The Lea-Francis Cafe Racer Pays Homage to Motorcycles of the Early 1900s
Michael Hines — August 4, 2011 — Autos
Designer John Bridge is attempting to bring the dead motorcycle brand Lea-Francis back to life with his new Lea-Francis Cafe Racer concept. Inspired by the 1914 Lea-Francis V-Twin motorcycle, this new concept has been completely modernized and features a hybrid hydrogen engine.
The Lea-Francis Cafe Racer has a look unlike any modern motorcycle on the roads today. The bike has an elongated body used to house its storage space and hybrid hydrogen engine. The rear wheel also sits farther back than on most motorcycles, a throwback to the bikes of the early 1900s. The Lea-Francis Cafe Racer is still a concept, but it seems like it would have no trouble attracting buyers as everything that was once considered as old is now labeled as "vintage" or "retro" and is more popular now than ever.
The Lea-Francis Cafe Racer has a look unlike any modern motorcycle on the roads today. The bike has an elongated body used to house its storage space and hybrid hydrogen engine. The rear wheel also sits farther back than on most motorcycles, a throwback to the bikes of the early 1900s. The Lea-Francis Cafe Racer is still a concept, but it seems like it would have no trouble attracting buyers as everything that was once considered as old is now labeled as "vintage" or "retro" and is more popular now than ever.
Trend Themes
1. Retro Motorcycle Revival - Bringing back vintage motorcycle brands and modernizing them with new concepts presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the motorcycle industry.
2. Hydrogen-powered Motorcycles - Utilizing hybrid hydrogen engines in motorcycles introduces disruptive innovation opportunities in the alternative fuel industry.
3. Nostalgic Design Elements - Incorporating nostalgic design elements from early 1900s motorcycles into modern concepts offers disruptive innovation opportunities for designers and manufacturers.
Industry Implications
1. Motorcycle Manufacturing - Reviving old motorcycle brands and offering modernized versions can create disruptive innovation opportunities for motorcycle manufacturers.
2. Alternative Fuel - The development of motorcycles with hybrid hydrogen engines offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the alternative fuel industry.
3. Design and Fashion - The incorporation of nostalgic design elements in modern motorcycles provides disruptive innovation opportunities for designers and fashion brands.
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