To each his own, I guess. But what I love about the 'rat' look is the rawness of it. In my opinion motorcycles are things to be ridden, not polished. I totally agree the bike should be 100% mechanically sound, have good brakes decent tires and everything. But I just don't understand the obsession with high shine paint jobs, chrome and polishing the bike every weekend, taking the car if it rains to preserve the bike, not riding in winter cause of the salt on the road, and all of that coddling. It's a machine, it has character nonetheless, but it sure shouldn't be a Paris Hilton having to get a mani pedi every weekend, right?