★★★ THE BATTLECRUISER ★★★

by **Rat Rod** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:22 am

This bike started life as a 1952 Schwinn Spitfire and was later recruited to serve in the Rat Rod Army as "The Battlecruiser."

Brooks Saddle - ARAYA 7X Wheels - SR Stem & Seat Clamp - Sugino Mighty Cranks - Suntour Bear Trap Pedals

I know, not really a Rat Rod....more of a Klunker, but at least it's finished. :mrgreen:

See original build thread here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15872

by **theVULTURE** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:59 am

looks good! your pain jobs rule, man!
i like the old platforms/running boards on the rear wheel

are those for riding shotgun?

by **fenderhole** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:37 am

Very nice!

The stencils and color combo look excellent. Great job!

by **herr_rudolf** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:41 am

nice! Beautiful colorcombo. I like the chrome steps(?) Never saw these before...
I'm still learning around here, so pardon me if I ask stupid questions: What makes this one more of a klunker and less of a ratrod?

Cool bike. Well done!

by **Rat Rod** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:33 pm

herr_rudolf wrote:What makes this one more of a klunker and less of a ratrod?

A Rat Rod should really have more of a traditional 50s hot rod flare to it.

This bike resembles the early mountain bikes (Klunkerz) from the 70s.

It's still a cruiser frame and fork so I figured I'd just follow through with the build for posterity.

by **Uncle Stretch** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:44 pm

Turned out nice . A clean bike for sure. In line with all the ones you have. :mrgreen:

by **RatRodDad** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:00 pm

It turned out nice. Hopefully it rides as well as it looks.

I'm assuming those things on the back at "wheelie pullers". Step back on them and pull the front end up - hopefully not too far, though.

If you pull it too far you end up with a Funniest Home Video - as you land butt first on the pavement!!

by **Rat Rod** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:02 pm

Ha Ha....yeah....no wheelie pulling for me.

They are early 80s freestyle standers that I had laying around and thought I'd throw them on for grins.

This bike does ride really well....the gear ratio makes it easy to cruise around on...a real smooth rider.

by **meezonweelz** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:04 pm

Looks good, nice touches. The stencils worked perfectly.

by **karfer67** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:36 pm

looks good steve the colors are great and who cares about what it resembles. after all we have been through the "what is a rat rod" thing before and i still dont think we have figured it out. we all have our personal idea of what it is and thats what makes the site cool. well done

by **sprucemoose** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:41 pm

I vote yes--nice bike!

by **kram** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:04 pm

Another great looking bike from Rat Rod!

by **mastronaut** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:12 pm

What kind of camera are you using? Excellent photographs of a truly nice bike, Cheers!

by **ej599** on Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:30 pm

Wow that is nice! I smacked my knee real good on a set of flipped bars years ago so I don't really care for them. That makes me like this one even more. Looks very rideable and I love the passenger 'boards'. Great job.