I think it's odd...back in the 70's era on the east coast, we always called bikes with lack of maintenance, poor craftsmanship like rusty rebar sissy bars, oil leaks, and just generally unkemp, uncared for; rat bikes.
Those "things" with all the bric-a-brac cluttered all over them we called garbage scows or worse, but rarely saw anything like that.
Of course, we built our bikes and chromed our inventions or custom painted them, we seemed to mold every corner, often loved the candy apples or metalflakes, and when someone put something on that nice bike without painting it or chroming it, we teased him for months about riding a "rat bike".

 

wtf does it matter? A rat bike (which would need a giant rat trap). A cobbler (which i would eat) a bobber (which is for fishing). A chopper (which is for chopping). Please. I have been though all of these phases. And am fixen to come 360.

 

My collection of 'stuff' for my latest project..56 cases, 60 heads, 61 flywheels, pre-48 frame, 49 rear fender and assorted 50/60s parts. Motor and tranny will be solid, paint will be rattle can, but it will be a runner I can ride wherever

 

nice avatar transam

 

This is my rat bike project. In 10 to 15 years it should start looking about right.