Giuseppe Pattoni built a few race bikes back in the early 1960s. They were parallel twin 4 strokes beginning at 250cc and eventually growing to 500cc. To say production was limited is an understatement, only 10 bikes were built over 10 years. Between 1966 and 1975, the bikes raced over 150 times to some success and whatever the case, they looked great!
Roberto Pattoni, Giuseppe’s son, has received many requests to build a replica or continuation of the originals, and after looking over the drawings has decided to build the Paton BIC 500 8V RU, an exact duplicate of the originals. These will be hand built to the highest standards and available to collectors and vintage racing buffs.
Looking at the photos shows what a beautiful bike this is. No mention is made of the price, but, as always, if you have to ask …
Thanks for the tip, Richard!
Link: MotoPaton
Ry says
It’s amazing to me that we don’t see more of these old school cafe racers getting built by customizers. There is something about the stripped down raw simplicity of these old masterpieces that will always be appealing to me.
todd says
It’s probably because it’s so difficult to find all the right parts. If there was some sort of catalog, much like Moto Carrera has for RD’s or VD Classic, for other bikes that would be great.
Harleys are much like 32′ Fiberglass Fords with 350 Chevy V8s. Nearly everyone makes or catalogs custom parts for them. Even JC Witney does. If there was the same sort of support for universal Cafe Racer parts you’d definitely see more Cafe Racers around. What comes first?
Just think if you offer a FeatherBed-like frame with universal motor mounts to fit any type of motor from a EX500 or a KLR to a Virago; universal steering stem to accept either vintage Cerriani or Suzuki USD forks or universal forks to fit Water Buffalo brakes or universal TLC brakes; various choices of tanks, seat, headlights, etc. all designed to be bolted together in any combination – you’d have a hit. Now offer it all at reasonable prices.
Wouldn’t that be great.
-todd
Sean says
What a beauty. Pity so few were made.
GAMBLER says
would love to ride that like I stole it!
Richard says
$79K is the going price…
Bryce says
Todd, that’s an awesome idea, but there would be lot of work and money involved to make all of that stuff up front. That project would make a lot of sense doing one engine type at first, and then expanding the product line to include other drive trains and accessories.
RH says
Great business plan – what’s stopping you guys?
Bryce says
The same thing that stops every other idea from being a viable business: Lack of capital.
RH says
BS
If it’s a good business idea, sell what you have and invest it. Otherwise, it’s just so much “Gee, why don’t more people in the motorcycle world work harder to amuse me?”.
I got some parts to build a retro CBX from these guys a long time ago:
http://www.unityequipe.com/
And I made my own seat & tank out of fiberglass – then pulled some molds off of them. The whole project cost no more than a few hundred dollars. Here’s where some of the seats & tanks went:
http://www.cbxclub.com/ruud.html#ruud
http://www.cbxclub.com/reger.html#replica
Mine? It was sold before it was completely finished (and it still isn’t done…), but not before I had a blast with it showing it off and riding around at the (wet) Steamboat Springs AHRMA event back in ’93 – the year all that was done.
A casual enthusiast level custom bike “business” is a lovely way to starve to death.
But that’s NO reason not to hit the garage/front porch/kitchen/etc… and MAKE something yourselves. Even if that means getting one of those Unity Equip frames and making your own mounts for whatever engine moves you.
todd says
I’ve built quite a few cafe racers myself. Mainly it was a matter of buying up old bikes and parts in the newspaper or garage sales and junk yards. Now it’s a matter of browsing Ebay or Craigslist. Same as you say, building up these bikes hardly ever costs more than $1000 and there was always a willing buyer to take it off your hands when you were ready to build another.
When the DRZ400 became street legal I was toying with the idea of building cafe racer bikes based on those. Perfect combo (nearly), powerful single, readily available, etc. The problem with using modern engines is what to do with the radiator… and coming up with the cash to make it a viable operation.
-todd
Bryce says
Ordinarily, I’d agree with you, RH. However, I’m in my late 20s, and somewhat recently divorced. Even if I sold everything I had, it wouldn’t be enough to start a business. It might be a fun way to go broke, but sometimes it’s also fun not to be.
RH says
Bryce,
Ouch! Been there – and that’s no fun at all! A few years after mine, I was finally able to get a cheap beater Suzuki that saved my sanity. Starting over seems harder than starting the first time, but, hey, we get to learn from the past and make better choices.
Good luck!
Jeff says
Step one.Find old Honda 450 etc. Step two. Lots of elbow grease and a couple of thousand bucks . Voila you have a cafe racer . Let the Moto Paton inspire you . 🙂
Ry says
Well I have a CB360T That I just made a tail / seat section for . after I finish it I will pull a mold off of it as well as a tank that I is not done yet . Maybe I can make a kit from this and the rest of the parts that I will be developing for this mod. Airtech Streamlining has just about everything as far as body kits go. They are a little pricey but they have nice stuff, I was planning on buying a fairing from them. There could be some kits available from me shortly if it gets enough interest in it.
Rob Stevens says
Great article Paul. My dad (Fred Stevens) rode this bike during the mid 60’s in the TT finishing 5th in the ’67 Senior. He also won the 350 and 500 at the North West 200 in 1967. This bike certainly has had the results but it doesnt stop there. At yesterdays Manx GP Senior Classic, Patons came in 1st and 3rd.
Well done to all the guys at Paton in Milan.
Sam Ingraffia says
I have to second what Rob Stevens said. We too, were at the Manx Grand Prix this year and even during practice the smart money said the Patons were the bikes to beat. And when the time came to fly, they really “flew”. What an impressive machine. We strolled the paddock area, spoke to the Paton mechanic. He answered all our questions and showed off the bike. Magnificent piece of machinery. We went to see the Norton manxes, the G50’s, Ducatis, Velos, etc and were treated to the Patons in the bargain. Fantastic.
ROY SAMBRIDGE says
Hi i am a distant cousen of Fred Stevens. I new him when he raced for George Leigh and Tom Arter at Brands Hatch. I have some old black and white photo’s of him. I also saw him race the Patons when they were new. Rob if you would like copies of the photo’s email me. Roy sambridge.
dave hyde says
hi roy my brother in law owns a fred stevens ridden manx norton george leigh tuned i believe he would die for some period pics of fred maybe even on the said norton.it would be fantastic if you could e-mail me…………yours dave
dave hyde says
davidhyde1@supanet.com
dave says
to rob stevens
firstly hi there, would it be possible to get some info/pics of your dad fred,the reason are in the other posts i have written here.im sure my bro in law would be happy to send u pics of the manx when finished.any info/pics from 1962 would be fantastic……………thanks in advance dave