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.

[willedoo]

On 08/02/2026 at 1:24 PM, facthunter said:

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

Nev, I was wondering if you have an opinion on the 883 Sportster engines, whether ironhead or the newer evolution version. Some of them seem cheap enough compared to some other types, and they're not a bad looking engine.

[facthunter]

They Had a category Known as Roaring Sporties and they were pretty bullet proof in the form they Raced. You can Bore them out to 1200 as the stroke is the same. A better option might be the Buel Engine( Harley type 1200) They are 103Hp with injectors But you Might prefer a carby. They are Plentiful as the frames are of Aluminium and can't be repaired after a big drop. I had a new XB 12 SS Lightning Long that Pulled like a steam engine with Light gear changes as well The bottom end rods and flywheel are the Best of any Harley and used for a lot of "Specials" . The flywheels are forged steel with Integral Mainshafts a double taper roller on the drive and a long roller bearing on the timing side, Ask around.

  The  Ironheads are great for making a showbike chopper and the engine has a great  classic V twin Look  about it. with distinct Rocker boxes They run a bit hot when worked. Run On ethanol 85 or 70 they would be fine and you can get  it for about $1.50/ Litre. This fuel maybe the saving grace of a lot of Older Cast Irom Bikes mixing it with traffic. The gearbox oil is separate from the engine in all of them. All the engines are dry sumped with a separate Oil tank

[facthunter]

BTW the roaring sporties were the Alloy Head and Barrells  with a 5 speed Gearbox. AND steel Flywheels The iron ones have SG cast flywheels. They can all be interchanged  The IRON sportsters are getting sought after. I have an 81,  61 inch Sportster I fitted with Thunderheads in 1983 that I purchased NEW.. Nev

[willedoo]

Thanks Nev, I thought the Ironheads might be getting a bit sought after.

[facthunter]

Incidentally It Makes 82 HP with those heads (from 1,000cc) which are flowed and have a changed (reduced) included angle on the Valves and SMALLER exhaust Valves. The original Valves are Bigger than Optimum in the IRON head. This gives an increase of torque of up to 42% with no cam changes and no More Revs needed and the Ignition advance reduced by 8 degrees. The Oil temp is also significantly reduced because of the Alloy Heads and the flatter top  ARIAS forged Pistons have Less area to absorb Heat.. It's all XR 750Tracker technology. The after market heads and different Manifold and rockers head bolts Pistons Pushrods and covers were Very expensive and they only made 400 sets. The Later alloy Motor can be Modified to equal these performance figures and the Buell Motor is there already. 100 HP/1200 cc with a much stronger bottom end and Lighter clutch. Nev

[willedoo]

6 hours ago, facthunter said:

Incidentally It Makes 82 HP with those heads (from 1,000cc) which are flowed and have a changed (reduced) included angle on the Valves and SMALLER exhaust Valves. The original Valves are Bigger than Optimum in the IRON head. This gives an increase of torque of up to 42% with no cam changes and no More Revs needed and the Ignition advance reduced by 8 degrees. The Oil temp is also significantly reduced because of the Alloy Heads and the flatter top  ARIAS forged Pistons have Less area to absorb Heat.. It's all XR 750Tracker technology. The after market heads and different Manifold and rockers head bolts Pistons Pushrods and covers were Very expensive and they only made 400 sets. The Later alloy Motor can be Modified to equal these performance figures and the Buell Motor is there already. 100 HP/1200 cc with a much stronger bottom end and Lighter clutch. Nev

Nev, did you notice any difference in sound after fitting the Thunderhead conversion?

[facthunter]

No. but the Original system was restricting the Output. The Buell system increases the HP and is quiet, The Thunderhead motor sounds Like a Triumph 650 twin Not a Harley. It Goes (Boom flaa) when you rev it quickly.. It's my Vincent and (earlier) Ducati Eater/. Surprises a Lot of People I can tell you but the Buell Kills it with the extra 20 Hp and it's Massive Low down torque. I had Both at one time. The Ulysses Mob didn't Know what the Buell was, I prefer the Sporty on dirt. The Buell has a Massive radius Rear tyre (Pirelli Diablo)  and the whole thing is good in the wet. Well Better than some. . Nev

Edited 5 hours ago by facthunter
spelling

[facthunter]

It's air-cooled. That has some good aspects But also may Need Fan assist in some situations. The rear cylinder has a thermostat controlled Fan standard. Economy is good. Nev