Yard Ornament -7/31 AS GOOD AS IT'S GONNA GET!

[z-bikes]

I picked up this 35 - 37 long frame Colson for $5 from a woman who was using it for a lawn ornament. Never built a RatRod before but once I got it home I saw another one that a friend had converted to a custom so I got inspired to do the same. Don't have a complete plan yet but I mostly plan on using parts I already have with the exception of the tires I bought. Pictures show the "as found" condition in full white paint and the front fender on backwards.





These pictures show a set of Elgin wheels with the Finned Air Cooled hubs. Tires are 26 x 2.4 & 26 x 1.25.



Fenders removed and new wheels installed.

[KickBackCycles]

That's an awesome frame you got there, I'll defiantly have to watch this build.
Its seems likes we're in the same boat because I was kinda late to start my build and I never (really) made a rat rodder. And when I got my Colson its front fender was on backwards too (not my buildoff bike), but no white house paint.So, are you re-painting it or are you going to preserve the yard art look?

[pick]

Great Start! Awesome frame style!

[herr_rudolf]

Instant hotrod!
I love de whitelined red rims. In fact, I love tho whole wheelrim/tire combo!

Good luck and have fun.

[z-bikes]

Added a chainguard. Not sure if I'm going to keep in on or not.

[scott brownsey]

looks cool chainguard looks sweet to me needs a long spring seat b awsome nice build goodluck

[Shufflin]

Great lookin bike...congrats.

[Rodderz]

Nice looking bike already ! Will be watching this one

[Jake Sensi]

5 bucks!! You're looking good. Get Ratty with it. Keep that chainguard unless you find a better one that fits you. Ya almost there. Good luck and...GET TA BUILDIN'!! PEACE

[slowerisbetter]

Dude, looks done! I love those wheels.

[Critter1]

I guess the stem, forks, and frame are ONE!! Welded headset nut to the stem... now thats ratty! Hope theres some old grease left in them bearings. Its looking very cool BTW!

[yoothgeye]

I'm excited to see this transformation. Sad to see a nice bike used as a yard ornament, but hey, maybe there's some money to be made in selling yard ornaments since I can't seem to sell bikes around here! haha Glad you liberated this one.

[z-bikes]

I've decided to add a spring fork. Here's a picture of the style I'm going to use except the one I'm using is from a girls bike. I forgot to take a picture before I disassembled it but it's very similar. Going to do some mods to make it fit and so the wheel/tire sits further up into the fork because of the lack of fenders.

[imagearchy]

I've decided to add a spring fork.

you up for selling your truss fork since you are changing it out? if so i will buy it to help fund your build.

[slow rider]

I realy like the yard art pantina. bike looks grate with that chain gaurd.