Rock Bottom - Complete

[bebopblu]

Wow ! This was a great experiance! This is my first build off and I had a great time building, restoring and following all the other great builds. Learned lots of new stuff and found out how awesome the Rat Rod Bikes community is. When I needed a link for my skiptooth chain - bike2112 sent it to me in an instant which made this project actually get on the road.
As a recap - I picked this 49 Schwinn from CL for $20. I thought I would at least be able to salvage the frame and I did not own a straight bar. When I got it home my wife saw the condition of it and asked how bad a bike had to be for me to NOT bring it home. A little light bulb went off and I named this bike ROCK BOTTOM
Here it is the day I brought it home

When I first started I envisioned a real ratty build and as all of my bikes it had to be a comfortable, rideable street bike. As the build progressed it took on a life of its own and it seemed the bike was telling me how it wanted to look when complete. I still look at and laugh because it looks nothing like my first plan. When my wife saw it complete she said the bike look Elegant !!! So funny to think I was going for all RAT when I started !!!

But If you look real close you can see that I kept alot of the rust pitting and even some holes so she is a little Ratty under that Elegant exterior :mrgreen:

Some glamor shots on the boardwalk

Thanks to all for the kind comments during the build
Here she is - ROCK BOTTOM

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Great build! Looks good with the Columbia springer fork :wink: Nice color choices too 8)

 

[bebopblu]

Thanks - The colors are "ruddy brown primer" and flat Ivory Silk all covered with a flat clear coat.

 

[MplsCoaster]

Wow, what a great save! Like the way you colored the springer, handlebars and seat frame to play off the main color scheme 8)
Great photos too! Sharp looking bike, Congrats!

 

[Funkme]

Sweeeet !!!!!! restoration job, your wife is right elegant !!!!!

 

[deorman]

Excellent job! 8) NOS looking paint job, and the Columbia fork looks like it was made for it.

 

[Gold Street Customs]

Thats really sharp ,nice save, I like the way you left off the front fender,and changed the springer, gives it a classic hot rod look.

 

[yoothgeye]

Looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor!

 

[raggedjim]

Nice build! It went from undesirable to desirible in 3 months!

Rg

 

[Critter1]

Very nicely done!

 

[Terry66]

Love the build and the colors. You saved that bike! Great job!

 

[bebopblu]

Thanks for all the compliments. I am very happy with way the Columbia fork turned out -gives the bike a little tougher look

 

[FatBoy]

Very nice work!! Great Job 8) :mrgreen:

 

[mitchelangelo]

Looks like Rock Bottom made it up to Rocky Top! Very classy looking and ride-able. The painted pitting just shows the ups and downs of the bikes history. Love it!!

 

[jerrykr]

wow, what a great build. I love every aspect of this bike. Great!

 

[EastOfEastLos]

I gotta say, I love this bike. What a way to bring something back from the dead. And OF COURSE!...That bike was totally worth the $20 you paid for it originally, even in that condition. Shoot, over here in So Cal, they would've got at least $150 bucks for the bike in that original, dilapidated condition! Great buy, greater restoration.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Very nice rebuild, shows well.

 

[kingfish254]

Great build!!!!
Sweet looking ride!
Congrats!!

 

[Gdcast]

Amazing bike/work you ended up with a bike to be really proud of, and those pics are calender material my friend, really nice.

 

[bebopblu]

Amazing bike/work you ended up with a bike to be really proud of, and those pics are calender material my friend, really nice.

I would be very proud if a photo made it onto the calender. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to write such nice comments. I love looking at all the completed bikes and getting so many great ideas for future builds.