My new "rat rod" bike!

[67_C-30]

Other than old cars and trucks, old bicycles are probably my favorite collectable thing in the world. I love the 30's - 50's art deco-styled balloon tire 26" cruisers. I have Schwinns, Columbias, a Shelby, a Hawthorne, couple of Western Flyers from this era. Besides my first one (a 1939 Schwinn B-6 which is disassembled undergoing resto) most of my bikes are original paint, but worn, survivors and barn finds. About a year ago, I picked up a 1938 Firestone Pilot which if it was in good shape may have been the coolest one I have. A friend found it in the woods on his property behind an old shed totally covered in kudzu. He knew I loved old bikes, so he gave it to me. He bought his property in 1980, and found it back last year, so we know it sat in the weather for 30+ years. It is complete, but really too far gone to restore. I think I'd destroy it trying to take it apart because most of it is so pitted. I don't ride these things anyway, and it just too old and too cool to throw out. I was bored today and got the bright idea to paint up some old rims red and put some old dry-rotted white walls on it and make it rat bike! If you like the rat rod thing, I think you'll find it cool too. If not, you'll be asking WTH would somone do that??? Either way, here she is. I think it looks bada$$, and now has attitude to go with the character.






Notice the jeweled handgrip.



One of the coolest things about is that even though it almost totally covered in rust, you can still still see the pin stripes and scallops on the fenders, horn tank, and rack. Like rat rods or not, this is a look only mother nature can produce.











Here's some side by side shots beside another one of my favorites. It is a 1940's Shelby Traveller with old pre-war red tires. It kinda has a rat look as well, but is totally unaltered.