Chopsicle

Ah, the Chopsicle. So unique in so many ways. Note the triple-gazelle fork, and the triple step, making turning a swooping motion much like coming about in a sailboat. You ride in absolute luxury in the vintage kitchen chair.

 

Note the way the rear frame flows into the first one, and the way it uses only bolts to hold itself together- for example, through the original seat post collar.





This device is known as "Sack the Ripper".




Johnny 4:14 AM

 

ReCycle

The ReCycle is a tool of Urban Bikes, a very Rat-friendly bike shop. It's used to take out the recycling and do various other hauling tasks.

 

 

I think it came from ice-cream cart parts.

Your standard two-wheeled cart up front, and those walls create tremendous capacity. I bet this thing becomes too heavy to pedal before it becomes overloaded.

You steer with the big curved bar.

Johnny 7:41 PM

 

Unknown Chopper 2 (UV 2)

Another unknown chopper, this one definitely made by UV. Just like Unknown Chopper 1, it's a flipped step-thru frame with an extra crankset and the seat moved back.

 

 

Johnny 9:38 PM

 

Handcycle

I don't know how to classify this silly thing. It's two-wheel-drive, for one. Front and rear coaster brakes. I can't really think of a situation where two-wheel-drive would come in handy on a bike, because you can always get many times as much torque on the rear wheel as you ever could up front. However, it does give you a chance to rest your legs on long rides.

 

Johnny 6:04 PM

 

The Crimebike

Another "should be in the Rat Patrol" entry: The Crimebike. From its creator:

"The crime-bike is an extension of my metamorphisis from hardened delinquent into protector of the common good. Whereas before it would have been the 'crime-bike' as a tool for the commission of felony, now it is the exemplar of my rejection of environmentally detrimental forms of transportation; a crime against capitalistic hegemony, if you will.

It might also be that it's sweet, as well as fun. There are few things left in my life that I feel entitle me to wear, perhaps, a cape..."

Johnny 11:46 PM

 

Mightybike

This is the Mightybike. Its most notable feature is the two-speed kickback hub. To shift you pedal backwards briefly. Multiple speeds are a very useful, yet rare, feature on a funnybike. And robot pedals can't be beat!

Johnny 9:09 PM

 

Gateway Drug

The owner of this bike (Rasputin) said he bought it from some "Wisconsin Harley Dude" who had built it as a kid. So it's possible this chopper is thirty years old, and it's certain that its parts are- the frame is a 1957 Schwinn. The Harley dude said that this bike is what turned him into a biker. So Rasputin calls it "Gateway Drug" because it leads to harder stuff.

Johnny 11:18 PM

 

Lee's Bent 1

Lee Ravenscroft runs Working Bikes, a local bike charity. Having access to hundreds of bikes and (presumably) plenty of free time, he builds some pretty wacky creations. The most impressive thing about his work is that he never welds, he does everything with bolts and hose clamps. This bike is an example of one of his homemade recumbents.



As you can see here, he takes a regular step-through frame and puts a smaller front wheel on it. Then he attaches a boom- those clamps come from a fencing and railing supply company- with a crankset at the end. After that all he needs is an extended handlebar stem and a backrest, which he fashions out of crutches, 2X4s, even old street signs. He says that his greatest challenge is comfort- to overcome this he once built a bike with a folding camping chair bolted to a huge 2X4 frame surrounding the bike. I'll definitely have to get pictures of that one.

Johnny 10:43 PM