Words by Clinton Thomas.
British culture is littered with icons. From the monarchy to the Mini car, white cliffs of Dover, to the Beatles, the English pint and cricket, these icons are known and loved by the British and recognised around the world as representing the drive, imagination and passion of the British people.
One such icon is the Ace Café London, because of the hundreds and thousands of enthusiasts from every nation, who love motorcycles and the sprit of rock n’ roll rebellion, the Ace represents their culture roots, indeed The Ace Café is where it all began.
In 1963 the Ace took a leading role in the cult British film “ The Leather Boys”, based on the novel of the same name, telling the story of teenage ton Up boys and their live fast, love hard youth culture of rebellion. From that time the legend of the Ace was assured and the constant need for greater speed by this new and fearless generation of riders, seeking to achieve the then special speed of 100mph. The Ton-up brought about the creation of a special type of motorcycle, the café racer.
Like the Ace itself the café racer was destined to become an automotive icon.
It came from the same creative period of British history when rock n’ roll was played at 78rpm and leather jackets only came in black. A café racer can be raced, but it is not a race bike. With its fifty years evolution, it is still about basics, it must look good and it must look fast, turning heads and corners with ease, seducing all with its power, beauty and soul.
Why, When & How
One problem that faced Mark Wilsmore, owner of the Ace Café in early 2007 was how to celebrate the cafes 70th anniversary in 2008, what would be fitting for such an occasion? During a visit to the Ace Café in June 2007 by the president and a colleague of his from S&S Cycle, the world renowned American V-twin manufacturer, Mark learnt that 2008 was also going to be a big year for S&S Cycle with it being their 50 anniversary.
To celebrate the occasion, S&S Cycle is planning an international bike competition to be held in Wisconsin, USA, in June 2008. Mark viewed a relationship with S&S Cycle and their invitation to build an Ace bike as the ideal opportunity to turn his café race dream into a reality.
"This bike will be the finest Café Racer ever built"
(Quote from S&S Cycle)
The Ace Café Racer
The Ace Café Racer Classic, is a lot more than just another retro-styled motorcycle, it's an in your face, fresh twentieth century street racer, the attention to detail delivered by the Stonebridge Motor Company is so mind blowing its almost painful, build quality is second to none and as a result they have produced a motorcycle that not only looks the part, special, but unlike several of its American cousins is ride able to, with a top of the range chassis and suspension provide by Ohlin’s, it will go around corners nearly as good as it looks, with an estimated tank size of 15 litres you’ll be able to join your friends on a long Sunday blast and with the first bike (named Little Miss Dynamite after a friend of Mark's and the Ace Café, who is sadly know longer with us) dyno’d pushing 135mph in 5th with a gear to go, you won’t just be keeping up, you’ll be leading the pack.
The official specs for the Ace Café Racer Classic have not yet been released, but witnessing its first ever dyno run at the press release I already know its going to a machine to be reckoned with.
If the power or being one of only 100 owners does grab your attention, I’m sure the perfectly crafted chrome fuel tank, wonderfully flowing bespoke exhausts and exposed clutch unit will.
If your still not sold on the chance to owning the icon which is the Ace racer, and by now I’m certain you will be, the sound… The sound will capture the heart and wallet of any living petrol head, the Ace Café Racers sound like GOD Clearing his throat.
Light, powerful, agile. A go-fast motorcycle that is based on the speed, thrills & burn up legacy, the very core essence of ace café London, it's culture and it's heritage.
Related Links:
www.ace-cafe-london.com
www.sscycle.com
Related Galleries:
The New Ace Café Racer
