Topic: The anti-Honda or Rust bike project

[1981cb650c]

A Honda, cb650. A bike barely alive. Gentelmen, we can rebuild it. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the worlds first rust bike. My parts bike will be that bike. Simpler, rattier, rustier? oh, did I mention, NO BUDGET

The rust bike. No paint, No chrome No frills. A bare minimum of a bike. I have enough parts to make it and it would not require much funding to do. Just lots of blasting sand!

With my winter project coming to a finish, I have two parts bikes and lots of corroded and rusting parts that work, a few frames, wheels, worn out engine that still runs fine but leaks as much oil as i can put in it. I am kind of fond of rat bikes so why not go to the rat bike extreme end of the bike spectrum. The "rust bike", sandblast all the chrome and paint off the parts and let them rust and oxidize. Post pictures of the "evolution" or "de-evolution" of a bike, from fresh bare steel to total rust pile but still rideable and fully functional. I think I would mod the frame, maybe a hardtail but some rusty shocks could be cool. No points cover, cut away the alternator and chain cover. What are the minimum required items to have a fully legal bike? chain guard? speedo? lights? horn? I want this bike to make a Ural look like a fully fressed Goldwing by comparison.

What do you think? stupid idea or am I on to something?

Disclaimer: No valuable parts, complete bikes or vaguely miniscule amounts of money will be wasted on this project. Just lots of time, lots and lots of time...
... and beer, lots and lots of beer.

[fastbroshi]

All rusty bike huh? Get your tetanus shot.  Better yet, get a booster, too.

[rlarkin70]

would be interesting to see. I've seen a couple bobbers with that kind of look in The Horse, and they look cool. usually a hard-tail twin, like a Triumph or some American V motor. then the minimalist approach to the rest, like you said, seems to work well. maybe some exposed wiring, some brutish looking headlight...that kind of look. I say go for it.

the funny thing is, I would imagine making rust look "good" on a bike is harder than taking it off in the first place! =)

[CBJoe]

Too bad you don't live near the ocean    You could just strip it and park it by the beach for a summer and let nature do the work for you.

GO FOR IT!!!!!!!.... and post pics please

Cheers...Joe

[Spikeybike]

i think its a sweet idea, go for it

[bamafnz]

Sometimes that makes the best looking bikes.  In my opinion there is nothing like a rat rod!!

[greenjeans]

wouldn't be the first I've seen, but I've liked them all...

We were at a bike show in vegas last fall and while attending one of the parties, we noticed an old rusty, bare metal
twin in the lots.  It was clean yet rusted...if that makes any sense.  All the parts had a great patina to them.
It had a crowd around it all night.  Drew MUCH MUCH more attention than all the $30k cookie cutter bikes around it.
Do it.  Do it now.  There's so much metal that can be show on the'ol CB's I think it would be a great look.

[my78k]

Hey Canuck I will be looking for it at Dover this summer! Heck if you don't tink it will make it I will swing by there on my way to te 13th!

Dennis

[CBJoe]

Headlight...turn signals(there's been arguments for front, back, or both) ...front fender(in my location anyway)....street legal tires.

I think the headlight and turn signals are the biggies though...Joe

[bzr]

A bike's natural patina looks best when it isn't forced. Personally I think sandblasting the crap out of otherwise nice parts is rather silly, as it's striving for something that it isn't. Of course if your parts are corroded to begin with then the result will be far more interesting, but if your bike has sat around for 30 years and earned its rust, then by all means it will be worth it. I'm not fond of the term "rat rod" as it gets thrown around too easily, but that's just me. 

Either way, keep us posted, I definitely want to see this de-evolution!

[mystic_1]

I've been watching this thread, the concept you're presenting appeals to me.  I agree with you about evening things out a bit, but don't go overboard, in my opinion a little variation is good.  I've seen bikes done in "faux rust" style before and it just doesn't look right because it's TOO uniform.  On a "real" ratrod some parts corrode at different rates than others.

Betcha the bike will be very fast when you're done, just think of the weight savings in paint!

Looking forward to your updates.

mystic_1

[BlindJoe]

Hey Canuck, anything ever come of this?

[Hush]

I can send you a bag of genuine New Zealand sea salt if you need something to start the process?

[Don R]

I got a rocker cover with moss growing on it and a tank that was custom hippy painted then partially stripped and then leaned on a clothes line pole for a few years. Between the rust there is a lips sticker still there. PATINA+

[shaunzo]

one of the nicest bobs ever...