Why would a rusted frame be a feature?
Now you’ve shown me these beautiful pictures I’ll take back what I said and say “why would a rusted frame be a feature on some bikes”It's a great question this is. Texture is one answer.
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Personally think there is a scale. I remember talking to a stone mason here about the definition of "rustic". He said there is "rustic rotten" and "rustic beautiful" . A bit like Patina - there's a structural and aesthetic balance. I think the eye enjoys looking at consistency; an otherwise immaculate frame with one big rust spot is an eyesore and we see it as a blemish.
Some rust spread out fairly evenly everywhere works. Totally rusty also works. Call me weird
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This is the first one right hereIs 'rat rod' not a car thing before it was a bike thing, and derived from 'hot rod' but instead of clean, shiny chrome, it's a hot rod that's been beaten up and left to rust
Yeah I've seen a few bikes get that treatment as well. I'd bet There's significant overlap between the VW and rat rod bike community. Just followed a guy building this last year:
could at least have put a stem to the seat post to strengthen the join there.One of the guys made a swing bike, and he did it without welding!!View attachment 726376View attachment 726375
I think someone should make a trail swing bike...
https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/kir...-project-no-welds-so-far.118129/#post-1245734