Nautilus (Beached Bobber) - WBO 2018 Scratch Built

[The Renaissance Man]

Cool solution for the brakes.

So far I like the first bar set-up best. I think the second would look better with downward angled road stems. Just my $.02.

 

[Fv2]

Kickstand

The kickstand I wanted to use wouldn't stay tight and in place the first way it was mounted. I welded closed the slotted hole and bent the attachment end to better fit the chain stay tubing. A couple minor tweaks but it stays in place now.

Original Mount

View attachment 71421

Modified Mount

View attachment 71423

This is similar to how I put the stand on my scooter, only much cleaner.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

This is similar to how I put the stand on my scooter, only much cleaner.

Same here!

 

[tjwilson]

Cool solution for the brakes.

So far I like the first bar set-up best. I think the second would look better with downward angled road stems. Just my $.02.

Thanks, and appreciate the input. I think I'm leaning towards the first option too. Kind of reminds me of these Soma bars that I've always liked:

The straight bars do seem a little high, the downward stems would help. And, the more I look at the third option the more it looks like the outline of a cartoon character's hair style!

 

[tjwilson]

This is similar to how I put the stand on my scooter, only much cleaner.

Same here!
View attachment 71455

I really like the look of these kickstands. They stick out a little far though, especially the way I have mine mounted. I hope it doesn't become too much an ankle biter as I'm pushing the bike around.

 

[tjwilson]

Patina

From the beginning I wanted to have a patina finish for this build. To my eyes this turned out to be a little heavy handed. Maybe 50% to 75% less and / or a darker paint color would probably look better and more realistic. Subtle it's not. I think I managed to get some cool effects in some areas though.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

MMMMMM, patina!

 

[tjwilson]

I basically worked wet on wet, alternating between light coats of spray paint and a spray bottle filled with a vinegar/hydrogen peroxide/salt solution. About 50/50 of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide with varying amounts of salt. (I had to mix up a few different bottles in the process.) I noticed that there seemed to be a difference in color depending on the amount of salt. Less salt more of an orange color, more salt a darker brown? Not positive but worth exploring to see if the color can be intentionally controlled.

 

[tjwilson]

I tried to cover the bottom of the frame and shaded areas with heavier paint spray. I also used fine 000 steel wool to remove paint in some areas. Where the paint was heavier it lifted and created the areas that look like chipped paint.

 

[tjwilson]

After getting the paint coverage the way I thought I wanted it I topped it off with a heavy spray of the vinegar/hydrogen peroxide/salt solution. I let that dry overnight. Once dry I took off the excessive rust crust and staining using 000 steel wool. I let the surface dry for a couple days before sealing with clear. Not sure of the longevity of the clear spray verse boiled linseed oil but will find out! I was hoping for a more dull finish but even a matte spray has some sheen.

I think the detail areas in isolation turned out really well. The overall views I'm not too sure of. Was a great learning experience and I've gained a whole new respect for those of you who pull this off. In my experience it seems so much easier to clean old parts to blend them in with new parts than to try and make new parts blend in with older naturally aged ones!

 

[Fv2]

Different types of vinegar can make different colors. If you put some plain steel wool in a jar with vinegar overnight you can get a good patina.

Try mixing it with red wine or cider vinegar, it's a simple way to get multi color patina. Check YouTube.

 

[tjwilson]

Different types of vinegar can make different colors. If you put some plain steel wool in a jar with vinegar overnight you can get a good patina.

Try mixing it with red wine or cider vinegar, it's a simple way to get multi color patina. Check YouTube.

I was using white vinegar this time around. There's an entire world of YouTube examples to get lost in! Found some videos of nice darkening, verses a rust finish, using only vinegar that I really like.

 

[kingfish254]

Looks like you are having fun with the fauxtina.
I never realized there were enough Rusting With Vinegar videos to start a whole Fauxtina branch of the Food Network.

 

[OddJob]

Nice rat-ina! Fun to follow your process on this.

 

[tjwilson]

Chain Guard

More fun with the vinegar/hydrogen peroxide/salt solution and spray paint.

 

[tjwilson]

I'm going to call this one done! Decided on the first option for the bars and ended up leaving off the fender. It just looked better without it.

See more finished photos here:
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/nautilus-beached-bobber.106032/

 

[kingfish254]

Great craftmanship man.