LaidBack - TransWorld Motobike Rat - Patinafication & Details - 85 Years

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Looks like you've got it geared right. Rolls right along! Always like to see a build on a test ride. :thumbsup:
It did surprising well even up hill. Thanks. The tires felt a little squirmy though, hopefully the next option quells that feel.


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OK next dilemma is the tank. I want it to look old as the rest of the bike not NOS. I’ve made a typical ‘30s kid bodywork patch of the paint damaged corner. It’s still curing out, primer, black and red stripe. Not sure if it looks like a kid patch or some old geezer in a hurry. I used some GoofOff to get rid of the previous tape adhesive. It dulled the paint down which is OK.
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Anyway I experimented with some RO textured paint with the dabbing method on the paint test fender section. A couple of pictures.
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Do I give the tank the same treatment or do I leave it relatively clean? Let me know what you think.
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OR
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You got a nice result from that dabbing method with the textured paint!

I might try to 'fade' the black a bit before adding rust effect. I like the lighter shade in the same color spectrum to do a faded look. So I used a muted yellow shade called 'Cornflower' over the red on this Cold Beer sign first, then some Cinnamon and Textured muti-color as a final touch.

Stand back about 3-4 feet, so just a light layered mist is applied.

In your case, maybe a light charcoal grey would be a good 'aging color'.
Before...
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After....
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Go for it, it's just paint! There's plenty of time to strip it and start over if you can't live with it.:thumbsup:
Paint and time, I don’t really have a fondness for do overs. I used to be more of a perfectionist but I’ve mellowed over time. I’ll keep the paint and patch and try to make the illusion of used and old believable.
You got a nice result from that dabbing method with the textured paint!

I might try to 'fade' the black a bit before adding rust effect. I like the lighter shade in the same color spectrum to do a faded look. So I used a muted yellow shade called 'Cornflower' over the red on this Cold Beer sign first, then some Cinnamon and Textured muti-color as a final touch.
Stand back about 3-4 feet, so just a light layered mist is applied.
In your case, maybe a light charcoal grey would be a good 'aging color'.
Before...
View attachment 96937
After....View attachment 96938
In lieu of spraying I’ll probably use the dabbing method that I used on the front fender.
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Still have some of the gray and coffee colored acrylic paint. I’ll rub and dab it on liberally and wipe it off a few times till I get the effect that seems to work. Then I’ll smudge on some of the multicolored textured paint. It seems to do a good job of simulating rust and surface rust.
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The front fender also received some scrapes and scratched from a round wood rasp. Pictures to follow as things progress.



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5K views...if only these were final votes my life on earth would be complete.
No bike work today, I did paint a couple of wrought iron lawn chairs, think this is their 3rd color change.
Life is good, we’re drying out and warming up.
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Rare quiet moments...enjoy your days as life can be short lived.
 
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I'm right there with you on your view on 'views'. I figure it means people are interested in what you are doing, that the process means something; the 'journey' if you will. Your build has something to say, and people are listening.
 
73 degrees, 77% humidity, rain pending. Planted some annuals and perennials first off, pulled some weeds.
Going to get back to it soon, planning to work on tank. I’m going to dull up the the fresh paint patch, add decals and add some faux patina. Hopefully I can get close to the existing frame and fender conditions. I guess I’m wanting this bike to emulate a loved survivor bike that’s had various upgrades over the years to keep it rolling.
Another tire option should be delivered today. Maybe that will wrap up the tire spec.
The Sunday chair paint project is awaiting someone to try them out. We want the paint to cure out first.
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The Mrs picked the cinnamon color, almost matches the garage door and some accents on house.


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Still working on this. Need to try another set of tires. Pedals and seat are temporary, will probably put the chain guard back. Need to decide on grips and pedals based on final tires. And I need to fix the tank patina paint wise.
I did take it for a spin up and down the block. Pretty smooth for an 85 year old bike with new MIC wheels and 700x35c tires. The geometry even seems to work with my old “LaidBack” body.
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That’s the guiding light goal on this one. Thanks!


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soap opera talk?
 
Chairs look nice. Almost the color of bright new rust!

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Thanks! I guess it’s the Rat Rod heritage thing around here. When I was a kid in the 50’s I had an old used 26” bike that I brush painted and flipped handle bars, painted knobby whitewalls. Auto mechanical repair across the street. They used to let us use their tools on our bikes...no way these days.
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New Rust it is, it will hide any actual rust for a while.


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I worked with the tank this morning. The paint patch doesn’t look too bad. Pretty typical of what someone might have done in the ‘30s or ‘40s.
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I rubbed it down with GoofOff to dull things up and added the Motobike decals after some acrylic color dabbing.
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Then I proceeded to muck it up with gray and coffee color with a dirty rag.
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I also added some three dimensional rust via Rust-Oleum multicolor textured paint by spray it in a glass container and smudging it on with the same dirty rag.
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Thinking it is still lacking something...may need to add a dent or two and use the wood rasp on it. Comments welcomed, maybe not used but considered for sure.
Mailman just dropped off the new treads, guess that is next up.


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Love the decals on there!

I'd be careful with the scratches knowing that there is galvanized metal under the paint. You could potentially end up with a shiny silver scratch.
Good point TRM! Now that I think about it maybe missing flakes of paint. My thought was to make a few careful scrapes and scuffs and add some textured paint “Rust” at those areas.
I’m liking the decals also, I’ve had them a while, one was saying be delicate when coming off the paper. It has a couple of cracks in it. Makes it ratty though.


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Early 28” TransWorld Motobike/Gravel Rat bike. With new Riddler 700x45c tire. I’ll need to adjust the front fender brace at fender. The brace has 2 side mount holes. The center one interferes with tire. They seem to fill the fenders a little better.
Mounted width is 41.80mm. Diameter right at 28”.
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I guess I’ll mount up the back and take it for a spin before I claim them to be “the” tires of choice. Certainly easier to install than the previous wire beads.


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Early 28” TransWorld Motobike/Gravel Rat bike. With new Riddler 700x45c tire. I’ll need to adjust the front fender brace at fender. The brace has 2 side mount holes. The center one interferes with tire. They seem to fill the fenders a little better.
Mounted width is 41.80mm. Diameter right at 28”.
6d3d1e29f92e345f0b831823204bbeea.jpg
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I guess I’ll mount up the back and take it for a spin before I claim them to be “the” tires of choice. Certainly easier to install than the previous wire beads.


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Red walls look good on there
 
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