Kawasaki GPZ900R

Michael Hickey
Nice going there Peter, don't sell yourself short, your doing a bang up job, you go, bro.👍👍👍

Jens
Spotted late, but I look at it, very very interesting 👍

Peter Hardy
Thank you gentlemen!

Ingo F
Nice, i will take a seat. 😄

Peter Hardy
Beer in the fridge Ingo. Grab some cashews too please.

Martin Oostrom
Can't you change "Team" to "Gang" in the project name?

Peter Hardy
Tactless Marty!

Tim Heimer
Kerry ! Look what you started! LOL

Spanjaard
looking really good mr Hardy. Kezza will be proud 🙂
if you want to do the Top Gun one, i have some links about how it should actually be😉

Peter Hardy
Thank you gents, I will stick to the standard build Spanjaard, but thanks for the offer. I am interested in how I will go with the green paint and the white transfers. Kerry has told me how to go about it so I have enough of a challenge there. I am nearly at that point now and am a bit excited about the challenge!

Kerry COX
Ahoy there Peter. 🙂
I like the way you have protected your chrome spru. 👍
I am still going through all your images as I am looking at my kit of the same beast. WTF happened to the tank item in image 2. ? Is that cracked. ? 🙁
As on mine, I have what looks like grease. !
My clear parts such as the screen is scratched to buggery, and that is INSIDE the plastic bag. ! 🙁 🙁 🙁
I note we have two types of rear view mirrors. !

Kerry COX
Crikey, ! I am only up to image 15 and the detailing you have done is exceptional Peter. 🙂
As for the plug leads, thy don't look over scale to me at all. In fact, the red adds some pazazz. 👍

Peter Hardy
Kerry, the kit I believe has 2 complete versions. There are 2 different sets of forks front brakes and wheels as well.

Kerry COX
Thanks for that Peter. I was looking more at it after I finished talking to you and I noticed that also. Good valu really, having options. 🙂

Peter Hardy
I really like it Kerry, cheap, superbly detailed and a sh!tload of fun!

Kerry COX
You took the words right out of my mouth. 🙂

Martin Oostrom
Those wheels look real! I like what you did on the brake disks. Did you use a wash or dry brushing?
Go Green!

Peter Hardy
The brake disks I could write a book on, so many attempts at what I wanted. Still not satisfied but not unhappy. Last attempt was, all Alclad, polished aluminium, sepia, hot exhaust blue and violet, scratched with 2400 then a light spray of polished aluminium again. Blue and violet hard to see but next to one without it is visible. I'll get better at this. Got an idea for the next set of discs.

Martin Oostrom
You could test with some of the aclad aluminium and exhaust. Apply a acrylic gloss and then some oils in tiny dots. Blend with some thinner. Yellow and blue could do your trick.

Martin Oostrom
Hey Peter, I found a picture of you and me and the gang: powerpuffgirls.wikia..Gang_(1998_TV_series)

Peter Hardy
Don't tell me. I'm the one with orange hair and one tooth? I was thinking more along these lines myself! opencage.info/pics.e/large_9866.asp

Peter Hardy
You might be onto something with the oils actually! Hate it when you're right!

Martin Oostrom
Hey, I'm like a parrot. Just repeating what other people say. Check this out for inspiration: Youtube Video

So that's where the Team Green originated. I'm not into motor racing, so never heard of it.

Tim Heimer
Peter, we still aren't buying your claim to being a rookie!

Peter Hardy
Thanks Marty. Been looking at them but not cheap to buy 20 colours at once! If anyone else can't get the video screen to work click on the "You Tube Video" text.

Thanks Tim. Learning not to accept "not quite right"!

Kerry COX
Peter, I assembled the engine last night and cleaned up the frame. The hoses and connections were a bit tricky, but done. 🙂

Kerry COX
I am furiously trying to figure out the mono shock / swingarm and it's linkage set up. ! :-O

Peter Hardy
Simples!

Martin Oostrom
Just buy some oil colours at your hobby shop and some extra thinner. The video was more about the technique. I've got a cheap set that's working fine.

Peter Hardy
Too late. Just dropped $225 on the whole set of 40! They will last me a lifetime.

Michael Hickey
HOLY COW!!!

Peter Hardy
Mrs Hardy don't know, yet. Oh sh!t Mick, what have I done?

Kerry COX
Plenty of room here good buddy. 🙂 hehehehe 😉

Peter Hardy
It's Martin's fault! I'm gunna die and it's all Martin's fault. She's sitting right beside me right now and courage has deserted me!

Michael Hickey
Peter your in balls deep now mate, nice knowing ya.

Martin Oostrom
Tomorrow in the Sydney Times: man killed with 40 different coloured stab wounds

Michael Hickey
LMFAO😄😄😄

Rene Scheiblich
Oh no Peter
RUN
Go to Kerry's place. We all shall be better for it, you two would make a wonderful team, imagine all the quality builds you could do together😛

Have fun smudging around with oils. It's fun and gives nice results 🙂

Spanjaard
Just make sure you do not use too much turpentine... some plastics do not react that well to it... i saw a model falling in pieces in front of my own very eyes due to excess of white spirit.... (see my NXR750 build)

Rene Scheiblich
Especially some aftermarket tracks are pretty prone to that. LOTS of curses.

Peter Hardy
Martin, I would join Scalemates just to have you and Tim burn me! LOL!
Rene, Kerry's daughter does a really excellent roast dinner he tells me. Actually, he rubs it in when I am eating peanut butter sandwiches. So, that's the food thing covered, but living with Yoda? Even Luke Skywalker wavered trying to please his Master 24/7! I can see his disappointment when I couldn't levitate the beer fridge!

Peter Hardy
Spanjaard, thanks for that tip, it had crossed my mind too. When Miguel demonstrates he is clearly using the oils over acrylics and very thin application too. Also, thanks for the invitation, I will have a look at your wall right now!

Kerry COX
Spanjaard. There is also an other 'type' of turps I swear by. It is called "odourless turps" and you do not have to worry about the plastic melting or being unduly effected by it. Smells almost the same , it still dissolves or thins enamel paints but MUCH better than normal turps. 👍 👍 👍

Kerry COX
AK interactive has a brilliant range of all things to go over the top of acrylics. Seek and you shall find. google.com/url?sa=t&..NLLDgOF0VKJ646f4ZBsD

Kerry COX
Not only does my daughter do a fantastic roast leg of lamb with all the trimmings, but it IS that way because . I TAUGHT HER. 🙂 My mother was a 'shearers cook' in her early life, and if you know how fussy shearers are when it comes to great food, then you will know how good my cooking is, as it was from her that I learned the skills. 🙂 Peter, You can pull up a chair at my table any time you want my friend. 👍 ANYTIME. 🙂

Kerry COX
As for the beer fridge. NO one levitates it until it is completely devoid of all beers. 😉

Peter Hardy
I can help there!

Kerry COX
I am sure you could. 🙂 🙂 🙂
hehehehe 🙂

Tim Heimer
Drinking beer always helps levitates things!

Kerry COX
So I have heard. (heheheheh). 😉

Peter Hardy
Except me. I end up on the floor!

Kerry COX
That's when the wallabies get in and lick him all over. hahahaha 🙂

Peter Hardy
Nothing washes down a Thai green curry better than a ice cold beer or four!
Had a slow progress day on the Kwaka. Cut my thumb well though! Lots and lots of sanding!

Kerry COX
Nothing too serious Peter. ? 🙁

Peter Hardy
Nah, just a bit embarrassing for a bloke who works with safety. For Gawd's sake don't tell Marty! I'll never hear the end of it!

Kerry COX
Hay. ! MARTY. !!!! Peter cut his FINGER. 🙂 LOL LOl. Carma. hahahaha 🙂 🙂 :-0

Brad Furminger
Kit's looking great, Peter. You've got a flair for the bikes.

Rene Scheiblich
To be fair, building models with kevlar gloves on sounds not very easy. And this way your models truly are made with blood, sweat and maybe even a manly tear here and there 😄
Just don't tell your boss😛

Peter Hardy
Some folks can't be trusted Lode. I should be more selective when choosing a Yoda!

Thanks Brad, having a ball with this one too!

Christian Keller
The Kawasaki GPZ 900 R , the mother of all coming Ninjas, cool bike and still a Beauty. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Martin Oostrom
Analysis: he cut his thumb, before that he was passed out on the floor, before that he was levitating Kerry's fridge, he did that by drinking all the beers therin, before that Kerry invited him. Root cause: it's all Kerry's fault.
Was in a zoo yesterday, took a picture of either Kerry or Peter. Couldn't see which as the Koala didn't move at all. As it didn't move, it should have been Peter

Rene Scheiblich
Very nice work on the engine and the metallica in general mate. I'm not much into egg files, but the craftmanship is admirable. Before long you will be someone's Yoda 🙂

Peter Hardy
Martin, you can lead any investigation Into any incident I am part of. As for not moving, I just drove 7 thousand kilometres on a holiday. You are mixing speculative theorem with fact. Koalas stink. You can smell them in the bush 100 metres away. Their urine soaks into their fur. Cuddle a koala? No thanks.
Christian, agreed, the big green machine is the mother of all superbikes. The first Ninja is as much a classic as the Z1, the Mach III, the Mach IV, Vincent Black Shadow and Water Cooled Scott.
Rene, egg files? Confused.

Kerry COX
🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁

Peter Hardy
Why is The Master unhappy?

Peter Hardy
Oh, Kerry's fault!

Rene Scheiblich
Interesting facts about Koalas there...
But daddy they look so fluffy, I want one 😄
You drove 7.000km for holiday? Dude...😮
On your bike?

Ballfile maybe? Don't know if 'Eierfeile' can even be translated 🙂

Peter Hardy
Touring holiday Rene. Mam wanted to see a desert. Don't worry or think it's exceptional, pretty normal for me. Aussies are well travelled. I am in the state of Queensland, about halfway up and in about 200 kilometres. It's 1000 Kay's from here to the state capital, Brisbane. Kezza lives in Southport about 100 Kay's south of that. Distance is not viewed the same as it is there. I could spend 2 hours in a plane to get to Brisbane, then 8 hours in a plane to visit family in Bangkok. Or, I could spend 2 hours in a plane to get to Brisbane, 6 hours to get to Perth then another 2 and a half to get to a mine I go to to work some times, and not leave the country. Just a matter of perspective really. In a couple of weeks I will drive four hours to go to Airley Beach, for the weekend. For us it's just what you do.

Michael Hickey
That's it mate, when I was commissioned to build an F/A-18 Hornet for 77 Sqn CO I drove 4 hours to R.A.A.F Williamtown just to deliverer the model. Had a tour of the flight line then jumped back in the 4x4 and drove home back to Coffs Hbr, all in the same day. That's why I'm thinking I might go to the comp in Brisbane in August, it's only 4 hours up the road. Kerry's only 3 hours away, that's not a long drive. When my girls were living on the fringe of the other side of Sydney I'd drive 7 hours one way just for a weekend visit.

Kerry COX
OMG. How I would love to finally meet you Michael. 🙂
Let me know if you need some assistance. 👍
Glad to help in any way I can.
👍 🙂

Michael Hickey
That would be pretty cool to meet up Kerry.🙂

Kerry COX
Good to know Michael. 🙂 👍 hehehehe

Peter Hardy
You two want some privacy?

Kerry COX
Awwwwww, Nah, I'm good. hehehe 🙂

Glenn
Peter, maybe they should book a hotel room! 🙂

Michael Hickey
Only to do some modeling, I don't swing that way.😢

Glenn
GOOD TO KNOW! 🙂

Kerry COX
Me neither. 👍

Kerry COX
It 'seams' like we both have a aversion to them too.
I hate them with a passion. hehehe

Peter Hardy
The stand spring actually works! It pushes the stand into the down position, or very close to it. Very smug about that!

Kerry COX
And so you should be. But mine is there as show really. 🙂

Jens
Moin Peter, better 10 liters of ethyl acetate in the nose than a koala as a neighbor in the headwind 😄 👍 "egg file" can probably not translate, but explain the meaning, a first-generation mountain bike with a saddle from a Dutch bike, a Zündap with 50 cc and 7 HP, in addition pedals like the wheel from Holland 😄 an "egg file" should or must hurt between the legs, one dreams of it if one can not have, one has it then it will be nightmares 😄
But what the tree frog green, You are guilty, Your pictures have let me wist in my longing again 👍 my desire list also begins with the GPZ 900, then Vmax, then Bold or, then XJR, but only as a change to the night fighters , Ju 88/188 is boring in the long run and too much you will quickly superficial, better then the variety of 2 propellers on 2 wheels 😄

Peter Hardy
Egg file sounds painful

Martin Oostrom
That windshield looks WAY better than it did. Well done I guess, as I don't see the crack in it. (almost typed 'your crack', that would have stirred up some comments…)

Peter Hardy
It was a scary thing to do I'll give ya the drum!! I knew it would get way worse before it got better but it still it was like dragging your fingernails over the blackboard. I would like to have kept up the polishing but I got worried as the screen got so thin!!

Martin Oostrom
Had the same feeling when I put my knife in a perfectly fine canopy to cut it in half on the Super Sabre build.

Bart Goesaert
nice bike in progress... that thinning and polishing of clear parts sure takes some nerve...

Kerry COX
Peter. I s there any info on line about how to get the smooth look back after all this work. ?
As I would be trying many coats of a wax polish to see if that crazing can be reduced, short of making inquiries about getting a replacement of the clear bits.
I am sad your efforts were not all that successful mate, and as mine has got a terminal disease, I will offer you my clear bits if that will help. ?

Peter Hardy
Are yours any better Kez? Mine looked fine until I had a close look. I would have kept polishing but that crack at the back of the screen appeared and I sh!t myself. Polishing the outside was fine but the inside proved to be an issue. Never mind, nothing great ever came from a comfort zone! However, I must learn to be more patient and less aggressive with delicate things. Oh, that package arrived today thank you! I will put it's contents to good use!

Tim is going to post me a bottle of that super dooper floor polish that will hide my imperfections. If there is any left after that I try it on the model's clear bits! I'll take a few more pix tonight and load them tomorrow afternoon.

Peter Hardy
Thanks Bart, as Kerry pointed out it wasn't successful but I'll put my hand up and admit I used too much pressure when sanding. It wasn't nerve though, just stupidity! Still for a first go at doing it I'm not that unhappy. I am going to get the polish out again and try to get it a bit clearer. I have nothing to loose if Kez has a spare to save me!

Kerry COX
All will be good, as I will post them off tomorrow. 👍

Peter Hardy
Thank you Master Yoda! I will still have a go at getting a better finish on the imperfect one though. Have you ordered more parts or put the whole model down to a learning experience?

Bart Goesaert
for the next try, you can cover the interior, or exterior with blutack (depending on the side you want to work on), so that pressure get's divided on the surface?

Peter Hardy
You see Bart that is why you get paid the BIG money! I would never have thought of that!!

Bart Goesaert
I'll give you as a reference when I talk to my boss then 😉

Martin Oostrom
Yup. Sand, polish, dip. Somehow makes the canopy clearer as well.
So Kerry is learning you his most cherished secrets AND sacrificing his kits parts for you. You really must be something 😄
Youtube Video

Kerry COX
Great feed back happening here Peter. 👍
I am wondering if any of you out there could get hold of this famous 'Pledge/Future floor polish and send it over to both Peter and myself, as it does not make it to our store shelves here which is a pity, as the locally made house care products have a different chemical structure and don't work like the American Jhonson and Jhonson products. I am more than happy to reimburse who ever can do that for Peter and I. 🙂

Spanjaard
For a seam in the cockpit of one of my phantoms, y removed with a gentle pass of a new blade, and then polished with polishing pads up to 12000... Worked really well. Nerve wracking process,bbut worth at the end

Kerry COX
Spanjaard, exactly my friend. And it does take a bit of courage to take that step with the blade, but as you say, the buffing/polishing is the rest of the work, but it does work well. 🙂 👍

Rene Scheiblich
I know sanding, polishing with car products and maybe adding a clear coat... But floor polish?! To give it a nice smell? Can anyone clear this up please? 🙂

Besides the crack it really looks good so far. A few passes with micromesh and maybe some polishing compound and it might end up looking perfect. Too bad it couldn't take the pressure 😄

Martin Oostrom
Future Floor Polish, also FFP or just Future is used by tons of modellers to get very transparent clear parts. It is also rumoured to keep the clear parts frim yellowing. AK Interactive has Gauzy Agent, which should do the same.
Spanjaard supplied me with a sample if future and I used it on my Super Sabre. It seems to work as advertised.
Like Kerry said, only the American version of the stuff works. In Europe there's Pladge floor polish, same company, but that's got a yellow tinge to it.

Spanjaard
yes, i used it in my last two builds, straight form the bottle to the airbrush. if protects your floor from you stepping on it, imagine how durable that would be as a varnish in your models😉 and a bottle of 0.7litters will go a loooong way. there is people on ebay that buys by the bottle and resell it in tiny ones... i found a seller in Amazon that ship it from US, but only to Germany, France or UK. of course, if you travel to US, you can bring it yourself 😛
i have not dipped any canopy in it yet, but there is plenty of videos and tutorials about how good it works.... just go to youtube and type future canopy😉
it can be mix with tamiya flat base to give it a less shiny finish or even complete matt. i have not tried yet
ah, and it acrylic, easy to clean airbrush with alcohol (never let it dry inside😉 )

Peter Hardy
The K1W1 stuff works too. James has offered to send some over from the Shaky Isles.

Martin Oostrom
The Kiwi stuff works only because James bought it in the US of A 😉

Spanjaard
there is several options out there... i have only tried Future

Peter Hardy
Well if anyone can test it on poorly handled clear it's me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spanjaard
If purchased from US the name future is not longer used (well, not by the brand but certsinly it is used by some sellers, mostly those who sell to us, modelers). You may want to search by Johnson's Pledge

Rene Scheiblich
Sounds interesting and very flexible. Do you guys even use other clearcoats with that stuff in your arsenal?

So Peter, you have the worstcase testbed at hand 🙂😛

I'll keep an eye out for your results and watch some of those tutorials. Might be worth getting a bottle for my planes 🙂
If only postage over the Great Pond wouldn't be so ridiculous😄
Wanted to get a Delta Flyer to fit my USS Voyager. Postage would have been thrice the price of the model -.-
And it's tiny!

Edit:
Forget the nonsense with high postage... Amazon is insane.
This is the stuff right?
amazon.de/JOHNSON-WA..c8vKL&ref=plSrch

Frequently bought together with airbrush thinner. Dead giveaway 😄

Martin Oostrom
"Cannot be shipped to The Netherlands" 🙁

Rene Scheiblich
But I could ship to you I guess 😄

Greg Baker
I have two extra bottles of Future (aka Pledge) as well if anyone wants to pay shipping from Korea. Happy to re-bottle it to a smaller, more cost efficient size. You really don't need much.

I use it all the time and it's fabulous. Dip canopies, clear coat before decals... works great and clean up is simple if you use Windex (or possibly some other anomie-based glass cleaner). Just make sure you don't accidentally spray your model with windex when you're cleaning the glass shelves...

Greg Baker
Btw... this is the latest incarnation - finescale.com/how-to..gloss-has-a-new-name

Peter Hardy
Amazon US won't ship to Oz any more either because we have Amazon Oz now. Jimbo is sending Kerry and I a bottle from Auckland. We will split it up here between us and buy Jim a beer when we meet. Yes Jimbo, we will meet! Thanks for the offers Spanjaard, Rene and Greg. There is a couple of demonstrations of using the stuff on you tube if anyone wanted to have a captain cook.

Greg what have you used it on? Anything bigger than your usual match head sized thousand part dios?

Kerry COX
James C, Thanks a heap for all you are doing mate. 🙂
Not ever being in a lace with exposed floors, I had never heard or had a need for it, but with all the guys on FSM raving about it, I really felt left out, and it was just not possible to get it in to Oz at all, so, I am feeling pretty chuffed right now. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Tim Heimer
Peter, Now that Spanjaard has confirmed my hunch do you still want to get you that or are you good? $8-9 USD for bottle + shipping.

Peter Hardy
Good Tim thanks. Just bought a bottle last night for $43. We will see if it is the right stuff. I bet it ain't!

Peter Hardy
Love to see Kezza in lace! Might just do it for me?

Kerry COX
How about, 'Denim and Lace'. ? hehehehe

Peter Hardy
Photos updated

Peter Hardy
The mind boggles, but I will admit the world is a less enjoyable place without Freddie!

Greg Baker
Ok... I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've seen Queen on a modelling website... This thread should be up for an award or something...

Martin Oostrom
I really like how the front end turned out, and that headlight is WOW! The drive chain looks almost real. Hoses, clamps, you are taking it to a whole new level.
What is it you don't like about the rear? Might not be KC perfect, but you're getting better with each build. Give it a kit or two and you'll give KC a run for his money 😉

Peter Hardy
I don't know, the black exhaust just doesn't do it for me. Can't walk on the rice paper yet but ... 🙂

Spanjaard
it looks really good Peter 🙂

Peter Hardy
Thanks Spanjaard. Will be finished in two weeks I hope.

Tim Heimer
Peter this is coming out REALLY nice! 2 cents worth, if I had to comment on anything the air filter box looks metal not plastic and the gears teeth could use a little color. even from factory they have a small amount of grease on them. outstanding work my friend!

Kerry COX
Timothy has a good point about the rear drive sprocket mate. Just a dab of something that will change the colour of the tips of the teeth. 🙂 And I too am really pleased with the progress. 👍

Kerry COX
From 48 to 66 are brilliant. 🙂
The oil filter lines look awsome and I can see that it all went together as it is supposed to. 👍
I'm lovin' it. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Peter Hardy
Interesting comments gents. I was going to do a little weathering on the rear sprocket, just a wear mark rubbed in and darkened a little. Should have done it before assembly but not too difficult now still. I don't know if the air box on these things were plastic or pressed metal. '85 May have been pressed metal. Would be plastic in new bikes. Tim your point has highlighted that I haven't done what Ron George and KC have drummed into me, research, research, research, know your subject! Was hoping for some thoughts on the grey wash on the radiators. Did it work? I am not so sure but I think the idea was right if not executed well enough. Radiator finning is a difficult thing for a manufacturer to replicate so it is up to me to try. Wrong path? Right path wrong approach? Just plain wrong on so many levels? Thoughts please gentlemen.

Rene Scheiblich
Knowing nothing about the subject here... Does Honda paint their radiators black?
Most I've seen are plain aluminum. Would be easier to get depth into as well i guess... Just limping in the dark here 🙂

Martin Oostrom
Careful Rene, he is building a Kawasaki....

Rene Scheiblich
Darnit... Did I mix it the builds up?! Sorry 🙁
So... Are Kawasaki radiators painted? *faintly whistling with hands deep in pockets*

Kerry COX
The radiators would come up well with the faintest of dry brushed silver, as that will just touch the 'raise' detail of all the fins. Not a wash per say, but a faint 'dusting from a brush that you think is totally devoid of any silver paint you have washed out of the brush. just the gentlest of pressure and look for your results as you go, without adding any more silver to your brush and, the brush must be as dry as possible from any solvent remnants. (metho or turps) Do you want me to talk you through what I mean Peter. ? 😉

Spanjaard
suggestion, if you use a bottle of paint like tamiya, do not shake it. take the paint with a toothpick place it in some paper towel, take a little brush (hard brush, not the softest one) and use the brush in the paper until there is almost no paint. then go for the plastic as Kerry said.

Spanjaard
it is called dry brushing.... Youtube Video
it may not be the best video, but it was the first i found 😉
it shows how is done... wrong. and how it is done correctly

Spanjaard
glad to help 🙂

Peter Hardy
The problem with dry brushing this is there was no raised surface, just a criss crossing of recessed diagonal lines. If you look at the top radiator it has a flat surface with recessed "panel lines". I used dry brushing to bring out the detail on the engine. The bottom radiator I certainly could have done. All in all you guys are so helpful!! Thanks!

Tim Heimer
Colored artist pencils are good to use at times also. I have a silver one that is used the most.

Peter Hardy
As you know Tim I am not short of colours!

Kerry COX
Do you guys want to send your bills first or should I just over charge on behalf of all of us, ? hahahaha 🙂 🙂 🙂

Peter Hardy
Careful Mr Cox, I have a package for you from the Flat lander I could delay for a few days, OR YEARS!!!

Kerry COX
hahahaha :-0 I say NOTHING. :-O

Peter Hardy
Now that's what I like, a compliant Kerry!

Tim Heimer
I know you have all the colors of the rainbow and then some! Try them! Don't like it get an eraser!

Peter Hardy
You moved yet?

Jens
Hello Peter, very nice fine details on the Kawa 👍 👍 👍, You ask me how to solve antennas from the frame and show here in perfection as the cooling of a Kawa has to look at the original, just made awesome (Y ), the rest of course also, very fine detail work 👍

Kerry COX
Peter. Just looking at the radiator on my Ninja and I see that the raised detail is actuall the protective stone guard mesh in a criss cross pattern and the dry brushing here highlighting that mesh will look spectacular. Have you done anything in the way of dry brushing it yet. ? 👍

Kerry COX
There is an other way of bringing out this detail without the dry brushing technique, and that is a piece of the foil that comes out of the coffee cans when first opened. Cut a small piece that is FLAT and no wrinkles or bends.crinkles or any other imperfection. Big enough to fit to the tip of your finger. Place it on the radiator face and rub the foil in gentle circles, and what you will find is that you will see the raised detail literally, leap out at you. OK. ? Cheers. 👍

Peter Hardy
Thanks Jens! I had a history of breaking fine antennas. Slowly learning not to attack them like King Kong!

Kez, the radiator is still accessible so I will give the mesh a try with a very dry brush on Saturday. Don't want it to stand out too much, just a subtle hint to add depth to a pretty dull bland piece. Remarkable as the rear of the radiator is very finely detailed. Don't get it myself but ...

Peter Hardy
Silverstone this weekend!

Martin Oostrom
And Spa Francorchamps

Peter Hardy
Boring! Good morning Marty!

Kerry COX
Peter, some guys build great dio's of workshops and bikes in pieces all over the shop, and with a fully detailed kit like these, the reality is so much better. Just imagine not having that detail. 🙁 🙁

Kerry COX
Marquez will have a ball. 🙂

Brad Furminger
Looking great, Peter.

Peter Hardy
It's kinda weird James, I have no interest in cars or jets or spitfires. I have spent most of my life close to bike racing and knew most of the Aussie and Kiwi racers from the seventies and early eighties. Hence the interest in the bikes and I will admit to being a modern day MotoGP tragic. Love the ships because of their sheer presence and sci fi. Cars? No passion for them. Too slow and pedestrian. Trucks? Maybe after I retire and have them at arms length. Armour? Love it!

Spanjaard
and you say cars are too slow? what about armour???? you want speed, get a jet fighter!!!!
of course, i am kidding. i build almost anything... but that is my choice. not many ships in my collection.... although a type VII U-boot will certain find its way to my stash eventually 😄

Peter Hardy
Formula 1 is boring as bat sh!t. Plenty more bikes, sci fi, armour and WWI planes in the stash. Bismarck is next.

Tim Heimer
Do the sunken version for a challenge! I saw one guys work on the sunken one and it was unbelievable! I have faith! LOL

Tim Heimer
P.s notice mine wasn't sunk!! LOL

Peter Hardy
Sorry, missed that. Did you say that yours stunk?

Tim Heimer
LOL! Yep

Kerry COX
At times, Peter can be a really entertaining sort of a guy. 😉 And I do enjoy how much effort he puts into 'getting it right', because he knows nothing else but to be really positive. 👍
But I will get a car out of him one day, as I rekon it would be as stunning as his two wheel builds.

Bart Goesaert
That would be something, it's only 2 wheels more...

Kerry COX
Good point Bart. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Kerry COX
Yes. He got me all fired up again. Just what I needed as a matter of fact. A good friend indeed. 👍

Peter Hardy
I was going to load a few new pics today but I forgot to take them!

Kerry, all kids need a prod now and then, even the big ones!

Might happen sooner than you think Bart!

Bart Goesaert
for me too, haven't that much interest in cars, but bought a few recently because they interest the kids of my girlfriend... big chance that it will end up on my bench... I've bought one for me too, the GT-40 from Trumpeter... to be started once...

Peter Hardy
Well, if you are going to start may as well start with a classic!

Peter Hardy
1 pic loaded.

Rene Scheiblich
1 picture. Don't overdo it. 😄
If that level of gloss is 'acceptable' in your book, what is top notch?😉

Peter Hardy
And that's just the undercoat!

Martin Oostrom
How many layers do you need? If each layer needs three tries to get it right, you'll need 3*3*3 etc tries to get it done 🙁

Greg Baker
Man... I gotta find some "lower performers" to hang out with on this site...

Spanjaard
you like strippers to much..... i mean, paint stripping😉 perfectionism lead to great results... or frustration😉

Bart Goesaert
All kidding aside.. but you are right in the decision... Greg, welcome mate, but as always, you can learn the most if the bar is set just out of reach or if you have to keep up with better skilled persons... then you need to get out of the comfortzone to be better... I'm myself also mediocre, that aside, but I'm learning also a lot, thus I need some time to experiment myself... where can that be bought? spare time? Anybody knows a good shop for that?

Greg Baker
I totally agree... but "just out of reach" is a lot different than "way the hell up there".😉 Still, as I mentioned on my own build page, Lode's diligence in masking tiny ship bits already made me keep going on some sanding that I would have otherwise said "bah, good enough". And Kerry's award-winning German car build inspired me to spend a little more quality time on one of my builds. So I'm sure one day one of Peter's builds will also have some kind of positive benefit as well. 🙂

Greg Baker
Oh, and if you find that "spare time" shop, let me know. I think I sometimes buy models for my stash because it's easier to spend the money than find the time.

Spanjaard
i think that for most of us, that shop is called "retirement" or "pension" except for those lucky ones that find one called "jackpot". for the rest of us.... we do what we can 🙂 . in my case is called "hours of sleep"

Peter Hardy
I think we all agree that there is a lot of space beyond what is "just out of reach" in my case. As the wisest and most humble philosopher on this site I will offer this observation which I am sure I have mentioned before. Nothing great was ever achieved from within a comfort zone.

There is a saying in the safety profession; whatever standard you just walked past is the standard you just set. I don't want to accept a paint job that I am capable of improving with my current skills. If I do. I don't improve. If I can produce a nice orange peel free rich and shiny finish on my mudguard, then I am capable of doing the same on the other parts. I don't feel frustration with a messed up paint job, just a little disappointment and a desire to achieve the same result that I know I can do. I will never be a Christian or a KC or an Alex G. None of them look down their nose at my efforts so I don't have or at least feel pressure.

What I do get is encouragement from everybody. The painting is something I will get better at. I'd better as I am getting a considerable amount of practice! 🙂

Greg, you are very welcome to hang out with me anytime. You do some quirky sh!t and I think it's fantastic. But, you got serious issues mate, very serious. I gotta start reading these Tin Tin comic books you read. Agree about Kerry's cars. Have you seen his Mercedes 6 wheeler?

Bart, never ever ever put all jokes aside, you will end up a nutcase with these blokes! Can't see how you rate yourself as mediocre though, if you are I must be god awful. Good point on the comfort zone though.

Spanjaard, I will be winning the lotto this weekend. I sat down and worked it out. It's my turn this week. Want to have a rich friend? Beer will flow my friend, litres of it!! Wouldn't have a spare cooler would you?

Bart Goesaert
You just say this now... must admit, regarding the nutcase, you are a bit to late then with that advice 😉.
About the mediocre, a few members of our club win gold in master category, that's out of my league. To get there I must master techniques like weathering and the like... Soon to try on my Magach...

Martin Oostrom
Pete you have a 50-50 chance of winning that lottery: either you win or you won't 😉

Spanjaard
LOL. and if you do, send the beer and a check˙and i will certainly store beer for you !!

Peter Hardy
Maybe I should google what "humble" actually means.

Martin Oostrom
If Peter is the ONLY philosopher here, he is the wisest and most humble. But also the dumbest and most arrogant. Don't you love to toy with words?
RE: the company. Working for the government I see a lot of people in the office every day, Some of the colleagues are a bit older and dusty. I'm not sure they are all alive.

Spanjaard
LOL !!!!

Tim Heimer
The only reason you know that is because you see them walk out at the end of the day. The cleaning crew finds the rest!

Tim Heimer
By the way, the new name for this site is SCALENUTS

Alec K
LOL I am as well. I must again just chime in and say how entertaining these threads are. Regardless of Peter's qualifications as a philosopher, I think we all agree that SCM has become a LOT more entertaining since his debut. None of this, of course, would be possible without the other esteemed members playing ball...😉 👍

Tim Heimer
Peter, what are the famous words of a wise man?

Bart Goesaert
silence

Bart Goesaert
or I'll kill you...

Bart Goesaert
😉

Rene Scheiblich
Scalenuts. Meeting point of the wisest and most enlightened philosophs who happen to glue plastic together when they're not debating the universe😉 awesome thread.
True though about the spare time thing... That might actually be among the most valuable things in life right next to family, health and all the fellow nutjobs we call friends 🙂

But... Don't you have some parts to strip and repaint Peter? Get cracking mate!😉

Kerry COX
Well said Rene...................now, back to my navel for some more gazing. 👍 🙂

Greg Baker
I have to say, besides advice (and the the jabs and friendly teasing), one thing I really like about this site is the perspective each mate brings. Until Lode mentioned being a "specialist" vs. a "generalist" I hadn't really realized the truth of that statement. I have several main project themes I build around, but I bounce around a LOT. In the last year or so I've built planes, both civilian and military, tanks, cars and sci-fi machines - both out of kits and out of a box of plastic bits. I'm not particularly interested in building ships or motorcycles, but the camaraderie around here has got me following builds I otherwise wouldn't - which in turn as got me interested in more things. Even seeing Kerry start talking about building a ship is exciting.

Oh and Peter, if you'd like to know more of the "behind the scenes" part of my build projects, I started filling out my own blog - strobez.ca - It's got (or will) have most of the same content as I have here on Scalemates, but more explanation of the reasons and "big picture". Feel free to check it out if you like~

Bart Goesaert
You are right, but even as a specialist, you have to keep a broad mind, only to learn new methods, tools, material and the like. One of our clubmembers builds mostly cars and bikes. Only 1. He keeps coming, and he learns to weather his cars from the armor guys, he learns the aircraft guys about alclad, he learns about sanding and teaches about polishing, etc... not only that, but also tools, material that we were looking for, but is in the car section, so we didn't find it... (a bit crude, but I'll guess you know what I mean), a thousand ways to Rome, so why stick only to 1 or 2? That's what I like about here too...

Martin Oostrom
Watch, learn, ask, learn some more, Screw up, learn some more.
Oh, before I forget, made some friends too, penpal style 👍

Kerry COX
A week on Wangerooge would not be enough for all of us to mingle and get a model built, as there would be so much to discuss beforehand. But it would be a brilliant time for all those who could attend. Yes. ? hehehehe 🙂 🙂 🙂 👍

Peter Hardy
Brad will be there even if I need to go to Seoul to collar him!!

Tim, the wise man says nothing. I struggle with being a philosopher and being wise as being a philosopher requires me to say something profound and to be wise requires silence. You see my inner turmoil? Stuff it, I might just go back to being a big mouthed smart arse! Less pressure that way.

Peter Hardy
Thank you Alec, that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. (I'll slip the cash directly into your account tomorrow)

Alec K
Thanks Peter (I"ll take 10s an 20s, Monopoly cash of course😉 )

Tim Heimer
Peter the answer is....I don't know. It's the fool who claims he knows it all!

Peter Hardy
How come you have the answer then Mr Know it All?

Tim Heimer
Because, I'm a wise fool!

Bart Goesaert
Murdock, is it you?

Peter Hardy
No Bart, it's only Mrs Heimer's little boy Timmy.

Tim Heimer
No Bart, But we are distantly related! LOL!

Peter Hardy
Six times removed?

Tim Heimer
permanently removed!! Lol !

Kerry COX
I like the paint job you sent me images of Peter. Looking better all the time you touch it. Superb my brother. 🙂 👍

Peter Hardy
'Bout time we Skyped Tim.

Peter Hardy
Not overly happy with the paint Kerry but I will run with it. I'll have the rest painted this weekend and some of the decals on. End is nigh!

Kerry COX
There is ALWAYS the next build Peter. BIG improvements expected there. 👍 🙂

Peter Hardy
Decal issues happening here at the moment! 🙁

Kerry COX
See if you can lift them back to the carrier paper, then start again after a good wash to get rid of the softener. 🙂

Peter Hardy
Chalked up to experience. Dissapointed but not the end of the world.

Tim Heimer
Like a bad comedian I'm here all weekend! LOL Bike is looking good peter, sorry to hear about the problems, but you've came a long way with your skills I'm sure it will come out well!

Martin Oostrom
Come on buddy. If it's better than the previous one, there's progress. At least you got for a year worth of confidence building comments.

Rene Scheiblich
I don't think such a small setback will worsen the outcome by much, knowing you and your achievements so far 👍

Kerry COX
Peter. You can have these ones I have mate. 😉

Christian Bruer
Very nice work and progress 👍

Martin Oostrom
That green looks great 👍

Peter Hardy
Thank you gentlemen. Kerry, I will persist with what I have thanks Mate. I'll see what I can do to repair. All part of the learning! Christian, stay tuned, I will be doing my best to build a Bismarck in a few weeks when I finish the bike. Lode is sneakily getting Kerry and I to build a ship or two. Never trust a frustrated seaman!

Rene Scheiblich
If all fails, masking tape will always be there to save the day 😛
Basecoat looks great so far. And you're going to polish it up further with that Tamiya stuff?

Peter Hardy
I might just poke you in the eye Rene! I'll post a few more pics of my disastrous weekend in an hour. And there is a general appeal for expert assistance included with it.

Spanjaard
i may still be here to look at them 🙂

Peter Hardy
They are uploaded now Spanjaard, as is a general appeal for help!

Spanjaard
fixing those decals specially if dry will be hard, mery hard. Well.... you can remove the decals, and try to white and blue it with masking and airburshing. silver can be done with very careful masking, or geting a silver decal and cutting a thin strip....I am sure you can get the colors right, and then you only need a decal with kawasaki letters
maybe SCM Search: kawasaki logo

Tim Heimer
Or use chrome metal foil around the lower silver stripe, use that to guide you exacto knife with fresh blade and cut off white. leave tape on and paint the white. then carefully pull off foil. use micro soft RED decal solution on the blue and silver stripe. carefully put a slice through high spots and flatten down with soft brush or cotton swab. With a little TLC that might work, then there's always plan B.

Spanjaard
Timothy idea is certainly worth trying.

Martin Oostrom
You might not want to hear this: Listen to Tim 😉
I think that's the fastest way to a decent solution. As a nuclear option, strip everything, paint the colours and letters, then check in in a mental hospital.
Got nothing else for you buddy, sorry.

Peter Hardy
Thanks everyone, I have some bmf and some decal softener so I will give Tim's process a go.

Rene Scheiblich
Yup agreed. Especially since the available Kawasaki texts seem to be metal stickers and you seem to need white.
That's a harsh problem 🤔 and to top it off, your fork broke on you!🙁
But to motivate you more to go the Kerry Cox way (and to add more incentive to pluck my eyes out 😛)... The metallic (which turned out very good looking!) shows a bit of mold seamline on the forks... I'd probably leave them like that though, with the decal issue at hand and all. 😄

Bart Goesaert
also a tip for applying decals to very curved surfaces is to heat the decal with a hairdrayer (don't take the one from the misses, but have your own very cheap one, and for ease of working try to obtain a shopstand also, so that you have your hands free....). Otherwise I work with a wet surface (water) to position the decal, and then only with decalsetting to fix it.

It seems the white is also part of the decal, wasn't it possible to paint that area and only apply the cheatline?

Peter Hardy
Yes Bart, possible but I wasn't aware I would have an issue before I started. Fix will be, remove decals. Cut large white panels off the replacement decals. Paint the areas that were supposed to be white, then use the rest of the decals which should now be far more flexible on the bike. Sounds simple and it will delay the completion but should, in theory anyway, solve my problem and restore my dignity and standing in the Scalemates community. I hope! 😉

Bart Goesaert
The heating trick came from a car builder, he used it to make the decals conform to the surface of the Shelby Cobra (very nasty curves)

Kerry COX
Only when your using vinyl stickers. :-/

Wim van der Luijt
for decals I use a little vinegar in the water I use to wet the decal (the kind of vinegar used for cleaning) After applying to the model I use Microsol (or microset I can never rememer) and also always use warm water with decals and to keep it warm I use this:

[img1]

Peter Hardy
Thanks Wim!

Martin Oostrom
White decals over coloured parts equals disappointment (most of the time)
With newer kits there's a better chance at succes.
Sure you'll fix it somehow, someway 👍

Tim Heimer
We are all pulling for Pete's sake! and sanity, oh wait that's already gone! How about we wish you luck!

Kerry COX
Now THAT was funny Tim. hahahaha 🙂 👍

Spanjaard
i was also going to propose that. your own customization. quite frequent with bikes, right?

Peter Hardy
Yep very frequent! Look, I'll be honest here, I am shocking myself with my reaction to the problem. I am actually looking forward to the fix. There has been a slight temptation to wall the thing for a split second only. I want to finish it before I start the next project but I think with the decal stripping, painting and then reapplication of modified decals I am looking at another month at least. I only model on weekends, so there is a time constraint.

Tim, this is where cross cultural misscomunications start. "Pulling" in Oz has an entirely different meaning. As does having your wife "rooting" for a football team. "Pulling a root" is definitely something to do on a Saturday night. But, that's what makes it fun talking to you!

Tim Heimer
OMG! LOL!

Tim Heimer
That might explain why Kerry was on the floor in laughter.!

Brad Furminger
I've had similar problems with the large decals being oversized on the last bike I built. In one instance I think I just painted and ditched the decal. Hope you're able to restore it to its glory. If not, you could always add road rash or battle damage and hide the flaws. 🙂

Peter Hardy
I won't go that path Brad. I will enjoy the challenge of fixing it! I look at it as a test of my mettle!

Spanjaard
We all have been there....😉
Good luck with the fix

Martin Oostrom
That's some positive attitude adjustment!

Peter Hardy
Thanks Spanjaard, might need a wee bit of luck. Martin, nothing wrong with my f@*§^¥g attitude and I'll #%&$@ any $@*#$&@ who says otherwise! 😉

Michael Hickey
Yep, that's the truck driver in you Peter coming out.😢😄

Kerry COX
Ah, Michael, you do have a way with words. hahahaha 🙂 👍

Peter Hardy
Geeze Mick, that's a bit harsh!

Rene Scheiblich
Nice bit of info about the pulling a root thing, is that very common up there or just in your remote neighbourhood Pete? 😛

What is there to adjust with Peters attitude? He seems to be perfectly calm and very content with the therapeutic work of fixing rebelling decals 😄

Peter Hardy
Oz speak Rene. We often kill ourselves laughing in American TV shows when some saintly wife is asked which team she roots for. Well, we did when we were kids. First time I heard it I stole a quick glance at my Dad who was stealing a quick glance at my Mum who was stealing a quick glance at my older sister. My older brother started laughing and we all broke up.

Rene Scheiblich
😄 harmless family fun 👍 naughty boy you! 😛

Here it's the other way round. Tons of jokes get utterly destroyed in translation to german. Better to watch the stuff in english...

How are the stripes going?

Peter Hardy
Not the weekend yet. Work disasters take precedence during the week.