A Proper Rat Rod

[Jude Ephesus]

I need at least the fenders and forks off of this guy.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Good….. nabbed my parts off of the green alto

 

[Jude Ephesus]

First mock—up

 

[twojs.bike]

Those handlebars look smashed! Did you have to beat them out with a hammer?

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Those handlebars look smashed! Did you have to beat them out with a hammer?

unfortunately, yes! -those were the rusted bars off the green alto.

I tried penetrating oil, PB blaster, wd40…. A HUGE rubber mallet And good old fashioned country strong ’twist and lift’ and I could only get them up about an 1/8 of an inch.

After about 45 minutes I realized I had 4 other sets of bars in better condition so I broke out my hammer!

I was actually surprised They smashed like they did….. I guess it shows how stuck they were…

fortunately, the original bars to the proper rat rod pulled out pretty easily with some wd40 and the twist and turn.

 

[OddJob]

How close in age / date of manufacture, are these Ralieghs that you are 'mashing' together? The parts seem to meld together pretty well; especially headsets, fender mounts, size of parts, etc.

I guess you could say it's coming together "Properly".

 

[ingola]

How close in age / date of manufacture, are these Ralieghs that you are 'mashing' together? The parts seem to meld together pretty well; especially headsets, fender mounts, size of parts, etc.

I guess you could say it's coming together "Properly".

Raleigh made the same bike for 80 years an early Raleigh headset will fit right into the 80s. Problem with Raleigh is nothing from anything else fits. Threading is different.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

How close in age / date of manufacture, are these Ralieghs that you are 'mashing' together? The parts seem to meld together pretty well; especially headsets, fender mounts, size of parts, etc.

I guess you could say it's coming together "Properly".

Ha-Ha! That’s a great question!

fact of the matter is, I have no idea! I just sort of keep running into Raleigh”s and picking them up Because they look the same!

the green one I specifically measured the head tube to make sure the fork would fit Before I purchased As the bike I had was definitely a tall/alto bike.

the proper rat rod needed a new fork, and I bought the entire green Raleigh for the same price I would have paid for an alto fork on eBay. From a quick look-over on the spot, the bikes looked the same to me, so I got it.

I think the brown and blue bikes are 80’s….. green one 70’s and the black Sprite and proper rat rod…. No idea! I think the proper rat rod is a 1930, but i still need more work to prove.

the parts I’m finding on the bikes, with exception to the brake levers are all 100% identical, so great luck there, as I want to get as many functional bikes out of this stash as possible!

 

[OddJob]

RaLeigH oN~!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

RaLeigH oN~!

Tally ho!

 

[handyandy1100]

Jolly good, old bean!

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I’m digging this build so far!
I don’t know what your paint plans are, but I like the black and green together

 

[Ulu]

I am amazed that you guys have a coin operated car wash. I think they’ve effectively made them illegal around here because they seem to have disappeared over the years.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

I’m digging this build so far!
I don’t know what your paint plans are, but I like the black and green together

Satin clear coat on everything! 100% sealed in patina!!!!

-and a cool surface: I’m going to color match the rear baskets.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

I am amazed that you guys have a coin operated car wash. I think they’ve effectively made them illegal around here because they seem to have disappeared over the years.

Yup…. We got ‘em: plastic bags are illegal, but we got coin operated car washes!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

OK !!!! Y’all bunch of show offs!!!!!

-got all these pages of build notes!!!

Heck! @OddJob has 6 pages of build notes AND is playing rock concerts in his spare time in sold out arenas!!!

The last 2 weeks have been a whirl wind from prom, to softball games, end of school year banquets and ceremonies; had a kid graduate from college…. Getting a bash set up for him and my #3 child who graduates from high school in 2 weeks….. oi vey!

I managed to get the proper rat rod on a stand in the back .40.

The more I work on this thing, the more I find!!!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

As the bike is functional, I have an awkward fit with the chain and chainring which causes the chain to get very snug.

I’m not sure if I have a bent chainring, the chain is damaged or if the chain is just on too tight.

Oddly, if I pedal forward, it’s barely noticeable, if I pedal backwards, it just feels like a sticking, or increased resistance.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

And these crank pins are definitely not right:

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Meh….

 

[ingola]

And these crank pins are definitely not right:
View attachment 234157View attachment 234158

Your crank probably isn't on right