A Proper Rat Rod

[ingola]

I like that series better than the one from the 70s

That all steal sticker goes on the seat post I think it's the coolest one

 

[The Renaissance Man]

This is really coming together nicely! The cable housings blend very well and I still love the green fenders.

The decals look cool too.

 

[ParkRNDL]

Mmmmmmm…. Stickers.

(I know they technically aren’t right, but they’re super cool)
View attachment 241901

Right, shmight. I am all about creative badging if it looks cool; bonus points if it happens to be the correct manufacturer.

 

[OddJob]

Dig the stickers! And the cable coloring turned out very vintage-y looking. Fits the vibe well!

Just for the H of it, take a few Finished photos without the baskets....for comparison sake....and maybe....

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Dig the stickers! And the cable coloring turned out very vintage-y looking. Fits the vibe well!

Just for the H of it, take a few Finished photos without the baskets....for comparison sake....and maybe....

Thanks OJ: maybe! the basket was a real pain to get on!!!!

(the basket clamps don’t line up well with the seat stays)

I’ll do my ‘project Complete’ before and afters with the baskets on, then make maybe fiddle with the baskets

i do think the black bar tape will have a big impact on overall look of the bike…. Plus those baskets make me feel like it’s a Harley Bagger!!!!!

 

[Pondo]

Unreal! I’m skittish on a lot of websites

Me too. I got burned on a scam website before so I'm pretty choosy.

The bike came out great! The green fenders go amazingly well with the black frame and red rims. The cables actually turned out pretty good too. The stickers are a nice touch. The flowers in the background of the pics compliment the rims nicely. Very cool bike. How is it to ride?

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Me too. I got burned on a scam website before so I'm pretty choosy.

The bike came out great! The green fenders go amazingly well with the black frame and red rims. The cables actually turned out pretty good too. The stickers are a nice touch. The flowers in the background of the pics compliment the rims nicely. Very cool bike. How is it to ride?

Thanks for your input and insight on the build!

Actually, to my surprise, it rode GREAT!!!!

I mean, I figured it would ride nice, but what really threw me for a loop was the feel of a very light, agile bike!

I have a Schwinn suburban VERY similar to this build: tall frame, flipped n taped bars, new rubber, sharp tune…

That bike rides awesome. Smooth, heavy, yet pedals easy. It feels a little clunky moving around and turning.

This thing, quite honestly, I was stunned!

It pedaled and shifted fine, braked fine, but for some reason, it felt like a substantially smaller and way lighter bike than the suburban!

It’s not! (I don’t think!) - It has those crazy baskets on the back! Yet, the thing felt like one of my stripped down road bikes!

I’d like to throw them both on a scale and see if it’s weight, geometry…. Whatever!

It looks like a heavy, classic, vintage bike, but wow…. It really does ride nice

 

[Jude Ephesus]

 

[Pondo]

I really like the way it turned out. It's making me want to build my Raleigh. I have all the parts (including the basket ), I'll just need to find a men's frame or move the top tube up on this one. I want to learn to braze better so this might be a good project for that.

The flipped bars with bar tape on your bikes looks both stylish and comfortable.

 

[Captain Awesome]

I really like the way it turned out. It's making me want to build my Raleigh. I have all the parts (including the basket ), I'll just need to find a men's frame or move the top tube up on this one. I want to learn to braze better so this might be a good project for that.
View attachment 242019

The flipped bars with bar tape on your bikes looks both stylish and comfortable.

Skinny build off in January?

 

[Pondo]

It pedaled and shifted fine, braked fine, but for some reason, it felt like a substantially smaller and way lighter bike than the suburban!

geometry

That's what I thought too. Steeper head tube maybe?

Skinny build off in January?

Sounds like fun!

 

[Son of Kradus]

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

If the shoe fits, wear it. Lovin that green on the fenders, cant wait to see it with the blingy bars, done a great job on all the shine,
Late edit... the wrapped bars are cool, the rims set it apart from others and that green

 

[ingola]

Thanks for your input and insight on the build!

Actually, to my surprise, it rode GREAT!!!!

I mean, I figured it would ride nice, but what really threw me for a loop was the feel of a very light, agile bike!

I have a Schwinn suburban VERY similar to this build: tall frame, flipped n taped bars, new rubber, sharp tune…

That bike rides awesome. Smooth, heavy, yet pedals easy. It feels a little clunky moving around and turning.
View attachment 242016


This thing, quite honestly, I was stunned!

It pedaled and shifted fine, braked fine, but for some reason, it felt like a substantially smaller and way lighter bike than the suburban!

It’s not! (I don’t think!) - It has those crazy baskets on the back! Yet, the thing felt like one of my stripped down road bikes!

I’d like to throw them both on a scale and see if it’s weight, geometry…. Whatever!

It looks like a heavy, classic, vintage bike, but wow…. It really does ride nice
View attachment 242017

An English Raleigh is probably lighter than the Schwinn there is a reason they made the same bike for 60 years. I knew you would love it.

 

[handyandy1100]

Beautiful bicycle, Jude. Almost too nice to be called a rat.

Your build has me looking forward to working on the ratty Raleigh I recently picked up.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

I really like the way it turned out. It's making me want to build my Raleigh. I have all the parts (including the basket ), I'll just need to find a men's frame or move the top tube up on this one. I want to learn to braze better so this might be a good project for that.
View attachment 242019

The flipped bars with bar tape on your bikes looks both stylish and comfortable.

Thanks for your input and following my build. -that bike is super cool as is.

Just flip the bars and tape them…. Stick your fenders on, lube and go !!!

You may be able to put some flat mixte bars on there that would be super cool as well.

I have a black matching womens Raleigh I’m going to build to match this one.

I Hope your bike pedals freely and you don’t have to mess with the bottom bracket. -that is a total nightmare and lives up to the hype if you need to get the crank arms off and replace the axle or rebuild the bottom bracket.

Don’t mess with the frame or getting a mens frame. The green is awesome and that bike looks pretty close as-is and would be super cool done with a mixte vibe.

An English Raleigh is probably lighter than the Schwinn there is a reason they made the same bike for 60 years. I knew you would love it.

I just got back from a 7 mile test ride.

I can’t believe it, but I’m stunned! This was amazing! Felt light and agile, pedaled smooth and easy….

Thing is great. I can’t believe the ride.

Beautiful bicycle, Jude. Almost too nice to be called a rat.

Your build has me looking forward to working on the ratty Raleigh I recently picked up.
View attachment 242020

All over that!!!!! I just scored a Peugeot mixte the other day! I love Mixte’s and think they (and all step through bikes) are too easily overlooked.

I’d love to follow your build on that!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

And, as I was telling @ingola : just got back from my traditional 7 mile test ride.
(From my house to willow bay and back, Onondaga Lake park)

Bike was flawless. Rides amazing: restoring one of these will push your patience and budget to the limits, but without question, this is now my go-to recreational rider.

Here’s the before and afters:

 

[One-eyed Sailor]

Congratulations! She is marvelous!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Congratulations! She is marvelous!

Thanks! It was rough getting here, but glad it’s done and will be used frequently!

 

[ingola]

Next you need to find a dl1 tourest

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Next you need to find a dl1 tourestView attachment 242050

A ‘rod brake’ bike is definitely on my list!