A Proper Rat Rod

[Ulu]

Hob the nails to make them tight.
Put little teeth on them with dykes or a small chisel. Then they will bite in.

 

[BobbyStillz]

Well, as with all things Raleigh, the tiny rivets I bought and shipped from England didn’t work…. The badge looked ok, but the rivets were not all the way in and were not 1000% secure.

Back to the drawing board:

Raleigh = never again
View attachment 241135

Have you tried the screws out of a cassette tape or VHS tape? Don't know if it will work on a Raleigh, but it works on a variety of other bike frames.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Have you tried the screws out of a cassette tape or VHS tape? Don't know if it will work on a Raleigh, but it works on a variety of other bike frames.

Yeah…. Raleigh is unlike any bike I have ever worked on…..nothing works on a Raleigh.. not even Raleigh parts shipped in from England.

 

[user 35233]

Yeah…. Raleigh is unlike any bike I have ever worked on…..nothing works on a Raleigh.. not even Raleigh parts shipped in from England.

My final step would be to fake it with nicer nails and a glue gun (<--- cures all) or just glue.

 

[idiotboy]

3M outdoor 2-sided tape, the gray stuff with the red removable part, will stick a head badge on strong enough that you will have to carve it off, then little brass screws from the hardware store for looks

 

[Wildcat]

You could also check out the hobby stores. They have tons of decorative rivets and fasteners.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

If this doesn’t come out perfect, an imperfect rat rod she’ll be!

I’d did get some fresh .25” ball bearings

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Here we go

 

[ingola]

Here we go
View attachment 241339

Remember to squeeze those cotters in the bolt on the back really doesn't do much

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Well, I’m not sure if it’s perfect, but I have ZERO play on this attempt: The spindle could be spinning a little more freely, but ZERO play, which is great.

I PACKED these things with grease wicked, I’m hoping it’ll loosen up with use.

The spindle turns freely with my fingers, I just can’t ‘spin it’ like I could when I nuked it with carb cleaner and lube

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Remember to squeeze those cotters in the bolt on the back really doesn't do much

Thanks!!!! Will do tomorrow…

 

[Jude Ephesus]

I’m not pushing my luck on this!!!

Something finally went right on this, so…..
I’m gonna call it good for now!

Into the shed!!!!

I actually have the coming week off…. I hope to get this guy done in time!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

 

[Jude Ephesus]

‘R’ nuts and all:

 

[Jude Ephesus]

These shined up pretty good:

 

[Jude Ephesus]

And, uh….. Wow…. Almost looking like a bike

 

[Jude Ephesus]

So…. Pretty big day at the back 40 NE

As difficult as this thing has been to date, it went together pretty easily this afternoon.

Coming down the home stretch:

 

[OddJob]

This. Pure class. Echinacea Purple Coneflower in the background really compliments the gorgeous red Metalcast rims!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Jude’s revenge: (this is actually a different head badge)

 

[Jude Ephesus]

This. Pure class. Echinacea Purple Coneflower in the background really compliments the gorgeous red Metalcast rims!

View attachment 241473

Thanks for the input here OJ…. great point!

-maybe for pic’s I’ll try to find a nice garden with paver walking path.