Kawasaki’s Tri-Stars of the 1970s.
Box art
Advertising of the period
Exciting start to a big project!
A look through the sprues reveals scratching to some of the chrome
I want to keep the chrome if I can, well, some of it anyway.
More damage to parts. Luckily most of the scratching and rubbing is polished out with UMP polishing pads.
The body panels will need some work too
Engine finning is a little rough in places but concealable
Parts are supplied for two variations of the model.
Three cylinder engine fits well together
I use Alclad II Aqua Clear as an adhesive for clear parts where I can. It disappears better than PVA on small parts and windscreens.
Battery looks nice and real, just miniaturised!
I drilled out the drive chain slack adjusters.
Parts ready for detailing
I retained the kit chrome for the exhausts and the headlight reflector. All other chrome was removed with bleach and replace with the appropriate Alclad II shade of metallic.
Instrument cluster came out well
There is a mountain of wiring and hoses to put in. It’s a bit oversized but I wanted to do an OOB build.
Australia is famously feared for it’s poisonous snakes and spiders. The much feared Green Webbed Model Biter has struck when I wasn’t looking. I spoke to the paint manufacturer and apparently it is a reaction to the plastic the mixing pot I used. It has happened to me once before when using the same type of pot.
Frame has some orange peel. I stripped it again but it came back. I won’t strip it again, next build will get a better paint job!
I have used a 9 - 1 mix of British Racing Green and Metallic Gold SMS lacquers. The plan was to keep the darker green but with a slight gold hint to match the orange gold decals. The surfaces are smooth enough for decals but also rough enough to hold the clear coat. Unsure wether that will be Alclad Clear or SMS 2k.
Still looks like a plumber’s nightmare
I stuck with the standard chrome for the exhaust and headlight surround only.
The Alclad chrome looks flat and dark
Molowtow will have to fix it
Still, not unhappy with progress
Under seat detail
The plumbing under the tank is a nightmare!
SMS 2k clear coat
Happy with that!
Just mocked up, not fixed in place yet!
Comentarios
17 14 August 2021, 01:16
Rod -Looking good. I've just started on a hasegawa GSXR750. I'm super impressed with the quality and detail. Looks like yours is the same. Dare I say better than Tamiya?
14 August 2021, 11:08
Peter HardyMartin, five is all they had back in the day.
Rod, very crisp kit poorly bagged.
Spanjaard, I don't know how I do it. I get up in the morning and it just happens!
15 August 2021, 00:23
Peter HardyJust squeeze in Rui. Not much of a crowd. If you want to empty a room in Scalemates start building a motorcycle!
15 August 2021, 23:21
Martin OostromTry another picture as a teaser, show off your incredible skills instead of a boring box. I suggest nr 14 or 15.
16 August 2021, 06:48
Peter HardyDone. I will now sell tickets! Roll up Roll up and see the giant Green Webbed Model Crunching Spider!
16 August 2021, 07:30
mattPeter do you know of allen millyards 4cylinder 1000cc version, a model of that would be very cool
16 August 2021, 07:38
Peter HardyEase up Sunshine! The V8 2.2 litre would be more my style. I wouldn't mind doing the "Flying Millyard" either!
16 August 2021, 09:35
mattyeah perhaps some model company should commision that beast, 5l vtwin monster, it's a very cool bike, looks like a scary ride tho the thing is massive
16 August 2021, 10:26
matti think tho perhaps someone with the skills could create the 4cylinder thou, the same way allen did the real thing just using two kit, 'and save the unused parts to make a 500 twin' ?
16 August 2021, 10:28
matthaha, i'm not that good Peter youdhould be able to tell that from my gallery
16 August 2021, 12:18
Kerry COXPot is ok in small doses Peter. hehehehehe. 😉
But as for what you have worked on so far.
It is no surprise to see an other masterful result. 👍
18 August 2021, 10:40
Peter HardyTa Jonn.
Going away for a few days Kezz, that will do until Sunday. Cheers for the thumbs up!
18 August 2021, 11:00
Peter MuldoonLooks great! I can't see the issue with the chrome, but my eyes are as trained yet. Love the green and gold combo. Your engine wiring is something I will always look up to!
19 August 2021, 00:43
Slavo HazuchaI still readily admit I know more about Epstein-drive spaceships or late 90's anime mechs than about actual motorbikes, but I (believe) I can tell when I see something special in scale modeling... And I got that feeling here 😄
Excellent job so far, particularly the clear parts & the headlight look 1:1 scale 👍
@spider effect - never seen anything like it, but yeah... should my daughter ever want a mini candyfloss stand, I may need to ask for the recipe 😉
27 August 2021, 06:21
Kerry COXThe last three images speak volumes of the progress you have made Peter. Hehehehehe. 🙂 I can see the blue smoke and hear the rattle of the pistons too. 👍 👍 👍
27 August 2021, 11:23
Peter HardySlavo, turned out to be a chemical reaction with the cheap plastic cups I mix paint in. Doesn't happen straight away but when the paint in the cup is getting stale from exposure to the air after 15 minutes or so. Love building bikes as they are so visible. No hiding orange peel on a frame, if you stuff up it is there for all to see!
Kez, you will have to pick up one of these kits. Tamiya like quality, and only thirty bucks or so. Just waiting for the 2k to dry and harden on the tank, tail unit and side covers.
27 August 2021, 11:43
Kerry COXPeter. I had the Rothmans NSR500 and the detail was superb. On a par with the leading brands. 👍
27 August 2021, 16:49
mattHasegawa is a leading brand IMO, as is Aoshima and Fujimi too, but then i am jdm through and through
27 August 2021, 18:04
Martin OostromYou should charge people at the door for following this masterclass 😉
29 August 2021, 07:08
Peter HardyAll done! I lost a mirror down the sink when washing the parts but other than that she's a goer!
11 September 2021, 02:13
Martin OostromWho needs mirrors?
Now where did I put my helmet? She looks ready to take a ride on
11 September 2021, 07:31
Kerry COXPeters builds are that close to the real thing that he has a school of small monkeys he is training to ride his bikes on the competition table next year. 🙂
11 September 2021, 09:47
Peter HardyThank you gents. Enjoyed the build no end. I have a couple more planned befor the end of the year.
11 September 2021, 09:52
JensHello Peter 🙂 I would never ride a real "Superbike" 2-stroke but the KH at its time was a PS monster and you turned the monster into a diva alone the color makes the bike a beauty 👍 👍 👍
11 September 2021, 13:47
Peter HardySpanjaard, thank you, step one in this series completed!
Jonn, I cannot seem to complete a build without loosing at least one part! As for the balance, It can be posed front wheel down too, balance is perfect.
Jens, the whole family of Tri Stars redefined performance motorcycling in all engine capacities in the seventies. I was lucky enough to ride all of the when they were current and new. Thank you for comment on the colour, I think it did what I wanted it to!
11 September 2021, 22:42
