June 2^nd 2012

Charlotte, NC

An Event Report by STEALTH with photos by VICKI         

I was asked to cover this event and I had an idea what it was about and if any of you watch the television series CAFÉ RACER, then you too have an idea what it is about too! And since I was not sure exactly what to expect, I did a little research on this MODS vs. Rockers thing. You can kinda describe it as a feud between two families and it goes way back to the late 1950's; so, in a way, it is nothing new.

It all started  in England. The MODS ride mostly Italian scooters and the ROCKERS, they ride British, Japanese and sometimes you will see a Harley or two. The ROCKERS bikes are Café Racers. The name Café Racer comes from the fact that they would ride … race from café to café. Also the bikes looked like and were styled after racers but the name Café Racer sometimes in certain circles was used as a knock against these bike s because it was said "That they only ride from café to café?" There was a story on CAFÉ RACER that said they would leave a café and ride to a certain point and turn around and come back … You say, "So what? What is the BIG deal?" Well the BIG deal was and is you have to do this while a 45 record is playing and you have to be back before it stops! This is where the TON comes in and I know a lot of you are asking "WHAT IS THE TON?" Well the TON is hitting 100 miles per hour on your bike! I do not advise you to do this but this is the story behind the story. Once you have hit the TON, then you are in the "TON UP CLUB!"

Back to the feud between the two. Back in the day, they both had a lot of differences. The MODS  rode the scooters, the ROCKERS rode the Café Racers. The MODS wore suits and were clean cut, they listened to soul and rhythm and blues music; the ROCKERS on the other hand wore jeans , black leather jackets, and motorcycle(engineer )boots. They listened to rock music and wore pompadour hair styles. Sooner or later with all the differences it was only a matter of time before the MODS and ROCKERS had a few skirmishes and from what I read they were all blown out of proportion by the media.

Now that is your background on THE MODS and THE ROCKERS so, back to the event. It was a very nice day and I really enjoyed seeing all the café styled bikes. Some of them brought back a lot of memories; especially the 750 Hondas and one 550 Honda. This is the kind of bike I learned to ride on. The British bikes were cool and The Factory Metal Works rolled out bitchin' Triumph bobbers, and yeah there were even some scooters on display.

It is good to see the Café Racer influence around the Charlotte area. There is even a riding club for Café Racers, The Queen City Aces. You might remember them from a previous story in The Carolina Rider and you can reach them online.

Not knowing much about this lifestyle, I was apprehensive and curious at first covering this event but at the end of the day I was really glad I did as I learned some things and met some new people. I really have a new respect for these bikes and the work that their owners put into them.

Well I am heading out now to see if maybe I can do a half of TON?!

Thanks to the Chop Shop for having us!...

Until next time, RIDE!

STEALTH

SEE MORE PHOTOS BY VICKI FROM THIS EVENT IN OUR GALLERY!