rat rod paint job

[Nightengale]

so i have decided to paint my bike in the rat rod style. faded paint missing paint, and rust. i am doing all this with faux painting, and alot of sanding. this is what i have so far. i made my own speed shop logo for the tank. the name of the speed shop is J.B. TAN's customs. j.b. tans is mine, my wifes, and our three kids first initial of everyones name. first i made the design, then alot of taping, because it was all rattle canned. then alot of wet sanding to make the logo look weathered and old.



it took me almost all day to do the painting and sanding of the logo.
was wondering if i should at least do some of the white pinstriping on the fenders as well, just wanted to see what everyone thought.

[bcknblkbird]

von dutch pinstriping ? looks like a fun bike enjoy!

[Nightengale]

fun

von dutch pinstriping ? looks like a fun bike enjoy!

i was just thinking about about outlining the fenders with a simple white pinstripe and to sand it to make it to look faded like the logo (old, but new) and yes it is alot of fun, these xs11s are awsome bikes. i ride it to and from work every day, about 45 minuites each way. and i never get tired of it. and it is alot more comfortable than it looks.

[JCruze]

Looks cool man! I love the hand lettering. It's always good to see people taking these bikes in different directions.

[Yard Dogg]

You did a nice job on the hard tail work. I've been wanting to see closer pics of your bike. Very cool.

What did you do with your pipes? Are they straight piped or do you have restriction? Did you re jet it? I ask because I just discovered that my right side pipe is hammered and it looks like I'll be making my own yet again.

[CRXSi90]

i ride it to and from work every day, about 45 minuites each way. and i never get tired of it. and it is alot more comfortable than it looks.

I was so happy to read this. I know how long projects can seem like they never end, but you're a great example of how they can come blasting out the end of the tunnel. Now I just need to get a move on giving mine the resuscitation it deserves.

I like your idea of putting a mild white pin stripe on the fender. That's what I thought of when I first saw the picture. Maybe wrapping around the back of the fender, or just running straight off. Maybe a fat center stripe of rust and white pin stripes on each side? I'm sure you'll figure out something awesome.

[fredintoon]

so i have decided to paint my bike in the rat rod style. faded paint missing paint, and rust. - - - just wanted to see what everyone thought.

> Hi John,
a real rat rod gets to be that way by being ridden hard and it's looks totally neglected for 30 years or more.
But hey! A faux patina to go with the fauxed-up frame?
Why not?
You did ask for thoughts, eh?

[GLoweVA]

Hey John, when are you gonna put some pipes on that thing of yours?

Nice paint job. I bet it looks better up close and personal.
Haven't seen you on the road in the past few weeks, I guess I'm leaving work a little earlier than you are.

[Nightengale]

think im done for now

here is what i came up for the rest of the bike. i wanted to keep it simple and kind of old school, and weathered.
front fender


headlight bucket


rear fender


whole bike

[conquest87tsi]

I have never really been into bobbers and hardtails, but Nightengale, you have done an awesome job converting me. The bike looks outstanding!

I normaly totally hate rat bikes because of the unfinished nature, i.e. rust. I love the idea of fresh paint with the appearence of neglect. You get the assurance of knowing it's finished and protected, but still get a badass looking rat bike.

Not sure I can cut up a XS1100, but I did find a CB750 on craigslist that would be perfect for something like this. You got the wheels turning.

[Yard Dogg]

No doubt, I've got a 78' XS750 parts bike sitting here now. I think it would look great with a chain conversion, hardtailed, stretched, raked and lowered with an XV950 engine in it.

[bcknblkbird]

how about twin fishtails running up toward the sissybar

[Nightengale]

I have never really been into bobbers and hardtails, but Nightengale, you have done an awesome job converting me. The bike looks outstanding!

I normaly totally hate rat bikes because of the unfinished nature, i.e. rust. I love the idea of fresh paint with the appearence of neglect. You get the assurance of knowing it's finished and protected, but still get a badass looking rat bike.

Not sure I can cut up a XS1100, but I did find a CB750 on craigslist that would be perfect for something like this. You got the wheels turning.

during my project i have done alot of research and on how to set the bike up and on the paint, and saw a 1932 coupe that was a hot rod and had a fiberglass body, that had been painted to look like a rat rod and the car looked awsome so it inspired me to paint mine the same way. and like you said no real rust and all new paint but it looks old as hell but runs and handles like new. and if i had to do it all again i would have restored the bike instead of what i did with it. but i dont regret it either the bike is awsome and exactly the way i wanted it. if you havent seen it, i did a build thread on here titled " want some feedback on my project"

[Nightengale]

undecided

how about twin fishtails running up toward the sissybar

i am still undecided about the exhaust, i do know that i want to wrap the headers but not sure of the back end. i have been toying around with having them turn up and have one of those exhaust flaps that you see on tractor and trailers on the end.

[Yard Dogg]

I'm really liking how these screaming eagles look. I haven't heard it yet of course.