BiKe Builds & Mods - Parts Bin Rat Bike

In this episode of Bike Builds & Mods I modify and build up a rat bike from an old lightweight frame to accept fatter tires.
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[@rainbowhiker]

Revisiting this video, I notice you considered V-brake hand levers. I have them mounted on several of my bikes. They work fine. It simply takes a bit more strength to pull them to slow or stop, as you know. // These builds are so fun. Rather than rebuild bikes again and again, I keep them in the rebuild form. That's why my garage has so little room in it. Sheeze! Gotta get rid of some.

[@Locojoe]

Yeah as many times as I've done this I still don't know what works with what and it's usually trial and error. I need to learn from what I do but it's just not in me I guess. I've built so many of these same bikes over and over. Hoping to grab a new and different frame or 2 at our swap meet this spring. I do need to go down a few but have a hard time deciding which.

[@chadquadhamer5577]

Awesome as always!! I know you just got it built up, but I think drop bars would have been the perfect fit. Love your videos, keep em coming!!

[@Locojoe]

I was really torn between the straight and drop bars. I decided to go with the straight bars mostly because if I recall correctly the last time I'd built this frame up was with drop bars. Thanks!

[@johnnydoe66]

I love watching your builds. You use what you have, recycle parts no matter how good or bad they are, and don't worry about fancy paint jobs. I watch several other channels that rebuild or modify bikes, but I totally love the simplicity of what you do. You just make things work. 👍👍

[@EriebyCycle]

I just basically wrote the same thing you did.

[@Locojoe]

@johnnydoe66@@EriebyCycle Thanks both of you! Yeah as much as I appreciate a planned out, nicely refurbished old bike builds, I really just don't have the patience and focus for that. It brings me joy to put something together pretty quickly and cheaply, spur of the moment, on the fly like this.

[@EriebyCycle]

@@Locojoe brings us a bit of joy too.

[@johnnydoe66]

@@EriebyCycle I am sure we aren't the only ones thinking like this. BTW, good luck with going back to college.

[@EriebyCycle]

@@johnnydoe66 I’ll bet you are right. Thanks a bunch!

[@EriebyCycle]

I really appreciate your approach to building bikes. Simple and fun without stressing over high end parts or nonsense like that. Just good fun. Thanks for that.

[@kenlang6672]

I have an 80 ish Panasonic frame, and a set of 1.95 Serfas Drifters sitting on a set of 6 speed Araya rims.... You got my mind bubbling. Great vid!

[@Locojoe]

Yeah can't hurt to at least see if they'd fit. In my case I wasn't worried if I ruined the frame widening and dimpling. I think previously I had ran a 26x1.50 tire on this frame and original fork but barely. Thanks for watching.

[@pokey764ids]

Good afternoon Randy! I was so excited to see you had a new build video today! Nice build as always! I'm getting ready to go outside and work on a build right now. Enjoy the rest of your day

[@king_elvis818]

Brakes the frame and casually welds it back! Would have been a different outcome with me. 😊

[@Locojoe]

Thanks Willie. Enjoy your bike tinkering.

[@pokey764ids]

@@Locojoe you're welcome. Will do! Working on a Trek 8000 turning it into a commuter bike

[@Locojoe]

@@pokey764ids Cool is it rigid or a hardtail?

[@Locojoe]

@@king_elvis818 Probably not the last time it breaks either with my poor welding skills lol.

[@rainbowhiker]

I dig the rebuild. Think you'll ever repaint that frame? I had an old frame like this I threw away. An old Sears thing. Been regretting it ever since.

[@Locojoe]

Thanks. I doubt I'll ever repaint it. The gold and rust is what I think I like about it most. Some years ago when I built the bike up for the first time I did go over it with a clear coat. Funny I've thrown out many bikes that at the time I had no interest in and now regret it.

[@joyce120860]

For your info: V-brake levers work very well with the rimbrakes you installed, I use them frequently in my bike modifications. I like your vids. Cheers from across the pond (Netherlands).

[@Locojoe]

I'm really bad about figuring out what's what and what works with what and remembering it all. I probably go through the same trials and errors on every build and never retain what I learn... if that made any sense. Thanks for that info and for watching. My dad's side of the family made their way here from the Netherlands several generations ago.

[@ashab1]

I done the same as this about a decade ago with an old 60s or 70s frame, it had 28 inch wheels originally larger than 700c so couldn’t fit a rear brake but had mountain bike forks on it with front v brake, it was a lot lower than it was supposed to be with the pedals barely clearing the road and wasn’t pretty lol, but that thing just felt so good to ride I think it was Reynolds 531 really lightweight. I had 26x1.5 inch tyres and rode it to work for years surprising how tough those old light frames can be.

[@Locojoe]

That sounds cool. I especially like that you got real use out of it.

[@FrankLadd]

Why did you need to change it to 5 speed? I have a couple of 1x7 cruisers so I'm wondering why that set up would not work for this build. I also wanted to thank you as you inspired me to fix up my old folding bike so now I have two working folders. They are the funnest!

[@Locojoe]

First off don't take anything I say as fact and I'll probably do a bad job explaining it but... This was a single speed chainring and will only accept a single speed chain (sorry but IDK the measurements of chain widths). The single speed chain is to wide for the 7 speed freewheel. The single speed chain will work on a 5 speed though as there is more space between cogs. I couldn't just use a 7 speed chain as it's too narrow to work with the single speed chainring. I do have several 1x7s but the chainrings are a little narrower than a single speed chainring. Either they are old chainrings off a double or triple crankset or new narrow-wide chainrings. Hope that makes sense. Folding bikes cool! Never had one other than the electric one we have.

[@jerrykneupper]

Always enjoy yout build videos. Especially when I see a "why didn't I think of that moment" This time the rear derailleur limit adjustments. So much easier than the way I always do it.

[@Locojoe]

Thanks Jerry.

[@oscarvazquez8601]

such an ugly bike I LOVE IT SO MUCH instant subscribe

[@Locojoe]

lol Thanks!

[@irideanolepaint8879]

That stem actually blends quite well. I want to come ride over there I love all that open ground, I have the Katy & rock island near me but it's all lined with trees, so are most of the equine trails. Thanks for the ride along!

[@Locojoe]

I do get tired of the openness and the straight roads and it's really brutal in the summer. Love a tree lined trail. I definitely would miss the openness if we moved elsewhere though. If you ever come this way I'd suggest the Flint Hills Nature trail especially between Council Grove and Admire. Wide open and grasslands unlike the farm fields around here. Thanks Mark.

[@nelgroetheanti-dj6334]

love the dimple tool...I made a similar one, seemed to work in a pinch, hey-O!

[@Locojoe]

lol.

[@inthebush3]

Nice looking rat build and the color really sets it off. How is the ride on dirt roads with the old rigid frames? I imagine the fatter tyres help a lot ?

[@Locojoe]

The rigid bikes ride fine on the dirt roads around my immediate area. The roads are pretty sandy. Suspencion might even be a detriment on these roads. If they were more rocky then I suppose suspension would be a benefit. Yes I believe the fatter tires are a help. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@wheelzandgillz]

Man that came out beautifully!! Ive got an old 70's or 80's Fuji that just needs a derailleur hanger then I can throw all my parts on it, either 1x8 claris, 1x9 Sora or 1x10 Deore

[@wheelzandgillz]

Man that came out beautifully!! Ive got an old 70's or 80's Fuji that just needs a derailleur hanger then I can throw all my parts on it, either 1x8 claris dropbar, 1x9 Sora dropbar or 1x10 Deore flatbar, Ive got 700x42s on it now as a rolling chassis and that size matches the tube diameter pretty good so I think Im gonna stick with those

[@Locojoe]

Thank you. Was yours originally a drop bar road bike? Thats cool it fits 42s.

[@wheelzandgillz]

@Locojoe it was either a Fuji Royale or an s10, it was bastardized and turned into a single speed with bullhorns, my brother found it in the trash, its been painted over and or any marking or stampings removed, only thing original is the Headset, cranks,BB and fork, they ground off the cable stops/shifter bosses from the downtube so Ill need some clamp on cable stops, but the headset is shot though, Ill need to take some measurements and order a new threaded headset or see If it will fit an 1⅛ fork/headset Ive got laying around

[@tommyb2129]

Completely inspired by this!

[@Locojoe]

Good! Thanks for watching.

[@sempi8159]

Great video! No ego just bikes :)

[@Locojoe]

Thank you!

[@the_nondrive_side]

that's pretty good. Cheap Bike Buildoff would love it

[@Locojoe]

Yes I'm following along with the cheap bike build off. Not considering myself a participant though. From what I understand you're supposed to use a recently acquired frame and this one I've had for quite some time. Also I don't want to take the time to try and figure out the value of everything I used. Thanks!

[@the_nondrive_side]

@@Locojoe winning IMHO

[@williamwebster2211]

perfection.........again

[@Locojoe]

Thank you I appreciate it.

[@dazzasp3]

Fantastic 👍🏽

[@Locojoe]

Thanks!

[@TheNow_Now]

sick build

[@Locojoe]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@timothy7768]

Love it!

[@Locojoe]

Thanks Timothy.