Important Disclaimer
Advice given in this section may or may not be accurate, safe or wise. Always use common sense and when in doubt assume that any advice given herein is incorrect and liable to end in terminal engine or part failure and possible injury or death. www.ratbike.org and its contributors can accept no responsibility for anything, anywhere, regardless of cause.
Chemical Metal
Chemical Metal - heat proof, oil/fuel/water proof. Sticks anything to something else. Sets under water, can be drilled, tapped, filed etc. Only stuff I found capable of repairing rusty 4 into 1 collector box on GS 550. Expensive, but well worth the cost. Also 'Miliput' 2 pack... more
Daz
Starter button broken?
Simply screw a doorbell push to your dash. costs around $2 and even lights up when you switch on the ignition! I've had one on my superdream for 6 months and it still works fine.
Scott
Ratbike Cruise Control
You can make up some 'cheap & dirty' cruise control (throttle lock) by jamming a loop of clothes line between the grip flange and the kill switch. Makes for easier high mile rides when you can rest one arm. It will pop out easily if need be, and then you can just yank it... more
Poodle Head Mikey
Automatic Chain Oiler
Automatic chain oiler, cheap and easy. At first I had a mustard bottle inserted through a hole drilled into the chain guard.
Now, I drilled a hole in a oil plug on the right side of the engine on my 78 CB750F. I tapped the hole for 1/8 in pipe thread and screwed in a valve... more
Mark
Home Made Gaskets
beer box cardboard makes for excellent replacement gaskets, just cut a piece off to size and put it on. drink more beer = more gaskets! recycling rules!
Jeromey
Low Amp Daytime Headlights
Want to run with your headlight on during daytime, but have an older bike where running with lights on all the time would flatten the battery? A small 20W Halogen bulb (as used in mini indicators, or running light in some VWs) can be fitted instead of the 5W headlamp pilot bulb... more
Stefn
Smaller Indicators
Want smaller indicators? Use Car side repeaters attached to meccano strips and pop rivetted to your frame/mudguard etc. Can be acquired from local scrapyards for free if you have big pockets!
Woody - UK
Stripped Thread Repair
Need to get a fastner into a bolt hole with stripped threads or one in sheet metal or plastic where a nut can't be used for some reason? For $2, you can get a *well nut* from Home Depot. You'll find them in the hardware isle in the little clear plastic bins. It's a rubber plug... more
Anonymous
Valve grinding compound
Valve grinding compound (5oz tube @auto parts store) is great to put on the end of your screwdriver to keep from bitching up the screw head. Also a big help in removing any screw or bolt with a stripped head; it gives the tool some "bite".
Mark - USA
Epoxy
Travaco white MARINE-TEX I've used this stuff for repairing all kinds of parts especially plastics. It was made to repair wholes in boats. I love this stuff. You should be able to find it at any boat supply store. even adheres to wet surfaces!
Mark - USA
Cheap Long Lasting Tire
You want a cheap tire that goes a long way? Just go to your local scrap yard and get those mini spare tires for cars. They come in many sizes.
An expert remarks: The tech tip concerning using auto spare tires for motorcycles is dangerous to say the least... the... more
An expert remarks: The tech tip concerning using auto spare tires for motorcycles is dangerous to say the least... the... more
Anonymous
Car Ignition Coils
Car ignition coils mounted externally, the most reliable in the wet I have ever come accross. This modification saved me mega bucks over buying new coils after the orignal stopped working and the cheap (but still lots of money) replacements broke and blew the ignition system... more
Mouse - UK
Extra Noise
When the noise of your exhaust isn't enough to make heads turn, hang some chains on your footrests and make them touch the ground (be careful with your backwheel!) It makes a real ratty noise, and the people who will be watching think that your bike is falling apart! (maybe it is, I don't know)
Tjebbe Ragbak - Holland
Accelerator Pump Leak
If you have a leaking accelerator pump, it's worth a try
disconnecting the linkage! I did on my GL1100 and I don't even miss it. It still kicks butt, and probably
uses less gas.
Marlon - USA
DIY Oil Tank
Old spun aluminum kitchen canisters make decent oil tanks;
I call my '49 project 'Sugar' although the coffee canister is the front belt shroud and the flour lid
covers my clutch springs. I found that a potlid could be sawn and stretched into a chainguard. It might
be some... more
Cotten - USA
