Too much Rod

[us56456712]

Not complaining here, and I probably am in the minority, but in my opinion there is too many bikes being built here that emphasize fine craftsmanship and art, the Rod part of RatRod. Where is the Rat? I like real Maggots, the rattier the better. I remember the first rat bike I saw was when I was a kid and two of my friends hooked their bikes together to make a sort of tandem. They filed the front fork to accept the rear wheel axle and connected the two bikes together. It was sort of they wise guy joke. I would like to see some more home built beaters!

 

[g-ratter]

The thought has crossed my mind also.
Been missing Gaskil and his builds.

 

[scrumblero]

To each his own.. I only ride rats, but I build a lot of rods for people that aren't into the rat scene. It's still good fun!!

 

[gigmata]

Not complaining here, and I probably am in the minority, but in my opinion there is too many bikes being built here that emphasize fine craftsmanship and art, the Rod part of RatRod. Where is the Rat? I like real Maggots, the rattier the better. I remember the first rat bike I saw was when I was a kid and two of my friends hooked their bikes together to make a sort of tandem. They filed the front fork to accept the rear wheel axle and connected the two bikes together. It was sort of they wise guy joke. I would like to see some more home built beaters!

The rules of forum use pretty much tell that we needn't bother arguing what a rat rod is. If you want to be specific a rat rod is an automobile and not a bicycle. If you have an eye for what you want to see please build it. Share with the women and men of the forum. Until then, enjoy the last rust free rat rod I built. I did use steel handle bars. They might rust some day.

- by Gigmata

 

[horsefarmer]

"Too much Rod"

 

[G-Matt]

Opinions are like presidents some inhale some don't .
I think is just shows many people like there chrome with out rust & less like there rust with chrome .

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[us56456712]

I knew this would get peoples dander up a little. I like to stir the pot. I really like the art and craftsmanship, it blows me away. I can't do it, I am not an artist, I have not talent which I inherited from my family. My wife is an amateur artist (majored in art at university) and our son inherited that and makes his living as an artist. She looks at the bikes here and has proclaimed many of them art. She also thinks that many of the custom cars that are built on TV shows are art and shouldn't be driven but displayed. I am left with copying other peoples ideas and covering my lack of skills by emphasizing poor workmanship to give my bikes my signature, that slap dash look. I would build something nicer but I am afraid that if I bought new parts and tried to make it nice it would like a $10 corner girl with diamond ear rings. I am just thinking there must be more folks out there like me and I hope they don't feel too intimidated to display their work here. I for one would like to see some more of that.

 

[G-Matt]

Don't be so hard , I'm am artistic so it dose come easier & some what mechanical , but there are guys out there that make me like the 10$ corner girl too . There are different levels of skill & art . You can always get creative with the pure rat side also , there nothing wrong with getting ideas from others , you can always put your own spin on them . Maybe your wife & or son would like to try playing a part in your creations . The cool thing about this site is there is always some one willing to help .[emoji41]


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[XC204]

Don't under sell your abilitys I have only built one "rat" I just never seem to get the look. The rod part seems to work for me although the rat style I like better. The art seems to lie in the rat and the rod gets the mechanic. Both are good.

 

[horsefarmer]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_rod

"The rat rod's inception signified a throwback to the hot rods of the earlier days of hot-rod culture—built according to the owner's abilities and with the intention of being driven. Rat rods are meant to loosely imitate, in both form and function, the "traditional" hot rods of the era."

"Rat rods often appear unfinished and, at most, primer-only paint jobs are applied; satin, or matte, black and other flat colors are also common. “Natural patina” (the original paint job, with rust, blemishes, and sometimes bullet holes, left intact); a patchwork of original paint and primer; or bare metal, in rusty or oiled varieties, with no finish at all are some of the other finishes that may be used—such finishes honor the anti-restoration slogan that "it's only original once". Contrary to the aesthetic of many car builders, rust is often acceptable and appreciated by rat rod owners."

"Early low-budget hot rods were often long term "works in progress" and as such final finishing treatments (such as metal prep, paint, and trim) remained in the future, and the Rat Rod imitates this aesthetic."

 

[Bicycle808]

I'm thinking we could actually use more "rod", insofar as there isn't much evidence of ppl making performance-improving mods to their bikes on this site...

 

[ChimeraCycle]

Bicycle 808, there isnt much evidence, but if we look hard enough, there are true performance mods throughout this site. Even a few is cool with me, as the site represents a variety of people and abilities. On the personal side, the tech/rod bit is also what I lack & crave when I'm at it.

 

[deorman]

Well, maybe when I post pictures of the different seat and front rack I've put on my Huffy, I'll borrow a better camera so you can see the blotchy touch ups, dents and scratches on the 35 yr old paint, specks of corrosion and rub marks on the metal parts, zip tie cable "clamps" and trailer tape side "reflectors". (and for now, 808 can check out the added 10spd gears and hand brakes. )

 

[gigmata]

I knew this would get peoples dander up a little. I like to stir the pot. I really like the art and craftsmanship, it blows me away. I can't do it, I am not an artist, I have not talent which I inherited from my family. My wife is an amateur artist (majored in art at university) and our son inherited that and makes his living as an artist. She looks at the bikes here and has proclaimed many of them art. She also thinks that many of the custom cars that are built on TV shows are art and shouldn't be driven but displayed. I am left with copying other peoples ideas and covering my lack of skills by emphasizing poor workmanship to give my bikes my signature, that slap dash look. I would build something nicer but I am afraid that if I bought new parts and tried to make it nice it would like a $10 corner girl with diamond ear rings. I am just thinking there must be more folks out there like me and I hope they don't feel too intimidated to display their work here. I for one would like to see some more of that.

Sadly, the people that buy my bikes rarely, if ever, ride them. They consider them art. Maybe their grandkids will ride them. What matters about the bikes you build are products of you. Don't be ashamed to ask for guidance or even help to have something done for you. My neighbor is patching up some holes I won't be using in fenders. His buddy is going to CNC machine some bearing cups for me. I am in contact with a guy to make a fork for me. I don't have the equipment to powder coat. I reach out to others to help me bring my visions to life. Fear not, do the same.

Your ability to take disparate ideas and bring the together is a gift. Have a look at the build-off bikes over the years. You'll notice parts from 8 manufacturers used on a frame built before the parents of the builder were born. You'll see mountain bike forks from the 1990's on frames built in 2007 to mimic motorcycles made in the early 1900s. The ratrodbike.com forum is not a circle of critics. We are fans, we are builders, we are craftsman and craftswomen. There are competitions but I would bet if you spoke with competitors we are all just trying to outdo ourselves. We invite you to do the same.

- by Gigmata

 

[us56456712]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_rod

"The rat rod's inception signified a throwback to the hot rods of the earlier days of hot-rod culture—built according to the owner's abilities and with the intention of being driven. Rat rods are meant to loosely imitate, in both form and function, the "traditional" hot rods of the era."

"Rat rods often appear unfinished and, at most, primer-only paint jobs are applied; satin, or matte, black and other flat colors are also common. “Natural patina” (the original paint job, with rust, blemishes, and sometimes bullet holes, left intact); a patchwork of original paint and primer; or bare metal, in rusty or oiled varieties, with no finish at all are some of the other finishes that may be used—such finishes honor the anti-restoration slogan that "it's only original once". Contrary to the aesthetic of many car builders, rust is often acceptable and appreciated by rat rod owners."

"Early low-budget hot rods were often long term "works in progress" and as such final finishing treatments (such as metal prep, paint, and trim) remained in the future, and the Rat Rod imitates this aesthetic."

I like the idea of its only original once, never herd that one before but it makes you realize you can do anything to the bike cause the original is gone. I never had that helpful thought before.

 

[Rat Rod]

I'd give anything to be able to change the name of the site, but after 9 years, the equity built up in the brand and the search results make it a risky prospect.

 

[rydr1]

I've been here long enough to read many threads like this. Although, I would love to build a true ratrod, it's difficult to find something worthy of the name on the west coast, and when they are found, they are priced way to high to get anything started on them.

All I have to say is that in my opinion, ratrod or not, this site has some amazing creativity and work and is all good looking to me, shiny or rusty.

 

[ChimeraCycle]

I'd give anything to be able to change the name of the site, but after 9 years, the equity built up in the brand and the search results make it a risky prospect.

Gotta ask what would you change it to? I came for the name, stayed for the people. I make rat rods. I have no choice. If I dont end up with my teeth in the tar, I win.

 

[Rat Rod]

www.peoplewhobuildcoolbikesanddontgetcaughtupindefinitions.com

 

[blwnmny]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it. This site is just fine the way it is!