/r/ratbikes
Where old, tired motorcycles go to not die.
Submitted motorcycles must be in running condition.
No rollers without engines.
No steampunk runners.
Submitted bikes must be significantly junky.
What is a ratbike?
Simply put, a ratbike is any motorcycle (dirt or street) that still runs and is ridable, but shouldn't be. The very word ratbike should clue you in. Bikes of this nature often look like they have been used as a rats den. Ratbikes are unintentionally funny to look at, too. Ratbikes are not cool. They aren't hip. They certainly don't cost a lot of money to buy or own. Ratbikes are ugly by every stretch of the imagination.
RULES
Roached bikes - YES!
Ratbikes - YES!
No survivalist cycles.
No steampunk runners.
No hipster trendy ratbike wannabes.
Submitted bikes must be significantly junky, to the point of embarrassment. If it is cool or hip it don't belong here.
Related subs:
/r/ratbikes
1,580 Subscribers
My 81 cb750c
23:42 UTC
My other Rat
23:55 UTC
Rat in the wild
12:51 UTC
76’ cb750
03:36 UTC
On the road
02:02 UTC
BareBones - super quick and balanced
built this out from the chopped frame, wheels, and engine of a rebel 250. barebones, to reduce weight to 289, narrow, to lanesplit easily, performance cam, for pickup. no gauges or dummy lights, because its not for noobs. it has only a small lithium ion battery that acts as a capacitor, the headlights and tail/brake lights only burn when the engine is running. no key, just a hidden switch to turn on the coils, and its a push start only. top speed is about 68, because I changed the gearing to pick up off the line. no interstates for this thing, but it carves thru heavy traffic with ease
08:45 UTC
Don't lean down on the tank!
15:45 UTC
Saw this beauty a few weeks back. GSX-R1100 with the 750’s radiator and carbs.
20:36 UTC
The rat at night!
12:44 UTC
I hope that walnut wasn't structrual.
Broke my 44 year old clutch cable on the way to work the other day. Installed the replacement today. Removed 1 walnut, several of those helicopter seed things, and evicted one spider. The spider seemed particularly upset about the whole affair.
00:36 UTC
New Sidecover
Put a new 'sidecover' on the Floozuki. I needed a tool bag anyway.
02:43 UTC
Hey guys. About to start a new project.....
Not entirely sure what model but I'm pretty sure this is a late 60s Honda dream. All I had was this photo to go by. Headed out to grab it tomorrow. I've heard questionable things about their frames and obv, it's missing a couple things. This is my first bike and, in fact, gonna be my starter bike as well. Gotta learn somehow but meanwhile, any knowledge offered by the community is appreciated So what do you guys think? Keep it stock? Throw the guts in a rigid frame and give it custom paint? Any suggestions at all welcome.
09:23 UTC
My Suzuki gs 450 L
14:01 UTC
New Project
1974 Harley Davidson XLH
03:24 UTC
On way to rodeo
18:02 UTC
It's alive
18:00 UTC
Found a perfect solution for those who always forget refueling
07:08 UTC
R/ratbikes
04:46 UTC
Cm400t
I was given this bike. I cobbled it together the cheapest I could. The farther I dive down this hole the more ratty I think she needs to be. Will be changing shock upper mounting point and seat.
21:51 UTC
R/ratbikes
Old unfaithful
21:35 UTC
R/RATBIKES
My 98 hardtail
21:32 UTC
Wanted to post my rat bike while it still runs. 1988 Honda GL1500 goldwing "DeathWing"
08:11 UTC
How much weight can a frame hold?
Debating about putting a small car engine on a bike in a future project, from what I've found, the engine is roughly 350 lbs (unsure if this is including tranny weight but I don't believe it is). Could something like a sportster frame comfortably support that much weight?
04:29 UTC
Winter creativity
Love making custom hand guards for winter commuting, the bonus is your hands still work afterwards without a 30 minute thaw out!
14:08 UTC