Rat Bike Project

[willedoo]

I just noticed in those photos the gal trailer looks rusty. It's only 12 months old and it's not rust, it's leaf tannin stain from when I parked it under a tree for a while without a cover.

[onetrack]

Many tannins are a good preservative. We've got thousands of Qld Box trees for street trees in Perth, there's one right outside my house. Anytime I park my Hilux traytop under it, the floor stains purple blue from the Box tree tannins - but it never rusts. Jacaranda tree tannins are quite corrosive, and the leaves built up everywhere.

[onetrack]

I just found some great ideas for you Willie, on these FB reels ..... (turn your sound up for the best effect!)

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CtKkxAoU7/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BvZnkGqHu/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AZG4WarDt/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CBd6JeJGx/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1TtjAUx1GH/

 

Edited February 7 by onetrack

[facthunter]

I wouldn't be trying to rebuild Motors Gearbox's etc. Try getting Low mileage Motors out of bikes with ALUMINIUM Frames like some (Modern) Indians  some BMWs and Buells .You can't repair the frames.  Nev

[willedoo]

I think I'll enjoy this project for a couple of reasons. Firstly, by it's nature it will be a fairly long term project and a nice way to play around in the shed on rainy days. It's all about the journey, not the destination. Secondly, it's not a registered road bike project. Not having to be road legal means one important thing - total freedom to do want I want. No concern about rules and regulations, no dealing with difficult bureaucrats and naysayers, and not having to march to someone else's drumbeat. It also helps a lot that I have a passion for rusty junk, which is how this thing will most likely be described. 

[facthunter]

Life is too short to waste on stuff that should be on the tip.  Trust me I know. Nev

[willedoo]

1 hour ago, facthunter said:

Life is too short to waste on stuff that should be on the tip.  Trust me I know. Nev

To each his own. Nev, you do what you enjoy in life and I'll do the same.

[pmccarthy]

I am currently salvaging Landrover parts salvaged from the Harcourt bushfire. It is quite satisfying. 

[facthunter]

Ooo, sorry I spoke, wille. . Nev

[onetrack]

It all depends on how much money you've got, what your dream is, and how much determination you've got, to achieve that dream.

 

One of the most amazing restorations I've seen is a split window Kombi, salvaged from the Higginsville Pumping station - where the entire front of it had been cut off, the body stood on its front, a huge chunk cut out of the side of it, and then it was used as a dunny!!

 

But a bloke set his heart on having a fully restored split window Kombi, and he recovered every part of that "dunny Kombi" and restored it to superb driving condition!! It reportedly cost him $100,000!

 

Why anyone would do this, to end up driving a gutless old pile of VW crap, is beyond me! But that's just my opinion!

 

This is the Kombi when it was used as a dunny, I can't find photos of it when restored, I did see them on Instagram, but can't find them now.

 

[willedoo]

4 hours ago, facthunter said:

Ooo, sorry I spoke, wille. . Nev

That's ok Nev, enjoy your junk free retirement. I haven't quite got to that stage yet; achieved the retirement part but still haven't cured the junk addiction.

[willedoo]

Crazy prices for split window Kombis. I remember them as an underpowered tin box on wheels. But they had a lot of character.

[facthunter]

It's just that I have chosen a few times to fix things that were  rubbish where I should have waited to Get a Better thing to start with. I'm NOT trying to run your life. Nev

[onetrack]

One of the most amusing bumpers stickers I've seen, was on the rear bumper of an old Kombi - and it read, "QUIT HONKING! I'M PEDALLING AS FAST AS I CAN!" 😄 

[willedoo]

On 08/02/2026 at 12:29 AM, onetrack said:

I just found some great ideas for you Willie, on these FB reels ..... (turn your sound up for the best effect!)

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CtKkxAoU7/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BvZnkGqHu/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AZG4WarDt/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CBd6JeJGx/

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1TtjAUx1GH/

 

I could use one of those articulated ones about the place.

[willedoo]

I thought about making a custom tank, but I think I'll use these 5 gallon Fat Bob tanks. They're old-ish and have a lot of character. The only other bike tank here is a rusty old rice burner tank (last photo) but it's a bit ordinary style wise.

[willedoo]

The 5 gallon split tanks have screw in caps, RH thread on the right tank, LH thread on the left tank. The right cap is vented and the left cap solid to stop fuel spillage while on the side stand as there's a balance tube between the tanks. The petcock is on the rear of the left tnk, none on the right tank.