The OddJob Award (aka The OJ) is awarded to bikes, which have a combination of real and faux-tina, and kool kustomization, epitomize the rat rod bicycle in my own weird RaT-ionalizations. This is the 10th Anniversary of The OJ. In BO 10, the first year of the award, I picked rat rod bikes that all met my RaT-ionale for what is most RaT-isfying as rat rods of the Rust-ina variety. This year, I am going back to that c-RaT-agory of builds.
This year's award is inspired by all of the use of the 'mustard technique' on RRB builds during this build off, and the other methods and materials used to create and recreate RaT-ina. It is an 8 1/2" x 11" custom Certific-RaT honoring those bikes that have p-RaT-icularly caught my eye this year during BO 19. Mounted to black foam core board ready for display; it is the 'Cuttin' the Mustard' OJ Award!
And now, in no p-RaT-icular order, I present the OddJob winners for RRB BO 19:
Fooligan – @kingfish254
A long-time veteran of many RRB build offs, this perennial ‘king’ of kustom and guarantor of gee gaw, really stretched his boundaries on this one! Taking on the ‘mustard technique’ for the first time to pull in vintage clean parts with this rusted Elgin Oriole frame, saddle, and fender; he ‘cut the mustard’ of RaTina 101. Add in some classic add-ons like a Fink head, Hot Wheels emblem, and an assortment of bike parts from different manufacturers, and you have a RaT of a very unique and kustom nature! Cong-RaT-ulations KF on an OJ Award winning build in BO 19!
Iron and Oxygen – @Uncle Shish
Starting with a crusty ‘40s Schwinn DX, a donor lady DX and other era-correct bike parts, our favorite Uncle resur-RaT-cted this ‘return to the earth’ bound gem. At a critical moment of the build for him, he made this very astute and philosophical observation, “So it would seem my pursuit of period correct fenders and chainguard are now complete. Now …I really need to think about a vision. Do I do more of a resto-mod or do I try to faux patina - something I’ve never done - to the fenders and chainguard to match?” And the rest, as they say, is history! He enrolled in RaTina 101, and passed with flying colors! Here is your diploma, Uncle Shish, The OJ for BO 19!
Flying Star Rat – @Joel Jeter
This builder might be new to the RRB BO scene, but he clearly is not new to the building of a rat rod bike! Starting with an impressive P.O.P (pile of parts) he pulled off a p-RaT-icularly pleasing pedal powered RaT. And in record time, hitting OddJob type build speeds, he crossed the Finished line at the mid-way point of the build off. But when it comes to building RaTs, time is not always of the essence. It’s what comes out in the end that counts! Using his own brand of RaT-ina syrup, he gun-blued the newer bare metal parts to age them, and his own patented “grey primer, black, then white; sand /scuff/ rub till you like it, and then rub brown shoe polish to tone down white” to get it similar to the original ’61 tank. He sums it up best explaining the impetus behind the build, “I was in the shop looking thru stuff and this button just jumped into my hand and the Rat said build a Ratrod bike, so I did.” Oh boy, did you ever! Cong-RaTs Joel on your first OddJob Award!
Hops and Gnarly – @The Renaissance Man
Sensi. Master. RaTina royalty. All of these describe the one and only TRM. As an acolyte of his art, I first learned the ‘mustard method’ watching him use it on an early RRB BO build of his. Along the way he has shared many methods, techniques, tricks, and still surprises us with results every year! Getting the freshly painted frame and fork to match the nearly decayed, deftly repaired, fenders and the original patina tank, he incorpo-RaT-ed thrown bits of “paint chipping shrapnel” and this process which he describes here, “After scratches and scrapes, I reached for some oil-based wood stain. I used an artist's brush to slop on the stain in various areas, then gave it an hour or so to partially dry. With the stain dry enough to be sticky, I take a rag and start removing everything except what I think should stay.” And that’s the key, knowing when to stay, and when to go. TRM, you are the Man; renaissance or not. The OJ goes to the OG of RaT-ina!
Board Tracker #138 – @Roosterbooster0
Sometimes, getting down to the ‘bare bones’ of a rat rod bike build, is the best way to bring out its true nature. Using some new-to-some paint stripping techniques and methods to bring out the best in his raw frame and components, this new-to-RRB-build offs member ended up with a very cool RaT! Possibly the most startling part of this build is that he built 90% of it while on the road, working out of a motel room! I mean HUH?? Parking lot scenes paint removal under streetlamps, cardboard scattered over hotel room bed and carpet component cutting and cleaning; heck, his final Finished thread photos were even taken on the road. Rooster, you captivated me, and I’m guessing others, with your tenacity, deft touch on the design, and your motivational spirit. Congratulations on winning the OddJob Award in RRB BO 19!
And those are your RRB BO 19 OddJob Award Winners!
This year's award is inspired by all of the use of the 'mustard technique' on RRB builds during this build off, and the other methods and materials used to create and recreate RaT-ina. It is an 8 1/2" x 11" custom Certific-RaT honoring those bikes that have p-RaT-icularly caught my eye this year during BO 19. Mounted to black foam core board ready for display; it is the 'Cuttin' the Mustard' OJ Award!
And now, in no p-RaT-icular order, I present the OddJob winners for RRB BO 19:
Fooligan – @kingfish254
A long-time veteran of many RRB build offs, this perennial ‘king’ of kustom and guarantor of gee gaw, really stretched his boundaries on this one! Taking on the ‘mustard technique’ for the first time to pull in vintage clean parts with this rusted Elgin Oriole frame, saddle, and fender; he ‘cut the mustard’ of RaTina 101. Add in some classic add-ons like a Fink head, Hot Wheels emblem, and an assortment of bike parts from different manufacturers, and you have a RaT of a very unique and kustom nature! Cong-RaT-ulations KF on an OJ Award winning build in BO 19!
Iron and Oxygen – @Uncle Shish
Starting with a crusty ‘40s Schwinn DX, a donor lady DX and other era-correct bike parts, our favorite Uncle resur-RaT-cted this ‘return to the earth’ bound gem. At a critical moment of the build for him, he made this very astute and philosophical observation, “So it would seem my pursuit of period correct fenders and chainguard are now complete. Now …I really need to think about a vision. Do I do more of a resto-mod or do I try to faux patina - something I’ve never done - to the fenders and chainguard to match?” And the rest, as they say, is history! He enrolled in RaTina 101, and passed with flying colors! Here is your diploma, Uncle Shish, The OJ for BO 19!
Flying Star Rat – @Joel Jeter
This builder might be new to the RRB BO scene, but he clearly is not new to the building of a rat rod bike! Starting with an impressive P.O.P (pile of parts) he pulled off a p-RaT-icularly pleasing pedal powered RaT. And in record time, hitting OddJob type build speeds, he crossed the Finished line at the mid-way point of the build off. But when it comes to building RaTs, time is not always of the essence. It’s what comes out in the end that counts! Using his own brand of RaT-ina syrup, he gun-blued the newer bare metal parts to age them, and his own patented “grey primer, black, then white; sand /scuff/ rub till you like it, and then rub brown shoe polish to tone down white” to get it similar to the original ’61 tank. He sums it up best explaining the impetus behind the build, “I was in the shop looking thru stuff and this button just jumped into my hand and the Rat said build a Ratrod bike, so I did.” Oh boy, did you ever! Cong-RaTs Joel on your first OddJob Award!
Hops and Gnarly – @The Renaissance Man
Sensi. Master. RaTina royalty. All of these describe the one and only TRM. As an acolyte of his art, I first learned the ‘mustard method’ watching him use it on an early RRB BO build of his. Along the way he has shared many methods, techniques, tricks, and still surprises us with results every year! Getting the freshly painted frame and fork to match the nearly decayed, deftly repaired, fenders and the original patina tank, he incorpo-RaT-ed thrown bits of “paint chipping shrapnel” and this process which he describes here, “After scratches and scrapes, I reached for some oil-based wood stain. I used an artist's brush to slop on the stain in various areas, then gave it an hour or so to partially dry. With the stain dry enough to be sticky, I take a rag and start removing everything except what I think should stay.” And that’s the key, knowing when to stay, and when to go. TRM, you are the Man; renaissance or not. The OJ goes to the OG of RaT-ina!
Board Tracker #138 – @Roosterbooster0
Sometimes, getting down to the ‘bare bones’ of a rat rod bike build, is the best way to bring out its true nature. Using some new-to-some paint stripping techniques and methods to bring out the best in his raw frame and components, this new-to-RRB-build offs member ended up with a very cool RaT! Possibly the most startling part of this build is that he built 90% of it while on the road, working out of a motel room! I mean HUH?? Parking lot scenes paint removal under streetlamps, cardboard scattered over hotel room bed and carpet component cutting and cleaning; heck, his final Finished thread photos were even taken on the road. Rooster, you captivated me, and I’m guessing others, with your tenacity, deft touch on the design, and your motivational spirit. Congratulations on winning the OddJob Award in RRB BO 19!
And those are your RRB BO 19 OddJob Award Winners!
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