont
have. Did you cut and stretch a factory tank? The
seats look all steel. If there are any tips or secrets
you could share with me how you did those I would be
very obliged. Thanks for your time and help in
advance!-Mike in Columbus Ohio
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Benjie:

I found you through Old Bike Barn's recent newsletter.
I imagine that you'll be getting some calls. You do
some great looking work!! I am thinking about taking
some welding classes. What kind of welding do you use
most? Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding,
Shielded Metal Arc Welding? What type for the gas
tanks? Do you need an appentice for a couple of weeks
in the winter? Thanks.

Regards, Troy.
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I was browsing through your site and really admire your work.
Everything looks very detailed with clean, aggressive lines.  I've actually had
a chance to ride a few of your bikes and I remember each experience to
be an exhilarating ride.  I was especially fond of the Green Goblin,
but I hope that I may one day have the chance to ride the Pinas 550
among all of your other original works.  The Pinas has caught my eye and I
hope that you don't sell it, but instead choose to keep such a
beautiful work of art.  I'd like to congratulate you and all of the BCR staff
on a job well done.  I see that you have taken up part production, but I
hope that you don't stop making complete bikes.  

Again, congratulations and good luck on all of your future endeavors.

Ramon D.