Rubber rat - update mock up pics 23-5-09

[Wave?]

Ok, this will be my first build.
And this is my starting point ( well sort of, did some small experiment on the stir already):

She's a beach cruiser from the Hema (kind of Dutch Wallmart) which I've used for about 4 or 5 years now. Time for some change.
As you would reckon there will be rubber and zinc and blackness !

 

[jedidave]

Re: Rubber rat

good luck,cant wait to see how it turns out

 

[Singlespeed92]

Re: Rubber rat

Good luck with you r first build (the one I've entered is my first too )! Nice looking bike to start with. Should be fun :mrgreen:

 

[Wave?]

Re: Rubber rat

Ok, finally some time for an update.

I stripped the bike and found some donorbikes. One of them was a mtb with suspension witch was abandoned lying in my street. When I saw it I thought it would perfectly supply the triple tree fork I had in mind for my Rubberrat. The funny thing was that on the moment that I picked it up my new neighbor was there for the same reason. He owns a few custom bikes such as a lowglide. I didn't know him really well and this was a nice introduction. I was first so I took the frame

Anyway my wive asked witch bike I was gonna use for taking the kids around and doing the shopping now my bike was all over the place...ehm she had a good point there. So I digged up my old folding bike out of my shed and decided to reanimate the thing. The resurrection was quite pleasing and I actually ended up with my first ratrod. I call here Genesis, because it's where this ratting began, and my first bike my dad made for me was a green chopper with a bananaseat too (must be around 1977) and part of the seat is an aluminum strip with that written on.
Off course I would like too keep the original white colour (white is the color of the beginning as you'll all know) so if anyone here got some suggestions how to do that in the best way ?
I used the fork of my beachcruiser, witch is an 24" on the 20" frame, made the seat and placed a 20" inch mountainbikewheel on the back. The frontwheel is going to change too, I think.

I went on with some welding on the triple tree fork for the Rubberrat, but I'm not such a good welder so it will take some time to make it rigid enough.

Anyway, I have this dillema now wich bike I take on for this build-off. Is it going to be the Rubberrat, or will it be Gensesis?

the pics:

the MTB

A second kids mtb, witch I took the wheels from for Genesis

Genesis before:

and after:

How I made the seat and perfected it with the use of some scooters:

 

[Gold Street Customs]

Re: Rubber rat - update with pics 11-5-09

Toooo Coooool 8)

 

[Wave?]

Re: Rubber rat - update with pics 11-5-09

Ok, I decided to stick to the plan and build on with the Rubberrat and keep that one for the build-off. I guess Genesis has to wait. I'll finish it later and post it here (got some nice plans with it).
Anyway, I worked on the fork for the Rubberrat. Took the suspended fork from the MTB and welded it into a triple tree (Hope that won't get me disqualified for the build-off?).
I'm more or less sticked it together, while I'm not a welder and hadn't done any welding for years, but after tree times it finally was strong enough ,(I hope ). This welding however is addictive again so planning to do some more work this summer.
After cleaning up the beads I glued the fork with rubber inner tubes, witch eventually will cover the whole bike. (all ready does, but pictures will follow later, got to keep some surprises)

Well,and now for something completely different, the man with a tape recorder up his....eh sorry wrong sentence, I mean lets get over to the pics (I hope they'll speak for themselves):

 

[herr_rudolf]

Re: Rubber rat - update new pics 20-5-09

What?! How cool is that idea for a rat... Didn't see that coming. A few years ago I saw a rubber (or leather) bike that really impressed me. Have to search for that pic now...
The fork looks cool. I'm usually not a big fan of modern looking forks, But this one looks very stylish after alteration.

 

[Wave?]

Re: Rubber rat - update new pics 20-5-09

First mock-up. My bike is now ride-able again. It's pretty basic now. All covered with inner tube. Even the seat.
The headlights I'm not sure of, planning one big light with galvanized steel. There will be a galvanized steel chain guard and fenders (a lot of wet summers her :? ).
The thing on the steer is for placing a childseat so I can take my son with me. Had it lowered for a better look but orders of the wive. Well two man on a bike is even more pleasure huh...

On the to do list:
-Other rims (black) and wider. (the back wheel has got a big dent witch wasn't possible to straiten). Not sure about the whitewalls, might become bigger and black ones.
-rubber saddlebag and side bags on a front load rack(?)
-galvanized chain guard
-galvanized fenders
-galvanized front light, motor style
- back lights (2)
-cleaning the rubber (a lot of Bisontix stains)
-other small things

I used a steer of one of the scooters, I showed a view posts back, as a seatpost

 

[deorman]

Those tires do look a little out of place-rubber covered bike idea is great!

 

[Wave?]

I'm afraid I won't make it before august 1st. I'll be on holiday next week and I am far to busy to finish it before friday. Of course I'll post the end result when I'm done but this Build-off I gues, I'm in it just for show