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

[Indyjps]

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

I like this pile. Maybe I'll get moving on the flightliner I have on the wall and throw it in the mix.
Build one of these up, it'll "draw me in"

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Excited to get started! This will be my 3rd build off. Always a lot of fun journaling the build process and watching others build their amazing creations. If parts keep coming in, I will build this 1959 Schwinn. Otherwise I will be entering the 26” step through muscle bike which I built in the most recent build off. Complete tear down with insert upgrades and the addition of a parachute. It will also receive a fatter rim for the 3 speed hub. And other small touches. Here are the starting points.

 

[handyandy1100]

Thinking I will throw my hat in the ring this year. Picked up this old Hawthorne last December, so that's what I'll be working on. Been scrounging up parts for a couple of months now. A 3 speed wheelset and some other stuff. Still haven't been able to settle on a plan though.

 

[dropstep]

This thing was my starting point. Sold the mechanical 2 speed wheel set and tore it down for storage last summer. First mens bike I’ve ever owned with a tank

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

Skipton.... build a camper already! hahaha

 

[SwissGuy]

Skipton.... build a camper already! hahaha

Love that idea! And with that base absolutely doable! Go for it!
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Please...!?!

 

[deven_science]

It's been a couple of years since I've done the build off, and even longer since I've finished a bike during the allotted time, but I think I'll be in this year. There's a build that's been brewing for years in my brain, and while I worked a couple of months in San Jose away from home, it became something I need.

If I'm out of town, and want to have a bike to ride, I either have to drive my van, or use a foldable and/or the donkey bike. Both look dull in a sea of custom cruisers. So, with that in mind, I'm going to build a compact custom bike that can be thrown into the back seat, and still fit in with other customs on a ride. It won't be a foldable, though some of its parts will. Just very short and compact.

 

[kingfish254]

It's been a couple of years since I've done the build off, and even longer since I've finished a bike during the allotted time, but I think I'll be in this year. There's a build that's been brewing for years in my brain, and while I worked a couple of months in San Jose away from home, it became something I need.

If I'm out of town, and want to have a bike to ride, I either have to drive my van, or use a foldable and/or the donkey bike. Both look dull in a sea of custom cruisers. So, with that in mind, I'm going to build a compact custom bike that can be thrown into the back seat, and still fit in with other customs on a ride. It won't be a foldable, though some of its parts will. Just very short and compact.

Love this idea. It brings to mind something like the modern mini-bike looking ebikes, but with an Alchemist flair.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

It's been a couple of years since I've done the build off, and even longer since I've finished a bike during the allotted time, but I think I'll be in this year. There's a build that's been brewing for years in my brain, and while I worked a couple of months in San Jose away from home, it became something I need.

If I'm out of town, and want to have a bike to ride, I either have to drive my van, or use a foldable and/or the donkey bike. Both look dull in a sea of custom cruisers. So, with that in mind, I'm going to build a compact custom bike that can be thrown into the back seat, and still fit in with other customs on a ride. It won't be a foldable, though some of its parts will. Just very short and compact.

Always interested in your builds!

 

[toro1978]

Oh how I would butcher that Velo truck if I could grab a hold of it!

But I am now officially in because my frame indeed arrived unharmed. It was very well packaged in a thick cardboard box. Make unknown, material is steel, and it is has a 125 mm wide rear triangle.

It needs fork legs, else I have enough parts to get it rolling, but no actual plan yet. Probably a Felt rim with a 4" tire in the rear...

 

[kingfish254]

Oh how I would butcher that Velo truck if I could grab a hold of it!

But I am now officially in because my frame indeed arrived unharmed. It was very well packaged in a thick cardboard box. Make unknown, material is steel, and it is has a 125 mm wide rear triangle.
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It needs fork legs, else I have enough parts to get it rolling, but no actual plan yet. Probably a Felt rim with a 4" tire in the rear...

Cool frame. Looks a lot like a Nirve Switchblade chopper frame.

 

[toro1978]

Definitely quite similar. It might be a Velor. The seller didn't know either. I love the Nirve choppers so I couldn't resist. It also has a Schwinn type kickstand. BB 30, headset seems to be 1 1/8". The seat post is 1 1/8" too. I could not find any markings or numbers on it,

 

[Palepainter]

May have to go with another truck…. Picking this up today.

 

[OddJob]

Wow! What a line-up of builders for RRB BO #17 !

Keep those build ideas and notifications coming. Sounds like we have a bunch of veteran builders coming back from hiatus, and a couple of brand new builders, along with some recent additions in the past 2-3 years. Pass the word to friends that might be interested in this sort of thing.

And as always...

RaT oN~!

 

[nosferatu1381]

I am going to try to keep it simple. I have an old rickshaw and a rod brake Raleigh. It weighs 14 tons. Nothing crazy. Try to make it lighter. Maybe add an outdoor kitchen, two bedrooms, a shower and a wet bar.

 

[dropstep]

I’m looking forward to this. Have a few different ideas I’ll need to try and decide between. My plan this year isn’t as clear cut

 

[tvc15]

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 ModeratorView attachment 189814

 

[tvc15]

I’m in… will be a late start though!

 

[gowjobs]

Got to thinking about it, and I decided that I would like a lighter lift this year, so instead of a Class 2 drag bike entry, I think I will get back to our roots, and build a hot rod Huffman. I think their 40's - '50s frame is one of the best looking ones ever, so I picked one up. Also, I have a 27.5 coaster wheelset that I removed before selling off last year's Felt build that need a new home.

 

[kingfish254]

I’m in… will be a late start though!

SHAKE and BAKE!!!