rat rod motorcycle

[Paul Payne]

Decided to build one of these. Starting with the Harley shovelhead from the Cherry Bomb, I began to scrounge through the parts stashes for possible parts. Several curved beam axles looked promising. Also found a wide tire for the rear, discovered the Riviera wire wheels were a good fit. The front tire and wheel is from the Bugatti T35B- two outer wheel halves will be used. The bottom chassis member is the handle of a plastic teaspoon, the upright is a curved I beam axle with holes drilled, and the upper member is H section, also with holes drilled. The gas tank is an aircraft canopy. More photos when I get more done!

[mchook]

Great start! I'll be watching for sure. 

[MeatMan]

Cool!

[Paul Payne]

Constructed the basic front fork assembly and roughed out the springers. Here's a preliminary mock up. Still need to drill lightening holes in the forks. The geometry will change to make the bottom of the frame parallel to and much closer to the ground- will shorten the pivot sleeve as well as the forks themselves.

[Paul Payne]

Got the front end assembled except for a couple of small details. Had to lengthen the pivot tube again- trimmed it a bit too short. Will be ready to paint and weather soon.

[DJMar]

Wow, this is super cool. Lots of neat scratchbuilding going on here - way above my level of patience and/or skill.

[Paul Payne]

More mockups- in 1/25th scale, this will be a BIG bike! The seat was formed from a cut down regular seat- back removed, seat portion reshaped into a motorcycle saddle- the driver figure sits on it perfectly. I may be removing a bit more from the rear of the bottom frame to place the rear wheel properly. I will be using watchmakers fuzee chain for the final drive. This can be located from S. Larose and Co.- a very large watch parts and tools supply house. It is actually miniature roller chain and is perfect for 1/25th scale. The instrument panel is from an old junker Corvette.

Edited August 15, 2024 by Paul Payne

[MeatMan]

1 hour ago, Paul Payne said:

More mockups- in 1/25th scale, this will be a BIG bike! The seat was formed from a cut down regular seat- back removed, seat portion reshaped into a motorcycle saddle- the driver figure sits on it perfectly. I may be removing a bit more from the rear of the bottom frame to place the rear wheel properly. I will be using watchmakers fuzee chain for the final drive. This can be located from S. Larose and Co.- a very large watch parts and tools supply house. It is actually miniature roller chain and is perfect for 1/25th scale. The instrument panel is from an old junker Corvette.

Loving the fab work!

[John B.]

Very cool concept!

[Paul Payne]

Progress! Painting and weathering, final drive chain in place, engine set in place, will be removed for detailing.

[Paul Payne]

Making progress! Plug wires, electrical lines, oil lines, and fuel lines in place! Exhaust system is fabricated and installed! My driver figure is progressing. The handlebars have been bent up and remain to be painted, and the brake line and throttle cable have yet to be figured out. The master cylinder needs to be placed and installed, with the front and rear brake lines yet to be installed. This little project may be finished soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul Payne]

Finished! Teaser photo here, more in under glass, miscellaneous!