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==Rat bikes== | ==Rat bikes== | ||
[[Image:Ratbikes.jpg|thumb|right|Rat bikes at the UK Rat and Survival Bike rally, 2005]] | [[Image:Ratbikes.jpg|thumb|right|Rat bikes at the UK Rat and Survival Bike rally, 2005]] | ||
[[Image:Hondog. | [[Image:Hondog.jpg|thumb|A rat bike "Hondog" Goldwing at [[Laconia Bike Week]]]] | ||
The concept of keeping a motorcycle in at least minimally operational condition without consideration for appearance has probably characterized motorcycle ownership since its earliest days. However, since the general upturn in economic conditions of the late 1960s, trends seemed to favor replacement of well-worn bikes with newer models, or with maintenance that conserved the appearance of a like-new condition. "Rat bikes" seemed to appear in the late '70s to early '80s, before the term was even invented, in large part as a social statement in favor of functionality over the aesthetics of like-new appearances. The essence of a true rat bike is keeping a motorbike on the road for the maximum amount of time while spending as little as possible on it. This calls for adaptation of parts that were not designed to fit the model of bike in question. While the origin on the term '''ratbike''' is unclear, it is generally attributed to custom motorbike magazines<ref>Easyriders September 1980, "86 Inch Rat Bike", Paisano Publications LLC</ref><ref>Easyriders October 1987, "Rat Bike Returns", Paisano Publications LLC</ref>and retrospectively applied. | The concept of keeping a motorcycle in at least minimally operational condition without consideration for appearance has probably characterized motorcycle ownership since its earliest days. However, since the general upturn in economic conditions of the late 1960s, trends seemed to favor replacement of well-worn bikes with newer models, or with maintenance that conserved the appearance of a like-new condition. "Rat bikes" seemed to appear in the late '70s to early '80s, before the term was even invented, in large part as a social statement in favor of functionality over the aesthetics of like-new appearances. The essence of a true rat bike is keeping a motorbike on the road for the maximum amount of time while spending as little as possible on it. This calls for adaptation of parts that were not designed to fit the model of bike in question. While the origin on the term '''ratbike''' is unclear, it is generally attributed to custom motorbike magazines<ref>Easyriders September 1980, "86 Inch Rat Bike", Paisano Publications LLC</ref><ref>Easyriders October 1987, "Rat Bike Returns", Paisano Publications LLC</ref>and retrospectively applied. | ||
Rat bikes do not have to be matte black, however the vast majority of rats seem to be so these days in what may be a cross over from ''survival bikes''. These two kinds of "customized" motorcycles may appear similar but are a vastly different species. | Rat bikes do not have to be matte black, however the vast majority of rats seem to be so these days in what may be a cross over from ''survival bikes''. These two kinds of "customized" motorcycles may appear similar but are a vastly different species. | ||
More recently, there has been a trend of deliberately | More recently, there has been a trend of deliberately customizing bikes into rats, but this defies the organic growth into a rat bike that characterized them originally and led to their uniqueness. Bikes deliberately distressed to look like a rat bike are sometimes derisively referred to as ''fake rats''. Currently the "rat style" is also gaining popularity in car customizing circles, though again in a somewhat misunderstood manner where vehicles are carefully decorated or modified to look worn with age. It is much like the [[distressing]] of furniture | ||
==Survival bikes== | ==Survival bikes== | ||
[[Image:survivalbike.jpg|thumb|right|A Survival bike. Note the artistic exhaust system.]] | [[Image:survivalbike.jpg|thumb|right|A Survival bike. Note the artistic exhaust system.]] | ||
'''Survival bikes''' are bikes that may appear to be rat bikes, but are not. They are influenced by the [[Mad Max 2|Mad Max]] films. | '''Survival bikes''' are bikes that may appear to be rat bikes, but are not. They are influenced by the [[Mad Max 2|Mad Max]] films. | ||