I am building this for a nice guy in New York named
John Snider. He won this kit, and the fork set from a a local hobbyshop
Raffle I think. I convinced him to purchase the Zero paint to make it
accurate. For the most part it will be built out of the box with detail
painting and the fork set. Here is a picture below of what I started
with.

http://images33.fotki.com/v1135/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010001-vi.jpg


I always like to start with the cowlings first. Here is a trick I use to
get rid of those seams when you put the parts together that have them.
In this case its the tank. I use Ambroid pro weld liquid plastic cement
or in this case plastistruct cement. Glue the tank halves together and
"Squeeze" until the plastic oozes.. that way you let it dry and sand off
the seam flush and smooth. This is cleaner, easier, and smoother than
putty. You also eliminate the possibility of shrinkage!

http://images20.fotki.com/v249/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010002-vi.jpg


Here are all the cowlings were primed with duplicolor white primer and
painted with Zero Kawi green through the airbrush... this color is
perfect and suits the bike nicely. I cannot tell you how nice this paint
shoots through my airbrush! Each panel also recieved one coat of dupont
clear.

http://images22.fotki.com/v752/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010003-vi.jpg


Once the clear had cured I decaled all the panels and used alot of
microsole decal solvent to snug them down. Once they cured overnight, I
cleaned off the residue and recleared all pieces with dupont clear.

http://images27.fotki.com/v984/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010005-vi.jpg

Here is my favorite part. The rear seat cowl belly.... I love that NINJA
logo!!

http://images22.fotki.com/v762/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010006-vi.jpg

Tamiya instructs you to paint the front fender TS-29 and then add the
center decal. I opted to cover it in SMS Hi-def CF decal. Then add the
green decal and clear...

http://images24.fotki.com/v769/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010007-vi.jpg

Finally, I assembled and primed the frame and rear swingarm. The paint I
used is the black that comes with the Kawasaki Green kit. It laid down
nicely and smooth and gave the frame a semi gloss poweder coated look.

http://images21.fotki.com/v758/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010004-vi.jpg

More to come soon!!

This is looking great Dave, you have got painting/decal process nailed!! I'm glad you liked the Zero paint, Steve's making colour matching much easier these days. :smokin:

I use the same trick when I glue the cowlings together, and it works amazingly well. I tend to apply the glue to the sides before I put the 2 halves together, to help soften it slightly, and then I'll put the 2 halves together, and leave a slight gap to run more glue using capillary action to pull the glue in, and then press the 2 together, and it works great.

The paint looks absolutely flawless Dave, cant wait to see this one done.

And I think Im going to have to get this kit. Ive seen several built up now, and Im really likeing how it looks, so im going to have to find one to add to my collection.

Great work so far. you are really a master decaller.
/Joel

Looking great. The decals are very well done

:iagree:

Great looking model you have there!!!

Out of curiousity, how does the Dupont Clear come? Is it in a rattle can or do you have to run it through an airbrush? I've heard of a number of people using it, but have yet to try it myself.

That Dupont clear looks amazing, unfortunately don't think you can get it in the UK! how does it react with decals, is it perfectly safe or do you need to mist it on first? that paint job is stunning mate! first class. Also the black on frame looks lovely, think I may use that in future as a lot of so called semi gloss paints are often too shiny and lumpy!
Col

Cool project, looking forward to seeing more!

Well this one needed to be getting along so I did a bit on it this weekend....

Engine complete using various alclads and washes:

http://images35.fotki.com/v1197/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010062-vi.jpg
http://images33.fotki.com/v1189/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010063-vi.jpg

Engine permanantly installed in the frame:

http://images36.fotki.com/v1201/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010067-vi.jpg

Wheels and tires complete. The green stripes got cursed at a few times! :

http://images36.fotki.com/v1180/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010066-vi.jpg

Finally I did some CF work with SMS Hi def decals on the rear seat back, airbox, and rear fender followed by dupont clear

http://images36.fotki.com/v1182/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010068-vi.jpg

more to come!

DaveT

Looking great..!! Is dupont clear 2K ??
Hope to see more soon..!!:popcorn:

That looks sharp!
I also use your glue trick to mate two halves together! I always thought is was a lazy way of doing it seeing so many people use putty. I'm glad others also use it, as I really struggle with putty.
Looking forward to your next updates!

Looking great..!! Is dupont clear 2K ??
Hope to see more soon..!!:popcorn:

Yes, it is chromaclear 2K

And I am back on it again.....

Thanks guys....

Here is the beauty of the Detail up parts set.... A pre painted spring and nice brass anodized oil reservoir!

http://images35.fotki.com/v1198/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010010-vi.jpg

The rear swing arm is ready to go in the frame.... the chain I really detailed to look as real as possible...

http://images35.fotki.com/v1210/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010011-vi.jpg
http://images36.fotki.com/v1203/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010012-vi.jpg

lastly the swingarm was installed..... next up is exhaust staining.

http://images35.fotki.com/v1210/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010013-vi.jpg
http://images35.fotki.com/v1210/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010014-vi.jpg
http://images36.fotki.com/v1179/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010015-vi.jpg

Dude! That chain is amazing! How did you detail it like that?

OH man, yea. You gotta share your secret on that chain, it looks absolutely gorgeous.

this is so much better than my honda rc211v. i love the shine on this bike, and i can't wait to see it finished.:popcorn:

Very nice Dave. Another killer build is nearly done...

Ok, so where exactly can you get the chromaclear 2k? I've never heard of it...it just looks fantastic!

Daniel

Chain is amazing! The clear on yhose cf parts look like glass! Stunning.
Joel

More progress on this one....

Exhaust is done using TS-14 directly over the plastic, then shooting light coats of HOK CHROME. I picked this up at the HS and its a great stand in for alclad chrome! Once dry I masked the weld seams and used CLear orange, blue, and red to do the heat staining with airbrush.....

http://images38.fotki.com/v1213/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010034-vi.jpg

Here is the pipes installed on the frame.

http://images38.fotki.com/v1215/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010035-vi.jpg

Very nice, Dave !!

Is the script on the exhaust or is it a p/e part ??

Nice looking !!!

Can't wait to start mine after finished the ZZR1400 :D

Very nice, Dave !!

Is the script on the exhaust or is it a p/e part ??

It is a decal Micha....

Thanks!

Great work
Joel

Thanks guys.... this one is close!!

Front fork is done using the DP tamiya fork set.

http://images39.fotki.com/v1227/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010040-vi.jpg

I built the wheel stand which I painted with duplicolor chrome enamel to give it a polished aluminum look and threw the rear seat cowl and tank on to see it take shape....

http://images38.fotki.com/v1213/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010036-vi.jpg
http://images39.fotki.com/v1236/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010038-vi.jpg
http://images38.fotki.com/v1212/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010039-vi.jpg
http://images38.fotki.com/v1221/photos/3/335511/6121935/P1010041-vi.jpg

look the bees knees... great work lovely finish on body work.

Well, if you're throwing that together, you have excellent aim!! :iceslolan Looks very nice. Did you use the Zero green on the wheels for the stand too?

Well, if you're throwing that together, you have excellent aim!! :iceslolan Looks very nice. Did you use the Zero green on the wheels for the stand too?

Nope, I used Tamiya light green as the instructions stated...

Thanks!!!

Did you polish those cowls? Looks very shiny!
/Joel