Reading 1997
OK people, here it is. The latest addition to the Rat Bike Zone, the Feature page. Here I'll try to give you some background information on bikes and trikes featured in the gallery, or on some of the events where the pictures were taken. Let me know what you think of it!
The first item to be covered is an event that took place on 14/15 June - the Reading Lion Rally. Don't expect a proper rally report, you'll be able to read those in the usual Bike Magazines, just some rat bike pics and other fun/stupid/crazy stuff. Here we go (Click on the Thumbnails to see the full size images) :
At least a third or so of the bikes entered into the show went for Best Rat, like this Yamaha XS 650 with Springers well into the middle of next year. With rats getting that popular, maybe the next thing we see is "factory customs" being offered with flat black paint as standard?? The Big Four (and the Motor Company TM) were always quick to pick up a trend from the custom scene...	There's usually some cool scooters at the Lion Rally, and this year was no exception. The one on the left won Best Rat (I think).
Yamaha XJ (550 or 650), seriously cool gas tank & paint (44k) Cut down Superdream sans exhaust plus some headlamps (23k)	The first rusty/ratty /cool Harley I've ever seen, courtesy of the Granddads MCC - way to go! Another 10 years outside in the rain, and Smitty should start getting worried.
Heard about the dude who wanted to buy a bike, but his wife insisted on having a car? Here's what happened next. 2.6 litre Ford V6, no less. (19k)
Great Engineering Mistakes (#1 in an occassional series) Build a trike with half a ton's worth of V8 engine mounted behind the rear axle. Start wondering why it wheelies all the time.	Oh no, it's my very own The World's slowest Katana (TM), complete with CHROMED rear carrier. Aaaaargh!

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