The Ace Cafe needs no introduction for most people...certainly motorcycling people! It has been here since the 1930s and began life as a stop for motorists but when it suddenly found itself near to Britain's growing fast road network, it very quickly came to the attention of motorcyclists...I wonder why!

It quickly gained momentum after the war. The British motorcycling industry was at its peak and with rock n' roll and teenage rebellion came groups such as the "Ton Up Boys" who did, because they could! One interesting game was to drop a coin into the jukebox, then ride to a given point and back before the end of the song. It was the place to meet, see, and be seen.

Alas the cafe died out in 1969 but a new group of enthusiasts resurrected it for the anniversary of its closure 25 years later, and this year marks the 70th anniversary of this, one of the most famous of British biking landmarks...Andy Earl went to take a look...

Italian Bike Night at the Ace Cafe

I left for the Ace at about 8:45 with Rich on his XJR and Mark on his 848. We took the A32,A31 and then onto the M25 and into London.

As we passed Loomies cafe on the A32 there were about 30 Duc's parked up having breakfast. It was a sea of red and looked quite impressive. We fought our way through the London traffic and it was a bit of a mare. I did have some guy in a pick up pull up next to me at the lights giving me the thumbs up. "nice bike" he said. He went on to tell me that he own's a single cylinder Guzzi from the 1940's.

When we got to the Ace Mark and I were waved in for preferential parking and Rich and his XJR were made to park over the road! There were lots of Guzzis to look at including one of those "Ghezzi Brian" things and lots of Cafe racers. There were some fantastic Cafe racers there! I put about twenty Squadra Guzzista flyers on bikes and handed out a few to owners and told them to check us out. I left about 40 on the counter for Guzzisti that were likely to turn up later in the day.

Some of the bikes at the Ace...are any of them yours? Get in touch at: info@guzzista.com

Bellagio 940	Nice cafe racer	...sure this is Lesley's, from Essex...
...and this must be Neil's her hubby!	Another nice cafe racer...appropriate...	...and another...
Lesley and Neil's	Centauro 1000	850 T3
Radical Ghezzi-Brian...	...further view.	Griso 1100
Quota 1000	V11	The Ace Cafe, London

Further Reading:-

Events Index / Brooklands Centenary / Scottish Rally / Wolds Run / Anzanigo 2008 / Old Timer Treffen 2008 / V11 meet, Scotland /
24th Intl West Kent Run / 2nd Cycle Mo's Bike Show / Andre's amazing 850T3 cafe racer / Lars' terrific 850T conversion / an album of cafe racers /

Squadra Guzzista Gear

Quality clothing	Greeting Cards	Squadra Fender kit stickers	Squadra bookshop by amazon