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[Richard 003]

For me at least, a ratbike is something that has evolved because of use and necessity, not something created "in the style of.."

Thing is, that's what ratbike.org would claim a ratbike is, whereas in practice most "ratbikes" are usually more than just a product of neglect - there's usually a conscious decision somewhere along the way, to wield a can or two of matt black. Not that there's anything wrong with that, people play around with their bikes because they like bikes, and want to cultivate an image, which brings us back to where we started

[J Hop]

It's not easy but I think you should do whatever the hell makes you happy, and sod what anybody else thinks.

I wish this was mine

[002]

MMMmmmm ! 
Interesting use of Gilera CX125 fork,swing arn and wheels.

Look better than the original machine.

Jethro

[guest18]

Yup. That's cool! I have no problems at all with that, very nice

[Richard 003]

Yup. That's cool! I have no problems at all with that, very nice

Coo, single-sided front end

[guest18]

Coo, single-sided front end

Yup cannondale do those for mountain bikes iirc, and I think I've seen it on a couple of scooters... got to be a weight penalty if it's strong enough though.
Still looks good mind you

[guest27]

Damn - so you mean the gaffa tape on the seat and flaking black paint on the K4 Honda are a style statement and not neglect....

R

[guest18]

Damn - so you mean the gaffa tape on the seat and flaking black paint on the K4 Honda are a style statement and not neglect....

R

lol, All comes back to my earlier comments about use and neccesity or deliberate act!
I imagine the gaffa tape is there to cover rips and therefore is a neccessity (if you don't want wet jeans), the paint flakes because it's been there a while (use..) so the only question you have to ask yourself is "Was it painted matt black because that's what was available/cheap/easy etc, or because I wanted it to look a particular way? Then you, and probably only you, will know whether it is a style statement or not

[guest27]

It is matt black because of the amount of petrol that has been spilt on the not too well applied black gloss - friends daughter did it as her first 'custom' project, but then decided the 250K4 was 'too much' for her so swapped it for my old CB200. Since then it has been thrown up the road a couple of times, sprouted a 325 top end and a pair of Yamaha 2 strok carbs - which amazingly it does run on.  Yup seat is split.

Keep looking at it and wondering if it should also sprout clip ons and rear sets etc to make what seems to called now a 350K4SS, or maybe long forks etc more like a CL350.  Or maybe I should just tax and insure the lil thing and ride it.

R

[guest18]

I think you just answered your own question...