Something like this one I saw at Laconia?







Or this?



It was pulling this

 

Helluva nice rack there.

 

The second bike OP listed is a CRAP bike.....thus the blue oval......

Sometimes I've seen a little chrome on a Rat Bike. Cause they found something on the side of the road that was shiny and could bolt on....lol

 

Wouldn't call either of them rats more nuevo steampunked...........

 

To me a rat bike evolves over many miles and many years, they can't be built. A rat bike is usually very well maintained mechanically, just ignored cosmetically. As long as a dent or injury doesn't affect handling or the mechanics, it just adds character.

 

I think a rat bike can be built... for instance take 2 or 3 bikes that don't run and make one that does lol

 

I think I'm with you all. The rat idea is about function over form, and focusing on getting the job done. It's less about neglect and trying to be cool. The more effort that's put into the bike's appearance (even if the effort is to make it look ratty), the less ratty it truly is.

 

I would say a rat is a bike with not so good paint and chrome. It is basically a runner, with little to no regard for cosmetic accessories. It has to be authentic, not a new bike "reliced" to look like a rat

 

Isn't this the dream?

 

No..HonDog is legit...he's an old coot that's been around New England for many many years, always at Laconia. He's a real deal old school old timer that's got SERIOUS miles under his butt.

You can google him, prolly find some interviews on youboob.