ROCK BOTTOM RAT - DONE !!!!

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT - UPDATE 6/18

Thanks - The taking apart and relacing took a good deal of the day but the weather was nice, had the radio cranking and learned how to lace a wheel. Hopefully I did everything correct. I love the look of the sweeheart skiptooth sprocket and am glad to keep it on the bike it came from.

 

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT - Slow progress

Got a few more parts brought down to bare metal. The sprocket came out nice. The chain guard has holes rusted through but I thought it looked cool so I am going with a painted beat up look. The handle bars were very pitted so I have red putty on themand they will be painted cream.

I am also going to try the led flashlight conversion on this old light

Hopt to get more done tomorrow. :mrgreen:

 

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT - UPDATE 6/18

Lots of tedious work but got the headlight together. Thanks to all the people that have posted step-by-step instructions on how to fit an old headlight with an LED flashlight.

Also tackled the chainguard. It has rust holes in it but I think that will look cool.

After lots of masking this is what I have.

 

[kingfish254]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/27 Light&Chainguard

Super job on the light!
I really like the color scheme!!
Great masking on the guard. That baby looks sweet!!

 

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/27 Light&Chainguard

Thanks !!! The bike is coming together but the more I do the more the bike evolves. It has taken on a life of its own. Next I will tackle the rear fender - the only one that survived the rust.

 

[kingfish254]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/27 Light&Chainguard

Thanks !!! The bike is coming together but the more I do the more the bike evolves. It has taken on a life of its own. Next I will tackle the rear fender - the only one that survived the rust.

I love that about custom bike builds. It's fun to go back later and look at what your original idea was and what it became.

 

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/27 Light&Chainguard

That light looks cool--gives me ideas for the rusty, busted lights I have lying around.

Thanks - This was the first light I did and was surprised as to how much I enjoyed building this light. I have 2 more old rusty ones around and am already thinking about which bikes to put them on :lol:

 

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/27 Light&Chainguard

Starting to get this beast rolling. First time lacing wheels and by following step-by step instructions online , it really was not that bad. I used some old 26x 1.75 rims from a middleweight Schwinn. I then put in a rear skiptooth hub and old Schwinn front hub I got online. Put some old tires 26x2.125 I had from a another straight bar Schwinn. I am happy with the way the chainguard came out. I will take closeups so you can see the rust pinholes still in it. The metal is very rough but I like the look. The handle bars were very rusted so I primed and used body putty but they still have just the right amount of pitting to match the rest of the bike ! I am going to adjust the headlight bracket to bring it lower and closer to the bike. Right now the rear fender is soaking in oxalic acid. Hope to take first test ride in about a week.
BEFORE

TODAY

 

[char]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

Looks super cool man! You've done such a nice job. Love it!

 

[ODDER]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

What a transformation! Looks Great. :mrgreen:

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

Great transformation! That's a nice looking bike :wink:

 

[Scootbomb]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

Nice work!

 

[Jake Sensi]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

YO!! YA KIDDING RIGHT?!? THIS BIKE IS FREAKIN' AMAZING!!

 

[kingfish254]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

What a beauty!

 

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

Thanks for all of the positive comments - helps keep me going

 

[kchurch86]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

That's a beauty! Love the paint scheme.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/27 Light&Chainguard

First time lacing wheels and by following step-by step instructions online , it really was not that bad.

Your bike is looking really sharp! The whitewalls and white scheme/accents really make it pop 8)

Which online instructions did you follow?
I've been getting caught up in the details of finding the right spoke diameter

 

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

Here is a link to the website that helped me lace the wheels. Go slow, read instructions and then read them again and before you know it youve got a wheel :lol:
http://www.troubleshooters.com/bicycles ... /index.htm

 

[bebopblu]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

Thanks very much for the kind words :lol: I dont think the photos are bringing out the true colors. The light color is a rustolium called Ivory Silk in satin I was going for a vintage cream color. The dark color is red oxide primer. When I put matte clear coat on, the red primer took on a more brownish red color. The seat is an old white one so kinda looks like the rest of the bike. Still not sure if I am happy with the seat but every other color didnt look right. More to come - thanks again

 

[EastOfEastLos]

Re: ROCK BOTTOM RAT-UPDATE 6/29 More Mocking

Very nice resto. Thumbs up!