I don’t know why people believe that they all died off? I am certain I have worked with more than one. And not the sharp ones that were inventing glue.
A Proper Rat Rod
- Thread starter Jude Ephesus
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:
I don’t know why people believe that they all died off? I am certain I have worked with more than one. And not the sharp ones that were inventing glue.
This bicycle is gonna be awesome. 
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
Thanks!!!! -we’ll see what happens. It was tough to buy: I had another, battery powered light ‘in my stock’ but really thought it was too big and would mess up the flow of the bike
-that said, I wanted anything but an empty headlight bracket. A clamp alone to make this light work with my bracket is like $30 on eBay. I got the new light with clamp n freight for ~$60…. So not great, but not awful
I was going to use yellow duplicolor on the lens on this…. I’m going to put the other one on as is and leave any cosmetic mods for last minute
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
I hit this guy with a clear gloss last night.
It will be interesting to see if you can notice the gloss vs the satin once installed
It will be interesting to see if you can notice the gloss vs the satin once installed
I don't think it will matter if it's glossy or not. The old Raleigh headbadge is so grandiose it still stands out even when dirty.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
So, thinking about ‘my inventory’, I remembered a part I had bought with no project in mind…. RRB, I’d like some input!!!!
…. And, this being an English bike, makes me think of a famous English phrase by William Shakespeare!
So, RRB: To patina,
Or not to patina,
THAT is the QUESTION!
….as I LOVE the brown saddle, I think it may ‘stick out’ from the rest of the bike…..
…. And, this being an English bike, makes me think of a famous English phrase by William Shakespeare!
So, RRB: To patina,
Or not to patina,
THAT is the QUESTION!
….as I LOVE the brown saddle, I think it may ‘stick out’ from the rest of the bike…..
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
That BIKE is AWESOME!!!!
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
Never done this before!
Any science to tightening the crown race / top headset nut?
I have no vertical play in the fork but really only put on finger tight
Cleaned out parts and re-greased top and bottom races.
Any science to tightening the crown race / top headset nut?
I have no vertical play in the fork but really only put on finger tight
Cleaned out parts and re-greased top and bottom races.
Last edited:
Back in the day (late1980s early 1990s before affordable cartridge brgs) we would always remove the brg cages and pack them loose (less friction). Then tighten them like any other brg. The trick was always to be mindful and not put too many brgs in the cups/crowns. Also, if someone has a worn crown/race combo where they can feel the recesses left due to time/corrosion, packing them loose places the contact point in a different location and it feels (almost) new again. The PT company has a good metal rueler with graduated holes that identifies brg sizes. I apologize if this is common knowledge......
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
Great info! Thank you! -so are you saying I could pull out a ball bearing or two?
The black one would work better, and that's probably the same style seat that came with it.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
Thanks Wildcat: Yeah…. I’m pretty sure the black (B72) was the original seat for the bike.
the original owner‘s son said he knew it had a ’thick brooks saddle’ on it originally, but had been lost or replaced over the years.
If they all sit in there "shoulder to shoulder" and lay flat into the cup you should be fine. If there is even 1 too many, it will want to stick up. Your description that the steerer and head tube pivots smoothly tells me that you have the correct amount.......
The build is looking good Jude! These old British bikes have their eccentricities but they are great bikes. I like the B72 for this one. It's what it probably had originally, like Wildcat pointed out, and I like the patina. That brown saddle is awesome though. You could just switch them out depending on your mood. Keep up the great work! 
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
Thanks! The bottom bracket and cotter pins lived up to the hype!The build is looking good Jude! These old British bikes have their eccentricities but they are great bikes. I like the B72 for this one. It's what it probably had originally, like Wildcat pointed out, and I like the patina. That brown saddle is awesome though. You could just switch them out depending on your mood. Keep up the great work!
I’m looking forward to getting this beast done and on the road!
It's the little joys that make life worth living.
If you did dark brown tape, or custom stained RaT-ina tape to match the brown Brooks, those accents might look really neat with your green/black fade.
Brown is the new black, you know.
Jude, I think you've found your niche. After the Red Ryder Skinny build winning bike, and now this Raliegh; you clearly have a knack for these!
Brown is the new black, you know.
Jude, I think you've found your niche. After the Red Ryder Skinny build winning bike, and now this Raliegh; you clearly have a knack for these!
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 2,045
- Reaction score
- 5,870
Thanks OJ! I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve!If you did dark brown tape, or custom stained RaT-ina tape to match the brown Brooks, those accents might look really neat with your green/black fade.
Brown is the new black, you know.
Jude, I think you've found your niche. After the Red Ryder Skinny build winning bike, and now this Raliegh; you clearly have a knack for these!
I honestly DO prefer the brown seat, but the black B72 I think is more appropriate: also, I have committed to black tape already as it just showed up this week…. I ordered the tape not remembering I had that brown seat in my inventory.
-so I love your idea and would prefer to do, but am already hemmed in a bit with the black and RED tape.
-stand by for fun with brake cable housings!
this thing is either going to look like a circus or an epic combo of crazy colors!
