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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> new here . i have a few questions
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Message started by il67bp on 10/22/08 at 21:46:33

Title: new here . i have a few questions
Post by il67bp on 10/22/08 at 21:46:33

hey everyon i just go a 1987 savage a few days ago and i love it. its my first bike. what i really want to do is make it a rat style bike without having to but too many extra parts but im willing to try fabrication. are there any tips i should know? i was wondering if i could paint the engine and exhaust with grill paint. it says it will withstand 1200 degrees f. i want to black out the whole bike. also how can you take off the back seat and keep the back signals? thanks for your help

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by drharveys on 10/22/08 at 23:29:49

If it is your first bike, just ride it. It will achieve rat bike status all by itself!

Actually trying to make a bike a rat-bike is a bit like buying "distressed" leather. The true patina can only be gained through use, everything else just looks phony.

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by il67bp on 10/22/08 at 23:32:53

this is true.

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by Paladin. on 10/23/08 at 06:20:02

53560C0D584A3A0 wrote:

...what i really want to do is make it a rat style bike ...

To make it a "rat style" bike you need to use spraycan primer, weld on a muffler, patch the torn seat with duct tape (even if you have to tear the seat first.) You'll end up with a bike that posers think looks neat. A lot of effort for small result.

To make a rat bike all you need to do is ride it. When something breaks you simply remove it, or fix it with whatever is at hand, or replace it with something that sort of fits. If it starts to rust you stop the rust. If something doesn't do the job you want it to you replace it with something that does.

About the first thing you do to work on the bike is remove the seat. If you do not need the pillion pad you can toss it. OR. Rip the padding off and bolt a small crate to it so you can carry things. Put a pad on the front of the crate for a driver's backrest. You make the bike fit your riding needs and ride. And ride. And ride.

After many miles and several years you will have a bike that says "I am used, abused, and put away wet. No fakery. I am an honest rat." Riders will stand in awe. Old bikers will admire. You will wonder what the big deal is as it's nothing special, just your regular ride.

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by Chopped on 10/23/08 at 10:51:20

All are great tips... I didn't have time to really rat my bike out, so I built a new one out of my Savage and Rated it on the way! But they are right... if you want a good look... strip some of the paint away and let it rust a bit! Rat bikes should come in two colors... BLACK and RUST!!! I am still in the process of recoving all of the chrome off my bike because " Chrome Won't Get You Home!" Check out the thread "My Rat Savage" and PM if you have any questions

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by il67bp on 10/23/08 at 18:14:45

i just painted it my favorite color today with some nice grill spray paint. when i asked i guess i meant more of a bobber style not rat but i do like the rat style

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by il67bp on 10/23/08 at 18:25:00

heres a pic
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7200/1010427xv0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by il67bp on 10/23/08 at 18:28:13

give me your opinions! any ideas for the seat? i think it looks a little out of place

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by drharveys on 10/24/08 at 00:04:37

Looks like you know what you like!

As for the seat, just ride it more and listen to your butt!

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by Paladin. on 10/24/08 at 07:35:36

As I said, a rat uses whatever is handy, cheap, and works. For the saddle, something like http://cgi.ebay.com/WESTERN-HORSE-SADDLE-FLORAL-TOOLED-PARTS-REPAIR-DECOR_W0QQitemZ140276803669QQihZ004QQcategoryZ47293QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

It looks to be really comfortable if you could get it mounted.

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by Chong Kim on 10/24/08 at 08:04:43

How about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-CAST-IRON-JOHN-DEERE-TRACTOR-SEAT-FOR-BAR-STOOL_W0QQitemZ310093522290QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item310093522290&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by mick on 10/24/08 at 08:43:01

Lose the chrome covers from the head,they stand out like a sore thumb.

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by il67bp on 10/24/08 at 11:12:34

thanks guys

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by jonnychop on 10/24/08 at 12:52:36

Lose the turn signals and take off the backrest, , try a side mounted license plate, and go for a pan seat with no padding! remember less is more!

JC

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by il67bp on 10/24/08 at 13:11:40

i cant get the backrest off because one screw is stuck but ill spray it and try again. where can i get a sleek brake light and turn signals? i dont think the side mount license plate is legal in new jersey

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by il67bp on 10/24/08 at 13:11:58

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by Paladin. on 10/24/08 at 14:26:54

I have more ideas than money. Get a pair of cateye taillights (pn 8-79 from Jirehcycles, $14 ea.) and a trailer light converter (http://www.truckspring.com/tow-ready-taillight-converter-118130.html). Make a plate to mount the two lights vertically on either side of the license plate -- run, turn, stop, and license plate lights in one compact package. Photochopped onto someone's bike:
http://paladin.savageriders.com/images/minimal_taillight.jpg
This would be a good bike to use in a crime. Witnesses on one side of the street would report a black motorcycle, those on the other side of the street would claim it was white.

Title: Re: new here . i have a few questions
Post by drharveys on 10/26/08 at 08:16:17

7F7A20217466160 wrote:

i dont think the side mount license plate is legal in new jersey

Hey -- you want legal?? Keep it stock.
Rat is as rat does!

(Not that I'm going to pay your tickets! ;D )

However, has anyone ever worked out a sideways mount that pivots. That way, if you're pulled over you can tell the cop "Oh, a bolt loosened letting it flop down. Thanks for stopping me -- I'll pull the wrench out and fix it right here in front of you."

Just don't get stopped twice by the same cop! 'Cause I'm still not paying your tickets!