Lula & geestring's 2009 Rat Bike

**Lula** · 17th June 2009, 09:49

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Why the hell would you want it upside down in the frame?? Girls are weird!!

Well it's a bit like cooking eggs really

I guess you weren't to know, you haven't been invited to one of our workshop sessions.
We have had to strip this engine down and re-build it because of its condition. Tonight we will see if it is going to run or not.

If its a lemon then we will be moving onto our back-up engine which is the GSX450.

**Lula** · 18th June 2009, 20:38

Ok had a few people asking me how we got on so here is a bit of an update.

We didn't finish up until 1am this morning on that last workshop session, so the hours are going in.

Over the past few weeks geestring and I (and a few, most from KB that have come to some of our workshop sessions) have stripped the motor right back and put it together again.

It's been a bit of a major to get the timing sussed but we're pretty sure its all good now. Count 20 pins not 18, 180 degree turn there, line up this with that, blah, blah. For a minute we thought it might have a bent valve.

So last night we managed to turn it over and thankfully we have compression, but not had it running yet. We've put it back into the frame, put the carbs on, filled it with oil, new sparkplugs in, head will go on and now it is ready to recieve power and fuel.

Then sorting out what wiring is coming off.

This week we plan to have it running and then once that has happened its onto the good stuff - giving it a full make-over.

You have no idea what condition it was in - the iginition was zip tied on and it was out of a Cortina car! Missing and incorrect screws here and there, leaves and crap everywhere, oh not to mention the dog pubes that stick to the oily bits.

Anyway so far so good.

I have a vid of it turning which will post up soon again for those that are interested.

Go the mighty Rat Bike!

**Korumba** · 18th June 2009, 22:30

Good on you two... how come 20 pins on the cam chain and not 18?????

**Lula** · 19th June 2009, 00:18

Originally Posted by Korumba

Good on you two... how come 20 pins on the cam chain and not 18?????

Someone stupid was reading the wrong page out of the manual! Bwaahhh

For anyone rebuilding this kind of engine you might like to know that if its a GS250 its 18 pins and if its a GS400 its 20 pins from the 1st marker to the 3rd.
I am learning these kind of specs very quickly!!

**Goblin** · 19th June 2009, 09:19

Originally Posted by Lula

You have no idea what condition it was in - the iginition was zip tied on and it was out of a Cortina car! Missing and incorrect screws here and there, leaves and crap everywhere, oh not to mention the dog pubes that stick to the oily bits.

Anyway so far so good.

I have a vid of it turning which will post up soon again for those that are interested.

Go the might Rat Bike!

Oh I stand corrected then. I thought you were turning the bike pictured in post #51 into a ratbike. Now that would be sacrilege!
How do you know the dog hairs are pubes??

Still gunna be a hell of a laugh watching you girls punt it up that big ol' hill. Ya gunna go up the left side?
The burnout will be a hoot too!dont forget to put it in gear this time Go the girls!

**Lula** · 21st June 2009, 22:59

Here are the latest pics of our mighty Rat Bike.

Look at its style, its power, its a legend in the making. Count yourself lucky that we invite and allow you to see out mighty beast.

Yes its early days but like most rat like things bit of make-up, few beers and jig with a spanner and it looks even hotter

**mitch nield** · 22nd June 2009, 15:07

Looks like things are comming together. Could be a laugh watching u try and climb a hill on that might have to come and watch.

**Lula** · 27th June 2009, 18:05

Ok boys and girls here is the latest from Lula and geestring's workshop session.

This is the bike that is owning this years Cold Kiwi hill climb - go the mighty Rat Bike!!!

**Korumba** · 28th June 2009, 17:48

Love those tires …. here are a few more pics.
Looking well on track...You Go Gurls!

**P38** · 28th June 2009, 21:52

Looking good.

Rat bikes are fun to build.

Keep up the good work.

I'll be there to watch you own Cold Kiwi.

**Lula** · 3rd July 2009, 00:09

Tonight we got wiring sorted and the mighty Rat Bike has spark! MMMMmmmm I see others going down - we are sooooo close.

Stay posted if you can its a loooooong work in progress and Sept the 4th is still a long way off. But here is a a heads up we making t-shirts and if you'd like one just send myself or geestring your size - unfortunately we only have male sizes available so I hope you'll fit one!

**2wheeldrifter** · 3rd July 2009, 00:29

Looking good girls

You got a colour yet (if you have said, missed it)

Those shirts free???

**scottjpalmer** · 3rd July 2009, 07:32

Good work.

Got a photo and a price for the T's?

**Lula** · 3rd July 2009, 16:09

Originally Posted by 2wheeldrifter

Those shirts free???

Would you like a free one? Well we are having a draw in the workshop one night so let me know and I'll put your name into the draw. Good luck with that.

Originally Posted by scottpalmer

Got a photo and a price for the T's?

We are waiting on the final draft from our designer so will post a pic as soon as we have the prototype made.

Just waiting on a couple of quotes to do a print run and then I'll let you know what they are worth.

Mine might be wet when going up the hill! Hee,he