Our good friend Vergel came by our shop to show us his new toy he just picked up. It’s a 1978 Kawasaki KZ200 with plans of transforming it into a Cafe Racer. Can’t wait to see what he has in store for this bike.

Start it up!

This 198cc motor is in great condition for its age.

Forever Ashbury. Stamp of Approval!

Meet the new face of Vikki the motorcycle (I name all of my toys and she’s named after my current favorite Pin-Up model, “Vikki Blows” – look her up). I finally have the forks installed. I lowered it 2 inches in the front and 2 inches in the back. It handles like a dream and sounds like a beast!

This is just version 2.0 of the never ending Forever Ashbury. cafe racer project. This is a special project for me because I did nearly everything myself and it’s my creation coming into fruition. I love every type of automobile, motorcycle, gadget, technology and widget there is, so this type of stuff is always fun. She’s going to evolve through many ‘outfits’ and looks before I think she’s going to be done. This is her tough bad girl stage. I’m anxious myself to see how she’s going to end up looking like. Stay tuned.

She went from this:

Into this:

-Jaiden Quy Do

“DIY QUY” is at it again. Just tinkering on my lil classic motorcycle. What do I have store?

Although I spent 2 years working as a REAL full time construction worker (before Johnny and I started Forever Ashbury.) and dreaded every moment swinging a hammer, I’m still intrigued by power tools and building things. I guess its because I’m a real technical person that likes to get hands on with things and watching something get made from nothing. Every car I’ve ever owned was built by me, every single horsepower was tuned with my two hands and wrench. I used to have a brand new sport bike and now that I’ve decided to get back into riding on the open road again, there was only one way to do it and that’s why I decided to buy a nostalgic motorcycle. This is our project and we live by the term “D.I.Y”, Do It Yourself. We do our own website, our own graphic designs, our own videos and everything else in between…and now it’s time to pour our sweat and blood into our classic motorcycle.

*Some history on Cafe Racers*
Cafe Racer motorcycles originated in the 1960’s in Europe. “Rockers” were a culture of rebels that wanted distinctive motorcycles to speed between cafes along and around British towns and cities. The goal was to be able to reach 100 miles per hour which is considered  the “Ton” between each cafe.

Forever Ashbury. is more than a clothing company, it’s our lifestyle. We are showing you our complexity and one of our many passions and interests. We are Forever Ashbury and more importantly, You are Forever Ashbury.

These are examples of how Cafe Race Bikes look like. They just scream vintage classiness.

(Pictures via Carpy’s Nostalgia Speed & Cycle and WrenchMonkees)

Here’s what my moto looked like, chopper style with the extended forks, that’s how the cool kids did it in the 70’s.

And this is the progress so far. I tore down the whole bike, threw on the clubman handlebars, chopped off the sissy bars & seat and painted the whole thing in wrinkle valve cover paint. I’m waiting on the new raised white lettering tires and -2 lower forks (it looks awful with the chopper forks). This is only version 1.0. Stay tuned on how the bike will look in the end. Of course you know, it’s gonna be Forever Ashbury. inspired!

Listen to my baby roar!

Continue to follow the blog to see how this bike will turn out. It’s going to be a loooooong project.

I’m gonna need one of these helmets. *My birthday is coming up!*

-Jaiden Quy