Rat Rod-Equivalent and Beater Subcultures in the Bike World?
02-19-19, 10:15 AM
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Rat Rod-Equivalent and Beater Subcultures in the Bike World?
Can anyone refer me to websites or other resources and photographs related to bike subcultures that share the rat rod aesthetic, or something similar to it?
Also, is there something akin to a beater subculture? Any websites, photo collections etc.?
Also, is there something akin to a beater subculture? Any websites, photo collections etc.?
02-19-19, 10:20 AM
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This forum has generally, vintage bikes that have been customized.
They have some member that are incredibly knowledgeable in older bikes and components. And forum members that create some incredible bikes.
Rat Rod Bikes
They have some member that are incredibly knowledgeable in older bikes and components. And forum members that create some incredible bikes.
Rat Rod Bikes
02-19-19, 11:25 AM
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In the process of restoring my Super Course, I stripped the paint to have frame repairs brazed. I assembled it and rode it for a couple of months as a rat rod to see if I really enjoyed riding it. I kind of liked the look, loved the ride, but decided to spring for real paint. With no preservative it's amazing how fast rust forms, especially riding along the coast highway.
Looks better with paint.
Looks better with paint.
02-19-19, 12:15 PM
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Do you mean like this? My Parts Bin Raleigh (now a single speed) is an excellent bike built from a hodgepodge of quality parts with restored function but without restored shine, so to speak. Anyway, there are people out there doing all kinds of stuff. I even think there's an "Alternative Bikes" forum or something right here at BikeForums.
Anyway, good luck and may you find your bike tribe!
Anyway, good luck and may you find your bike tribe!
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
02-19-19, 12:39 PM
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Sounds like Rat Rod Bikes is the site you're seeking.
And yes, we do have our own Alt Bikes section here on Bikeforums.
And yes, we do have our own Alt Bikes section here on Bikeforums.
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02-19-19, 01:37 PM
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I took more of a hot rod/gasser aesthetic approach to my initial restoration (after repairs) of my '74 Paramount. It still stays clean, but matte/satin black with white lettering and white wall tires--complements the chrome and silver. I've had a few compositions of it since, and it continues the rebel theme, albeit with more black components and tan wall tires.
02-19-19, 02:28 PM
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The closest I have to a rat rod is Ugly Betty 
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-19-19, 02:43 PM
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A log of people here leave the patina and well earned marks of use on their frames...even when updating the running gear....about as close to rat rod as you are going to find
My torpado (gone now) was like that.....stablized rust, did some touch up. Person who got it after me, did same but more with clear coat preserving the patina
My torpado (gone now) was like that.....stablized rust, did some touch up. Person who got it after me, did same but more with clear coat preserving the patina
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
02-19-19, 03:08 PM
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Thanks. The Amazon look. Strong, unconcerned. Hilda. This is pointing me toward some names. Liudmilla. Sveta. (short for Svetlana) I'll keep my eyes open for possible names. I love the mechanically sound, robust bikes that are not pretty boys or girls. (Pretty boys and girls can be nice too, but I'm exploring some other avenues....)
Last edited by Bikesplendor; 02-19-19 at 04:36 PM.
02-19-19, 04:03 PM
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Thanks. The Amazon look. Strong, unconcerned. Hilda. This is pointing me toward some names. Liudmilla. Sveta (short for Svetlana). I'll keep my eyes open for possible names. I love the mechanically sound, robust bikes that are not pretty boys or girls. (Pretty boys and girls can be nice too, but I'm exploring some other avenues....)
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-19-19, 04:10 PM
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Messenger bikes have been rat rods for a long long time. If there isn't a gallery or website dedicated to them, there should be. As far as I understand, they were typically cruiser bikes with baskets until about 1980, when recycled ratted out race bikes started to replace the Schwinns.
02-19-19, 07:00 PM
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Another chance to show my creepy raw steel beater, first did the linseed oil finish, did ok except where my toxic sweat hit the top tube, now i lacquered it after a phospheric acid treatment (rustoloeum rust preventitive goo) no rust yet
02-19-19, 07:04 PM
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Has anyone tried forcing rust, then oiling, like an axe head? Or linseed and heat, like a cast iron frying pan?
02-19-19, 07:17 PM
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Why? Because you ride it year round?
No, because it took four rounds coating it in flax oil and heating it in the oven to get it to polymerize. But now you can fry an egg on the top tube, and it just slides right off.
02-19-19, 07:33 PM
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02-19-19, 07:39 PM
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This is my rat bike. I call if the Four Seasons.
Why? Because you ride it year round?
No, because it took four rounds coating it in flax oil and heating it in the oven to get it to polymerize. But now you can fry an egg on the top tube, and it just slides right off.
Why? Because you ride it year round?
No, because it took four rounds coating it in flax oil and heating it in the oven to get it to polymerize. But now you can fry an egg on the top tube, and it just slides right off.
The PERFECT camping bike!
02-20-19, 08:51 AM
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I can also add that a few people here have tried using gun blue to treat a frame - I did, too, on this Univega. I don't have any good photos of it, but here it is as it was freshly built:
And here it is now, after a year and a half. I used a different lacquer which hasn't hazed, but it's not very durable. Lots of rusty spots now. It would have been better to oil it, I think.
Here's a frame I kept bare, just rubbed down with linseed oil. It's the frame I'm struggling to repaint, so it might just stay raw.
Last edited by tiredhands; 02-20-19 at 09:17 AM. Reason: I had more to say, apparently
02-20-19, 08:59 AM
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Nice work. I was thinking how Rustoleum has all these custom finishes, like "chalk", "hammered", and "slate". They should make a "simulated rust" finish.
02-20-19, 09:26 AM
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Erik Nohlin used it on his partner's AWOL, featured on the Radavist a while back (https://theradavist.com/2015/08/rust...ring-bike/#1):
Thanks for the links.
02-20-19, 10:29 AM
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Thank You
I always wanted a nice blued frame but bluing can be fragile. The steel needs to polished really well or any imperfection shows through. Also you can't get it damp without wiping it down constantly even finger prints left unattended can cause rust. If I had the space and time, not to mention a hotbox, I wouldn't mind trying some of the many new spray on gun finishing products. Hydrographics would be fabulous but finding someone with a large enough tank, like bluing, is the problem there.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-20-19, 10:46 AM
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I have been experimenting with this stuff for a clear finish. Dirt cheap @ $15 a quart.
Preliminary results on a stripped and lightly-polished steel fork look promising, gonna use it on an entire frame next, once I can confirm that the steel underneath is protected well enough not to rust when left out in the rain for a couple of days.
Stuff was designed for wood, so it's anyone's guess how well it will work on bare cromoly steel. Used 3 coats with a brush as per instructions. Has a slight golden color, but is otherwise clear.
Preliminary results on a stripped and lightly-polished steel fork look promising, gonna use it on an entire frame next, once I can confirm that the steel underneath is protected well enough not to rust when left out in the rain for a couple of days.
Stuff was designed for wood, so it's anyone's guess how well it will work on bare cromoly steel. Used 3 coats with a brush as per instructions. Has a slight golden color, but is otherwise clear.