Any Bikers In The House?

[RatRod]

When Revell decided to finally jump on the custom bike bandwagon, I was very excited, as were most. I bought up as many as i could get my hands on, and with them releasing them as fast as they did.....well, WOW!!! (I'm a big bike collector!!) I built two bikes using parts from both kits to see how they went together, then I decided to build four contest quality bikes for this years shows. On my first bike I wanted to go with the look of a "kustom" '76 Harley Lowrider, and because I had a set of decals to do it!! I cut the forks apart, and used 5/32 aluminum tubing as the fork tubes. I also repined the triple tree for a better fit. The handle bars were built from aluminum rod & tubing, and since I wanted a clean look, eliminated the front brake, and used a jockey shift. The seat was dropped as low as I could get it, the rear fender was bobbed, and the tank dropped as well. I turned the tail light, gas & oil caps, and oil filter from aluminum (the oil filter is now located in the primary) and the last neat touch is that I swapped the rear brake over using the sprocket as a rotor!!! Enjoy.....

[RatRod]

I'll go ahead and post all these in the same post!!! This bike #2. On this bike I wanted a Hotrod look, a bike that was uncomfortable, but badd a$$ too, one that you got out, and rode around the neighborhood annoying the neighbors!! I also wanted to see how badd I could get the softail frame to look. On this one I cut the frame apart, and changed it to a single down tube, then drilled out the frame every where I could. The seat was fashioned to look drilled out aluminum plate with a support to keep your butt off the tire!!! The paint.....well what says Hotrod better than red & black.....

[RatRod]

My third bike was going to mimic the Lo-Ryder style, but using the softail frame. One other thing that was going to be different was that it was going to be black & gold!!! In order to get it low, I cut the rear swing arm apart, and lowered the stance, re-raked the fork down tube. The seat and tank were dropped, and many parts hand built. I used a brass bolt I found at work to turn many parts too!!!

[RatRod]

Last but not least......bike #4. Believe it or not, my wife had a great amount of feedback, and input on this one!!! The reshaping of the tank, and dropping it as low as I could, using the front fender, leaving the rear fender longer were her ideas!!! Along with a few other things. On this one I wanted a solid rear wheel, so I cut two disks from sheet plastic, and polished them, and shot magnesium metalizer on. I also made a dual rear brake system on this bike. Of all four bikes, this one was the big winner..... Just goes to show us that maybe sometimes we should listen to our wives....lol.

[ScrappyJ]

Really nice work you got there, John! I like 'em all!

[Robert81]

I love them all, too. I've got a few coming for Christmas. Really they're the only models I've asked for.

Edited November 14, 2007 by Robert81

[Zoom Zoom]

Those are all killer!

[Dragon7665]

Great Job with all of them , trying to figure out why those aren't in my Garage so I can ride them on a regular basis

Btw a word to the wise, watch using header wrap on your exhuast, that stuff will do some Nasty Damage overtime

End result of wrapping:

http://www.clearimageautomotive.com/Pictures/P4020011.JPG

[Lyle Willits]

They are really cool bikes. Excellent job!

[Joe R.]

Hey RatRod, those are the coolest choppers but I really like the first one. They all look real. You did a great job turning the aluminum pieces.I had to go back and forth to look at each one. Now I want to build one.

[James2]

Very nice, #1 is my favorite!

Here's one I did.

[ismaelg]

WOW! They are all very nice, especially the first one!

[outlaw035]

hey rat nice work....i kinda like the hotrod bike the best but there all cooooo....

[RatRod]

Thanks for all the comments & compliments!!! This is a great place to hang out!!! Keep buildin'.....

[bsoder]

Those are all some BAD A$$ Bikes!!if I had to choose I kinda like #4 cest

[MikeBoyle]

Excellent work on all 4 bikes. I like #1 and #4 the best but wouldn't be ashamed of any of them. Keep up the good work!

[Tonioseven]

They all rock!!!

[Matt T.]

John, these are all beautiful, museum-quality builds. Great work & nice styling!