Rat Rod Bikes Build Off #17: Let's Go!!

[OddJob]

Welcome to the 17th annual RRB Build Off! It's hard to believe that the build off has spanned three decades and dozens of participants along the way! Every year around this time, as the seasons change, many of us get 'bike build fever' and can't wait till the start of the annual RRB Build Off.

This year we plan to maintain the same two class structure, with Class I being pretty much bolt-on, mix n' match parts, with no structural modification, i.e. cutting / welding, to the original starting frame. Class II is open ended, with as much modding as you wish or starting from scratch with raw materials. At RRB we try to maintain an open mind when it comes to the 'definition' of a rat rod bike. Some RaTs are shiny, some are rough. Some are natty RaTs, some are ratty RaTs. In the end, you must have a rolling, ride able, finished product. After all, bikes are built to be ridden!

The Build Off #17 will begin at 12 am North American Central Time on May 1st, 2022 and will go till 12 noon on September 6, 2022. May Day through Labor Day!

In the meantime, let's get the party started! Who's new on the guest list to this bike building party? What ideas and concepts do you have swimming around in that rat rod bike brain of yours? Let's hear em'!

And as always,

RaT oN~!

OddJob
RRB BO #17 Moderator

 

[Oldbiscuit]

I’m in !

 

[kingfish254]

Wow, it's that time of year already!!! I'll be joining at least a month later though. Tomorrow is my Silver Anniversary with Queenfish and we will be celebrating with a trip to Italy during the month of May. I guess, I've been in the RRBBOs for almost half my married life, since this will be my 12th RRBBO.

I'm still not sure what my build will be. I may use the Uncle Stretch frame that I scored, but there are a few other builds swimming around in my head too.

Last year, we had great participation from outside the US. I hope that happens again this year.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Last year, we had great participation from outside the US. I hope that happens again this year.

Representing Canada here with plans for a sweet little CCM. Possible name:

I think I'll have some company.
@ingola , you got plans for the summer? This is the big one!

@OddJob you didn't mention if you were working on any plans...

 

[ingola]

I'm in with a CCM (don't know witch one yet but it will have double bars) do we even still have sweet Marie?

 

[kingfish254]

Representing Canada here with plans for a sweet little CCM. Possible name:
View attachment 189805
I think I'll have some company.
@ingola , you got plans for the summer? This is the big one!

@OddJob you didn't mention if you were working on any plans...

That brings back great memories of one of my favorite bands of the 80s.

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

I'll be in for both Class I and Class II entries.

Class I will be the Alpinestars MTB to BMX mod for my nephew, since creating a bike for someone else is a great motivator to actually finish, which finally happened last year.

Class II will be a tallbike that actually fits me. The one I have was made from 22" frames and the cockpit is cramped. I've had a particular build process and theme in my head for a few years now, along with two 26" seat tube Schwinn Electro-Forged frames to fab together. It's also going to serve as a practice run on the process to crank out another four or five tallbikes from step-through Electro-Forged frames picked up in last Summer's big haul.

Just as a side-note on unfinished BO bikes, RRBO 15 Blue Dream is finally done and when I take it out next I'll snap a few pics and post done on that thread. RRBO 14's Vindication Procrastination needs a litle more work, but it's out and I've been chipping away at finalizing it as well.

 

[Frankie plekhand]

I'm definitly in! Still have to finish my MBBO entry but i guess BO17 goes first. I have lot's of ideas and a great bike for a ratty gender bender so the real question is why wouldn't i haha

 

[toro1978]

I just bought an used frame yesterday. I wanted to get a break from builds because I basically ran out of space, but when I saw it I couldn't resist. If the dude is not a scam and the frame survives shipping I am in.

 

[CRASH]

I'm in. Heavily modified 24" muscle is what I'll be throwing into the fray.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I’m gonna try to enter this year, got almost everything I need except for the wheels and tires….
It will be a straightforward build if I do, nothing too ‘fancy’

 

[biggraham]

I'm in like Flynn, with maybe a tandem or a trike...

 

[kingfish254]

I'm in like Flynn, with maybe a tandem or a trike...

Or a Tandem Trike

 

[ingola]

Or a Tandem Trike

That would be epic!!!!!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Always wanted to get one of these to tow the lads behind the tandem:

Tandem tandems! Tandemonium!

 

[ingola]

What

Always wanted to get one of these to tow the lads behind the tandem:View attachment 189858

Tandem tandems! Tandemonium!

For you have handlebars and a banana seat

 

[GuitarlCarl]

I'm in and pulling out donors today from the house I grew up in (and home again at some point)

There's a Flightliner and a Spaceliner there with a rat trap springer and a 3 speed drum brake rear wheel wearing a Hank. It's a good parts pile I think...

GC.

 

[dropstep]

I purchased the bike I wanted to build for this last summer so I’m in. Dug it out the other day during spring cleaning! If this bike turns out like I want this is likely my last build off (unless I find a dirt cheap painted space liner). I’m running out of space! Plans this time don’t include a banana seat for a change.

may enter class 2 with the bike I failed to finish for class 2 last year. I’ve never been happy with how it looks

 

[Wildcat]

I've got all my saved vintage parts hoping to find a frame. Truss rods, skip tooth drivetrain, handlebars, old Brooks seat. It will be something vintage looking.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

I've got all my saved vintage parts hoping to find a frame. Truss rods, skip tooth drivetrain, handlebars, old Brooks seat. It will be something vintage looking.

It'll be tough in the Philippines but these days anything pre K-Mart is vintage...
and I can hear the kids now, "What's a K-Mart?"

Carl.