The Dead Rat

1967 BSA A650T Thunderbolt heart in Frankenstein's body.

This is Griz's personal ride.  The idea was to build a bike for him and only for him.  Therefore, the bike is super long (over 8ft.), super slim (look at that pic of the back!), and just a little scary.

This is what they looked like from the factory.  650cc parallel twin rated at about 49 horse.  The Thunderbolt was the economy model from BSA (Birmingham Small Arms makers of fine rifles and such) as it only had one carb.  The Lightning was basically the same bike (different seat, etc.) but had the dual carbs and a little more punch.  Personally, I hate adjusting the things, so one is enough for my bike!

This is what rolled out of the truck the day it came home from St. Louis.  The bike was purchased from a guy that was selling (and still is to my knowledge) a ton of old British iron on eBay.  The bike came with a small box of parts (including a sweet little Mity Max unit and not much else) and no history whatsoever.

The bike had a certain coolness as it sat, but it was not what I wanted for my bike.  Almost everything was replaced.  All that survived was the power plant, carb, and rear wheel assy.

Well, there's the tank and the seat just sitting on the bike.  I still really love that beat old high back seat, but it just didn't work on this bike in the end.  The coffin tank is what gives this bike its name.  It was another eBay purchase and there was something rattling around inside when it arrived.  The rattle was a really dried up dead mouse all twisted up and stuff.  Kinda gross.  I always thought rust was hard to get out of the inside of a tank, but it has nothing on dead mouse fur.  So, the name was born.  The hope was that the name wouldn't describe the engine as well!

I got a little bored with a paint program and was messing around with a concept.  This is what happened.  Eh.

Duct tape is a wonderful thing.  This pic is actually quite a jump from the last one.  We took off the old fatbob tanks and got the oil tank and coffin tank on (well, in place anyway).  The whole reason for this was to see if the thing even ran.  It did.  We didn't even mess with the old points ignition and installed a sweet little Boyer black box.  A couple of kicks and that baby fired up like a race car.  It's just crazy loud without any mufflers and has just amazing throttle response.

You can see the Boyer unit in this one as well as the well oiled instructions.  Also, check out that headlamp unit!  It's a real Lucas, but has nice non-British bulbs in it.  BTW, thanks to Fred for welding the hell out of the kicker after I broke it (it was almost done for when it came in).  Also thanks to Matt for helping wire and kick for a whole day!  The headers were a new purchase from Baxter Cycle down in Marne, IA.  Their stuff is expensive, but worth it.

Yeah, well I never did like that other frame anyway!  Well, I did, but this one works better for me.  The boys at the Wilson's Body Shop put some nice black paint on it for a dirt cheap price and the molds are all done up '70s style.  There's a picture of the Springer too!  Yet another eBay purchase with an unknown history.  I've found others like it saying they were a D&D brand from the '70s.  It's super long and the chrome on the front legs is still good.  Eventually the back legs with get a powdercoat in black.

This is where we sit now.  One mean freakin' bike.  The bars are from Hackasaw and sit in dog bones attached to a nice little top clamp with ears on the Springer.  The front wheel is a 19" spool off some little ricer MX bike or something from Baxter Cycle with nice new Maxxis rubber on it.  Both lamps are wired to be on at the same time (it would really look stupid with only one bulb on going down the street!).

That godawful oil tank is gone replaced with a cool old hexagonal aluminum unit.  The battery eliminator is also gone as the stator couldn't keep up with the demands of the Boyer and the lights at the same time.  Maybe the future will bring me one of those cool high amp stators.  Just look at that sissy bar sitting way back there!  I think it lends just the right swooped back look for the bike.  As I said before, the 16" hog wheel on the BSA hub (left side drive and drum brake on that thing give this bike that open right side that people are spending a fortune for on their Harleys!) and the motor are the only parts that have been saved from the original setup.

Here's a good shot of the new seat with its cool brass buttons just like in the old school!  The kickstand will get repositioned so I don't have to carry a 2X4 with me everywhere I ride.  After that, all we have left is some paint and some more riding!  Maybe some forward controls...  This bike will never be really done.

I just love this picture!

Now that just kicks!  I wasn't really planning on it, but the time came to paint up the tank on the ol' Dead Rat.  I got the serious hook up from my buddy Adam at work.  His skills are just amazing and this turned out really well.

On the side you can see the really sweet devil tail flames that Adam laid out for me.  Basically, I wanted to keep the bike monochromatic so I asked for something in black and white with some flair.  Adam came up with this design and those sweet tails on his own.  Obviously, the tank is gloss black with white panels, but the flames are done in a white diamond pearl.   He will definitely do more of my stuff in the future!

Just really super impressed with the job he did.  It was short notice too!  I think the bike will be taking on a more "finished" look very soon.  If you have something that requires Adam's expertise, contact him at: paint@grizzlychopper.com

Well, we dragged the bike out to Colorado so the family could see it and everything went really well!  We snapped some shots while out there and this basically represents a finished bike.  Some chrome and finishing touches later and this bike will be ready to tear down and start over!

Comin' at you LIVE!  The Dead Rat, everything a chopper should be and nothing it shouldn't!