Seasoned motorcyclists sometimes do things that are far beyond our understanding, like riding close to the yellow line or wearing too much leather. Similarly, if you've ever spotted a motorcycle with an X taped over its headlight, it might just be taken as a nice design preference. In reality, this little headlight mod actually has roots that go back decades, when it was not taken as a style trend, but something born out of necessity. It had everything to do with safety and racing within the biker
culture.
Let's go back to the 1970s, when café racers, a group of riders known for speed and stripped-down bikes, began taping an X over their headlights for safety. At the time, headlight glass was fragile and could shatter into dangerous, razor-sharp pieces during a crash. The tape helped keep the broken glass in place, reducing the risk of injury to the rider and others on the road. The X pattern was smart, as it held the glass together well without blocking much light.
Read more: Every Motorcycle Keanu Reeves Owns In His Stunning Collection
How A Safety Hack Became A Symbol Of Café Racer Culture
Interestingly, the idea didn't originate with motorcycles. Having an X on the headlights was a car racing thing, where drivers taped headlights before going on the track to avoid scattering debris. Early café racers borrowed this trick for street use. Since most of them rode without windshields or fairings, a shattered headlight could mean flying glass directly toward the rider. The X offered a simple, effective layer of protection that quickly became standard among serious riders.
Over time, the X tape on headlights became part of the café racer identity and popular among professional riders. They would race from café to café in post-WWII Britain, pushing their bikes and themselves to the limit, and the little X design would give them peace of mind in case of a mishap. Today, even though modern headlights are made of safer tempered glass, the tradition continues as a respect to those roots and the culture that shaped it.
Keeping The X Look Without Using Tape
Nowadays, taping an X over your headlight is more about the look than function. Many younger riders do it because it gives off a retro, edgy vibe, and others use it to give a small tribute to the golden age of café racers. However, motorcycle customization has been all about adding new tech and features to your ride lately.
If you too want the style, but without the mess of electrical tape, there are better options available. Leather X straps, headlight grills, or decorative guards can give your bike that same old-school feel without sticky residue or reduced light. These accessories are easy to install and remove, offering flexibility for riders who want both style and function. Just make sure your setup keeps the headlight fully visible — many states require it to be seen from 100 feet away, and anything that dims the beam too much could be illegal. With a little elbow grease, you'll look just as stylish as the racers of the past.
Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time.
Read the original article on SlashGear.
