Kawasaki’s Tri-Stars of the 1970s.
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/1/0/5/1050105-33079-81-720.jpg)
Box art
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/1/0/3/1050103-33079-38-pristine.jpg)
Advertising of the period
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/0/9/6/1050096-33079-15-720.jpg)
Exciting start to a big project!
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/1/1/1/1050111-33079-47-720.jpg)
A look through the sprues reveals scratching to some of the chrome
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/0/9/4/1050094-33079-55-720.jpg)
I want to keep the chrome if I can, well, some of it anyway.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/0/9/5/1050095-33079-48-720.jpg)
More damage to parts. Luckily most of the scratching and rubbing is polished out with UMP polishing pads.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/0/9/7/1050097-33079-42-720.jpg)
The body panels will need some work too
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/0/9/8/1050098-33079-28-720.jpg)
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/0/9/9/1050099-33079-34-720.jpg)
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/1/0/0/1050100-33079-34-720.jpg)
Engine finning is a little rough in places but concealable
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/1/0/1/1050101-33079-35-720.jpg)
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/1/0/2/1050102-33079-17-720.jpg)
Parts are supplied for two variations of the model.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/1/0/4/1050104-33079-53-720.jpg)
Three cylinder engine fits well together
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/1/0/6/1050106-33079-92-720.jpg)
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.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/1/0/7/1050107-33079-54-720.jpg)
Battery looks nice and real, just miniaturised!
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/1/0/8/1050108-33079-33-720.jpg)
I drilled out the drive chain slack adjusters.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/1/0/9/1050109-33079-57-720.jpg)
Parts ready for detailing
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/1/1/0/1050110-33079-58-720.jpg)
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.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/4/2/3/1051423-33079-80-720.jpg)
Instrument cluster came out well
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/4/2/4/1051424-33079-25-720.jpg)
There is a mountain of wiring and hoses to put in. It’s a bit oversized but I wanted to do an OOB build.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/4/2/5/1051425-33079-57-720.jpg)
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.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/4/3/7/1051437-33079-32-720.jpg)
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!
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/8/0/2/1052802-33079-49-720.jpg)
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.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/3/2/2/1053322-33079-69-720.jpg)
Still looks like a plumber’s nightmare
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/3/2/3/1053323-33079-27-720.jpg)
I stuck with the standard chrome for the exhaust and headlight surround only.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/3/2/4/1053324-33079-12-720.jpg)
The Alclad chrome looks flat and dark
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/3/2/5/1053325-33079-43-720.jpg)
Molowtow will have to fix it
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/3/2/6/1053326-33079-73-720.jpg)
Still, not unhappy with progress
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/8/8/9/1057889-33079-48-720.jpg)
Under seat detail
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/8/9/0/1057890-33079-88-720.jpg)
The plumbing under the tank is a nightmare!
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/3/0/5/1058305-33079-30-720.jpg)
SMS 2k clear coat
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/3/0/8/1058308-33079-29-720.jpg)
Happy with that!
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/3/0/6/1058306-33079-65-720.jpg)
Just mocked up, not fixed in place yet!
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/3/0/7/1058307-33079-92-720.jpg)
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/3/3/3/1067333-33079-44-720.jpg)
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/3/3/4/1067334-33079-55-720.jpg)
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/3/3/5/1067335-33079-96-720.jpg)
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/3/3/6/1067336-33079-69-720.jpg)
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/3/3/7/1067337-33079-12-720.jpg)
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/3/3/8/1067338-33079-36-720.jpg)
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/3/3/9/1067339-33079-66-720.jpg)
Comentários
17 14 August 2021, 01:16
![](/profiles/img/47602-692-s.jpg)
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
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Martin, 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
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Just 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
![](/profiles/img/28909-839-s.png)
Try 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
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Done. I will now sell tickets! Roll up Roll up and see the giant Green Webbed Model Crunching Spider!
16 August 2021, 07:30
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Peter do you know of allen millyards 4cylinder 1000cc version, a model of that would be very cool
16 August 2021, 07:38
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Ease 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
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yeah 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
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i 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
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haha, i'm not that good Peter youdhould be able to tell that from my gallery
16 August 2021, 12:18
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Pot 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
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Ta Jonn.
Going away for a few days Kezz, that will do until Sunday. Cheers for the thumbs up!
18 August 2021, 11:00
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Looks 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
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I 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
![](/profiles/img/14298-181-s.png)
The 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
![](/profiles/img/33079-346-s.jpg)
Slavo, 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
![](/profiles/img/14298-181-s.png)
Peter. I had the Rothmans NSR500 and the detail was superb. On a par with the leading brands. 👍
27 August 2021, 16:49
![](/profiles/img/100553-708-s.jpg)
Hasegawa is a leading brand IMO, as is Aoshima and Fujimi too, but then i am jdm through and through
27 August 2021, 18:04
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You should charge people at the door for following this masterclass 😉
29 August 2021, 07:08
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All 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
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Who needs mirrors?
Now where did I put my helmet? She looks ready to take a ride on
11 September 2021, 07:31
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Peters 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
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Thank you gents. Enjoyed the build no end. I have a couple more planned befor the end of the year.
11 September 2021, 09:52
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Hello 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
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Spanjaard, 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