
Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: Monroe, WA.
- Motorcycle: 1992 1500
Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
There is a pretty good deal on a low milage "cosmetically challenged" wing local to me. Just trying to look for a few examples. I have a couple ideas but can't seem to find any examples of anyone ever doing it. 

- offcenter
- Posts: 755
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- Location: Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
- Motorcycle: 99 Gl-1500 SE
76 GL-1000
77 Honda Trail 90
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
I have to respond to this.
I do NOT understand the whole "rat rod" or "rat bike" thing.
Why would anyone take the time to build something that looks
like a piece of crap?
Every time I see one of these things, all I can think is that the guy
was just too lazy to finish it.
I do NOT understand the whole "rat rod" or "rat bike" thing.
Why would anyone take the time to build something that looks
like a piece of crap?
Every time I see one of these things, all I can think is that the guy
was just too lazy to finish it.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
- kwild
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:44 am
- Location: Anaheim Calif.
- Motorcycle: 84 Standard
85 Aspencade
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
Check out this forum for good ideas on a strip down. https://ngwclub.com/forum/page/Welcome. I personally like a modded Goldwing. shows a different kind of talent and skill.
84 Standard
85 Aspencade
If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
85 Aspencade
If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
- AZgl1800
- Posts: 2521
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- Motorcycle: '02 GL1800
2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
to each their own...
I recently saw a very tastefully done Rat styled 1500, don't know whether to call it a chopper or a rat bike.
the handlebars were low down, not of that crappy looking up in the air stuff.....
all plastics gone, he made a few custom metal covers....
Willl see if I can find it...
This is not a 1500, but a nice job done on it
Searched everywhere on my pix folders, must have not downloaded it.
here is a '75 that is radical https://www.pipeburn.com/home/2011/12/1 ... guapo.html
Folks don't always use the term 'rat' when they show a picture of a nice look conversion.
I can see it plain as day in my mind, just can't find it.
I recently saw a very tastefully done Rat styled 1500, don't know whether to call it a chopper or a rat bike.
the handlebars were low down, not of that crappy looking up in the air stuff.....
all plastics gone, he made a few custom metal covers....
Willl see if I can find it...
This is not a 1500, but a nice job done on it
Searched everywhere on my pix folders, must have not downloaded it.
here is a '75 that is radical https://www.pipeburn.com/home/2011/12/1 ... guapo.html
Folks don't always use the term 'rat' when they show a picture of a nice look conversion.
I can see it plain as day in my mind, just can't find it.
~John
'02 GL1800
2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc
'02 GL1800
2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc
- Viking
- Posts: 3685
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- Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 AD
1987 Harley Softail Custom
1974 Harley FLH (sold)
1965 Harley FLHE (sold)
1957 Harley Chopper (sold)
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
Rat bikes are born and used hard not made..... that is to say, when a bike is ridden for a long time without doing anything to maintain it and it just keeps on ticking like the Eveready Bunny, it becomes a rat bike. This is an area of pride for some people who show off the ugly thing as still being rideable. To purposely MAKE one of these is a total insult to machinery of any type. If something is not rat, why would anyone make it rat.
All that said, is the real description of rat bike being taken into consideration here? Oil leaks all over the place, filth and dirt, broken and duct taped plastics, one hard bag and one old leather bag, no trunk lid ..... etc. Or is rat bike being used to describe a stripped touring model?
This is an example of a true rat bike
http://travelingringo.com/2011/12/the-r ... -kentucky/
In finding this example, I googled rat bike and discovered that I have been living in the past. People now intentionally build what they call rat bikes, which just look like the 1975 shown in an above post, but which are really just not pretty, but well running motorcycles. Who knew.
All that said, is the real description of rat bike being taken into consideration here? Oil leaks all over the place, filth and dirt, broken and duct taped plastics, one hard bag and one old leather bag, no trunk lid ..... etc. Or is rat bike being used to describe a stripped touring model?
This is an example of a true rat bike
http://travelingringo.com/2011/12/the-r ... -kentucky/
In finding this example, I googled rat bike and discovered that I have been living in the past. People now intentionally build what they call rat bikes, which just look like the 1975 shown in an above post, but which are really just not pretty, but well running motorcycles. Who knew.
- joeincalif
- Posts: 834
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- Location: Fresno, Ca
- Motorcycle: 1997 Gold Wing SE
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
When I started reading your post I thought it was mine. I posted the exact thing a while back but it must have been on a different forum. makes no sense to me either.offcenter wrote: ↑Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:52 pmI have to respond to this.
I do NOT understand the whole "rat rod" or "rat bike" thing.
Why would anyone take the time to build something that looks
like a piece of crap?
Every time I see one of these things, all I can think is that the guy
was just too lazy to finish it.

IF YOUR BORN ONCE YOU WILL DIE TWICE
IF YOUR BORN TWICE YOU WILL DIE ONCE
- baba67
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2009 8:16 am
- Location: Cape Cod, MA.
- Motorcycle: 1986 GL1200 Aspencade
1997 GL1500 SE W/ Voyager trike kit
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
Here are a few that I have found...
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: Monroe, WA.
- Motorcycle: 1992 1500
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
I can see some of you are upset with the concept. C,mon lighten up, riding is supposed to be fun. I rode a 91 for a couple years and never warmed up to the look/style of it but thought it was a great machine. Currently on a Shadow.
Anyway, I found some examples. The video is pretty close to what I already had in mind.
[youtube]
Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!
[/YouTube]
Anyway, I found some examples. The video is pretty close to what I already had in mind.
[youtube]
Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!
[/YouTube]
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: Monroe, WA.
- Motorcycle: 1992 1500
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: Monroe, WA.
- Motorcycle: 1992 1500
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
Thank you, exactly what I was looking for.kwild wrote: ↑Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:06 pmCheck out this forum for good ideas on a strip down. https://ngwclub.com/forum/page/Welcome. I personally like a modded Goldwing. shows a different kind of talent and skill.
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: Monroe, WA.
- Motorcycle: 1992 1500
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
Truthfully, I'm open to both right now. And I'm starting to lean towards a nice looking conversion but who knows where this will end up? He heAZgl1800 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:36 pmto each their own...
I recently saw a very tastefully done Rat styled 1500, don't know whether to call it a chopper or a rat bike.
the handlebars were low down, not of that crappy looking up in the air stuff.....
all plastics gone, he made a few custom metal covers....
Willl see if I can find it...
This is not a 1500, but a nice job done on it
Rotary bike 2.jpg
Searched everywhere on my pix folders, must have not downloaded it.
here is a '75 that is radical https://www.pipeburn.com/home/2011/12/1 ... guapo.html
Folks don't always use the term 'rat' when they show a picture of a nice look conversion.
I can see it plain as day in my mind, just can't find it.
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: Monroe, WA.
- Motorcycle: 1992 1500
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
Ooooh, that seat on the 75 looks mighty uncomfortable.AZgl1800 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:36 pmto each their own...
I recently saw a very tastefully done Rat styled 1500, don't know whether to call it a chopper or a rat bike.
the handlebars were low down, not of that crappy looking up in the air stuff.....
all plastics gone, he made a few custom metal covers....
Willl see if I can find it...
This is not a 1500, but a nice job done on it
Rotary bike 2.jpg
Searched everywhere on my pix folders, must have not downloaded it.
here is a '75 that is radical https://www.pipeburn.com/home/2011/12/1 ... guapo.html
Folks don't always use the term 'rat' when they show a picture of a nice look conversion.
I can see it plain as day in my mind, just can't find it.

-
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2018 3:40 pm
- Location: Forest Grove, OR
- Motorcycle: 2018 GL1800 DCT Tour
1990 GL 1500A Aspencade
Previously owned;
1978 CB550/4
1976 GL1000
1983 VT500 Shadow
1983 GL650 Interstate
1985 GL1200 Interstate
1995 GL1500 Aspencade
2001 GL1800
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
You must be looking at that sun bleached 93 in Ballard. $1000 is not bad if it runs good. It would cost a lot of $$$$ to replace all the sun bleached black plastic items, controls etc..
Seems like a perfect rat ride to me. Go for it.
Tony
Seems like a perfect rat ride to me. Go for it.
Tony
- Charlie1Horse
- Posts: 577
- Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:35 pm
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
- Motorcycle: 1986 GL1200A Aspencade
1992 GL1500I Interstate
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
NO!!! That's what they make Harleys for.
Russell
Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it..
Russell
Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it..
Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
To each his own, your money, your time, your fun.
Here’s one realllly naked: https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 67#p691867 Owner built a wing for ice racing.
Here’s one realllly naked: https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 67#p691867 Owner built a wing for ice racing.
- kwild
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:44 am
- Location: Anaheim Calif.
- Motorcycle: 84 Standard
85 Aspencade
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
You could always go a little less radical, tons of options from insane to subtle. Here's my old 1200.
84 Standard
85 Aspencade
If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
85 Aspencade
If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
- AZgl1800
- Posts: 2521
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:46 pm
- Location: Lake Oologah Indian Territory USA
- Motorcycle: '02 GL1800
2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
thanks for finding this one, it is the one that I was looking for....
IMO, it is very tastefully done...

IMO, it is very tastefully done...
~John
'02 GL1800
2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc
'02 GL1800
2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc
- bellboy40
- Posts: 797
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:13 pm
- Location: Brewton, AL
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE Candy Spectra Red
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
I'll bet that stripped down yellow 1500 will really haul to mail! I think they said it only weighs about 450 pounds. The guy said when you crank on the throttle in 1st and 2nd gear it tags the rev limiter easily with tire smoke and hooks up good when he gets to 3rd gear.
- Andy Cote
- Posts: 492
- Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:38 am
- Location: Windham, ME
- Motorcycle: 2015 Goldwing, basic black
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
Some of the pix are four cylinder bikes which, IMHO, are easier to strip down than a GL1500. Some are of Valkyries which are already stripped down.
If rat is what you want, run it as is.
If cheap but decent looking runner is what you need, lots of used parts available along with some ABS glue and a quickie paint job keeps the cost down.
It true custom, open your imagination. No gas tank opens up some great opportunities. Have fun and make it yours.
If rat is what you want, run it as is.
If cheap but decent looking runner is what you need, lots of used parts available along with some ABS glue and a quickie paint job keeps the cost down.
It true custom, open your imagination. No gas tank opens up some great opportunities. Have fun and make it yours.
2015 Goldwing, basic black
Previously: GL1200 standard, GL1200 Interstate, GL1500 Goldwing, GL1500 Valkyrie Standard, 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, many other Hondas
Previously: GL1200 standard, GL1200 Interstate, GL1500 Goldwing, GL1500 Valkyrie Standard, 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, many other Hondas
- Andy Cote
- Posts: 492
- Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:38 am
- Location: Windham, ME
- Motorcycle: 2015 Goldwing, basic black
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
BTW have you seen the separate thread started by Gerry1965? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=48011
2015 Goldwing, basic black
Previously: GL1200 standard, GL1200 Interstate, GL1500 Goldwing, GL1500 Valkyrie Standard, 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, many other Hondas
Previously: GL1200 standard, GL1200 Interstate, GL1500 Goldwing, GL1500 Valkyrie Standard, 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, many other Hondas
- fibersport
- Posts: 148
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- Location: Valparaiso, IN
- Motorcycle: 2001 Goldwing 1800
1990 Goldwing 1500 - SOLD!
2002 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe - sold
1986 Rebel - sold
1972 Trail 70 (still have it!)
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
While I can appreciate the time, effort and craftsmanship that some of these bikes display, it's not a look I like at all, kind of like adding tons of chrome on a Goldwing. I'm taking off the previous owner added stuff as I like the original look but there are others that like it - more power to them. The flip side is if your bike is totally stock, so are so many others and you then begin to look like everyone else, kind of like HD's - they're like Walgreens and dog poop - one on every corner .... Just my $0.02.
- Big Blue UK
- Posts: 604
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- Motorcycle: GL1800 Monarch
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
I would not mind one of those.
If at first you don't succeed, hide the evidence.
- Ivan Boring
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2018 6:04 am
- Location: Sweden
- Motorcycle: 1999 - GL1500 SE
Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
Well, not a 1500, but I just had to post it...


There are two important rules in life:
1. Never give out all information.
2.
1. Never give out all information.
2.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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Re: Has anyone ever made a "rat bike" out of a 1500?
How about a snow-capable Wing with sidecar and outrigger from Poland?