Rat Rod Minibike scratch build - Page 3

mr.modified · 09-30-2011, 07:13 PM

Got the lombard chainsaw gas tank bolted on and hooked up, and got the muffler completed. I have to take the exhaust back off to paint it black and also there are a few rough edges here and there to clean up, but it works anyway. The muffler and pipe unbolts from the frame and slides down to remove. The pipe is sleeved right where it "T's" off of the lakes pipe. The cap to the lakes pipe is aluminum off a 2.2L chevy engine. I was going to make a cleaner looking flange to bolt the cap to, but I had some problems welding to the pipe and took the easier route with some bolt on brackets. Most of the welds look kind of spotty due to the poor quality bicycle frame tubing I was using for exhaust pipe. (I only use the best). Still to do, Hook up the throttle, Make drive belt engagement, hook up chain and tensioner, Make brake. Then once that stuff is done, I can fool around with the dress up stuff like the rear fender, tail light, fake licence plate, tach, stone guard on front of frame.... At my current pace, I should be able to just get it done in time to try it out with the last available gallon of gas...

**Clayon** · 09-30-2011, 07:51 PM

Looking cool. That is definetly a rat bike. Great work, like always.

mr.modified · 10-02-2011, 05:37 PM

Painted the exhaust and put on a chain. Got a pulley for the jackshaft and put that on. I cut a key way in the jackshaft with a hand held grinder/cut off tool. Isn't perfect but it fits the key pretty snug. I've got the exhaust put back on. I ditched the idea of putting rubber between the frame and muffler. I don't think it needs it. I didn't make a tensioner for the chain yet. Space is limited around the jackshaft area, and things are going to be tight with the tensioner, scrub brake, exhaust, and rear fender. For now, the chain is tight enough to test run the bike when i'm ready without a tensioner. I think the scrub brake will be just above the jackshaft, attached to the rear frame rails and hidden just under the rear fender.

TomH · 10-02-2011, 06:45 PM

Exhaust looks like a cross between a street rod and a volkswagen. Ya got to get a video of it running

mr.modified · 10-04-2011, 08:07 PM

I'm going to get some video of it running on here soon, hopefully this weekend.

mr.modified · 10-08-2011, 12:53 PM

Here's some video of the bike running with the lakes pipe open and closed. The camera picked up more sound of the chain rattling around than the muffler. I took it for the first test run under it's own power, With the throttle held closed with a paper clip, no brakes, and direct drive. You can hold it back with your feet and the belt slips of course. I have to make some guards to hold the belt away from the pulley on the engine or it drags on the belt and wants to pull. I was reving it up yesterday and it back fired blowing flames out of both muffler tips. I'll have to get that on video on some time.

TomH · 10-08-2011, 01:07 PM

That belt looks like it might be too wide. It needs to fit farther down in the clutches pulley. If you clutch is like mine was, it would close together when the RPMS went higher.
That exhaust is way too cool

mr.modified · 10-08-2011, 05:11 PM

That's not a clutch, it's a double pulley. Engagement will be in the form of an idler pulley attached to a super dangerous suicide shifter set up. Thanks about the exhaust.

TomH · 10-09-2011, 10:12 AM

How did you get the muffler assembly to mount to the engine...smaller pipe from engine to larger muffler pipe and a clamp?

Oldsalt · 10-12-2011, 02:11 AM

A true RAT! Looks good all over! I'm wondering if a real Rat Mini will be frowned upon by some ; just as rat rods are misunderstood and sniveled about by the purists. Can't wait to see this thing run. Love the drive system!