This will start an argument...

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Rat Rod

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I've had this thought lately about some of the bikes I have seen out there that look just about like a real motorcycle, but yet is still a bike (nothing on this forum).

I'm not sure what it is, maybe from my muscle car days, but I have a hard time with the idea of building something that looks so sweet and so fast and then having pedals sticking out the side of it. This is probably just me, but I would have a hard time riding something like this around without feeling like something was missing....the motor!

My thought is, why not just build a motorcycle?

I liken it to the idea of building a full scale 1969 Camaro Z28 with a go cart frame and a Briggs and Stratton under the hood. :lol:

I guess that's why I never really got into the chopper scene....looks funny without the belt driven rumpety rump in the middle.

My one exception might be this bike, because well, it's a work of art and not really a rider.

http://bikerodnkustom4.homestead.com/gallery353.html

Just one man's opinion. :?
 
The argument would be if the thing is easy to ride. I guess you saw my post about the Hannan Chopper in my blog with the 300mm motorcycle tire. I too was wondering about something that big. It's not really my thing, but after I actually sat on the bike I was hooked. It is very cool to ride. The most important part is that it can climb hills. Nothing looks dumber than a super hot Chopper being pushed up a hill, not cool at all. I guess it depends if they are built just for show or for go. I will probably never have the cash for such a bike, but if I did, I would definitely have one built for me.
 
I was looking at that EXACT bike last night Rat Rod..
and thinking the same thing.

This guy has built a Beautiful Bike..
Even the Engine is a milled Aluminum Block.

I can appreciate the beauty and style
and the work put into the build.......as I ride my bike past his shop
every day looking in to see the progress.
not really my Cup of Tea,
but I appreciate the Art and Beauty all the same.

It's All show...no go!
just my 2 cents,
peace,
Kev.
 
I agree with kev i admire the craftsmen ship but i think its flippin dumb 2 spend the money 2 have a motor milled out of a hunka aluminum when u can go get a new briggs and stratton probably for the same price... Yeah i agreee, all show no go.
 
too dang shiny for me. I do appreciate the craftsmanship, but please, if you if you must build an occ type chopper , at least put a motor in it!
 
Actually guys I know the builder of 'Deceiver' the orange bike pretty well. It's not a surprise that people here aren't into this type of bike. There's nothing like this being shown built here for obvious reasons. I post all of the pics for him on CBN so I have the progression of it in my computer.

I'm sure he wouldn't be concerned if you don't like it. I hope no one thinks I am either, different strokes for different folks. I'm just trying to explain a little since he isn't on the site.

The engine is not out of a single chunk of aluminum. Let me show you-

bike035.jpg


bike030.jpg


He does this type of work for a living so it's not that much different for him than his every day work. He has told me he loves building to that level to mess with peoples heads. He had people standing at the show talking about "How did he hide the fuel lines?". I am pretty sure the bike is already sold. There was someone interested in it and he pulled a number out of the air to scare them off and wadda-ya-know, they took the bait and agreed.

He has restored old bikes as well--

bike1_145.jpg


resto3.jpg


You can pedal anything with the right gears. I've ridden Gotavans bike with a dragster tire and it rides like a Cadillac. I'll post more if anyone wants me to.
 
My hat off to anyone who has the guts to push the limits that way. If he wanted to mess with peoples head, I think it's mission accomplished. Anybody who puts together a masterpiece like this and also creates controversy from the work is a true pionneer. If it weren't for people like that, we would still be driving model T's and riding around on big wheeled ordinaries.

We need more of these wild bikes to move forward and to inspire people to become better builders. If only one tries to aim for such a goal because he/she was inspired by that bike, it's a bonus and everybody benefits.

I'll get off my soapbox now, peace everyone. :)
 
looks like a bunch of license plate brackets for the painted parts on the jugs, :D

id be afraid to ride the thing after that much detail stuff, and i just dont want a bike i cant ride, but i agree everyone has to have a hobby and it is one sharp lookin piece of work. the other bikes look right up my alley though !!!
 
thats a beautiful piece of art I cant imagine the amount of work and planning it took. i would be afraid to dust it off for fear of scratching it lol
I wish I had the skilz, tools and money to build something like that but i am happy with my bikes I can lay down in the lawn if I want :)
 
I agreee with hooch. Im not afraid to really Ride my bikes. I beat the heck out of them. its nice not being afraid of getting a knick in the paint riding them, that why i like ratrods more then street rods, Not only do ratrods look cooler, they seem that they would be more fun to drive and own.
 
i agree it comes down to different strokes, different folks i guess. that bike was at the sacramento autorama (oh yea did he win?) and being a fabricator i can apreciate the amount of work that went into that bike. the paint is stunning, and those wheels are very cool. i even over heard a few guys saying that same thing "where are the fuel lines" then i busted their bubbles and told them it was a bicycle lol.
now then the question of the moment ye, or ne on these. well personally i like my bikes to look like bikes and not like something it is not. it is cool to use some styling q's from motor cycles but when it comes down to it they are bicycles. and i would bet you that my lucky 7 is way more ridable than that bike. wanna race for pinks?
 
Rat Rod, I don't know whether to thank you or flame you? I just spent the better part of an hour looking at bikes on the bikerodncustom site, thanks to your link. There's some unbelievably creative stuff out there...

I personally like my rats shaken, not stirred(subtly changed with paint, tires, handlebars. Not dramatically lowered, chopped, twisted, etc).

Rich
 
Ha Ha....yeah, if yall read my first post I said "My one exception might be this bike, because well, it's a work of art and not really a rider." Loved seeing the exploded view of this bike.

It's a beautiful bike and the fact that it is meant to trick the eye is even more fun. Like everyone else has said though, it's a work of art.

I think I just wanted to speak specificaly to the bikes that ride the fine line between bicycle and motorcycle. Choppers in my mind have always been about the rumble, the muscle, the power. Take all of that away and they look kinda funny....thus the 69 Camaro with a go kart motor comment.

But hey, everybody likes their own thing so, as Brisco Darling would say, "More power to ya."
 
RR, just so you know, I wouldn't flame you for your preferences. I would like to thank you for letting me enjoy/curse you making me waste some of my work day looking at all the different bikes. I'm addicted to your site. On that note, I'd definitely like to thank you for hosting it!

Side note: lived in Austin for a year and a half over 10 years ago and loved it. I'll hopefully get back down to the Lone Star state sometime this year(Dallas area).

Thanks again for the site,
Rich
 
Hotdoggin' said:
RR, just so you know, I wouldn't flame you for your preferences. I would like to thank you for letting me enjoy/curse you making me waste some of my work day looking at all the different bikes. I'm addicted to your site. On that note, I'd definitely like to thank you for hosting it!

Side note: lived in Austin for a year and a half over 10 years ago and loved it. I'll hopefully get back down to the Lone Star state sometime this year(Dallas area).

Thanks again for the site,
Rich

Hey Rich,....no worries my brother....just needed to restate a few things in case anyone thought I was raggin' on the DECEIVER. :lol:

About time we had some lone star blood on this board...I was starting to think I created it for Canadians and Midwesterners....ha ha!

Thanks again for being a part of the forum.
 
I was starting to think I created it for Canadians and Midwesterners

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Canada is actually closer to Texas than the Moon!
,how you ask.....well....Dahhhh!
I can SEE the Moon from here!

:mrgreen:
 

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