Always wanted to hang out at the Ace Cafe but you’re on the wrong side of the pond? Well, polish up your cafe racer because this year, you’ll have your chance to hang with the Ton Up boys because they’re setting up at Sturgis for the entire week.
Press release follows:
Dealer World Inc, publisher of American Motorcycle Dealer (AMD), Dealer World and International Dealer News magazines, as well as owner/operator of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, announced that it has reached an agreement with Ace Cafe London Ltd to bring the legendary gathering spot for millions of motorcyclists, the Ace Cafe, to Champions Park on Lazelle St.. The Ace Cafe will be a part of the Champions Park entertainment complex along with The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, Champions Park vendor row and the S&S Cycle 50th Anniversary celebration.
“Our vision has always been to have Champions Park as a center of activity on Lazelle St during the Rallyâ€, says AMD Publisher/Owner Robin Bradley. “We have always wanted to bring something to Sturgis that would be iconic for all bikers and what better than the Ace Cafe.â€
Originally opened as a 24 hour road side cafe in 1938, the Ace Cafe quickly began to draw motorcyclists who would hang out, fix bikes and listen to music. The height of the site’s popularity came in the 1950’s and 60’s with the “Ton Up Boys†and “Rockers†who established the Ace Cafe as a cultural center for rock and roll and motorcycles in England. The Ace Cafe was also the birthplace of many motorcycle clubs and the legend or “record racing†were riders would race one another by dropping a coin in the jukebox and race to a certain point and back before the end of the song. The cafe was closed in 1969 due to cultural changes, growth in the car market and the expanding highway system in and around London.
Re-opened in 1997 by Mark Wilsmore, with a major refurbishment in 2001, the Ace Cafe is once again the center of motorcycling for a new generation of enthusiasts. Hosting bike gatherings, hot rod and car clubs, rock n’ roll bands and industry events such as the recent S&S Cycle X-Wedge European launch, the Ace is, once again, the motorcycling destination in England.
“We are very excited, thrilled and honored with the opportunity, in this the cafe’s 70th anniversary year, to not only be present at the world renowned and legendary Sturgis Rally, but also to be able to play our part at the prestigious World Championship of Custom Bike Building”, says Mark Wilsmore, Managing Director.
The Ace Cafe will be open the entire week of the Sturgis Rally – Sunday, August 3rd through Saturday August 9th from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Champions Park and the Ace Cafe will be located at 3rd and Lazelle St in Sturgis.
Link: London’s Ace Cafe
todd says
you wonder if any of those Harley guys even know what Ace Cafe was.
-todd
matt says
wow….kat von d, tony hawk, now this.
its goin to hell in a hand cart…or sidecar.
Chris says
Ace Cafe at Sturgis?!
What’s next? Rossi and Agostini square dancing at high noon next year?
guitargeek says
I’m reminded of the time The Ramones opened for Black Sabbath. The promoters put the deal together because they didn’t know the difference between punk and metal, to them it was all just a bunch of long haired guys making noise.
A huge riot broke out, the venue was destroyed, many arrests were made…
kneeslider says
Since the Ace Cafe is competing in the S&S 50th anniversary competition and other events here in the U.S., why not get a little more exposure all around? I think it’s a good thing. Some attendees at Sturgis won’t get it, so what? Others might like to meet the Ace Cafe group and see what it’s all about.
dave says
What GG says rings true; The promoters involved have no idea what the difference is. Or maybe they *DO*….
Bring a little diversity to a stale, rubber-stamped carnival of sameness. I for one, would consider going to Sturgis this year JUST FOR THE ACE. I do believe it’s really a cross-promotion having to do with the S&S bike. The unfortunate reality that the ACE’s presence in Sturgis shows, is that Cafe Racers are becoming the new choppers. Soon we’ll be seeing all the TV “builders” doing custom Caff’s.. Not saying that it’s really a BAD thing, but it will become another ‘circus freak’ of the motorcycle world.
Funny thing is, we’ve all been whining about how the customs have ruined the true motorcyclist, and why people don’t see the benefits of a bike that handles well, and looks classy doing it, but now that’s happening we’ll all cry “foul”… I guess we’ll just have to suck it up, and hope it doesn’t get too silly….
Jon says
Roland Sands has been doing cafe bikes, and did a really nice Hypermotard. Personally, I’ve ridden everything from a rigid chopper to sportsbikes in the last 30 years. I think it’ll work out.
Ry says
Custom bike culture is universal. If you have been to sturgis it is not about Harley-Davidson, it is about motorcycles and the life style. I get more dirty looks from sport bike riders when Im on my harley than I do from Harley riders when Im on my sport bike. In fact the harley guys love my old school cafe racer, seems to take them down memory lane.
hoyt says
This exposure should add overdue diversity to the custom scene. It should also be good for builders and buyers of custom bikes because these builders will have to learn more about chassis development and suspension. The Kneeslider covered the custom frame builders throughout Europe years ago….imagine the US finally having several knowledgeable & skilled chassis builders on par with Spondon, Steelheart Engineering, Polygon, etc.
I hope Mike Cook is available to go to Sturgis and show his Big Twin cafe that was built years ago.
See:
http://ridethetorquecurve.blogspot.com/2007/01/american-cafe-racer.html
Curt Winter also has built a more modern cafe Big Twin.
http://btrmoto.com/
Both of these bikes are the best custom performance Big Twin bikes I have come across. They deserve a lot of recognition.
Someday, maybe the scene will get so cool that we will be able to hold that custom bike day at Barber….imagine a bike show and track day promotion. Dig it!
hoyt says
Guitar Geek – I would have liked to gone to that double bill between The Ramones and Black Sabbath.
“…4-5-6-7, all good Cretins go to heaven.” Cretin Hop, by The Ramones
With the right venue, surrounding riding area, and proper management, all bikes can be celebrated
Sooner or later the crusty (one brand, one bike-style crowd) will be gone anyway. Or at least significantly outnumbered
MG driver says
I think the Sturgis Ace Cafe would be the idea site for H-D to introduce the XR 1200 to North American riders!
hoyt says
forgot to include Gregg’s Custom metric Big Twin.
There are a lot of great details in that fantastic bike
Shaun says
Travelled all the way from London to Sturgis for my first rally and went down to the Ace Cafe on Sunday night to find…it was shut for a private function……Nice one